During this economic downturn when everyone is having to tighten their belts a bit, it's nice to be able to still do things you enjoy or continue traditions that are a part of your families' heritage. And, it's even better if it's free!
The Fall Hunting Classics are such a tradition at Bass Pro Shops. This year, nearly 6 million people are expected to attend the 2009 Fall Hunting Classics August 7th through 23rd. This 17-day event will be held at 51 Bass Pro Shops retail locations across the United States and Canada and it is all free.
"This event is huge and hunters and other outdoor sportsmen and women look forward to it all year long, said Bass Pro Shops spokeswoman Katie Mitchell. "Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to learn the secret techniques and strategies used by professionals to gain a better advantage in the field, see all the latest products and attend workshops and seminars. And, there is a 'ripple effect' as other area retailers, gas stations, hotels and restaurants benefit as well from the increased traffic the Classic generates," Mitchell added.
But why does Bass Pro Shops go to all the time, trouble and expense, especially in these gloomy economic times, to host such an event? According to Mitchell, 'hunting is big business.' And, indeed it is. A report by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation cites America's 34 million hunters and anglers are an economic powerhouse-spending some $8.6 million an hour. If this $76 billion-a-year industry were a corporation it would be among America's 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T.
Hunting and fishing sportsmen directly support 1.6 million jobs, spend more than a billion dollars just on licenses, stamps, tags and permits, and they generate $25 billion a year in federal, state and local taxes. More than 12.5 million hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts pump $24.9 billion into the economy each year. Where do those billions go? They spend $2.4 billion on guns and rifles, $203 million on binoculars, field glasses and other optics, decoys and game calls equate to $187 million, hunting apparel takes up $459 million and ammunition purchases equate to $696 million.
Just food and drinks consumed on hunting trips eats up $2.1 billion. And, on lodging alone, hunters spend $614 million-more than the combined annual revenues of Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality Inn, EconoLodge, Rodeway Inn and Sleep Inn ($482 million).
But the buck doesn't stop there. It is vitally important that today's youth get involved in the outdoors so they can become the stewards and conservationists of tomorrow to insure the maintenance and well-being of our natural resources. "I've heard it said that if you don't have a fishing rod in the hands of a youngster by the time they are 8 years old, the chances of getting them to go fishing later in life diminishes dramatically," said Mitchell. "I would think the same applies to getting them introduced to hunting and shooting sports," she continued.
Why is this so important? The sale of hunting licenses, tags and stamps is the primary source of funding for most state wildlife conservation efforts. Hunters and anglers have always been, and continue to be, the largest contributors to government wildlife conservation programs. Through excise taxes and license revenues, these sportsmen have contributed more than $10 billion dollars to conservation and provide more than 80% of the funding for most state fish and wildlife agencies. Just from hunters alone, nearly $200 million in hunters' federal excise taxes are distributed to State agencies to support wildlife each year.
Success stories of these wildlife restoration projects are exemplified though the 'bringing back' of dozens of species such as ducks, wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. In 1900 there were less than 100,000 wild turkeys in the nation. Today there are 7 million. (All statistics are from the Congressional Sportsman's Foundation report "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors." It can be accessed online at www.sportsmenslink.org )
Some of the special events during the Bass Pro Shops 2009 Fall Hunting Classic include:
. Aug. 7-9 - Bass Pro Shops Free Hunting University. Nationally recognized professional hunters and outdoorsmen will be at stores to give seminars and talk about their experiences. Friday 5-9pm Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
. Aug. 7 - Preferred Rewards Night
. Aug. 22-23 - Next Generation Weekend. Noon to 6pm. Activities include free Shooting Arcade*, BB gun/pellet gun range*, archery range*, paintball cage, (*in stores where available), leather stamping craft (Saturday only, starts at noon, while supplies last), animal track mold craft (Sunday only, starts at noon, while supplies last), and seminars for youths given by associates or conservation groups Saturday and Sunday at 1pm and 2pm. Youths will receive a punch card to be punched once for every activity they complete. Once the card is full youths will receive a "Bass Pro Shops Next Generation" DVD. (While supplies last)
. Aug. 7-9 - PictureU Free Photo. Picture yourself on the cover of an Outdoor Life Magazine! Friday 5-9pm Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
. Aug. 15 -16 - PictureU Free Photo. Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
. Aug. 22 -23 - PictureU Free Photo. Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
In addition, customers will be able to register August 7th - 23rd for a sweepstakes featuring a trip to the Professional Bull Riders Finals. Winner of the First place prize (one winner selected from each store) will win tickets for two for three days at the PBR Finals in Las Vegas, and a two-night stay for one customer and one guest at the Silverton Hotel and Casino. A Grand Prize Winner will be selected during the PBR finals and will receive an API OutdoorsT Alumi-Tech® Climbing Treestand (retail $269.99), Arctic Cat Prowler (retail $10,995.00), Grizzly Boat Package (retail $7995.00) and a RedHead® Hunting Package valued at $1000.00. (Contest rules: Customers may also enter to win online at www.basspro.com. 51 First Place winners will be drawn and one Grand Prize winner will be drawn nationally. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes begins 08/07/09 and ends 08/23/09.)
For more information on the free Bass Pro Shops Fall Hunting Classic go to www.basspro.com/classic.
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