As hunters, we are a group of individuals who buy a ton of gear. Our closets, trucks and basements are filled with products we “must” have to go afield in pursuit of nature’s bounty. In today’s high-tech society, a canteen of water, some saltine crackers and a pocket knife simply aren’t enough to satisfy our needs. We have to carry the best; the latest and greatest compound bow, trendy deer call or “see into the future” binoculars.
When a recent report from Southwick Associates announced the brands hunters and shooters purchased most frequently in 2012, I was curious to see what the hunting brethren were buying.
This list has been compiled from the 35,081 Internet-based surveys completed by hunters and shooters who volunteered to participate last year in HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com polls. In 2012, the top brands included:
n Top rifle brand: Remington, Ruger (each 11.5 percent of all purchases)
n Top shotgun brand: Remington (19.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top muzzleloader brand: CVA (31.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top handgun brand: Sturm, Ruger (17.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top crossbow brand: Barnett (21.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top air rifle brand: Crosman (29.6 percent of all purchases)
n Top rifle ammunition brand: Remington (21.4 percent of all purchases)
n Top shotgun ammunition brand: Winchester (32.1 percent of all purchases)
n Top handgun ammunition brand: Winchester (17.9 percent of all purchases)
n Top blackpowder brand: Pyrodex (41.6 percent of all purchases)
n Top balls, bullets or shot brand: Hornady (33.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top bow brand: Hoyt (15.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top arrow brand: Carbon Express (30.1 percent of all purchases)
n Top fletching brand: Blazer (24.4 percent of all purchases)
n Top broad head brand: Rage (21.1 percent of all purchases)
n Top release/tab brand: Tru-Fire (33.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top archery target brand: The Block (11.9 percent of all purchases)
n Top bow case brand: Plano (35.5 percent of all purchases)
n Top archery sight brand: TruGlo (27.8 percent of all purchases)
n Top decoy brand: Mojo (10.8 percent of all purchases)
n Top game call brand: Primos (26.2 percent of all purchases)
n Top reloading press brand: Lee Precision (37.9 percent of all purchases)
n Top reloading die brand: Lee Precision (38.3 percent of all purchases)
n Top reloading bullet brand: Hornady (34.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top reloading primer brand: CCI (40.3 percent of all purchases)
n Top reloading powder brand: Hodgdon (40.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top shot brand: Lawrence (30.2 percent of all purchases)
n Top binocular brand: Bushnell (28.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top scope brand for firearms: Bushnell (14.5 percent of all purchases)
n Top spotting scope brand: Barska (10.5 percent of all purchases)
n Top range finder brand: Bushnell (36.3 percent of all purchases)
n Top optic sight brand: EOTech (8.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top knife brand: Buck (13.4 percent of all purchases)
n Top cover scent brand: Wildlife Research Center (19.9 percent of all purchases)
n Top lure scent brand: Tinks (31.4 percent of all purchases)
n Top odor eliminator brand: Scent-A-Way (35.8 percent of all purchases)
n Top shooting target brand: Shoot-N-C (31.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top tree stand brand: Guide Gear (12.1 percent of all purchases)
n Top blind brand: Ameristep (33.9 percent of all purchases)
n Top clay brand: White Flyer (51.3 percent of all purchases)
n Top trail camera brand: Moultrie (25.4 percent of all purchases)
n Top holster brand: Blackhawk (15.0 percent of all purchases)
n Top gun sleeves brand: Allen (12.1 percent of all purchases)
n Top gun safe brand: Stack-on (25.7 percent of all purchases)
n Top magazine brand: ProMag (11.9 percent of all purchases)
With March rolling in like a lion, we can only hope that it goes out like a lamb and, in doing so, brings southern West Virginia sportsmen closer to the next greatest time to be outdoors — fishing season. That reminds me, I better stop by the local bait barn and pick up a new smallmouth rod. And some new line. And of course my waders leak. And some new top water baits would be great. And my sunglasses are cracked. And ... here we go again!
Outdoors
Related Photos
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More than 12 percent of over 35,000 hunters polled bought Guide Gear tree stands in 2012. The polls were conducted by HunterSurvey.com and ShooterSurvey.com. Chris Ellis
Survey shows hunters buy and buy often
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