Is archery dying ?

[alexnelon]

I asked about membership at local archery club in 2022 they told me waitlist was many many years wait, like 200 people Deep. then they asked if I wanted on it. Nope.

I just Got a call this year there’s an opening for me so I’m joining.

I’m not sure what that All means, either waitlist people don’t want to spend the annual fees or are dropping out of archery?

Combination of both. A lot of people getting out of the sport entirely after trying it out for a year after c19, and a lot of people who can no longer afford it without getting big giant checks in the mail from the government.

A lot of the perceptions on this forum are still stuck in 2021 when there actually were a lot more people trying out new hobbies. But those perceptions haven't adjusted back to reality with the decline we're actually experiencing.

 

[Billy Goat]

I’m not sure what that All means, either waitlist people don’t want to spend the annual fees or are dropping out of archery?

At one of my local clubs, to look over the league numbers over the past 10-12 years they have dropped.

Then you look at the names from a decade ago, and it's sad how many are dead.

 

[Szwampdonkey]

Interesting people point to things like bow sales as some sort of proof archery is alive and well. Yet there are fools out there who buy a new bow every single year because of all the “massive advances” in tech form one year to the next. Some amazingly buy multiple bows a year as they are suckers for slick marketing!

Those guys are probably keeping bow manufacturers in business cause guys actually spending their fall killing deer instead of blowing money tinkering and going to archery shoots buy like one bow every 20-30 years. Only way to explain archery sales remaining strong but archery kills going down.

Only 38,000 archery kills this year in WI down from 89,000 in 2013 season. That is a MASSIVE nosedive! I think that’s a way more accurate representation of the death of archery than bow sales.

 

[imurhuckleb3rry]

I think think in the hunting community the sport is evolving and becoming more of just that, a sport. 3D in event styles like the TAC or similar have never been more popular. I am sure it is different state by state. The other change is the cost of equipment now days. People, especially younger, are willing to (and in some cases dont have many other available options than) to fork out for premium equipment.

 

[DooleyVT]

I work (volunteer) at a small local archery shop just because the owner is a super nice guy and I really enjoy archery and learning about bows. There’s no money in a mom and pop shop. The owner has to have a full time job because there’s no way he could pay for help, support himself, let alone his family, with that small shop in rural Vermont. Like myself he just enjoys the sport and helping people enjoy the sport. He sells 30-45 bows,10-12 crossbows a year, arrows and some accessories. People don’t realize the challenges of a small business and the cost it takes to run a business. Utilities, insurance, equipment, etc. are expensive. Most bow manufacturers have a minimum order of bows that ship in the spring (slow time) and most require it paid within 60 days. He often has to come up with 35k in spring to get companies paid and he typically won’t sell those bows until early fall. Guys and gals buy more and more stuff online and come in to have him set it up and then complain about the $100 to get a bow properly tuned and set up for each individual. That cost is built in to a bow bought from him. Bows bought at box stores or marketplace that people bring in and then complain that he doesn’t have the parts to set it up. It’s just not worth it for him. Unfortunately I wouldn’t doubt if he closes up in the next couple years too. Archery is not dying but tight knit communities definitely are.

 

[pugwylde]

In the Southeast US, yes.
Outside early archery 15 day season in SC or bow only GMA, 80% using archery are felons.

Lol... Funny you say that. Not that tattoos say felon, but I ran into a dude last season that looked like Post Malone picked up a new hobby. It didn't occur to me at the time, but now that you say it... Maybe?