Daily Archives: October 27, 2013

Women in the Outdoors: Numbers on the Rise

By Southwick Associates

            The traditional image of men escaping for the weekend to experience the thrill and challenge of outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing and shooting may be as antiquated as the gender make-up in the boardroom in scenes from television’s Mad Men. Annie it seems has definitely got her gun, and hunting license and fishing rod and reel. In fact, according to Women in the Outdoors in 2012, an in-depth report on women’s participation in outdoor recreation compiled by Southwick Associates, women now make up more than a quarter of all anglers and represent the fastest growing segment within the hunting and shooting communities making up as much as nearly 11 percent of all hunters.

“Many people may be surprised to learn the traditional view of the outdoors person is changing, but to anybody who hunts, fishes and shoots, the presence of women on the water, in the woods and at the range is anything but new, and certainly not surprising,” says Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates.

The Women in the Outdoors in 2012 report is a comprehensive snapshot of women’s participation in outdoor sports ever published. It examines the level and rate of participation of females in freshwater and saltwater fishing, hunting and shooting and compares women and men’s purchasing habits for hunting, shooting and fishing equipment. It also offers a unique glimpse at their outdoor media consumption, providing invaluable insight to advertisers, manufacturers and retailers into where today’s outdoorswoman gets most of the information that affects her purchasing decisions.

Southwick Associates utilizes proprietary market data from their own research combined with the most recent and reliable data from key government sources to compile the report.

While the decision-guiding data found in most Southwick Associates market reports are available for sale, the company is making the Women in the Outdoors in 2012 report available athttp://www.southwickassociates.com/portfolio-view/women-in-the-outdoors-in-2012/  

Cargill Cares Donates $10,000 to Pass It On Outdoor Mentors to Get Kids Outdoors

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors announced today that it was awarded a $10,000.00 grant from the Wichita Cargill Cares Council. This generous donation will be used to supplement Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors’ efforts to give more children the opportunity to experience the great outdoors with a caring mentor. Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors works with state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation groups and youth organizations to reach out to underserved youth, giving them the chance to experience the great outdoors.

“Too many children are spending too little time outdoors,” indicated Michael Christensen, President of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc. “It is up to the outdoor community to step up and introduce these children to the great outdoors that we all know and love if we are to see our outdoor heritage passed along to the next generation. This generous donation from the Cargill Cares will help young people in the Greater Wichita Metropolitan Area develop healthy lifestyles, understand the importance of their natural environment and avoid risky behavior through participation in traditional outdoor activities and practical environmental projects with carefully screened, caring adult mentors through programs provided in partnership with local conservation groups and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.”

“Cargill is a company with a long and rich heritage tied to agriculture, the land and nature, and we believe it is important for children to have an opportunity to experience outdoor activities and learn about, and appreciate, the importance and value of the natural environment,” said Debbie Nece, Wichita Cargill Cares Council chairman. “We are pleased to be able to support such a worthy effort by an organization with the passion and commitment of Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Inc.

Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors has partnered with state fish and wildlife agencies, conservation organizations and youth organizations to give at-risk children outdoor opportunities they would not have had otherwise. “There are many organizations providing outdoor activities. It is imperative that we involve children who are not connected to these organizations to insure that they have the chance to experience the wonders and joys of the great outdoors that we all know and love,” stated Christensen.

Win a Buffalo Hunt

Geary County Fish and Game Association

The Geary County Fish and Game Association is conducting their Annual Fund Raiser. The prize is a Buffalo Hunt or $500 cash. Tickets are one for $20 or six for $100. Enter for your chance to win a hunt for a 2-3 year-old Bull, estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds. Winner can us rifle, bow or black powder (if large enough caliber).

Hunt will be on a ranch in Dickinson County. You shoot, we help load on your trailer or truck. Winner pays for meat processing. Drawing will be held at the Geary County Fish and Game headquarters at Milford Reservoir at its meeting on November 11, 2013. Need not be present to win.

If you have any questions, call Tom Goudey, GCFGA Vice President, at 785-238-7845 or 785-761-7525. You may also call Ken Schortmann, GCFGA Director, at 785-210-9072.