Strong license sales point to growing interest in the outdoors
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ALPENA -- After a year of exceptional license sales, a high number of hunters and anglers should once again enjoy the woods and waters of Michigan in 2021, according to data provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Increased interest in the outdoors -- evidenced last year through a striking jump in license sales -- remained high this year, with older hunters who sat last season out once again picking up their rifles and fishing rods.
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Hunting and fishing license sales skyrocketed in 2020, compared to a gradual decline in sales since the mid-1990s, according to DNR Research Specialist Dustin Isenhoff.
After falling by about one to three percentage points per year for decades, total license sales jumped by more than 8% in 2020. Even with a slight decrease in 2021, license sales still hover well above pre-2020 sales, according to DNR records of license sales through July since 2016.
Female and young anglers and hunters accounted for much of last year's increase, with women claiming 24% more licenses than the previous year and 17- to 34-year-olds buying almost as many more.
Sales to both groups eased back down this year but still surpassed previous years' totals.
The 65-plus age group that usually predominates license sales dropped off last year, possibly as older hunters stayed home as a health precaution, Isenhoff said.
In 2021, sales to older hunters and anglers have soared above previous levels for that age group.
After a substantial increase in first-time hunters in 2020, new hunters have continued to apply in above-average numbers in 2021.
License sales to out-of-state hunters jumped by 35% in 2021. Fishing licenses to nonresidents increased significantly, as well, climbing more than 22% this year.
A pandemic-driven desire to be outdoors and to get away from home could account for the boom in sales to out-of-staters, Isenhoff said.
Northeast Michigan hunters taking to the woods this fall should have plenty of company, with a 37% increase in deer licenses purchased since 2019.
Spring turkey hunt sales had DNR officials "jumping up and down," Isenhoff said, with 103,00 hopeful turkey hunters purchasing licenses for that season. Waterfowl, small game, and fur harvester license sales have all increased substantially in the past two years.
Pure Michigan Hunt applications have topped 17,000 this year, far outpacing the 7,000 annual applications submitted five years ago. Winners of the state's annual Pure Michigan Hunt drawings win licenses for multiple seasons, including a coveted elk hunt license.
Check out the interactive graphic below.