12/12/06 Hunting Trends

My first Christmas as a newlywed I eagerly unwrapped my husbands gift & only to find a pair of men's size 7 hunting boots, yes I am still married to the man, and despite what initially was perceived as the most unromantic gesture possible, I have come to realize that it was really quite sweet. It was his way of sharing his love of hunting. 26 years latter we are still hunting together but today I buy my boots in woman's sizes. Thumb through any outdoor magazine, from Cabelas, L. L. Bean, or Orvis and it is obvious we women have become an important part of the hunting industry. A recent study by the National Sporting Goods Association estimates that more than 3 million women now take part in some form of hunting. The number of women that hunt with firearms jumped 72 percent over the last three years and the number of women bow hunters has grown to 786,000. Thankfully the days of being decked in boyfriend's or hubby's camo are in the past but I still would caution you fellows out not to give your gal hunting boots for Christmas&