Hunters and Anglers are 'Economic Powerhouse'

Bass Pro Shops event features pro's, seminars, youth activities and more!

Springfield, Missouri (July 23, 2010)?The Fall Hunting Classics are a tradition at Bass Pro Shops and an event that some 6.5 million people are expected to attend this year.  Why is this important?  "Because hunting is big business," says Bass Pro Shops spokeswoman Katie Mitchell.

And, indeed it is.  A report by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation cites America's 34 million hunters and anglers are an economic powerhouse?spending some $8.6 million an hour.  If this $76 billion-a-year industry were a corporation it would be among America's 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T.

"The Bass Pro Shops Fall Classic is a huge event and hunters and other outdoor sportsmen and -women look forward to it all year long," said Mitchell.  "Outdoor enthusiasts will be able to learn the secret techniques and strategies used by professionals to gain a better advantage in the field, see all the latest products and attend workshops and seminars.  And, there is a 'ripple effect' as other area retailers, gas stations, hotels and restaurants benefit as well from the increased traffic the Classic generates," Mitchell added.

This 17-day event will be held August 6th through August 22nd at 51 Bass Pro Shops retail locations across the United States and Canada and it is all free.

Hunting and fishing sportsmen directly support 1.6 million jobs, spend more than a billion dollars just on licenses, stamps, tags and permits, and they generate $25 billion a year in federal, state and local taxes.  More than 12.5 million hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts pump $24.9 billion into the economy each year.

But the buck doesn't stop there.  It is vitally important that today's youth get involved in the outdoors so they can become the stewards and conservationists of tomorrow to insure the maintenance and well-being of our natural resources.  "I've heard it said that if you don't have a fishing rod in the hands of a youngster by the time they are 8 years old, the chances of getting them to go fishing later in life diminishes dramatically," said Mitchell.  "I would think the same applies to getting them introduced to hunting and shooting sports," she continued.

This is important because the sale of hunting licenses, tags and stamps is the primary source of funding for most state wildlife conservation efforts.  Hunters and anglers have always been, and continue to be, the largest contributors to government wildlife conservation programs.  Through excise taxes and license revenues, these sportsmen have contributed more than $10 billion dollars to conservation and provide more than 80% of the funding for most state fish and wildlife agencies.  Just from hunters alone, nearly $200 million in hunters' federal excise taxes are distributed to State agencies to support wildlife each year.

(All statistics are from the Congressional Sportsman's Foundation report "Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors." It can be accessed online at www.sportsmenslink.org)

Some of the special events during the Bass Pro Shops 2010 Fall Hunting Classic include :
· Aug. 6-8 - Bass Pro Shops Free Hunting University.  Nationally recognized professional hunters and outdoorsmen will be at stores to give seminars and talk about their experiences. Friday 5-9pm  Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm (Visit www.basspro.com/classics for individual store location listing of seminar pros, topics and times)
· Aug. 6-22 - Preferred Rewards
· August 9 - 18 Additional savings up to $100 off when using your Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Rewards Visa.  U.S. stores only.
· Aug. 12-17 - Binocular Trade-In.   Trade in your old pair of binoculars and save on any new binocular purchase.  See a store associate for details.
· Aug. 21-22 - Next Generation Weekend.  Noon to 5pm.  Activities include Free youth seminars (1pm and 3pm), Free Shooting Arcade*, BB gun/pellet gun range*, archery range*, paintball cage, (*in stores where available), deer sun catch craft 12N to 2pm (while supplies last).  Youths will receive a punch card to be punched once for every activity they complete.  Once the card is full youths will receive a "Bass Pro Shops Next Generation" logo drawpack (while supplies last). 
· Aug. 21-22 - PictureU Free Photo.  Picture yourself on the cover of an Outdoor Life Magazine!  Saturday and Sunday Noon - 5pm
· Aug. 14-15  and 21-22?ATV Test Drive* 12Noon - 5pm

In addition, customers will be able to register August 6th - 22nd for a sweepstakes to win a 3-Day Spring Turkey Hunt in Kansas with Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, Hosts of "The Crush" TV show and RedHead Pro Hunting Team Members (visit www.basspro.com/winahunt for details). Plus, one winner in every store will win a RedHead® Hunting Gear Package with a retail value of $560.00 (US), $733.00 (CAD) that includes a RedHead deluxe gear bag, Enigma Hub-Style hunting blind, Epic binoculars, RedHead 12-can soft side cooler, RedHead caliber waist packs and RedHead bow/rifle pack.  (Contest rules: Customers may also enter to win online at www.basspro.com.  52 First Place winners will be drawn and one Grand Prize winner will be drawn nationally.  NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE.  Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry.  Void where prohibited.  Sweepstakes begins 08/06/10 and ends 08/22/10.)

For more information on the free Bass Pro Shops Fall Hunting Classic go to www.basspro.com/classic.