Women Hold Steady On Outdoors Use

Sun., Sept. 29, 1996

National Sporting Goods Associat

Though some women’s sports enthusiasts say women’s participation in outdoor activities is booming, statistics suggest the level of activity is actually staying steady or declining slightly.

Backpacking/wilderness camping

1990: 4.2 million women, 39 percent of all participants

1995: 3.8 million women, 37 percent of all participants

Hiking

1990: 10.6 million women, 48 percent of all participants

1995: 11.2 million women, 45 percent of all participants

Hunting with firearms

1990: 2.3 million women, 12 percent of all participants

1995: 2.3 million women, 14 percent of all participants

Camping

1990: 21.8 million women, 47 percent of all participants

1995: 20 million women, 47 percent of all participants

Fishing

1990: 3.5 million women, 24 percent of all participants (saltwater) 13 million women, 32 percent of all participants (freshwater)

1995: 14.4 million women, 33 percent of all participants (freshwater and saltwater combined)

Target shooting

1990: 2.7 million women, 21 percent of all participants

1995: 2.2 million women, 19 percent of all participants

Canoeing

1990: 3.7 million women, 42 percent of all participants

1995: 3 million women, 42 percent of all participants

Boating (motor/power)

1990: 12.3 million women, 43 percent of all participants

1995: 10.6 million women, 43 percent of all participants

Sailing

1990: 2.1 million women, 43 percent of all participants

1995: 1.7 million women, 45 percent of all participants

Archery

1990: 1.2 million women, 21 percent of all participants

1995: 1.1 million women, 23 percent of all participants

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = National Sporting Goods Association