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