In the past few weeks, the Archery Wire has had the opportunity to visit with many of the principal players involved in different facets of the archery business, from company presidents to major retailers, from trade association leaders to sales reps, and manufacturers to media types.

And, from the tradeshow at the South Point resort during the 2017 Vegas Shoot last week, to the floor of this year's ATA Show in downtown Indianapolis in January, the consensus among those who make a living in the industry, was, for the first time in memory, unanimously and unequivocally downbeat.

To say there is a growing concern about the future among both the industry leaders and status quo dealers and salespeople is just a small portion of the big picture. Everyone agrees there are significant problems facing the archery business in coming months – and everyone also seems to agree there are multiple reasons for the considerable – and consistent -- dropoff in bow and gear sales, particularly in the hunting market and related accessories.

More than one industry veteran we spoke with in Vegas and Indy described the current industry dilemma as a "perfect storm," in which many factors have combined at the same time to affect bow sales and the industry in general.

Some of those reasons included (but were not limited to):

- Negative growth or stagnant numbers among bowhunters in general, pointing to recruitment issues and an aging demographic.

- The trend of "high end" bows produced by major manufacturers with costs approaching $1,500, resulting in a decrease in numbers of bows being sold and fewer upgrades by bowhunters every few years.

- A "peaking" of bow technology -- including materials and quality -- meaning that today's bows and equipment simply lasts longer and eliminates the need for replacement on a regular basis.

- "Business as usual" by major bow manufacturers, by producing new and expanded bow models and lines every year at the same time, while many retailers continue to struggle to sell the previous year's products.

- Retailer buying programs from some companies and rep groups that pressure dealers to commit to quantities that are unreasonable and quite frankly, potentially harmful to their financial future.

- Decreasing bowhunting whitetail harvests in some states where the population of deer has been historically strong and consistent for decades.

- The growing threat and occurrence of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and its impact on deer herds has led to fear among bowhunters in some of hunting's biggest states and resulted in decreased participation.

- Increased urbanization, more posted private land, limited public access and fewer places to bowhunt in general.

If you agree these reasons sound like they could potentially signal doom the future of archery hunting and the bowhunting industry in the U.S., then you're on the same page as many concerned people in the industry.

The good news – and there indeed is some -- is that it appears the primary leadership of the industry's trade organization, the Archery Trade Association (ATA), agree there are significant problems facing the industry that must be addressed – and dealt with through implementation of serious programs and industry-wide efforts. For too long the ATA was in denial, simply pointing to stationary or slight increases in the total annual excise tax on archery equipment as a barometer that indicated everything was peachy in the bow-and-arrow business.

Most people we visited in Vegas and Indy said they want to see some action.

Hopefully, this year the ATA will begin to look beyond those misleading historic indicators, shed its complacency and become seriously engaged. The critical nature of the current situation may finally provide the motivation for the archery industry to unite, much like the firearms industry has been forced to do in the past when faced with some very real threats to its future.

Some much-needed self-examination and changes to archery's "business as usual" attitude would be an appropriate starting point. Then, there's that imperfect Perfect Storm.


- J.R. Absher