April 14, 2025 – A newly released addendum to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) landmark 5-year survey on target shooting recreation participation acknowledges the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) as a likely influence in the current archery participation rates of those 18 and younger across the United States.
This influential study, titled Target Shooting in the United States: Participation, Demographics, and Relationship with Hunting and Fishing, is widely regarded as the benchmark for tracking trends in target shooters. The latest addendum, published in March 2025, includes—for the first time ever—comprehensive data on archery participation, spotlighting NASP® as a major catalyst for change in youth engagement.
“According to the Archery Trade Association, archery participation has increased significantly from seven million in 2000 to over 19 million today. NASP® is thrilled to be credited as a likely influence in the high archery participation rates among youth,” said NASP® Vice President Jeff Rawlinson. “We are so appreciative of our state fish and wildlife agencies, the USFWS, and NGO and industry partnerships for making this happen!”
Among the key findings:
- The report emphasizes that archery participation is highest among youth ages 6–15, a direct reflection of NASP®’s impact on engaging the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.
- This high participation rate among youth is supported by the introduction and expansion of NASP®, which has now reached more than 23.5 million students in over 9,500 schools across the U.S.
- In contrast to firearm target shooting, where participation peaks among adults aged 25–34, archery has firmly taken root with younger demographics, thanks in large part to school-based programs like NASP®.
“This level of recognition from a federal agency underscores what educators, parents, and conservationists have seen for years—NASP® works,” said NASP® President Tommy Floyd. “We’re proud to be a positive force in both youth development, shooting sports and the long-term future of conservation.”
The report even features images from NASP® programs, symbolizing the federal government’s acknowledgment of NASP®’s far-reaching influence.
The USFWS’s inclusion of archery in this nationally significant survey is a milestone moment, further affirming NASP®’s role in shaping the modern outdoor landscape.
To read the full report, visit:https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025-03/target-shooting-in-the-us-participation-demographics-and-relationship-with-hunting-and-fishing.pdf