Are hunters going the way of the West? Don't bet on it.

New data from the Outdoor Industry Foundation suggest that hunter numbers are on the rise. In the study, 26.4 million people said they hunted with a gun or bow last year. Meanwhile, hunters are dropping big bucks in pursuit of their sport. During a hunter's lifetime, The National Shooting Sports Foundation found that an average American hunter spends more than $96,000 on items such as hunting equipment, licenses and lodging, food and fuel, magazines and meat processing.

Other Hunter Quick Facts:

• Ivey League Gives its Stamp of Approval — Research coordinated by Cornell University shows that youth who hunt, fish or play in the wild before age 11 are more likely to grow up with a deeper understanding and respect for nature.
• Strong Public Support — In 1995, 73 percent of Americans approved of hunting, while in 2006, 78 percent approved of hunting. An estimated 3 out of every 4 Americans approve of legal hunting. Information taken from a nationwide survey conducted by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Va.
• Taxidermists Report Growth — Data from a 2006 NSSF national survey on taxidermy business trends, shows a majority of U.S. taxidermists reporting growing numbers of customers and an increased workload.

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