| is one of people’s oldest activities and even | | | | The reason? Besides sometimes being a rival, the |
| though it has gone a long way from a survival need | | | | Internet can also be a powerful ally. To name one |
| to a hobby, it is still greatly enjoyed by some people. | | | | example, is one of the country’s most popular |
| However, two or three years ago many studies | | | | online communities, especially designed for outdoor |
| raised concerns that interest in this oldest outdoor | | | | enthusiasts looking for a place on the web to share |
| sport had dramatically dropped in the US. Why was | | | | their experience. |
| this so? | | | | The choice of things to do and see on the website is |
| One reason was the continuing urban growth and the | | | | indeed impressive. The social network is user-friendly |
| shrinking of hunting land. People were gradually | | | | and completely free. Once users sign up for an |
| getting the feeling of belonging to their city | | | | account, they can post hunting and fishing stories, |
| environment and many representatives of | | | | pictures, and videos, set up hunting profiles, discuss a |
| America’s typical hunting age group (30s to | | | | wide variety of interesting topics in the hunting |
| 50s) had already lost touch with nature. | | | | forums, post or read announcements in the hunting |
| The other, and in fact more serious reason, was the | | | | classifieds section. |
| lack of young hunters (aged between 18 and 24). | | | | It is hard to compare the Internet with dynamic |
| This group felt no interest in a boring’ | | | | outdoor activities and reach a conclusion about which |
| pastime like hunting and preferred Internet-based | | | | is better or funnier. They are both undoubted |
| activities like surfing and playing computer games. | | | | favorites in today’s list of preferred pastimes. |
| Interestingly, the situation has now changed. Hunting | | | | However, nothing can be compared to an |
| enthusiasts in the US are increasing and many young | | | | Internet-based outdoor network which allows users |
| fans are becoming attracted to traditional outdoor | | | | to share all of their exciting hunting stories on the |
| activities. In fact, hunting has never been so popular | | | | web for others to read and discuss. |
| over the last several decades. | | | | |