LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky's Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources have seen an increase in gun sales and hunting permits within the last year, selling over 300,000 hunting licenses for the 2020 year. 

Since 1980, Kevin Kelly, the Chief Communication Officer for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources said they have seen a decrease over the years in the amount of Kentuckians participating in hunting and outdoor events — until last year, when the pandemic caused more people to stay home and the amount of hunting licenses increased by 18% within the last few months. 

“If we look a little deeper, we know that there were several thousands of new license hunting license customers. And that's counter to long term declines that we've seen in hunting participation since 1980 so we're encouraged by that,” Kelly said.

Kelly believes that the increase in hunting licenses could be in response to the amount of people now working from home and trying to find safe ways to get outdoors during the pandemic. 

“The past nine months or so has been difficult on a lot of people, and it's a way to kind of get away from that. And to focus on something different. And to think from your perspective of just refreshing yourself, it's a good exercise to do,” Kelly said.

Edwin Nighbert, President of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen said he can understand the sudden interest in hunting and has seen gun sales increase as well throughout the year.

“With the COVID and the pandemic, with the political wins of today as we're seeing during this interview what's going on with capital right now. gun sales were up over 21% this time, this month over last year, ammunition sales are up too but the problem is the ammunition is getting more scarce,” Nighbert said.

Nighbert says since working from home he’s been able to be one of the many this year able to enjoy hunting and fishing more, just because of his extra time.

“I didn’t have time to do what I like to do normally with this position, being to volunteer, and my regular business. But since we were quarantined I was shut down. You know the kids and I went fishing all the time. Got a little bit extra hunting in as well too,” Nighbert said.

Nighbert doesn't believe gun sales have only gone up because of a newfound interest in hunting. He says with everything that has happened in 2020 with protests, quarantine and isolation, he understands why Kentuckians would purchase a gun over the last few months. 

“In our little town of Lawrenceburg, we were worried when they had the march through here that it was going to get violent. Thankfully it did not. But, having been somebody who has been in a situation where I could have used a weapon and didn't have one. I always have one now. And I do it for that reason, just because I would rather have one, and if I did not have one and need it. And I think that's the mentality of a lot of people,” Nighbert said.