onX Acquires Toprut

onX, which owns the onX Hunt app, has acquired Toprut, a premier draw odds and application tool. By bringing Toprut into its fold, onX Hunt becomes a year-round tool, from pre-season scouting and field use, to finding the data needed to navigate tag applications across the West.

Toprut is a core service that helps hunters make insightful, fact-driven tag application decisions each season. Tags in the West have become increasingly difficult to draw in recent years, so in 2021, onX Hunt partnered with Toprut to offer draw application data to its onX Elite members. Through this partnership, onX Hunt analyzed western elk data from 2018-2022 and discovered that the demand for tags in the West was outpacing supply more dramatically than anticipated:

• Resident elk applicants are up 9.28% from 2018 to 2021
• Non-resident elk applicants are up 22.68% over the past 5 years
• Total limited entry bull tags available are down 2.49% from 2018 to 2021

During application season, onX Elite members can log into Toprut, successfully navigate draw odds, build an application strategy, find overlooked opportunities, and save time and frustration throughout the process. Starting this year, onX Hunt and Toprut will offer draw odds for 12 western states: Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and now Alaska and Washington (Washington to be released soon). Plans are already underway to expand into additional states in 2023.

The addition of Toprut rounds out the full suite of onX application services, including the onX Hunt mapping app, Toprut draw odds, onX Elite partners Huntin' Fool digital research, and HuntReminder application reminders.

onX will continue working with Toprut’s network of contributors, its administrators, and the company’s co-founder Steve Cordle.

“I couldn’t be more excited to partner with onX to continue growing Toprut and the tools users need,” said Cordle. “onX’s commitment to hunters and preserving the sport is the main driver behind our decision to partner. We’re just getting started, and with the power of onX behind us, we can grow quickly and continue developing products hunters truly rely on.”

Toprut draw odds is part of the onX Hunt Elite Membership. The membership includes access to application tools, hunting tactics education, and exclusive pricing on products and services handpicked by the onX Hunt team. Click here to learn more about onX Hunt Elite membership.

ATA Trade Show Registrations Are Up

ATA Trade Show registration numbers are up and continue to outpace last year as the archery industry gears up for its biggest event of the year, January 11-13, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Archery retailers are ready to get back to business and eager to see what’s new for 2023, which will be plenty as 74% of exhibitors report they plan to launch new products at the Show.

While registration will remain open, hotel reservations will close December 23, 2022, so all attendees should act soon for the best selection of hotels, most attached to the Indianapolis Convention Center, and guaranteed best rates.

If you have questions or need help, contact ATA’s Sarah Haala at sarahhaala@archerytrade.org or (866) 266-2776, ext. 101.

Pure Archery Group Is Back at the 2023 ATA Trade Show

Pure Archery Group recently announced that it will be back in attendance at the 2023 ATA Trade Show. Vice President of Sales Jon DuMars says that Pure Archery Group employees are excited to visit with current and prospective dealers once again and share its industry leading products.

"There’s nothing like being able to connect with people in person,” he said. “The ATA Show is the perfect opportunity to spend the well needed time with our dealers. These crazy last few years are finally behind us, and we look forward to seeing everyone at the show.”

Pure Archery Group will be located at booth number 2100, and test lanes F1 through F3. The company’s full territory manager staff will be available to meet with dealers in their areas. Also, technical experts will be readily available in our shooting lanes to answer any product questions you may have, as well as test the company’s full line of products.

Additionally, Pure Archery Group will be celebrating Excalibur’s 40th anniversary, and Excalibur will introduce its 2023 crossbow line-up at the ATA Trade Show.

If you are a Pure Archery Group dealer or interested in its brands, stop by the booth (2100) for information on new products and a gift. To learn more about Pure Archery Group brands, click on the links below:

• bowtecharchery.com
• excaliburcrossbow.com
• diamondarchery.com
• blackgoldsights.com
• tightspotquiver.com
• ripcordarrowrest.com
• octanearchery.com

Southwick Associates Releasing 2023 Industry Outlook

Given the many factors that encourage and inhibit growth, Southwick Associates expects 2023’s sales to near 2017 levels. First, a better balance in Congress will reduce consumer concerns about future sales restrictions. Simultaneously, consumers are gradually becoming aware of increased firearm and ammunition availability at retail, which will ease ongoing scarcity-based demand. Discounting trends that began to show in 2022 will continue in 2023, likely dropping average revenue per sale. So far, inflation and increasing interest rates have not had notable impacts on sales.

Several conditions will help drive 2023 sales. Demand for greater firearms and ammunition sales in some states will continue to fuel sales. In addition, even with demand dropping below 2020-2022 levels, the recent ‘Black Friday’ NICS check data shows consumer interest remains high. Other factors fueling 2023 firearm sales are supply concerns associated with ongoing global military concerns plus personal safety concerns with rising crime and commonly associated with recessions, if one emerges.

Considering all these factors combined — and barring any unforeseen events — Southwick Associates staff expect 2023’s retail firearms market to ease back to 2017 levels. 2017’s sales were above 2019’s volumes and one of the trade’s best years. Ammunition demand will also decline slightly, but likely not as much as firearm sales. Accessories sales should also do well as long as any potential recession remains mild. Manufacturers and distributors will likely not do as well as increasing retailer inventories will reduce replenishment orders in 2023.

“The factors driving sales are certainly more numerous and complex than we’ve seen before,” said Southwick Associates VP Nancy Bacon. “However, looking at past years, current conditions remain reasonable for the 2023 firearms and accessories market. Different areas of the trade will do better than others, however, given inventory build-ups and interest rate impacts.”