Many of us have heard or read about the money brought in by Michigan hunters each year, whether it be license fees, food, lodging, hunting equipment and more. Sometimes it can seem like abstract millions that means very little to you and me.
But, upon closer inspection, it really hits closer to home than some random dollars being sent to the Department of Natural Resources. This money is being earned by some of your neighbors, some of your former classmates, and local business owners who are keeping local dollars right here in the Upper Peninsula, Northwest Michigan, West Michigan and ultimately--right here in the state.
First, to get a grand scope of the importance of hunting to the Michigan economy, let's take a look at the overall financial picture.
Michigan hunters boost the state's economy each year, spending $2.3 billion on trip-related expenses and equipment in 2011, according to the Department of Natural Resources. And, with hunting license sales increasing by more than 350,000 from March 1, 2012 to Jan 17, 2013, the state surpassed 2011's total revenue by more than $375,000. In addition, wildlife-watching activities bring in $1.2 billion in trip-related expenses and equipment annually.
Michigan's hunter participation ranks third in the nation--795,535 in 2011--contributing nearly $28 million in federal funds to wildlife management and wildlife habitat restoration.
And, after license fees increase starting in March 2014, raising fees from $15 to $30, revenue is expected to increase by more than $18 million.
So, this is the big picture. The millions and millions generated by hunters. But what about the former classmate, the neighbor, the friends down the block who benefit from Michigan's hunting economy?
Here are a few of their stories:
Take Greg Sesselmann, for instance, who grew up and now owns his hunting-related business, Scent-Lok, in Muskegon. Sesselmann says he learned to challenge himself and become creative with his ideas on the Keweenaw Peninsula at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in metallurgy in 1981.
Maybe you remember Sesselmann if you were a student at Michigan Tech in the late 1970s? If you're a hunter, you'd really like to know him now. Sesselmann owns
Scent-Lok, which produces odor-eliminating clothes, which, as any hunter knows, is monumental in being able to get close enough for a shot--particularly when bow hunting.
"I first got the idea in 1986 that we could use charcoal and reactivate it, and that it just might work," Sesselmann says. "In that moment, I had a vision of what this could be. I knew I was onto something and that it could possibly revolutionize hunting as we know it.
"I figured, 'Wouldn't it be neat to have a charcoal suit to filter scent?"
Yeah, it was neat all right. After pushing his product at up to 18 trade shows a year the first few years, people started to believe and the ball started to roll. He opened his Muskegon operation--which now employs 25--in 1992, but there still was a lot of convincing to do. "I was basically selling people a pair of $200 pajamas. But, as worth of mouth spread, things started to get better."
Today, Scent-Lok is a global company. Sesselmann has representatives throughout the United States, and his scent-free hunting gear is made in China, Vietnam, Taiwan, South America, Pakistan, Madagascar and more. His business takes him all over the globe, where he both works--and hunts--some of the most beautiful locations in the world.
"It was hard at first--if it was easy, everyone would be doing it--but I absolutely love what I'm doing," he said. "I get my speeding tickets on the way in to work, not on the way home."
And, what of another Michigan neighbor? Consider Shirley Gelinas, who has been Vice President of Kwikee Kwiver--maker of, you guessed it quivers--for 35 years. The quivers are made in Northwest Michigan's Williamsburg (after moving from Acme in 2008).
Kwikee Kwiver was incorporated in 1957, and has become the standard by which all quivers are measured--the most popular bow quiver in the world, according to several hunting publications. Kwikee Kwiver has recently been honored as an inductee into Field and Stream's Gear Hall of Fame. Each year Kwikee Kwiver is honored with the "Reader's Choice Award" by Bowhunting World and Inside Archery's "Best Buy Award."
So, there you have it. We have a legendary hunting manufacturer right here in Northwest Michigan. Kwikee Kwiver makes quivers that hold 3, 4, 5 and 6 arrows and--not on the market yet--a 2014 product called the "Sidewinder," which enables hunters to attach the quiver to their hip.
"It's an exciting time around here," Gelinas says. "I mean, we always see our big shipments go out from June to September for hunting season, and that gets the adrenaline going. We ship to all the big distributors you can think of around the country.
"After October, the ordering filters down a little, but believe me, by then, we're ready for a little slowdown," Gelinas says. "But it's never really a true slowdown, because there's always work to be done. There are always hunters out there who need quivers."
We can't end this story without mentioning one other Upper Peninsula neighbor in Gladstone, Andy Hess, 32, who in 2009 broke away from another hunting knife manufacturer he was working for to form his own company,
Hess Knifeworks. Hess' father, Don, financed Andy to get him started, and Andy basically works out of his garage, but make no mistake, this is not a small-time operation.
"In past years, we've been busiest mainly from September through Christmas, but this year, we've been really busy all summer long," says Hess, taking a break from his work that sees him manufacture up to 1,500 knives per year.
"I used to do this part time and work another job, but it got to be where we were getting so many orders, I had to make a decision, and I decided to go into business full-time."
Hess says he sells mainly to "mom and pop" stores; he has a Web site, and word of mouth spreads from there. He goes to Whitetails Unlimited banquets with his wares, and the satisfaction of his customers has spread far and wide in just a few years.
"I get calls from stores and from people all over the United States," he says. "I'm not sure how they hear of us, but I just fill the orders and go on to the next one. We've had orders from Australia and New Zealand. Whoever tries 'em, just seems to like the feel of the knives.
"We're not looking to be this huge company or anything, but we're doing OK."
Scent-lok, Kwikee Kwiver and Hess Knifeworks are just a few of the neighbors, friends and business owners who put a face on those Michigan hunting dollars. The next time you plan a hunting trip, or buy some equipment, remember the money you are plunking down is not abstract. You truly are helping the local economy.
And maybe even one of your friends.
Jeff Barr is a freelance writer who has lived in Michigan for 46 years. You can reach Jeff at barrj88@gmail.com.