Farewell, 2020, I can’t say it’s been good to know you.
Between a political climate that was even more screwed up than what it usually is, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the civil unrest in much of the country, 2020 was without a doubt the least favorite year I’ve lived through. I just hope 2021 doesn’t pick up 2020’s ball and run with it.
I don’t think we’ve seen the end of the political turmoil, and we’re not out of the woods with COVID yet. But hopefully, we’ll find our way through both of those minefields soon, and we can get back to some semblance of normal.
Granted, COVID had some unexpected benefits. More people bought hunting and fishing licenses in 2020 than ever before, and the percentage of the population who went hunting rose for the first time in more than a decade. It’s sad that it took a pandemic that shut down entire cities to get people to go outside and enjoy nature, but hey, it worked, and I’m hoping many of those people will stick with it.
The big downside to the political side of 2020 is the ammo situation. You can’t find much in the way of popular ammo on stores anywhere. If you shoot a .284 Norma or a .300 Winchester Short Mag, you’re good – every store I’ve been in has a whole pile of both of those. But if you hunt with a .30-30 or a .270, it might be a while before you see any on the shelves.
It’s been another great year for the gun manufacturers and gun shops, though. There’s nothing like an election year to ramp up the gun sales. Apparently, it was a banner year for the Great American Outdoors Group, the parent company of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Just before Christmas, it added Sportsman’s Warehouse to its brands.
It’s just been a crazy year. I’m hoping this new one is a little more sane.
