Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Mark Kayser VARMINT & & PREDATOR SALES SALES Varmint and predator hunters demand the best from their gear and provide repeat business to dealers who cater to their whims and needs. Big-Game Season’s Season’s End End Doesn’t Doesn’t Stop Stop Hunting Hunting Profits! Profits! Big-Game W hat happens to your hunting sales once the big-game season is over? Do they fall off or grind to a halt? It doesn’t have to be that way if you cater to the varmint and predator market. Varmint and predator hunters are a whole different critter than those who hunt big game. The predator and varmint crowd demands the best from their gear and provides repeat business to companies that cater to their needs. Carl T. Ritenour, store manager at Ritenour’s Sporting Goods and Police Supply in Normalville, Pa., is embracing the varmint and predator market. Ritenour, an avid sportsman, recently bought the sporting-goods store and is committed to providing customer service as he would like to be served. Ritenour’s focus is on all outdoor markets, including firearms, archery and outdoor gear. To ensure income keeps flowing after the major spikes of deer and turkey season, Ritenour has focused on varmint and predator hunters. “After the spring gobbler season and especially after deer season, there’s not a whole lot to hunt until these seasons roll around again,” Ritenour said. “If a person is into hunting, they look for another activity. In the winter, they lean toward predators, and after turkey season, they target groundhogs. They put a lot of time into the pursuit of these animals — and that means more visits to stock up on gear.” As the new dealer on the block, Ritenour needed to let hunters know his store embraces all aspects of the sport. To lure in the varmint and predator crowd, Ritenour organized coyote-calling and groundhog-hunting contests. “Our main purpose for holding the coyote and groundhog contests was to draw attention to our store,” says Ritenour. “Coyote and groundhog hunting are fairly popular in this area. Having this hunt draws attention to the business itself and then wordof-mouth NOVEMBER 2008 31 www.shootingindustry.com NOVEMBER 2008 31