LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — Since reopening in June, Johnson's Country Store in Lockport has seen a steady increase in customers. Due to that, this year's record hunting license sales comes as no surprise.
"People are looking forward to the season more so than ever because they can finally do something normal again," Carly Short at Johnson's said, "We were very busy for fishing this season, [and] it will continue to stay busy with that and to mix in with the hunting season."
For the first time ever, the Department of Environmental Conservation allowed hunters to take its safety course online, and they believe that's fueling the boost in licenses.
"We had a huge spike in the people who took the hunter safety course online so that was great," Mary Bailey at the DEC said.
All new hunting and trapping licenses are valid from September 1st through August 31st, 2021. its a year span that johnsons in lockport anticipates will continue to see growth.
"We are amazed at how many people have returned to come see us and that are just so happy we're open again."
