Will ‘The Hunger Games’ Create More ‘Kats’ in the Woods?

In case you spent last week commuting to work without the radio on, or out in the woods somewhere, you might not know that the movie “The Hunger Games” opened on March 23 to packed theaters across the country. 

For those of you who do not know the plot, the setting is apocalyptic North America, where times have not improved with technology. In fact, youngsters are chosen for a throw-back to Gladiator-type competitions in Rome, being pitted against each other to battle to the death, as entertainment for the masses that can afford to watch.

In the meantime, the antagonist is a girl with a name that you’ll probably hear for the next 10 years on the “most popular girls’ names” list – Katniss. Author Suzanne Collins wrote “The Hunger Games” as part of a trilogy that features Katniss, her single mom, little sister and friends. I just downloaded the trilogy on my Kindle Touch last night and already, am engaged in the tale. Katniss hunts, primitive style with bow, in order to feed her family. She wears a knife. She meets her friend, a boy, in the woods. All edgy, and so ... human.  

In his column, The Plain Dealer, outdoor writer D’Arcy Egan asks, “Is it Katniss' engaging personality that is an attraction to young adults, especially girls? Or her outdoor skill set?” 

Whatever it is, bully for Collins and I hope she makes bucket-loads of money and then, turns around and invests part of it in outreach programs that encourage more people to learn about the traditions that most of us who read this blog love. 

What do you think about "The Hunger Games" and its influence on bowhunting? Hype or a breath of fresh air?