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L'ANSE - The overall economy may be struggling, but at Indian Country Sports in L'Anse, business has been anything but slow.

"It's been a very, very active year," said owner Steve Koski, who said he could not put an estimate on how much his business has gone up. "There may be a little bit smaller sales, but there's more people involved in sports this year."

Koski's store specializes in everything a sportsman could need for fishing, hunting and camping.

Koski attributes his business increase to several factors, but the largest is the current economy. With more people laid off or working less hours, Koski said they now have time to play, with many choosing to stay in the area.

"It's pretty obvious people aren't taking these major vacations," he said. "They're playing more in their home."

Additionally, the good ice and snow conditions this past winter kept people outside. However, Koski said his customers are now getting spring fever.

"They're buying new fishing poles, lots of tackle, getting boats ready," he said. "The longer (spring) delays, the closer it is around the corner."

Koski also attributed his selection of guns and ammunition to the reason people will drive upwards of 200 miles to his store. He considers his local area to be the L'Anse/Baraga region, Marquette, the Keweenaw and northern and central Wisconsin.

"People are after certain kinds of guns, people are a little concerned about whether they'll be able to get certain types of guns and ammunition," he said.

However, he noted the current political worries that have led to more people buying guns and ammunition will pass.

"I think it's all going to straighten out and be fine," he said.

Layla Aslani can be reached at laslani@mininggazette.com.