I hear this story over and over. I do not discredit it or intend to be argumentative. I ask what has really changed?
I am 37 and have been heavy on side by sides since I figured out I could "afford one" 12 years or so now. That said I am not buying Sterlingworths or a-5s.
Now, I would say more than 50% of people in my circle ( work, friends, family ) are gun owners - less than 10% hunt and 0% have a side by side. That zero percent includes every person I have hunted with including my dad and grandads friends and hunting buddies.
So what's changing ?