The bow and arrow has become the weapon of choice for many characters in popular television shows and movies, and that trend has generated steady growth in the number of people taking up archery as a sport, according to a new survey by the Archery Trade Association.

ATA hired the analytics firm Responsive Management to survey more than 5,000 individuals. Based on the responses, the firm estimated that 21.6 million Americans participated in archery in 2014. That's a 14 percent increase from 2012, when 18.9 million residents participated.

The first "Hunger Games" movie debuted in 2012 and ATA attributes the rise in archery's popularity to the film, which features a bow-wielding female protagonist. Archers have also played leading roles in "The Avengers," "Brave" and the TV show "Arrow."

"We definitely see a correlation between the ‘The Hunger Games' and a renewed excitement about archery," ATA CEO Jay McAninch said. "Several contributing factors helped, such as the availability of more archery programs and instructors, but major events like ‘The Hunger Games' and the (2012 Summer) Olympic Games did great things to grow our sport."

As for the reasons more people are taking up archery, the survey found increased interest in the sport as well as people saying they had more free time to take up the activity. However, the top response was that archery was a family activity.

ATA has tried to nurture interest through its Archery 360 campaign, which showcases the sport through social media and online videos. http://bit.ly/21cvYc0

MORE CEO DATELINE

• Sugar, corn syrup associations settle lawsuits over advertising
• Tech group opposes weakening cellphone encryption to fight terrorism
• Dietary supplement associations OK with federal crackdown on industry
• American Petroleum Institute to absorb America's Natural Gas Alliance
• American Medical Association call for ban on drug, medical device advertising