Rick Logan, owner of Logan's Gun Gallery in North Washington, shows some ammunition. Over the last few years, sportsmen and outdoor retailers have had to deal with nationwide ammunition shortages.

Back ordered. Those are becoming all too familiar words with people trying to buy ammunition.

Many hunters are feeling the strain of buying ammunition for the hunting season, and it is the same for the stores that supply it. Shelves may be stocked right now; however, it may not last long.

Rick Logan, owner of Logan's Gun Gallery in North Washington, said, “I have been trying to keep everything in stock, but it's going to be hard come hunting season.”

Gun sales have been on the rise since President Obama was elected to his first term in 2008. The uncertainty about gun laws and restrictions of purchasing guns made people purchase guns at record- breaking rates, which also caused a spike in ammunition sales.

There also has been an influx of gun sales due to the rise in gun related violence in recent years. Politicians are urging tighter gun restrictions, and people are not waiting to see the new restrictions. The higher demand in guns and ammunition is making it hard for gun suppliers to keep product in stock.

“They switched to producing ammo for military weapons, and now ammo for hunting is low,” Logan said. The Department of Homeland Security has made a large order of ammunition, which caused manufacturers to switch to making ammunition for military weapons.

This has now caused stores around the nation to run out of ammunition without having a way of restocking, because ammunition is on back order.

“Everything has been rough this season,” Logan said. “Some days I get up at 4 a.m. to start searching for ammo.”

To be fair to people trying to purchase ammunition, stores have put a limit on the amount that one person can buy.

John Bobanick, manager at Consumer Direct Sports in Grove City, said, “We've been selling by the box instead of by the brick, and we limit one box per person per day.” A brick of ammunition contains 500 bullets, while a box contains 50 bullets.

“Generally we do not have a limit, but it depends on what we have in stock,” Logan said. Those who are able to find the bullets they need, may find that they come from a manufacturer they normally would not use.

The closer it gets to hunting season, the demand for ammunition will rise. With ammunition on back order, local stores do not know when they will be able to replenish their stock.

“We have more than we thought we would, but we still have ammo on back order,” Bobanick said.

He said they have .22-caliber ammunition, but have not been able to keep ammunition for handguns in stock. The store also has not been able to keep shotgun shells in stock. “We haven't been able to get any shotgun shells,” Bobanick said.

The shortage has not only affected those getting ready for hunting season, but also law enforcement.

Sgt. Chuck Mascellino of the Cranberry Township Police Department, said, “We have ammunition on hand for training, but there are certain calibers that we are short on.”

The last order Mascellino placed was in April, and while some has arrived, he is still waiting for the bulk of it. “We are no longer given a delivery date, but a range,” he said.

“It hasn't affected us yet,” Sheriff Mike Slupe said. “But, we do have it on back order.”

The ammunition shortage is being felt across the nation, and it is not known if and when it will let up.

For those going hunting the key this season will be make every shot count, and using less ammunition for practice.