News
2007
July 06, 2007 -
Preliminary Data Shows Americans Spent $120 Billion on Wildlife Related Recreation in 2006
America’s passion for wildlife and the outdoors continues to be a major engine of the nation’s economy, according to preliminary survey data released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
In 2006, more than 87 million Americans, or 38 percent of the United States’ population age 16 and older hunted, fished or observed wildlife. They spent $120 billion that year pursuing those activities - an amount roughly equal to Americans’ total spending at all spectator sports, casinos, motion pictures, golf courses and country clubs, amusement parks and arcades combined.
“This very important survey shows in real economic and participatory terms the impact that wildlife has on the nation’s economy, but simply talking about dollars and cents doesn’t fully capture the importance of wildlife to our nation. Wildlife related recreation rejuvenates our spirit and gets us outside pursuing healthy activities,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director H. Dale Hall at the Outdoor Writer Association of America’s annual conference in Roanoke, Virginia. “Americans should be proud that the outdoor tradition continues to be such a prevalent part of our lives.”
Preliminary data from the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation shows the importance of wildlife-related recreation to the American people. Of all Americans age 16 or older,
* 30 million or 13 percent fished and spent $41 billion on their activities,
* 12.5 million or 5 percent hunted and spent $23 billion, and
* 71 million or 31 percent observed wildlife and spent $45 billion.
The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation has been conducted every 5 years since 1955 and is one of the nation’s most important wildlife recreation databases. It is considered to be the definitive source of information concerning participation and expenditures associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife recreation nationwide.
The Survey is conducted at the request of State fish and wildlife agencies and is funded by grants from the Multistate Conservation Grant Program. A wide range of individuals and groups depend on the Survey to analyze participation rates, economic impacts of expenditures, demographic characteristics, and trends in participation and activities.
The report is available at: http://library.fws.gov/nat_survey2006.pdf