The US Fish and Wildlife Service has released some interesting statistics on the economic impact of hunting. Though there are fewer hunters, they are spending more on their sport. Key findings include the following:

Purchases made by hunters’ create a ripple effect benefiting many layers of the economy - with the total multiplier effect adding up to $66 billion. The latest numbers indicate that in 2006 14.6 million hunters purchased over 35.1 million licenses, tags, permits and license stamps contributing $753.5 million to State conservation funds. The average expenditure of all hunters combined is $1,932.79 The top 10% of avid hunters based on the number of days spent hunting spent an average of $4829.49. More than half, 57% of active hunters, typically make a purchase in a given year including hunting clothing, ammunition and other hunting accessories. The average age of hunters in the U.S. is 43.7.

 

Most State run conservation programs are funded directly with the proceeds from hunting licenses and permits. Though there are many different groups of environmentalists out there, most if any group other than hunters do not contribute in large part to State run conservation programs including land purchases and management of wildlife areas. So, you can thank hunters for helping to provide outdoor recreational areas that we can all enjoy.

 

 

Copied in part from The National Shooting Sports Foundation Indusrty Intelligence Reports Vol. 2 No. 9/2008