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| Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [25 messages per page] Walleye Fishing -> General Discussion -> Americans Spent $120 billion Outdoors in 2006 |
| Message Subject: Americans Spent $120 billion Outdoors in 2006 | |||
Jim Carroll |
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Member Posts: 56 | This quote from the article below is interesting..."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." Jim Carroll NPAA #13 http://www.fws.gov/news/NewsReleases/showNews.cfm?newsId=3FCF5C3E-9... Preliminary Data Shows Americans Spent $120 Billion on Wildlife Related Recreation in 2006 News Releases Home Page U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home 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, Va. "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. "This expenditure of $120 billion highlights the benefits of these activities on national and state economies," said Survey economist Jerry Leonard. "It is roughly equivalent to one out of every one hundred dollars of goods and services produced in our economy. And much of this activity occurs in places which rely significantly on wildlife-related recreation expenditures for their economic well being." After losing ground in the early 1990s, wildlife-related activities such as bird watching and photography increased 13 percent over the last decade. In 1996, 62.9 million Americans observed wildlife; 66.1 million did so in 2001, and 71.1 million in 2006. Wildlife watchers spending increased 19 percent, from $37.5 billion in 1996, $43.7 billion in 2001 to $44.7 billion last year. The preliminary data shows decreases in both angling and hunting participation from 1996 to 2006. In 1996, 35.2 million anglers fished compared to 34.1 million in 2001 and 30.0 million in 2006, representing a 15 percent decline in participation of the ten year span. "Participation levels in 2006 were likely reduced due to several factors: higher gas prices, hurricanes, the increasing age of baby boomers, and continuing urbanization," said Leonard. Anglers spent $40.6 billion last year, which is similar to 2001 but 16 percent lower than 1996. While overall spending -- including trips, fishing equipment, special equipment, and other related items -- was flat from 2001 to 2006, spending on fishing equipment such as rods and reels and travel-related items such as food and lodging were up. For hunting, there was a 10 percent decline in participation from 1996 to 2006. In 1996, 14.0 million Americans hunted compared to 13.0 million in 2001 and 12.5 million in 2006. Hunters spent $22.7 billion last year, 3 percent lower than 2001 and 14 percent lower than 1996. Similar to fishing, while overall spending was down, expenditures on hunting equipment such as rifles and ammunition were up 3 percent since 2001. It is important to note that the National Survey is a snapshot for the specific year in which it is conducted and does not necessarily represent the total number of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers in the U.S. because they do not consistently participate every year. For example, examination of survey data shows that over the five year period from 2002 to 2006, cumulatively over 44.4 million fished and 18.6 million hunted. However, this information serves as a valuable tool to gauge general trends in the participation of Americans in wildlife related activities and related expenditures. The report is available at http://library.fws.gov/nat_survey2006.pdf. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 97-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 547 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Assistance program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. | ||
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| hgmeyer |
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Member Posts: 794 Location: Elgin, Illinois | "The preliminary data shows decreases in both angling and hunting participation from 1996 to 2006. In 1996, 35.2 million anglers fished compared to 34.1 million in 2001 and 30.0 million in 2006, representing a 15 percent decline in participation of the ten year span. "Participation levels in 2006 were likely reduced due to several factors: higher gas prices, hurricanes, the increasing age of baby boomers, and continuing urbanization," said Leonard. Anglers spent $40.6 billion last year, which is similar to 2001 but 16 percent lower than 1996. While overall spending -- including trips, fishing equipment, special equipment, and other related items -- was flat from 2001 to 2006, spending on fishing equipment such as rods and reels and travel-related items such as food and lodging were up. " These are not encouraging numbers... We each need to recruit 1.2 anglers or better... Seriously, as we lose numbers we lose voice... | ||
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| D. Landahl |
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| This is a battle I fight everyday. At the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, www.rbff.org, part of our mission is to increase participation in sport fishing nationwide. One of the most effective tools we've developed is the Anglers' Legacy Pledge, www.AnglersLegacy.org. We are asking everyone out there who is currently an avid angler to take at least one person, per year, who is currently not participating in the sport out fishing. Don't limit who you take to just kids who may never go again becasue their parents don't fish. Instead, take that neighbor or co-worker who doesn't fish out with you as well. Teach them to fish and they'll share with their youngsters. Unfortunatley, like all forms of education, if fishing isn't reinforced at home the odds of a youth fishing are slim. If we as avid anglers teach the adults who don't fish to fish, they can pass on the legacy. Our research shows that over 90 percent of those who've been taught by avid anglers keep fishing for a lifetime. It's an uphill battle, but one I'm proud to say I'm fighting everyday. Dave Landahl RBFF [email protected] | |||
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| wall-nut |
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Member Posts: 25 Location: Fox Lake, Illinois | I've found a great way to get people out fishing yet at the same time I'm helping someone in need. You always see benefits for a person or family in need. You'd be surprised how much money a day of fishing can bring and how many people bid on that item. It's easy to print something up in your computer to donate to the cause. As always, you have to be careful, safety and equiptment is a priority. The people that usually end up bidding are not fishermen but people that want to help AND get tips on fishing! Every little bit helps, Theresa Meade | ||
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