Conservation Corner: June 24, 2002

Hunting and Fishing Has Strong Economic Impact On Mississippi
by James L. Cummins

Wildlife-related recreation continues to be popular in America, with 39 percent of all U.S. residents 16 years old and older participating in activities such as hunting, fishing and birdwatching, according to
preliminary results from the 2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, conducted by the Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

In 2001, more than 82 million Americans engaged in wildlife-related
recreation, an increase of five million in comparison with the last survey conducted in 1996. These recreationists spent more than $110 billion pursuing their activities. These expenditures accounted for 1.1% of the gross domestic product, a considerable contribution to the U.S. economy.

"Wildlife is an American icon," said Service Director Steve Williams. Wildlife-related recreationists have always been staunch supporters of wildlife conservation in America. Wildlife recreation significantly benefits our economy, creates jobs and enhances our standard of living."

Fishing is one of the Nation's favorite pastimes, with 34 million anglers age 16 or older, each spending an average of 16 days fishing in 2001. Anglers spent more than $35 billion on trips, equipment and other items for their sport, averaging more than $1,046 apiece. Americans taking to the fields and woods 16 years and older totaled 13 million, who hunted on average 17.5 days each and spent $1,581 apiece. More than 66 million adults (31 percent of all Americans) participated in feeding, observing and photographing wildlife and spent $40 billion.

Congressman Chip Pickering, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, the largest Caucus in Congress, commended sportsmen for their contribution to our economy saying, "Sportsmen are the true conservationists because they know that if wildlife and fish populations are to grow and flourish, common sense conservation measures must be in place to protect the great outdoors for their children and grandchildren." The mission of the CSF is to ensure that current and future generations of Americans will have the right and opportunity to hunt, fish and trap by serving as the sportsmen's link to Congress. A link to the FWS report is available on the CSF website at www.sportsmenslink.org.

The survey, conducted with the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the most comprehensive analysis of the numbers of sportsmen and their overall economic impact. These statistics provide the basis for a more comprehensive review of the data coordinated by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) with the cooperation of the FWS and other conservation groups that will be released in October. The economic resource guide, which will further break down the impacts of hunting and fishing, and compare these figures to other economic sectors of each state's and the nation's economy, is scheduled to be released in early fall.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.