Survey analyzes wildlife recreation

Last week I reported the results of the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (download at http://federalasst.fws.gov/surveys/surveys.html). The Survey concluded that 87.5 million American anglers, hunters and wildlife watchers spent more than $122 billion in 2006 on wildlife-related recreation. The total number of participants, 113.6 million, exceeded the sum of the number of anglers, hunters and watchers because there is a fair amount of crossover among the various groups of wildlife enthusiasts.

For example, many anglers hunt, and vice versa; 52 percent of 30 million anglers also call themselves watchers, and 57 percent of 12.5 million hunters also watch. Conversely, of the 71.1 million watchers, 22 percent also enjoy fishing, and 10 percent hunt.

A close examination of the 69 tables and dozens of charts and graphs in the 2006 survey reveals a great deal about all three groups.

Anglers

Of the 30 million anglers, 75 percent are male; 62 percent are 35 to 64 years old; and 52 percent have had some post-secondary education.

Fishing is popular with people from all economic walks of life: 42 percent of anglers have annual household incomes under $30,000; 37 percent have household incomes above $75,000.

Anglers spent $42.1 billion, or about $1,407 per person. Trip-related expenses accounted for 42 percent of the cost of fishing; equipment accounted for 44 percent. The remaining 14 percent purchased licenses, stamps, books, magazines, membership dues and contributed to organizations.

The number of anglers targeting various species varied widely. Freshwater anglers (85.6 percent) targeted largemouth and smallmouth bass (10 million anglers), followed by panfish (7.5 million anglers), catfish (7 million) and trout (6.8 million). Saltwater favorites were flounder and halibut (2.1 million anglers), red drum (1.8 million), weak fish (1.5 million) and striped bass (1.4 million).

Hunters

Of the 12.5 million hunters, 91 percent are male; 63 percent are 35 to 64 years old; and 47 percent have had some post-secondary education. Hunting equipment is relatively expensive, so only 15 percent of hunters have household incomes under $30,000.

Hunters spent $22.9 billion, or about $1,832 per person. Travel-related expenses accounted for 29 percent of hunting costs; equipment accounted for 47 percent. The remaining 24 percent purchased licenses, stamps, books, magazines, membership dues and contributed to organizations.

The majority (85.6 percent) of hunters pursue big game (mostly deer); 38.4 percent hunt small game (rabbits, squirrels, upland game birds); and just 18.4 percent hunt migratory birds (doves and waterfowl).

Watchers

In 2006, 71.1 million wildlife watchers (that’s nearly a third of the U.S. population age 16 years and older) spent $45.7 billion. That’s about $643 per person.

Watching is by far the most popular form of wildlife-associated recreation for several reasons:

UIt’s inexpensive. A good pair of binoculars and a few field guides are all that’s really needed.

UWatchers can watch anywhere at anytime. And it’s most often done in the backyard.

UIt doesn’t involve killing the resource, which many watchers find objectionable.

For these reasons, watching appeals to a broader segment of society: 54 percent are female, 60 percent have had some post-secondary education and all age groups are approximately evenly represented. Seventeen percent of watchers are 16 to 34 years old; 20 percent are 35 to 44, 24 percent are 45 to 54, 19 percent are 55 to 64 and 20 percent are 65 and older.

Not surprisingly, most watchers (67 percent) are birders, and 95.3 percent concentrate their activities around the home. Most watchers (75 percent) feed wild birds in the backyard, and 27 percent feed other wildlife as well.

Travel-related costs to watch wildlife totaled $12.8 billion, and equipment costs came to $32.7 billion. Equipment expenses included $2.7 billion for commercially packaged wild bird food, $1.2 billion for other types of wildlife food, $3.7 billion for photographic equipment, $790 million for feeders, nest boxes and bird baths, $656 million for optics, and the balance for other types of gear, books, magazines, memberships and contributions.

If you fish, hunt, and/or watch wildlife, you’re a part of this snapshot of wildlife-related recreation in 2006. Does it ring true?

X Send questions and comments to Dr. Scott Shalaway, RD 5, Cameron, WV 26033 or via e-mail to sshalaway@aol.com.