Wildlife recreation boosts economy

Associated Press

DAYTON

Anglers, hunters and wildlife watchers added $3.6 billion to Ohio’s economy last year, an increase of more than 12 percent from 2006, according to a federal survey.

A federal study released every five years by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service shows that about 4.1 million Ohioans 16 and older went hunting, fishing or wildlife-watching last year, up slightly from 4 million in 2006, the Dayton Daily News reported. Participation in those activities in Ohio has grown from 3.4 million people in 2001.

In the last decade, spending on wildlife- related recreation in the state increased by 20 percent. Spending related to hunting, fishing and wildlife-observation accounts for about $1 out of every $100 of the U.S. gross domestic product, according to the newspaper.

“We have a lot of sites around Ohio that are fantastic wildlife-watching areas, and Ohio is known nationally as a trophy-deer hunting state,” said Susie Vance, spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. “We have these great resources here in Ohio, and they have such a huge impact on the local economy.”

About 35 percent of Ohioans 16 or older — or about 3.2 million people — enjoyed wildlife-viewing in 2011, and about 1.6 million residents of the same age group-hunted and fished. Wildlife watching includes closely observing, photographing and feeding wild animals.

But the popularity of wildlife viewing has dipped, while hunting and fishing show gains. The number of hunters and anglers in the state increased 8 percent between 2006 and 2011, while the number of wildlife watchers fell by 7 percent.

“Ohio has been wellknown in the hunting community as one of the places to go for the big bucks during deer season,” said Tamara Brown, spokeswoman with the Ohio Office of Tourism. “And we’ve got great fishing all across the state.”

The economic impact of hunting and fishing exceeds that of wildlife viewing. A total of $2.8 billion was spent on hunting in fishing in the state in 2011, up from $2 billion in 2006. Spending on wildlife watching amounted to $745 million last year, down from $1.2 billion in 2006.

Spending by hunters, anglers and wildlife- watchers supports many jobs in Ohio and generates important tax revenue, according to state officials.

The Wildlife Division partners with and provides grants to conservation groups to hold youth events, fishing derbies, education classes and other programs in an effort to introduce more people to nature and wildlife- related activities.