Many Americans Enjoy Wildlife-Related Recreation

June 10, 2002
news release of the US Fish and Wildlife Service

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.

In 2001, more than 82 million Americans engaged in wildlife-related recreation in the U.S. – 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.

More than 28 million people went freshwater fishing, while nine million people went saltwater fishing. The Great Lakes, one of the most widely fished freshwater areas, attracted 2 million anglers. While the number of anglers held steady compared to the last Survey in 1996, expenditures declined by 17 percent.

Meanwhile, 13 million Americans age 16 and older hunted an average of 17.5 days each in 2001. They spent more than $20 billion on their activities and equipment, or $1,581 apiece.

Nearly ll million hunters sought big game such as deer and elk on l53 million days. Roughly five million hunters pursued small game, including squirrels and rabbits, on 60 million days.

Three million migratory bird hunters spent 29 million days hunting for birds such as doves and ducks. And l million hunters spent l9 million days hunting other animals such as raccoons and woodchucks.

Although the number of all hunters declined by seven percent from 1996 to 2001, the number of big game and migratory hunters held steady. The declines were in small game (-22%) and other animal hunting (-31%). Hunters’ expenditures did not change significantly from 1996 to 2001.

More than 66 million adults – 31 percent of all Americans – participated in feeding, observing, and photographing wildlife and spent $40 billion.

Twenty-two million people, or 33 percent of this total, took outings of one mile or more away from home to participate in these activities. Sixty-three million, or 95 percent, enjoyed wildlife-related activities around their homes.

Some 54 million enthusiasts fed birds and other wildlife around the home, while more than 42 million observed wildlife and 14 million photographed wildlife around the home. Almost l3 million people maintained plantings or natural areas for the benefit of wildlife around the home, and 11 million visited public parks or natural areas to enjoy wildlife within a mile of home.

From 1991 to 1996, the number of people observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife increased by five percent, while their expenditures remained constant at $510 apiece.

The U.S. Bureau of Census interviewed 80,000 households in the United States to determine participants in wildlife-associated activities. From this initial phase, 30,000 sportsmen and sportswomen and 15,000 wildlife watchers were selected for detailed interviews about their participation and expenditures in 2001.

Preliminary State specific data will be available in June. The final National report will be released in October 2002; individual state reports will be released starting in November 2002.