How Can I Find Statistics on the Number of People Who Participate in Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation?

The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation has been conducted approximately every five years since 1955. The Survey measures fishing and hunting activities and provides States with reliable data on these activities, as well as detailed information about wildlife watching activities such as wildlife observation, bird feeding, and photography. Due to changes in methodology, the estimates from the 1991 and 1996 surveys cannot be compared with estimates in previous surveys. The most recent survey was conducted in 2001.

The Survey is one of the Nation's most important wildlife-related recreation databases. It is the only source of comprehensive information on participation and expenditures that is comparable on a State-by-State basis. It is used for estimating the value of wildlife resources lost because of contaminations such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill; for use in critical habitat analysis of threatened species such as the Piping Plover; and for preparing Environmental Impact Statements, budgets and legislative proposals.

Please click here for the 2001 Survey in PDF format.

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