Populous states had the largest number of hunters and anglers, but less populated states had the largest percentage of residents who hunted or fished, according to the preliminary state report of the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation published by the Interior Departments U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this June.
Wildlife-related recreation continues to be an important outdoor activity in all regions and states of the U.S. Nationally, the number of participants increased from 77 million in 1996 to 82 million in 2001. While 38 percent of the population 16 years and older enjoyed some type of wildlife recreation in 1996, 39 percent did so in 2001.
Not all regions, states, and wildlife recreation activities experienced increases. Some of the most populous states and regions had the largest declines, and hunting declined by 7 percent nationwide since 1991.
"It is clear we still have a lot to do to assure that wildlife and their habitat are an integral part of the lives of urban Americans. Children growing up in the cities and suburbs today are the Nation
