In 2016, outdoor recreation supported a $156 billion industry in the US! When public lands are accessible, they provide an outlet for this recreation that bolsters our economy and communities in addition to preserving our natural resources.
From the earliest days of our nation, the love of nature and a connection with the outdoors have always been an integral part of our identity as Americans. Which is why it’s not surprising that even as our society continues to change and diversify in the 21st Century, those values endure.
Our passion for wildlife and wild places, and the lengths to which we go to pursue that passion, are reflected in the preliminary findings of the 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
As it has since it was first conducted in 1955 – and every five years since – this detailed and rigorous survey is based on interviews with thousands of Americans from all walks of life. The preliminary 2016 findings should hearten everyone who cares about the health of our wildlife, natural landscapes and people.
In 2016, more than 101 million Americans – a staggering 40 percent of the U.S. population – participated in some form of fishing, hunting or other wildlife-associated recreation such as birdwatching or outdoor photography. And in doing so, we spent an estimated $156.3 billion on equipment, travel, licenses and fees. These expenditures represent 1 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product – creating and supporting thousands of jobs and communities across the nation.
More than 35.8 million Americans went fishing in 2016, while 11.5 million hunted and 86 million watched wildlife. This means that 14 percent of Americans 16 years of age or older fished, 5 percent hunted and 35 percent participated in wildlife watching.
These findings are not just good news for the nation’s economy. Revenues from the sale of licenses and tags, as well as excise taxes paid by hunters, anglers and shooters continue to support vital wildlife and habitat conservation efforts in every state and U.S. territory. And on a personal level, a growing body of scientific research suggests that we’re all healthier, happier and better off in myriad ways when we spend time in nature.
We will continue to analyze and refine the data gathered in 2016, releasing final numbers and a series of detailed special reports to help the conservation community use this information to connect even more Americans with their natural heritage.
You can do your part too when you drop a line in the water or take friends and family on a hike, to watch birds or on their first hunt. You’ll find a deeper connection with both nature and people, and at the same time help support vital conservation work across the natio. Find the report here.