Wildlife-Related Recreation

October 1, 2012, Department, by Danielle Taylor

A recent report by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service shows a promising uptick in wildlife-related recreation.90.1 million: The number of Americans 16 years of age and older who participated in wildlife-related recreation (hunting, fishing, wildlife-watching, etc.) in 2011 (38 percent of all Americans).

22 million: The number of 6- to 15-year-olds who fished, hunted, or watched wildlife in 2011.

2.6 million: The total increase in participants 16 years of age and older who engaged in wildlife-related recreation between 2006 and 2011.

$145 billion: The amount spent in 2011 by hunters, anglers, and wildlife watchers on related gear, trips, and other purchases such as licenses, tags, and land leasing or ownership.

1: The percentage of the gross domestic product attributed to wildlife-related recreation.

$1,261: The average expenditure per angler on fishing-related expenses in 2011.

$2,484: The average expenditure per hunter on hunting-related expenses in 2011.

28: The number of states that reported increases in the number of wildlife-related recreation participants from 2006 to 2011.

17: The number of days the average angler 16 years of age or older spent fishing in 2011.

443 million: The total number of days Americans spent fishing in 2011.

21: The number of days the average hunter 6 years of age or older spent hunting in 2011.

320 million: The total number of days Americans spent hunting in 2011.

11: The percentage of increase in the number of anglers since 2006.

9: The percentage of increase in the number of hunters since 2006.

12.3 million: The number of wildlife watchers who visited a public park or natural area for the purpose of wildlife-watching in 2011.

16: The percentage of Hawaii residents who watched wildlife in 2011.

53: The percentage of Vermont residents who wildlife-watched in 2011.

Source: 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, National and State Overviews, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.