Trends in Hunter Recreation and Spending:
National and Regional
Presented to:
National Shooting Sports Foundation
By:
Southwick Associates
Summary
(To be completed close to final report)
2
Important Methodological Note
The National Survey on Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
(Survey) is the data source for all information provided in this report. The Survey has a
history spanning back to 1955 that offers a unique opportunity to look at trends in hunting
recreation across that period. However, modifications to the survey methodology and the
survey instrument itself have occurred. These modifications challenge the exact
comparison of reported values over the whole period, and in some cases between survey
years.
Three notable methodological changes have occurred at two different Survey
rounds, 1975 and 1985. In each one of the figures presented in this report, a superscript
follow the years 1975 and 1985 (^ and * respectively) to denote these changes in the
Survey. The goal is for these to serve as visual reminders that direct comparison of values
from year to year is not always possible.
The most recently change took place between the 1985 and 1991 survey years. In
an effort to reduce the influence of recall bias, survey respondents were contacted three
times over the course of the year rather than only once to report on hunting behaviors and
spending. Research has shown that respondents tended to over-estimate their responses
given the year long recall period.
Another notable change occurred prior to 1980. Surveys between 1955 and 1970
reflect only substantial participants in hunting activity. These sportsmen were defined as
people who took part in hunting activity at least three days and/or who spent at least $5
(in the 1955 to 1965 Surveys) or $7.50 (in the 1970 Survey) during the survey year.
Additionally, a sportsman was defined as 12 years old or older. Beginning with the 1980
survey and through the current Survey year, results reflect all participants, not just
substantial participants, and define sportsmen as 16 years old or older.
A third notable change occurred during the 1975 Survey year. More specifically,
methodological differences changed dramatically during this particular Survey period. As a
result, direct comparison of reported survey results is not possible. Comparison is only
possible after results are adjusted by estimated correction factors. Results for 1975 that
are available and reported here reflect adjusted values.
Evolution of the survey instrument and reporting has also taken place. In many
cases, total values for recreation and spending consistently span the whole period from
1955 to 2006. The reader will also find that in some instances we highlight the past fifteen
years (the four most recent consecutive surveys) in an effort to provide a richer level of
data. Consistency across survey years does occur between 1991 and 2006, so direct
comparison is possible over this fifteen year time span.
3
Table of Contents
National Trends
Hunters
Hunter days
Days per hunter
Gender and Age
Spending
Total
Big Game
Small Game
Migratory Bird
Other
Regional Trends
Hunters
Hunter Days
Spending
Total
Total Trip
Total Equipment
Appendices
Definitions
Supporting Data
4
NATIONAL TRENDS
Hunters and Days
Hunting as a sport has seen a reduction in the number of hunters since the 1980s when
there were just over 17 million hunters. Currently, there are just over 12 million hunters
across the nation. This equates to 5.5% of all men and women in the United States. Despite
an increase in national population of 35% since 1980, the percentage of Americans who
hunt fell from 10.3% to 5.5%.
Figure 1. Hunters by type of hunting (1955-2006)
20,000
18,000
16,000
14,000
Hunters
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
1955
1960
1965
Total, all hunting
Waterfowl
1970 1975^ 1980 1985* 1991
Year
Big game
Other animals
1996
2001
2006
Small game
Migratory bird
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Between 1955 and 1980, quarry categories included big game, small game, and waterfowl. Categories included post-1980 include
big game, small game, migratory bird, and other. The migratory bird and waterfowl categories are not directly comparable.
As the total number of hunters has been falling, the composition of the types of hunters has
also been changing. The number of small game hunters has fallen dramatically (66%) since
1975.1 At the same time, big game hunters have shown consistent growth between 1955
1
A portion of the decrease in small game hunters is likely due to a change in the definition of a hunter. In 1975, a
hunter was defined as 12 years or older. Since 1980, a sportsman is defined as 16 years or older. Beginning and
younger hunters are more likely to pursue small game. As a result, it is likely that the increase in age requirement
has the greatest impact and reduction in the small game category. Since 1980, the age requirement has remained
consistent, yet the number of small game hunters continues to decline.
5
and 1985 and average 11 million hunters over the last thirty years. In 2006, 85% of
hunters report that they pursue big game. Over the last twenty years, both migratory bird
and other animal hunters show slight downward trends.
Hunters currently spend roughly 220 million days afield.2 Total hunter days have fallen by
more than 114 million days (34%) since 1985. Small game hunter days have shown
significant declines while big game hunter days have been on the rise, like due in part to
recent expansions of big game opportunities such as bow seasons, turkey seasons, and
more. Both migratory bird and other animal hunters have fluctuated between 19 and 26
million hunter days over recent years.
Figure 2. Hunter days by type of hunting (1955-2006)
450,000
400,000
350,000
Hunter Days
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
1955
1960
1965
1970 1975^ 1980 1985* 1991
Total, all hunting
Migratory bird
Year
Big game
Other animals
1996
2001
2006
Small game
Waterfowl
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Between 1955 and 1980, quarry categories included big game, small game, and waterfowl. Categories included post-1980 include
big game, small game, migratory bird, and other. The migratory bird and waterfowl categories are not directly comparable.
2
Again, a portion of the decrease in hunter days following 1975 is likely due to the change in the definition of a
hunter from age 12 years to 16 years and older. A second factor potentially contributing to the lower levels of
hunter days following 1985 is the change in methodology to reduce recall bias. Evidence suggests that survey
respondents were likely to over-estimate their responses when asked about their hunting behavior only once per
year. As a result, a portion of the drop in hunting days is potentially attributable to the methodological adjustment.
It is, however, not completely responsible for the decline in days as hunting as a sport has seen a reduction in
hunters as well as hunting days.
6
The average number of days per hunter has fluctuated between 20 days and 17 days since
the 1980s. Prior to the most recent Survey, hunters who pursue “other animals” logged the
highest number of days in the field. Big game hunters are spending increasingly more time
hunting. Small game and migratory bird hunters spend the fewest days hunting, 11 and 9,
respectively.
Figure 3. Average hunter days by type of hunting (1955-2006)
25
Days per hunter
20
15
10
5
1955
1960
1965
1970
Total, all hunting
Migratory bird
1975^ 1980
1985*
Year
Big game
Other animals
1991
1996
2001
2006
Small game
Waterfowl
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Between 1955 and 1980, quarry categories included big game, small game, and waterfowl. Categories included post-1980 include
big game, small game, migratory bird, and other. The migratory bird and waterfowl categories are not directly comparable.
7
Gender and Age
Figure 4. Hunters as a percent of population by gender (1955-2006)
25.0%
Fewer and fewer males are
choosing to take up the sport
of hunting. The percent of
males in the United States who
hunt has fallen by roughly half
since the 1980s.
Hunters as percent of population
20.0%
15.0%
While women make up a small
percentage of all hunters, the
percent of women in the
United States who are hunters
has fallen by only 0.6%, from
1.6% in 1985 to 1.0% in 2006.
Male
Female
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
1955
1960
1965 1970^ 1980
1985* 1991
1996
2001
2006
Year
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Figure 5. Number of hunters by gender (1955-2006)
100%
4%
7%
6%
6%
8%
9%
92%
91%
1965 1970^ 1980
1985*
Hunters
95%
8%
9%
9%
9%
91%
91%
91%
1996
2001
2006
90%
96%
93%
94%
94%
85%
92%
Historically, hunting has
been a sport dominated by
men. At least 91% of all
hunters are male. However,
more women have been
taking up the sport and now
account for 9% of all
hunters.
80%
1955
1960
1991
Year
Male
Female
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
8
Since the mid-80s, hunting has not been experiencing a strong influx of younger hunters
and active hunters who take part in the sport from year to year are growing older. As a
result, hunters, as a group, are aging. The number of hunters younger than 24 years of age
has dropped from 5.1 million in 1980 (29% of all hunters) to 1.5 million in 2006 (12% of
all hunters). Hunters 45 years and older have grown from 4.2 million in 1980 (24% of all
hunters) to 5.9 million in 2006 (47% of all hunters).
Figure 6. Percent of hunters by age category (1955-2006)
100%
4%
4%
4%
3%
5%
5%
6%
23%
22%
21%
20%
19%
22%
23%
90%
80%
Percent of hunters
70%
60%
23%
20%
19%
17%
18%
22%
40%
30%
21%
0%
16%
14%
28%
17%
7%
22%
17%
14%
1960
1965 1970^ 1980 1985* 1991
6%
Year
18 to 24 years
45 to 64 years
38%
27%
28%
7%
16 to 17 years
35 to 44 years
7%
33%
9%
25%
7%
0%
1955
17%
31%
27%
28%
23%
20%
10%
22%
7%
24%
50%
22%
7%
5%
20%
19%
10%
10%
5%
4%
8%
4%
1996
2001
2006
16%
25 to 34 years
65 years and older
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
In 1955, the age category 16 to 17 years old was coupled with hunters aged 12 to 15 years old so we are not able to determine the
percentage of hunters in that category for this particular Survey year.
9
Hunter Spending
As was so eloquently illustrated in the 1955 Survey:
“The amount of money spent by hunters is (only) an indication of the value they
place on their sports. Since it represents revenue to a variety of businesses serving
the sportsmen, this expenditure is an indication of the business value of hunting. It
falls short, however, of showing all the values of these sports. There are
intangibles beyond the grasp of statistics. The enjoyment, the satisfaction, the
recreation of a hunting trip cannot (easily) be expressed in dollars.”
Included in this section are two snapshots of hunter spending. The first is a look at total
spending as well as three sub-categories (food & lodging, transportation, and hunting
equipment) for all hunters and by type of game pursued between 1955 and 2006 inflated
to 2009 dollars. Hunting equipment expenditures captures items such as firearms, archery
equipment, ammunition, sights, decoys, game calls, and hand loading equipment. For
consistency across Survey years, costs associated with hunting dogs are not included in this
category. License, stamp, tag and permit spending is also included for all hunters but not
across game types. These four categories account for an average of 54% of total dollars
spent.
One should approach direct comparison of spending over time with great caution due to
the evolution of the methodological approach to the Survey. These graphics serve only as
a guide to the trends in spending between 1955 and 2006. Direct comparison is possible
across the last four Survey years and much of the discussion tries to focus around this
period. Additionally, a second graphic explores the amount hunters spend within the
hunting equipment category between 1991 and 2006 to look a bit more in depth into
“recent” spending behaviors.
10
Figure 7. Expenditures for hunting, total (1955-2006) in 2009$s
$8,000,000
$30,000,000
$25,000,000
$6,000,000
$20,000,000
$5,000,000
$4,000,000
$15,000,000
$3,000,000
$10,000,000
Total expenditures ('000)
Expenditures by category ('000)
$7,000,000
$2,000,000
$5,000,000
$1,000,000
$0
$0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975^ 1980 1985* 1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
Food and lodging
Hunting equipment
Total, all items
Transportation
Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category
are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
Total hunter spending has grown from an estimated $7.5 billion ($937 million in actual
dollars) in 1955 to $24.3 billion ($22.9 billion in actual dollars) in 2006. This equates to a
rise from $44 to $111 spent annually per hunter per day. Since 1991, per hunter per day
spending on food & lodging has risen by only 11% while hunting equipment spending has
grown by 19% and transportation spending has increased by 46%.
11
Figure 8. Hunting equipment expenditures by sub-category (1991-2006)
100%
Hunting equipment expenditures
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991
1996
2001
2006
Year
Guns and rifles
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Hand loading equipment
Telescopic sights
Decoys and game calls
Other
12
Since 1991, hunting
equipment
spending,
net of costs associated
with hunting dogs, has
accounted for between
19 and 24% of total
spending. Since 1991,
hunter
equipment
spending
ranged
between a low of $4.6
billion in 1991 and a
high of $6.7 billion in
1996. At least 50% of
hunting
specific
equipment spending is
on guns and rifles.
Ammunition
and
archery
equipment
account for an average
of 16% and 12%
respectively.
These
three
categories
comprise
approximately 80% of
hunting
equipment
spending.
$4,000,000
$14,000,000
$3,500,000
$12,000,000
$3,000,000
$10,000,000
$2,500,000
$8,000,000
$2,000,000
$6,000,000
$1,500,000
$4,000,000
$1,000,000
Total expenditures ('000)
Expenditures by category ('000)
Figure 9. Expenditures for big game hunting, total (1955-2006) in 2009$s
$2,000,000
$500,000
$0
$0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975^ 1980 1985* 1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
Food and lodging, total
Hunting equipment, total
Transportation, total
Total, all items
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category
are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs
Big game hunter spending has grown from an estimated $2.5 billion ($324 million in actual
dollars) in 1955 to $12.5 billion ($11.8 billion in actual dollars) in 2006. Interestingly, despite
the rise in spending, average spending per day has fallen from and estimated $84 in 1955 to $76
in 2006. Recall that in the face of falling annual hunter days, big game hunter days have been on
the rise (Figure 2). Given that the rise in hunter days is greater than the increase in spending, the
result is lower per hunter per day spending. Since 1991, per hunter per day spending on food &
lodging has fallen by 13% and hunting equipment spending has fallen by 1% yet transportation
spending has increased by 17%.
13
Figure 10. Big Game hunting equipment spending by category (1991-2006)
100%
90%
Expenditure by category
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991
1996
2001
Year
2006
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
14
Over the last four Survey
cycles, hunting equipment
spending (net of costs
associated with hunting
dogs) by big game hunters
has accounted for between
21% and 31% of total
spending.
Since 1991,
hunter equipment spending
ranged between a low of
$2.5 billion in 1991 and a
high of $3.5 billion in 1996.
The percentage of spending
associated with firearms has
fallen from 50% to 45% over
recent years. Ammunition
and archery equipment
account for an average of
11% and 21% respectively.
In fact, archery equipment
spending has risen by 2%
over the period, while
ammunition has decreased
___%. These three categories
– X, Y & Z - comprise at least
three quarters of hunting
equipment spending. Sales
of telescopic sights and
decoys or game calls have
also increased by 3% and
2%, respectively.
$2,000,000
$10,000,000
$1,800,000
$9,000,000
$1,600,000
$8,000,000
$1,400,000
$7,000,000
$1,200,000
$6,000,000
$1,000,000
$5,000,000
$800,000
$4,000,000
$600,000
$3,000,000
$400,000
$2,000,000
$200,000
$1,000,000
$0
Total expenditures ('000)
Expenditures by category ('000)
Figure 11. Expenditures for small game hunting, total (1955-2006) in 2009$s
$0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975^1980 1985* 1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
Food and lodging, total
Hunting equipment, total
Transportation, total
Total, all items
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category
are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
Small game hunter spending has fallen from an estimated $3.9 billion ($494 million in
actual dollars) in 1955 to $2.5 billion ($2.4 billion in actual dollars) in 2006. Interestingly,
despite the fall in spending, average spending per day has grown from an estimated $33 in
1955 to $48 in 2006. Despite the fact that both small game hunter spending and hunting
days have fallen, hunter days have dropped at a greater rate than spending and as a result,
per hunter per day spending has risen slightly. In fact, all cost categories have shown
recent growth. Specifically, since 1991, per hunter per day spending on food & lodging has
grown by 26%, hunting equipment spending is up by 21%, and transportation spending
has increased by 63%.
15
Figure 12. Small Game hunting equipment spending by category (1991-2006).
100%
Expenditure by category (%)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991
1996
2001
2006
Year
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
16
Between 1991 and 2006,
hunting
equipment
spending, net of costs
associated with hunting
dogs, by small game hunters
has accounted for between
24 and 33% of total
spending.
Since 1991,
hunter equipment spending
ranged between a low of
$540 million in 2001 and a
high of $993 million in 1996.
With the exception of 1996,
the percentage of hunting
specific equipment spending
associated with firearms has
remained relatively constant
at approximately 67% over
recent years. This reflects
the
lesser
need
for
accessories
and
other
equipment compared to big
game & migratory bird
hunting.
Ammunition
accounts for an average of
19% of hunting equipment
related spending. Together
these
two
categories
comprise more than 80% of
spending. Sales of telescopic
sights and decoy or game
call equipment have seen an
increase in spending by
more than 50% and now
account for 6% and 2% of
hunting
equipment
spending.
Figure 13.Expenditures for migratory bird/waterfowl hunting, total (1955-2006) in
2009$s
$2,500,000
$500,000
$2,000,000
Total expenditure ('000)
Expenditure by category ('000)
$600,000
$400,000
$1,500,000
$300,000
$1,000,000
$200,000
$500,000
$100,000
$0
$0
1955 1960 1965 1970 1975^ 1980 1985* 1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
Food and lodging, total
Hunting equipment, total
Transportation, total
Total, all items
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category
are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
Prior to 1980 reflects costs allocated to “waterfowl”
Migratory game bird spending has risen from an estimated $951 million ($119 million in
actual dollars) in 1955 to $1.4 billion ($1.3 billion in actual dollars) in 2006. Interestingly,
despite the fall in spending, average spending per day has grown from and estimated $48 in
1955 to $73 in 2006. The decrease in overall spending is related to the drop in migratory
bird hunters as discussed previously. Since 1991, per hunter per day spending on food &
lodging has grown by 18%, hunting equipment spending is up by 10%, and transportation
spending has increased by 50%.
17
Figure 14.Migratory Bird hunting equipment spending by category (1991-2006).
100%
Expenditure by category (%)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991 1996 2001 2006
Year
Firearms
Ammunition
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
18
Hunting equipment spending, net of costs associated
with hunting dogs, by
migratory bird hunters has
accounted for between 25%
and 34% of total spending.
Since
1991,
hunter
equipment spending ranged
between a low of $356
million in 2006 and a high of
$521 million in 1996. The
percentage
of
spending
associated with firearms has
remained relatively constant
at approximately 49% over
recent years.
Ammunition
accounts for an average of
28% of hunting equipment
related spending. Together,
these
two
categories
comprise roughly threequarters of spending. Sales of
decoy or game call equipment
have seen an increase in
spending by 75% and now
account for 22% of hunting
equipment spending. Hand
loading equipment, and likely
by default the associated
firearms,
have
seen
a
reduction in spending and
now account for less than 1%
of spending within this
category.
Figure 15. Expenditures for other animal hunting, total (1955-2006) in 2009$s
$800,000
$700,000
$250,000
$600,000
$200,000
$500,000
$150,000
$400,000
$300,000
$100,000
$200,000
$50,000
Total expenditure ('000)
Expenditure by category ('000)
$300,000
$100,000
$0
$0
1980
1985*
1991
1996
2001
2006
Year
Food and lodging, total
Hunting equipment, total
Transportation, total
Total, all items
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category
are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
Spending by hunters of other animals such as coyotes, crows, prairie dogs or other small
animals has fallen from an estimated $654 million ($251 million in actual dollars) in 1980
to $221 million ($207 million in actual dollars) in 2006. This decrease is directly related to
fewer hunters pursuing these species. Correspondingly, average spending per day has
fallen from an estimated $17 in 1980 to $15 in 2006, approximately 30%. Since 1991, per
hunter per day spending on food & lodging has declined by 14% and hunting equipment
spending is also down by 36%. Transportation spending has increased by 17%.
19
Figure 16. Other animal hunting equipment spending by category (1991-2006).
100%
Expenditure by category (%)
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
1991
1996 2001
Year
2006
Firearms
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
20
Over the last fifteen years,
hunting
equipment
spending net of costs
associated with hunting
dogs by other animal
hunters has accounted for
between 15% and 27% of
total spending.
Since
1991, hunter equipment
spending ranged between
a low of $54 million in
2001 and a high of $108
million in 1991.
The
percentage of hunting
specific
equipment
spending associated with
firearms has fluctuated
between 44% and 70%
over
recent
years.
Ammunition accounts for
an average of 17% of
hunting
equipment
related
spending.
Together
these
two
categories comprise two
thirds
or
more
of
spending.
REGIONAL TRENDS
Hunters, Days, and Spending by Region
Figure 17. Census Division Regions
Nationally, the number of hunters has fallen steadily since the early 1980s. Figure 18
reflects hunting across the nine geographic regions from 1955 through 2006. Across the
eastern United States, the largest percentage (19% on average) of hunters has historically
lived in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin (East North Central).
Hunters make up approximately 9% of the population in that region. The South Atlantic
region contributes the second highest percentage of U.S. hunters at an average of 14%. The
lowest percent of hunters reside in New England. This region also happens to be the
smallest in size by population yet 5% of the total population in the region hunts. West
North Central and West South Central regions rank third and fourth, contributing an
average of 13% and 12% of hunters, respectively.
21
22
Figure 18. Percent of hunters by region (1955-2006)
25%
20%
Percent
15%
10%
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
1960
1965
1970
1975^
1980
1985*
1991
1996
2006
New England
Pacific
Mountain
East South Central
Middle Atlantic
West North Central
West South Central
South Atlantic
East North Central
Region
2001
0%
1955
5%
Year
Figure 19. Percent of hunting days in the region where hunting took place (19852006)
22%
1985*
1991
1996
2001
2006
20%
18%
16%
Percent
14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
0%
East
North
Central
South
Atlantic
West
South
Central
Middle
Atlantic
West
North
Central
East Mountain Pacific
South
Central
Regions
Notes: *Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
24
New
England
Figure 19 reflects hunting
days per region since 1985
when this measure was first
reported. The regions are
ordered according to their
average rankings over the
period. The largest percent of
hunter days are spent in the
regions of East North Central
(19%) and South Atlantic
(16%). Paralleling the the
number of hunters per region
shown in Fig. 20, the third
highest ranked region is West
South Central (15%). The
Middle Atlantic region edged
out West North Central for
fourth ranking contributing
12% of all hunter days. The
consis-tency in rankings is
not all together surprising
given that 92% of total
hunting days are resident
days indicating that most
hunters choose to spend the
better portion of their time
afield in their own state of
residence.
Figure 20 reflects total hunter spending in the region where the spending took place over
the last three Surveys when tracking began. Spending across the nation has ranged
between a high of $28.1 billion in 1996 and $24.4 billion in 2006. East North Central and
South Atlantic regions continue to be leaders in the Eastern US over each of the three years
accounting for an average of 15% and 13% of national spending, respectively. Hunters in
the regions of West South Central and West North Central lead the regions in the western
US contributing 15% and 10% to national spending, respectively.
Spending in all regions except the Middle Atlantic was the greatest in 1996 and each region
experienced reductions in spending between 1996 and 2001. Notably, hunters in the
Middle Atlantic region have consistently increased total spending over the last decade.
Hunters in all regions with the exception of East South Central increased spending between
2001 and 2006. However, current spending is still trending below the mid-90s levels.
Spending in East South Central states have continued to drop over the last decade.
Figure 20. Total hunter spending in region where spending took place (1996-2006) in 2009$s
$5,000,000
$4,500,000
1996
2001
2006
Total Spending (2009$)
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
East
West South West
East MiddleMountainPacific New
North South Atlantic North South Atlantic
England
Central Central
Central Central
Regions
Figure 21. Trip related hunter spending in region where spending took place (1996-2006) in 2009$s.
$1,600,000
1996
2001
2006
Trip-related Spending (2009$)
$1,400,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
$200,000
$0
West
South Mountain West
East
South Atlantic
North North
Central
Central Central
Pacific
Regions
27
East
Middle
New
South Atlantic England
Central
Figures 21 and 22
reflect total trip and
total equipment related
spending.
National
total
trip
related
spending has ranged
between a high of $7.1
billion in 2006 and a
low of $6.4 billion in
2001.
West South
Central leads all regions
accounting for 18% of
total trip spending.
Figure 22. Hunting equipment related spending in region where spending took place (1996-2006) in 2009$S
$3,000,000
1996
2001
2006
Equipment Spending (2009$)
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$0
East
South
West
North Atlantic South
Central
Central
East
Middle West
South Atlantic North
Central
Central
Regions
28
Pacific Mountain
New
England
National
equipment
spending has ranged
between a high of $15.4
million in 1996 and a low
of $11.4 million in 2006.
Figure 21 is ranked based
upon
the
average
contribution
of
each
region to total equipment
spending across the three
Survey years. As a result,
one might note that the
regional rankings change
slightly when looking at
any one particular year.
Two regions in the
eastern US, East North
Central
and
South
Atlantic, lead the regions
in
total
equipment
spending contributing an
average of 18% and 16%,
respectively. West South
Central ranks third, on
average, accounting for
15%
of
equipment
spending. Note the drop
in spending from 1996 to
2001 and the lack of
recovery in the critical
East North Central, South
Atlantic and East South
Central regions.
Appendices:
Definitions &
Supporting Tables
DEFINITIONS
HUNTER: Prior to 1980, a hunter was defined as a substantial participant who was 12 years or older who
took part in hunting activity at least three days and/or who spent at least $5 (in the 1955 to 1965 Surveys) or
$7.50 (in the 1970 Survey) during the survey year. Following 1980, a hunter is defined all participants in
hunting who are 16 years old or older.
HUNTER DAY: Any part of the day spent participating in hunting activities.
TRIP EXPENSE: Includes spending on food and lodging as well as both private and public transportation
HUNTING EQUIPMENT: Includes spending on firearms, archery equipment, ammunition, ….
EQUIPMENT: Includes spending on hunting equipment as well as special equipment and auxiliary
equipment.
BIG GAME: Bear, deer, elk, moose, wild turkey, and similar large animals that are hunted.
SMALL GAME: Grouse, pheasants, quail, rabbits, squirrels, and similar small animals.
MIGRATORY BIRD: Ducks, geese, doves, or other birds that regularly migrate from one region to another and
may be legally hunted.
WATERFOWL: Includes coot, duck, marsh hen, and geese.
OTHER GAME: Coyotes, crows, foxes, groundhogs, prairie dogs, raccoons, and similar animals that may be
legally hunted and are not classified elsewhere.
REGIONS:
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
East North Central
Ohio
Wisconsin
Alabama
Kentucky
Middle Atlantic
Pennsylvania
Arizona
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
New England
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
Alaska
California
Hawaii
South Atlantic
Delaware
North Carolina
District of Columbia
South Carolina
Florida
Virginia
Georgia
West Virginia
Maryland
Arkansas
Louisiana
Kansas
Iowa
Minnesota
Missouri
West South Central
Oklahoma
Texas
30
East South Central
Mississippi
Tennessee
Mountain
Nevada
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming
Pacific
Oregon
Washington
West North Central
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Table A1. Number of hunters by type of hunting, age, and gender (1955-2006)
1955
12 years old or older
1960
1965
1970
1975^
1980
Participants
14,336
17,094
17,445
7,774
11,037
11,806
11,671
14,182
12,362
2,894
4,284
5,311
2,642
Days of Participation
203,689 401,476 330,168
54,536 100,600 112,788
124,041 269,653 151,246
25,113
31,223
42,910
38,431
Days per hunter
14
23
19
7
9
10
11
19
12
9
7
8
15
Age and Gender
U.S. population
155230
169942
Total, all hunting
Big game
Small game
Migratory bird
Other animals
11,784
4,414
9,822
1,986
14,637
6,277
12,105
1,955
13,583
6,566
10,576
1,650
Total, all hunting
Big game
Small game
Migratory bird
Other animals
169,423
30,834
118,630
19,959
192,539
39,190
138,192
15,158
185,819
43,845
128,448
13,526
Total, all hunting
Big game
Small game
Migratory bird
Other animals
14
7
12
10
13
6
11
8
14
7
12
8
118366
131226
141928
12130
21790
23730
33220
12917
5548
15216
21929
23523
36287
15513
6920
18916
21444
23740
38694
17580
7799
22377
23957
22349
42764
19684
50,082
53705
62,732
68494
67508
74420
11784
14637
13583
73601
81629
Total hunters
14336
1604
2722
2674
2680
413
996
2329
3051
2890
3157
601
929
2338
2963
2588
2904
559
9,675
418
13,612
1025
12804
779
Total persons
Age
16 to 17 years
18 to 24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 64 years
65 years and older
Sex
Male
Female
Age
16 to 17 years
18 to 24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 64 years
65 years and older
Sex
Male
Female
na
-
1048
2489
3143
2493
2826
455
16 years old or older
1991
1996
1985*
2001
2006
16,684
12,520
10,831
5,036
2,837
14,063
10,745
7,642
3,009
1,411
13,975
11,288
6,945
3,073
1,521
13,034
10,911
5,434
2,956
1,047
12,510
10,682
4,797
2,293
1,128
334,013
131,330
132,263
41,682
47,050
235,806
128,411
77,132
22,235
19,340
256,676
153,784
75,117
26,501
24,522
228,368
153,191
60,142
29,310
19,207
219,925
164,061
52,395
19,770
15,205
20
10
12
8
17
17
12
10
7
14
18
14
11
9
16
18
14
11
10
18
18
15
11
9
13
181095
189964
201472
212298
229245
8612
28546
37742
26117
44278
24648
7659
25509
39470
33787
46639
28030
6530
23023
42931
38341
48106
31032
7080
20423
34973
44376
59178
35442
7709
22234
35333
44057
66142
36823
8272
23292
37468
45112
77076
38024
80753
89190
85,781
95,314
90,369
99,595
96,660
104,812
101,916
110,381
110,273
118,972
17445
16684
14063
13975
13034
12510
1288
3870
4917
3128
3385
857
1057
2896
4589
3597
3651
897
662
2016
3930
3369
3250
837
672
1397
2783
3819
4337
967
584
1251
2413
3551
4271
965
501
968
2058
3074
4722
1186
13467
16000
15,195
12,995
12,783
11,845
869
1444
1,489
1,068
1,192
1,190
Percent of U.S.population
Male
19.3%
21.7%
19.0%
18.3%
19.8%
17.7%
14.4%
13.2%
11.6%
Female
0.8%
1.5%
1.0%
1.1%
1.6%
1.6%
1.1%
1.1%
1.1%
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
31
11,351
1,159
10.3%
1.0%
Table A2. Total, trip-related, and hunting equipment hunter spending by type of game (1955-2006) in 2009$s.
Total, Trip and Hunting Equipment Spending (all hunting types)
Total, all items
$7,498,284 $8,416,533 $7,635,712
TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES
Food and lodging
$435,134
$765,687
$935,463
Transportation
$752,256 $1,220,295 $1,146,499
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
Hunting equipment
$2,809,458 $2,576,357 $2,705,679
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
Licenses, stamps, tags, and
permits
$352,617
$454,246
$490,166
$11,847,352
$19,739,340
$22,248,185
$20,056,789
$19,431,878
$28,185,721
$24,967,970
$24,362,247
$922,050
$1,129,808
$3,438,822
$3,815,418
$3,755,829
$3,215,064
$2,873,279
$2,108,623
$3,434,945
$2,433,279
$2,967,833
$2,167,563
$2,970,364
$2,869,990
$3,352,821
$2,941,852
$4,833,012
$4,682,698
$2,450,920
$542,232
$836,497
$263,619
$179,754
$92,183
$317,494
$6,691,122
$3,482,925
$806,141
$957,512
$438,252
$277,471
$221,130
$507,691
$4,793,579
$2,382,641
$559,779
$789,700
$371,936
$169,496
$169,214
$350,812
$5,185,387
$2,609,652
$717,376
$741,143
$430,847
$149,061
$199,150
$338,156
$453,718
$681,100
$868,010
$839,163
$891,262
$839,539
$790,151
Total, all items
$2,592,928 $2,505,546 $2,852,075
$5,267,011
$8,450,567
$7,263,148 $11,898,128
TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES
Food and lodging, total
$219,596
$328,350
$379,615
$480,154
$1,976,604
$2,208,489
Transportation, total
$254,074
$395,292
$484,683
$455,421
$1,783,617
$1,621,268
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
Hunting equipment, total
$1,003,073
$675,937
$905,476
$1,192,234
$1,557,140
$2,346,901
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
Total, Trip and hunting equipment spending: Small Game Hunting
$8,018,270
$13,280,695
$12,220,408
$12,508,403
$1,893,762
$1,287,096
$2,141,675
$1,398,398
$2,044,659
$1,366,890
$2,093,949
$1,928,891
$2,458,594
$1,221,809
$491,134
$255,939
$199,814
$73,577
$27,976
$188,345
$3,539,938
$1,635,844
$732,411
$310,441
$347,644
$107,606
$75,758
$330,235
$2,598,409
$1,115,950
$532,166
$320,242
$294,237
$84,572
$53,920
$197,326
$3,095,792
$1,392,884
$668,753
$331,343
$326,716
$83,062
$77,603
$215,433
Total, all items
$3,954,789
TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES
Food and lodging, total
$164,441
Transportation, total
$401,713
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
Hunting equipment, total
$1,491,144
Total, Trip and Hunting Equipment Spending: Big Game Hunting
$2,505,546
$4,190,173
$5,228,698
$328,350
$395,292
$461,479
$562,250
$675,937
$1,582,459
$9,023,996
$4,330,929
$3,619,247
$2,441,211
$3,392,918
$2,200,124
$2,517,594
$292,616
$517,101
$952,630
$1,305,939
$859,801
$903,049
$633,467
$512,529
$814,002
$614,675
$530,456
$421,085
$543,709
$568,909
$1,794,641
$1,323,324
$881,980
$722,620
$993,239
$540,043
$592,762
32
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
Total, Trip, and Hunting Equipment Spending: Migratory Bird Hunting
Total, all items
$950,567
$648,184
$593,457
$1,351,644
$2,264,779
$1,660,967
$2,172,428
TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES
Food and lodging, total
$51,097
$53,410
$94,355
$149,275
$419,295
$541,455
Transportation, total
$96,470
$143,182
$99,552
$157,287
$490,217
$433,385
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
Hunting equipment, total
$315,241
$170,854
$217,745
$365,891
$455,756
$459,560
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
Total, Trip, and Hunting Equipment Spending: Other Animal Hunting
Total, all items
TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES
Food and lodging, total
Transportation, total
EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES
Hunting equipment, total
Firearms
Bows, arrows, archery equipment
Ammunition
Telescopic sights
Hand loading equipment
Decoys and game calls
Other
$477,943
$8,660
$160,391
$23,665
$23,823
$8,046
$20,091
$707,369
$9,160
$163,196
$29,310
$32,712
$15,565
$35,928
$340,901
$0
$110,484
$23,942
$19,726
$9,326
$33,639
$387,451
$6,064
$99,902
$38,255
$26,847
$12,490
$21,754
$1,080,600
$1,772,524
$1,682,112
$1,435,725
$264,679
$211,971
$360,205
$268,102
$339,636
$298,666
$277,419
$282,937
$366,581
$180,619
$0
$105,558
$0
$13,904
$44,149
$21,378
$521,080
$258,296
$0
$141,983
$0
$16,359
$88,797
$14,538
$500,293
$247,851
$0
$143,095
$0
$6,976
$73,569
$25,569
$357,987
$166,665
$0
$94,107
$0
$1,745
$77,227
$18,168
$654,442
$709,023
$401,164
$591,505
$295,288
$221,194
$90,215
$229,591
$146,087
$257,363
$81,370
$97,027
$118,124
$150,568
$53,083
$80,923
$55,287
$89,253
$97,963
$72,400
$107,549
$58,955
$0
$15,851
$6,926
$5,367
$3,201
$16,802
$90,837
$40,076
$0
$16,471
$6,749
$15,070
$4,458
$7,995
$53,530
$25,525
$0
$11,793
$6,580
$2,520
$3,300
$0
$53,769
$29,332
$0
$4,786
$2,200
$1,378
$2,032
$2,333
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
Total spending in 1975 reflects estimated total spending adjusted by a correction factor. Adjusted values for each sub-category are not available.
Hunting equipment does not include spending associated with hunting dogs.
33
Table A3. Regional Number of hunters by type of hunting, age, and gender (1955-2006)
1955
1960
11,784
14,637
New England
Middle Atlantic
South Atlantic
East North Central
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
589
1,608
1,449
2,538
989
1,534
1,165
796
1,116
517
1,723
2,045
2,985
1,510
1,709
1,750
1,120
1,279
New England
Middle Atlantic
South Atlantic
East North Central
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
5%
14%
12%
22%
8%
13%
10%
7%
9%
Total, US
Total, US
1965
1970 1975^
1980 1985*
Total hunters all types of hunting
13,583 14,336 17,094 17,442
16,684
1991
1996
2001
2006
14,063
13,975
13,034
12,510
582
566
582
557
444
1,731
2,096
2,098
1,976
1,746
1,904
2,494
2,543
2,465
2,083
2,812
3,392
3,132
2,831
2,789
1,162
1,355
1,659
1,502
1,279
1,783
1,863
2,014
1,988
1,709
1,918
2,563
2,549
2,675
1,843
980
1,159
1,292
1,316
1,069
1,466
1,607
1,573
1,373
1,101
Percent of hunters by region
4%
4%
4%
3%
3%
3%
3%
12%
12%
12%
12%
12%
12%
12%
14%
14%
13%
15%
15%
15%
15%
20%
19%
20%
20%
18%
17%
20%
10%
10%
8%
8%
10%
9%
9%
12%
12%
12%
11%
12%
12%
12%
12%
12%
13%
15%
15%
16%
13%
8%
7%
7%
7%
7%
8%
8%
9%
11%
10%
9%
9%
8%
8%
Total hunting days where hunting took place (all hunting types)
334,013 235,806
465
1,453
2,050
2,712
1,301
1,917
1,812
1,061
1,203
386
1,633
1,875
2,421
1,164
1,710
1,988
1,020
837
374
1,520
1,884
2,376
1,101
1,779
1,810
868
798
3%
10%
15%
19%
9%
14%
13%
8%
9%
3%
13%
14%
19%
9%
13%
15%
8%
6%
3%
12%
15%
19%
9%
14%
14%
7%
6%
256,676
228,368
219,925
8,607
26,967
42,383
49,075
30,019
30,205
37,792
15,408
17,790
7,466
30,262
37,945
38,402
27,412
28,943
34,576
14,762
10,786
6,264
28,609
34,821
42,093
26,642
27,746
33,445
12,230
9,505
583
1,631
1,900
2,563
1,294
1,620
1,571
988
1,433
New England
Middle Atlantic
South Atlantic
East North Central
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
11,101
36,746
55,591
57,981
36,949
37,435
54,286
22,337
21,098
7,858
31,112
38,762
49,443
27,801
24,683
30,893
13,019
12,243
Percent of hunting days by region
New England
3%
3%
3%
3%
Middle Atlantic
11%
13%
11%
13%
South Atlantic
17%
16%
17%
17%
East North Central
17%
21%
19%
17%
East South Central
11%
12%
12%
12%
West North Central
11%
10%
12%
13%
West South Central
16%
13%
15%
15%
Mountain
7%
6%
6%
6%
Pacific
6%
5%
7%
5%
Notes: ^Change from substantial participants 12 years or older to all participants 16 years or older (See Notes Section for more detail).
*Adjustment to reduce recall bias (See Notes Section for more detail).
34
3%
13%
16%
19%
12%
13%
15%
6%
4%
Table A4. Total, trip-related, and hunting equipment hunter spending by region where
spending took place (1996-2006) in 2009$s.
Total, US
Regions
Hunter Spending in Region where spending took place
Total Spending
1996
2001
$28,185,721
$24,967,970
New England
Middle Atlantic
South Atlantic
East North Central
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
$868,689
$2,212,170
$3,915,663
$4,525,633
$2,955,833
$2,955,785
$3,768,488
$2,466,581
$2,750,475
2006
$24,362,247
$476,533
$2,318,762
$2,818,862
$3,202,623
$2,405,510
$2,222,826
$3,345,028
$2,138,638
$1,528,634
$697,048
$2,629,305
$2,959,609
$3,910,328
$2,245,073
$2,897,517
$4,270,558
$2,172,499
$1,751,835
$125,544
$528,794
$842,211
$718,212
$616,756
$828,870
$1,188,201
$825,848
$652,795
$153,230
$583,665
$941,184
$938,836
$619,133
$924,231
$1,486,446
$937,435
$512,332
$254,890
$1,003,098
$1,781,016
$1,475,907
$1,375,737
$1,079,196
$1,395,589
$979,698
$747,363
$415,685
$1,531,730
$1,618,295
$1,495,373
$1,093,079
$1,234,027
$1,781,054
$1,002,464
$980,678
Total Trip Related Spending
Regions
New England
Middle Atlantic
South Atlantic
East North Central
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
$223,879
$615,326
$889,488
$921,318
$677,702
$893,778
$1,095,703
$901,980
$829,948
Total Equipment Related Spending
Regions
New England
Middle Atlantic
East North Central
South Atlantic
East South Central
West North Central
West South Central
Mountain
Pacific
$522,073
$1,382,491
$2,614,056
$2,532,368
$1,753,715
$1,481,596
$2,102,102
$1,235,055
$1,666,399
35