Interior Secretary Ken Salazar lauds increase in hunters, anglers ...
August 19, 2012 at 1:31 PM by AHN ? ?

Fitzgerald Cecilio ? 4E Sports Reporter
Milwaukee, WI, United States (4E Sports) ? IU.S. nterior Secretary Ken Salazar has noted the significant increase in hunters and anglers over the past five years, emphasizing that getting outdoors fuels the country?s economy and boosts heritage conservation.
?Seeing more people fishing, hunting, and getting outdoors is great news for America?s economy and conservation heritage,? said Salazar as he announced the results of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.
?Outdoor recreation and tourism are huge economic engines for local communities and the country, so it is vital that we continue to support policies and investments that help Americans get outside, learn to fish, or go hunting,? he added.
The survey found that hunters nationwide increased by nine percent while anglers grew by 11 percent. Nearly 38 percent of all Americans participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2011, an increase of 2.6 million participants from the previous survey in 2006.
Outdoor participation also resulted in the spending of $145 billion on related gear, trips and other purchases, such as licenses, tags and land leasing and ownership, representing one percent of the nation?s gross domestic product.
The Fish and Wildlife Service has been conducting the national survey every five years since 1955. It is considered one of the nation?s most important wildlife-related recreation databases and the definitive source of information concerning participation and purchases associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-related recreation nationwide.
?The Fish and Wildlife Service is dedicated to connecting people and families with nature,? said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. ?We look forward to continuing to work with the States, non-governmental organizations, and additional partners to help keep recreational fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching going strong for people across America?s great outdoors.?
The survey also gathered that last year, 13.7 million people, six percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, went hunting. They spent $34 billion on trips, equipment, licenses, and other items in 2011, an average of $2,484 per hunter.
Also, more than 33 million people 16 and older fished in 2011, spending $41.8 billion on trips, equipment, licenses, and other items, an average of $1,262 per angler while more than 71 million people engaged in wildlife watching in 2011, spending $55.0 billion on their activities.
?State agencies, hunters and anglers are the key funders of fish and wildlife conservation through their license and gear purchases,? said Dr. Jonathan Gassett, Commissioner of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
?An increase in participation and expenditure rates means that agencies can continue to restore and improve habitat and fish and wildlife species, bring more youth into the outdoors and provide even greater access to recreational activities,? he added.
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-->Source: http://gantdaily.com/2012/08/19/interior-secretary-ken-salazar-lauds-increase-in-hunters-anglers/
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