News Release 09/26/07


Americans Wild About the Outdoors

According to a new report, more people are enjoying the outdoors than ever before, but declines in hunter and angler numbers have some experts concerned about the future of conservation.

Washington, DC —The following statement was issued today by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Executive Director, Matt Hogan, following his participation at a briefing on Capitol Hill to announce the results of a new national survey that tracks fishing, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation in 2006.

“It’s clear to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies that as 87 million people are spending time outdoors—the connection between people and nature is undeniable. This means more people are watching and appreciating wildlife than ever before. However, understanding how many participate in hunting and angling is of particular interest to the Association and its state fish and wildlife agency members. It's important to note that 100 percent of hunting and fishing license fees goes directly back to conservation in each state. Plus, every time an angler buys a rod or reel, or when a hunter purchases a firearm or a bow, a portion of these funds are also dedicated to wildlife conservation through excise taxes on those products. Altogether, hunters and anglers contribute about $1.8 billion annually to conservation that would not otherwise exist. In fact, hunters and anglers are the nation’s primary source of funding for wildlife conservation. Without their financial contributions, conservation as we know it would cease to exist in our country. These latest survey results, showing even the slightest drop in hunter and angler participation nationwide, should be a concern to everyone who cares about fish and wildlife.”