2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation - published by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) conducted their 11th Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation in 2006. The final national report will be available in November 2007. As stated in the report:
The Survey collects information on U.S. residents’ participation in and expenditures for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching activities such as observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, researchers, and related industries use this information to estimate demands for wildlife-related recreation, evaluate the impacts of expenditures on state and national economies, and identify trends in wildlife recreation.
Over 87 million Americans 16 years old and older, 38% of the U.S. population, enjoyed some recreational activity relating to fish and wildlife.
Nearly 30 million anglers spent $40.6 billion in 2006. Each angler spent an average of $1,357.
1.6 million 6 to 15 year olds hunted, 8.4 million fished, and 11.5 million wildlife watched.