2006 National Survey 2006 National Survey 

 of Fishing, Hunting, and of Fishing, Hunting, and 

 Wildlife-Associated Wildlife-Associated 

 Recreation Recreation

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Dirk Kempthorne, 

Secretary

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

H. Dale Hall,

Director

U.S. Department of Commerce

Carlos M. Gutierrez,

Secretary

Economics and Statistics Administration

Cynthia A. Glassman, 

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Charles Louis Kincannon,

Director

2006 National Survey of 

Fishing, Hunting, and 

Wildlife-Associated Recreation

FHW/06-NAT
The U.S. Department of the Interior protects and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural 

heritage; provides scientifi c and other information about those resources; and honors its trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and affi liated Island Communities.

The mission of the Department’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, 

protect, and enhance fi sh, wildlife, and their habitats for the continuing benefi t of the American people. 

The Service is responsible for national programs of vital importance to our natural resources, including 

administration of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Programs. These two programs provide fi nancial assistance to the States for projects to enhance and protect fi sh and wildlife resources and to assure 

their availability to the public for recreational purposes. Multistate grants from these programs fund the 

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

Suggested Citation

U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. 

Census Bureau. 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

H. Dale Hall,

Director

Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration

Rowan Gould, 

Assistant Director

U.S. Department of the Interior

Dirk Kempthorne, 

Secretary

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

Charles Louis Kincannon,

Director

Economics and Statistics 

Administration

Cynthia A. Glassman, 

Under Secretary for Economic Affairs
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation iii

Contents

List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi

Survey Background and Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii

Highlights

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Fishing Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Hunting Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Wildlife-Watching Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Tables

Guide to Statistical Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Fishing and Hunting Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Wildlife-Watching Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

State Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Appendixes

A. Defi nitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

B. 2005 Participation of 6-to-15-Year-Olds and Historical Participation of Sportspersons: 

 Data From Screening Interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

C. Signifi cant Methodological Changes From Previous Surveys and Regional Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

D. Sample Design and Statistical Accuracy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
iv 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Fishing and Hunting: 2006

1. Anglers and Hunters 16 Years Old and Older, Days of Participation, and Trips by Type of Fishing and Hunting . . . 57

2. Anglers, Trips, and Days of Fishing by Type of Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

3. Freshwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

4. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

5. Saltwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

6. Hunters, Trips, and Days of Hunting by Type of Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

7. Hunters and Days of Hunting by Type of Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

8. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

9. Selected Characteristics of Anglers by Type of Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

10. Selected Characteristics of Hunters by Type of Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

11. Summary of Expenditures for Fishing and Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

12. Expenditures for Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

13. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Freshwater Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

14. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Freshwater Fishing, Except Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

15. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Great Lakes Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

16. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Saltwater Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

17. Expenditures for Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

18. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Big Game Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

19. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Small Game Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

20. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Migratory Bird Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

21. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Hunting Other Animals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

22. Special Equipment Expenditures for Fishing and Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

23. Anglers and Hunters Who Purchased Licenses or Were Exempt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

24. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters Who Purchased Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

25. Freshwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

26. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Fishing by Great Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

27. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Public and Private Land by Type of Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

28. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Public Land by Selected Characteristic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

29. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Private Land by Selected Characteristic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

30. Anglers Fishing From Boats and Days of Participation by Type of Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

31. Anglers Fishing From Motorboats and Non-Motorboats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

32. Boats and Boat Launches Used by Anglers and Completion of Boating Safety Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

33. Anglers Fishing Most Often From Boats Alone or With Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

34. Information Used by Anglers Fishing From Boats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

35. Participation in Ice Fishing and Fly-Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

36. Participation in Catch-and-Release Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

37. Hunters Using Bows and Arrows, Muzzleloaders, or Other Firearms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

38. Land Owned or Leased for the Primary Purpose of Fishing or Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

List of Tables
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation v

Wildlife-Watching Activities: 2006

39. Wildlife-Watching Participants by Type of Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

40. Participants, Area Visited, Trips, and Days of Participation in Wildlife Watching Away From Home . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

41. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities Around the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

42. Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Wildlife Observed, Photographed, or Fed and Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

43. Wild Bird Observers and Days of Observation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

44. Expenditures for Wildlife Watching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

45. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Away From Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

46. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Around the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

47. Land Owned or Leased for the Primary Purpose of Wildlife Watching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

48. Participation of Wildlife-Watching Participants in Fishing and Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

49. Participation of Sportspersons in Wildlife-Watching Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

State Wildlife-Related Recreation: 2006

50. Participation in Wildlife-Associated Recreation by State Residents Inside and Outside Their Resident State . . . . . 96

51. Participation in Wildlife-Associated Recreation in Each State by Both Residents and Nonresidents of the State . . . 97

52. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation by State Where Spending Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

53. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation in the United States by State Residents 

 Both Inside and Outside Their Resident State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

54. Anglers and Hunters by Sportsperson’s State of Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

55. Anglers and Hunters by State Where Fishing or Hunting Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

56. Hunters by Type of Hunting and State Where Hunting Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

57. Days of Hunting by State Where Hunting Took Place and Hunter’s State of Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

58. Days of Hunting by Type of Hunting and State Where Hunting Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

59. Expenditures for Hunting by State Where Spending Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

60. Freshwater (Except Great Lakes) Anglers and Days of Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

61. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Great Lakes Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

62. Saltwater Anglers and Days of Saltwater Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

63. Days of Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place and Angler’s State of Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

64. Expenditures for Fishing by State Where Spending Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

65. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Residents Both Inside and Outside Their Resident State . . . 112

66. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Where Activity Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

67. Participation in Away-From-Home Wildlife Watching by State Where Activity Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

68. Days of Wildlife Watching Away From Home by State Where Activity Took Place

 and Participant’s State of Residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

69. Expenditures for Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Where Spending Took Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
vi 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

I fi nd duck hunting with friends in 

a bottomland hardwood swamp or 

fi shing with my kids on an Oregon 

river bolsters my spirit and reminds me 

why I care about conservation and our 

wildlife heritage.

But wildlife-associated and vital 

recreation—activities such as hunting, 

fi shing, and birding—also provide 

signifi cant fi nancial support for wildlife 

conservation in our Nation’s economy. 

According to information from the 

newest National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation, 87.5 million Americans 

spent more than $122 billion in 2006 

on wildlife-related recreation. And 

this spending supports hundreds of 

 thousands of jobs in industries and 

businesses.

The Survey is conducted every fi ve 

years at the request of State fi sh and 

wildlife agencies to measure the importance of wildlife-based recreation to the 

American people. The 2006 Survey 

represents the 11th in a series that 

began in 1955. Developed in collaboration with the States, the Association 

of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and 

national conservation organizations, 

the Survey has become one of the most 

important sources of information on 

fi sh and wildlife-related recreation in 

the United States. 

In the 75-year history of the Sport Fish 

and Wildlife Restoration Programs, 

excise taxes on fi rearms, ammunition, 

archery, and angling equipment have 

generated a cumulative total of more 

than $10 billion for wildlife conservation efforts by State and Territorial 

wildlife agencies for fi sh and wildlife 

management. 

My thanks go to the men and women 

who took time to participate in the 

survey, as well as to the State fi sh and 

wildlife agencies for their fi nancial 

support through the Multistate State 

Conservation Grant Programs. Without 

that support, the 2006 Survey would 

never have been possible. 

I am comforted to know that my children and all Americans will have the 

opportunity to appreciate our Nation’s 

rich wildlife tradition. Along with 

a record number of Americans, we 

continue to enjoy wildlife. We are 

laying the foundation for conservation’s 

future. 

H. Dale Hall

Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Foreword
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation vii

Survey Background and Method

The National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation (Survey) has been 

conducted since 1955 and is one of 

the oldest and most comprehensive 

continuing recreation surveys. The 

Survey collects information on the 

number of anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers; how often they participate; and how much they spend on their 

activities in the United States.

Preparations for the 2006 Survey began 

in 2004 when the Association of Fish 

and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) recommended that the Fish and Wildlife 

Service conduct the eleventh Survey 

of wildlife-related recreation. Funding 

came from the Multistate Conservation 

Grant Programs, authorized by Sport 

Fish and Wildlife Restoration Acts, as 

amended.

We consulted with State and Federal 

agencies and nongovernmental 

organizations such as the Wildlife 

Management Institute and American 

Sportfi shing Association to determine 

survey content. Other sportspersons’ organizations and conservation 

groups, industry representatives, and 

researchers also provided valuable 

advice.

Four regional technical committees 

were set up under the auspices of the 

AFWA to ensure that State fi sh and 

wildlife agencies had an opportunity to 

participate in all phases of survey planning and design. The committees were 

made up of agency representatives.

Data collection for the Survey was 

carried out by the U.S. Census Bureau 

in two phases. The fi rst phase was 

the screen which began in April 2006. 

During this phase the Census Bureau 

interviewed a sample of 85,000 households nationwide to determine who 

in the household had fi shed, hunted, 

or wildlife watched in 2005, and who 

had engaged or planned to engage 

in those activities in 2006. In most 

cases, one adult household member 

provided information for all members. 

The screen primarily covered 2005 

activities while the next, more in-depth 

phase covered 2006 activities. For 

more information on 2005 data, refer to 

Appendix B.

The second phase of data collection 

consisted of three detailed interview waves. The fi rst began in April 

2006 concurrent with the screen, the 

second in September 2006, and the 

last in January 2007. Interviews were 

conducted with samples of likely 

anglers, hunters, and wildlife watchers 

who were identifi ed in the initial 

screening phase. Interviews were 

conducted primarily by phone, with 

in-person interviews for respondents 

who could not be reached by phone. 

Respondents in the second survey 

phase were limited to those who were 

at least 16 years old. Each respondent 

provided information pertaining only to 

his or her activities and expenditures. 

Sample sizes were designed to provide 

statistically reliable results at the state 

level. Altogether, interviews were 

completed with 21,938 anglers and 

hunters and 11,279 wildlife watchers. 

More detailed information on sampling 

procedures and response rates is found 

in Appendix D.

Comparability With Previous 

Surveys

The 2006 survey questions and methodology were similar to those used in the 

2001, 1996, and 1991 Surveys. Therefore, the estimates are comparable.

The methodology of these Surveys 

did differ importantly from the 1985 

and 1980 Surveys, so these estimates 

are not directly comparable to those 

of earlier surveys. Changes in methodology included reducing the recall 

period over which respondents had to 

report their activities and expenditures. 

Previous Surveys used a 12-month 

recall period, which resulted in greater 

reporting bias. Research found that the 

amount of activity and expenditures 

reported in 12-month recall surveys 

was overestimated in comparison 

with that reported using shorter recall 

periods.
Highlights
2 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Introduction

The National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation reports results from interviews with U.S. residents about their 

fi shing, hunting, and wildlife watching. 

This report focuses on 2006 participation and expenditures of persons 16 

years of age and older.

However, in addition to 2006 estimates, 

we also provide trend information in 

the Highlights section and Appendix 

C of the report. The 2006 numbers 

reported can be compared with those 

in the 1991, 1996, and 2001 Survey 

reports because they used similar methodologies. However, 2006 estimates 

should not be directly compared with 

results from Surveys conducted earlier 

than 1991 because of changes in methodology to improve accuracy. 

The report also provides information 

on participation in wildlife recreation 

in 2005, particularly of persons 6 to 15 

years of age. The 2005 information is 

provided in Appendix B. Information 

about the Survey’s scope and coverage 

is in Appendix D. The remainder of 

this section defi nes important terms 

used in the Survey.

Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Wildlife-associated recreation is 

fi shing, hunting, and wildlife-watching 

activities. These categories are not 

mutually exclusive because many individuals participated in more than one 

activity. Wildlife-associated recreation 

is reported in two major categories: (1) 

fi shing and hunting and (2) wildlife 

watching, which includes observing, 

photographing, and feeding fi sh or 

wildlife.

Fishing and Hunting

This Survey reports information about 

residents of the United States who 

fi shed or hunted in 2006, regardless of 

whether they were licensed. The fi shing 

and hunting sections report information 

for three groups: (1) sportspersons, (2) 

anglers, and (3) hunters. 

Sportspersons 

Sportspersons are those who fi shed 

or hunted. Individuals who fi shed 

or hunted commercially in 2006 are 

reported as sportspersons only if they 

also fi shed or hunted for recreation. 

The sportspersons group is composed 

of three subgroups as shown in the 

diagram below: (1) those that fi shed 

and hunted, (2) those that only fi shed, 

and (3) those that only hunted. 

The total number of sportspersons is 

equal to the sum of people who only 

fi shed, only hunted, and both hunted 

and fi shed. It is not the sum of all 

anglers and all hunters because those 

people who both fi shed and hunted are 

included in both the angler and hunter 

population and would be incorrectly 

counted twice.

Anglers

Anglers are sportspersons who only 

fi shed plus those who fi shed and 

hunted. Anglers include not only 

licensed hook and line anglers, but 

also those who have no license and 

those who use special methods such as 

fi shing with spears. 

Three types of fi shing are reported: (1) 

freshwater, excluding the Great Lakes, 

(2) Great Lakes, and (3) saltwater. 

Since many anglers participated in 

more than one type of fi shing, the total 

number of anglers is less than the sum 

of the three types of fi shing.

Hunters

Hunters are sportspersons who only 

hunted plus those who hunted and 

fi shed. Hunters include not only 

licensed hunters using rifl es and shotguns but also those who had no license 

and those who hunted with a bow and 

arrow, primitive fi rearm, or pistol or 

handgun. 

Four types of hunting are reported: (1) 

big game, (2) small game, (3) migratory bird, and (4) other animals. Since 

many hunters participated in more than 

one type of hunting, the sum of hunters 

for big game, small game, migratory 

bird, and other animals exceeds the 

total number of hunters.

Wildlife Watchers

Since 1980, the National Survey has 

included information on wildlifewatching activities in addition to 

fi shing and hunting. The 1991, 1996, 

2001, and 2006 Surveys, unlike the 

1980 and 1985 Surveys, collected data 

only for activities where the primary

purpose was wildlife watching. The 

1980 and 1985 Surveys included estimates of unplanned wildlife watching 

around the home and while on trips 

taken for another purpose.

The 2006 Survey uses a strict defi nition of wildlife watching. Participants 

must either take a “special interest” 

in wildlife around their homes or take 

a trip for the “primary purpose” of 

Sportspersons

Anglers Hunters

Fished 

only

Fished

and

hunted

Hunted

only
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 3

wildlife watching. Secondary wildlife watching, such as incidentally 

observing wildlife while pleasure 

driving, is not included.

Two types of wildlife watching 

are reported: (1) away-from-home 

(formerly nonresidential) activities and 

(2) around-the-home (formerly residential) activities. Because some people 

participated in more than one type of 

wildlife watching, the sum of participants in each type will be greater than 

the total number of wildlife watchers. 

The two types of wildlife-watching 

activity are explained next.

Away-From-Home Wildlife 

Watching

This group includes persons who 

took trips or outings of at least 1 mile 

from home for the primary purpose of 

observing, feeding, or photographing 

fi sh and wildlife. Trips to fi sh, hunt, or 

scout and trips to zoos, circuses, aquariums, and museums are not considered 

wildlife-watching activities.

Around-The-Home Wildlife 

Watching

This group includes those who 

participated within 1 mile of home and 

involves one or more of the following: 

(1) closely observing or trying to identify birds or other wildlife; (2) photographing wildlife; (3) feeding birds or 

other wildlife; (4) maintaining natural 

areas of at least 1/4 acre where benefi t 

to wildlife is the primary concern; (5) 

maintaining plantings (shrubs, agricultural crops, etc.) where benefi t to 

wildlife is the primary concern; or (6) 

visiting public parks within 1 mile 

of home for the primary purpose of 

observing, feeding, or photographing 

wildlife.
4 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Summary

The 2006 Survey found that 87.5 

million U.S. residents 16 years old and 

older participated in wildlife-related 

recreation. During that year, 30.0 

million people fi shed, 12.5 million 

hunted, and 71.1 million participated in 

at least one type of wildlife-watching 

activity such as observing, feeding, or 

photographing fi sh and other wildlife in 

the United States.

The focus of the National Survey is to 

estimate participation and expenditures 

of persons 16 years old and older in a 

single year. These estimates are based 

on data collected in the detailed phase 

of the 2006 Survey. They are comparable to estimates from the 1991, 1996, 

and 2001 Surveys but not with earlier 

ones because of changes in methodology. A complete explanation of the 

change is provided in Appendix C. 

While the focus of the Survey is to 

estimate wildlife-related recreationists 16 years old and older and their 

associated expenditures in a single 

year, information collected in the 

survey screen can be used to estimate 

the number of anglers and hunters who 

were active over a fi ve-year window of 

time. Because many do not participate 

every year, the following estimates may 

be more representative of the number 

of individuals considered to be anglers 

and hunters in the United States: 44.4 

million individuals fi shed and 18.6 

million hunted in the United States over 

the fi ve-year period from 2002 to 2006. 

The survey screen also provides some 

information about 6-to-15-year-olds’ 

participation. Assuming their proportion of participation was the same in 

2006 as in 2005, the following estimates were calculated: of the 6-to15-year-olds in the United States, 1.6 

million hunted, 8.3 million fi shed, and 

12 million wildlife watched in 2006. 

More information about this age group 

is provided in Appendix B. For the rest 

of this report, all information pertains 

to participants 16 years old and older.

There was a considerable overlap in 

activities among anglers, hunters, and 

wildlife watchers. In 2006, 68 percent 

of all hunters also fi shed and 29 percent 

of all anglers also hunted. In addition, 

52 percent of anglers and 57 percent 

of hunters wildlife watched, while 25 

percent of all wildlife watchers reported 

hunting and/or fi shing during the year.

Wildlife recreationists’ avidity also 

is refl ected in the $122.3 billion they 

spent in 2006 on their activities, which 

equated to 1 percent of the Gross 

Domestic Product. Of the total amount 

spent, $37.4 billion was trip-related, 

$64.1 billion was spent on equipment, 

and $20.7 billion was spent on other 

items such as licenses and land leasing 

and ownership.

Sportspersons spent a total of $76.7 

billion in 2006—$42.0 billion on 

fi shing, $22.9 billion on hunting, and 

$11.7 billion on items used for both 

hunting and fi shing. Wildlife watchers 

spent $45.7 billion on their activities 

around the home and on trips away 

from home.

Fishing and Hunting

In 2006, 33.9 million U.S. residents 16 

years old and older went fi shing and/or 

Total Wildlife-Related Recreation

Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87.5 million

Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $122.3 billion

Sportspersons

Total participants* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.9 million

 Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30.0 million

 Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.5 million

Total days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737 million

 Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 517 million

 Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 million

Total expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $76.7 billion

 Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.0 billion

 Hunting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22.9 billion

 Unspecifi ed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7 billion

Wildlife Watchers

Total participants** . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.1 million 

 Around the home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.8 million

 Away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.0 million

Total expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.7 billion 

* 8.5 million both fi shed and hunted.

** 19.7 million both wildlife watched around the home and away 

from home.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 5

hunting. This includes 30.0 million who 

fi shed and 12.5 million who hunted—

8.5 million both fi shed and hunted.

In 2006, expenditures by sportspersons totaled $76.7 billion. Trip-related 

expenditures, including food, lodging, 

and transportation, were $24.6 

billion—32 percent of all fi shing and 

hunting expenditures. Total equipment 

expenditures amounted to $41.0 billion, 

53 percent of the total. Other expenditures—magazines, membership dues, 

contributions, land leasing and ownership, and licenses, stamps, tags, and 

permits—accounted for $11.1 billion, 

or 15 percent of all sportspersons’ 

expenditures.

Wildlife-Watching Recreation

Observing, feeding, or photographing 

wildlife was enjoyed by 71.1 million 

people 16 years old and older in 2006. 

Among this group, 23.0 million people 

took trips away from home for the 

primary purpose of enjoying wildlife, 

while 67.8 million stayed within a 

mile of home to participate in wildlifewatching activities. 

In 2006, wildlife watchers spent $45.7 

billion. Trip-related expenses, including 

food, lodging, and transportation, 

totaled $12.9 billion, 28 percent of all 

expenditures. A total of $23.2 billion 

was spent on equipment, 51 percent of 

all wildlife-watching expenses. The 

remaining $9.6 billion, 21 percent of 

the total, was spent on magazines, 

membership dues, and contributions 

made to conservation or wildlife-related 

organizations, plantings, and land 

leasing and ownership for the purpose 

of wildlife watching.

2001 and 2006 Comparison 

Six percent more people 16 years of 

age and older participated in wildliferelated recreation in 2006 than in 2001. 

Although 5.2 million more people 

participated, there were declines in 

some activities.

The number of sportspersons fell from 

37.8 million in 2001 to 33.9 million in 

2006. Their expenditures decreased 

from $79.7 billion (in 2006 dollars) in 

2001 to $76.7 billion in 2006. 

In 2006, 30.0 million U.S. residents 16 

years of age and older fi shed compared 

to 34.1 million who fi shed in 2001, a 

drop of 12 percent. The 4 percent drop 

in the number of hunters, 13.0 million 

in 2001 to 12.5 million in 2006, is not 

statistically signifi cant.

Although fi shing participation declined 

from 2001 to 2006, overall expenditures for fi shing held steady. No 

expenditure category had a statistically 

signifi cant change.

Hunting participation and overall 

hunting expenditures stayed about the 

same from 2001 to 2006. No expenditure category had a statistically signifi -

cant change.

Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation 

(Total expenditures: $122.3 billion) 

Expenditures by Sportspersons 

(Total expenditures: $76.7 billion) 

Expenditures by Wildlife-Watching Participants 

(Total expenditures: $45.7 billion) 

Unspecified 

10% 

$11.7 billion 

Hunting 

19% 

$22.9 billion 

Wildlife watching

37%

$45.7 billion

Fishing

34%

$42.0 billion

Other 

17% 

$20.7 billion

Trip-related 

31%

$37.4 billion 

Equipment

52%

$64.1 billion

Other 

15% 

$11.1 billion

Trip-related 

32% 

$24.6 billion 

Equipment

53%

$41.0 billion

Other 

21% 

$9.6 billion

Trip-related 

28% 

$12.9 billion

Equipment

51%

$23.2 billion
6 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

2001–2006 Wildlife-Associated Recreation Comparison of Participants

(Numbers in thousands)

 2001 2006

 Number Percent Number Percent

Total wildlife-related recreationists . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82,302 100 87,465 100

Total sportspersons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,805 46 33,916 39

 Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,071 41 29,952 34

 Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,034 16 12,510 14

Total wildlife-watching participants . . . . . . . . . . . . 66,105 80 71,132 81

 Around the home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,928 76 67,756 77

 Away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,823 27 22,977 26

2001–2006 Wildlife-Associated Recreation Comparison of Expenditures

(Numbers in billions of 2006 dollars) 

 2001 2006

 Number Percent Number Percent

Total wildlife-related recreation expenditures . . . . 123.4 100 122.3 100

Total fi shing and hunting expenditures . . . . . . . . . . 79.7 100 76.7 100

Angling expenditures, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.6 100 42.0 100

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.7 41 17.9 43

 Equipment, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.3 48 18.8 45

 Fishing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 13 5.3 13

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 2 0.8 2

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.2 33 12.6 30

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 11 5.4 13

Hunting expenditures, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23.5 100 22.9 100

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.0 26 6.7 29

 Equipment, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.8 50 10.7 47

 Hunting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 22 5.4 24

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 6 1.3 6

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 22 4.0 17

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.7 24 5.5 24

Wildlife-watching expenditures, total . . . . . . . . . . 43.7 100 45.7 100

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.3 21 12.9 28

 Equipment, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.8 61 23.2 51

 Wildlife-watching equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.4 19 9.9 22

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 2 1.0 2

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.6 40 12.3 27

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7 17 9.6 21

The increase in wildlife-related 

recreation participation from 2001 to 

2006 was due to wildlife watching 

(observing, feeding, and photographing 

wildlife). During this period, the 

number of people wildlife watching 

increased by 8 percent. Although their 

overall expenditures showed little 

change, they did spend 38 percent more 

on trips and 18 percent more on bird 

food and wildlife-watching equipment 

(such as binoculars, cameras, bird 

feeders). Total expenditures over the 

fi ve-year period showed little change 

because wildlife watchers spent 14 

percent less on equipment in 2006 than 

in 2001.
Fishing
8 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Fishing Highlights

In 2006, 30.0 million U.S. residents 16 

years old and older enjoyed a variety 

of fi shing opportunities throughout 

the United States. Anglers fi shed 517 

million days and took 403 million 

fi shing trips. They had $42.0 billion 

in fi shing-related expenses during the 

year. Freshwater anglers numbered 

25.4 million. They fi shed 433 million 

days and took 337 million trips to 

freshwater in 2006. Freshwater anglers 

spent $26.3 billion on freshwater 

fi shing trips and equipment. Saltwater 

fi shing attracted 7.7 million anglers 

who enjoyed 67 million trips on 86 

million days. They spent $8.9 billion 

on their saltwater trips and equipment.

Total Fishing

Anglers . . . . . . . . 30.0 million

 Freshwater . . . . 25.4 million 

 Saltwater . . . . . 7.7 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . 516.8 million 

 Freshwater . . . . 433.3 million 

 Saltwater . . . . . 85.7 million 

Trips . . . . . . . . . . 403.5 million 

 Freshwater . . . . 336.5 million 

 Saltwater . . . . . 67.0 million 

Expenditures . . . $42.0 billion 

 Freshwater . . . . 26.3 billion 

 Saltwater . . . . . 8.9 billion 

 Nonspecifi c . . . 6.8 billion 

Note: Detail does not add to total 

because of multiple responses 

and nonresponse.

Source: Tables 1, 12, 13, and 16.

Fishing

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Total Freshwater Saltwater

Million

Days Trips

Freshwater

Saltwater

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse. 

517 million

403 million

433

86

337

67

Anglers

Anglers
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 9

Fishing Expenditures

Anglers spent $42.0 billion in 2006 

including $17.9 billion on travel-related 

items—43 percent of all fi shing expenditures. Food and lodging accounted 

for $6.3 billion, 35 percent of all triprelated costs. Spending on transportation totaled $5.0 billion, 28 percent of 

trip-related expenditures. Other trip 

expenditures, such as land use fees, 

guide fees, equipment rental, boating 

expenses, and bait, cost anglers $6.6 

billion—37 percent of all trip expenses. 

Fishing equipment expenditures 

totaled $18.8 billion in 2006, 45 

percent of all fi shing expenditures. 

Anglers spent $5.3 billion on fi shing 

equipment, such as rods, reels, tackle 

boxes, depth fi nders, and artifi cial 

lures and fl ies. This amounted to 28 

percent of all equipment expenditures. 

Auxiliary equipment expenditures, 

which includes camping equipment, 

binoculars, and special fi shing clothing, 

totaled $779 million—4 percent of 

equipment costs. Expenditures for 

special equipment, such as boats, vans, 

and cabins, were $12.6 billion—67 

percent of all equipment expenditures. 

Anglers also spent a considerable 

amount on other fi shing-related items, 

such as land leasing and ownership, 

membership dues, contributions, 

licenses, stamps, and permits. Land 

leasing and ownership spending totaled 

$4.6 billion, which is 11 percent of 

all expenditures. Expenditures on 

magazines, books, membership dues, 

contributions, licenses, stamps, tags, 

and permits were $776 million. 

Total Fishing Expenditures 

Total fi shing expenditures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42.0 billion

Total trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17.9 billion

 Food and lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3 billion

 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.0 billion

 Other trip costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.6 billion

Total equipment expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $18.8 billion

 Fishing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.3 billion

 Auxiliary equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 billion

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.6 billion

Total other fi shing expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.4 billion

 Magazines, books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 billion

 Membership dues and contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 billion

 Land leasing and ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.6 billion

 Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 billion

Source: Table 12.

Percent of Total Fishing Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $42.0 billion)

Fishing Expenditures by Type of Fishing 

(Total expenditures: $42.0 billion)

Freshwater

63% 

$26.3 billion

Saltwater

21%

$8.9 billion

Nonspecific

16%

$6.8 billion

Other

13%

Equipment 

45%

Trip-related

43%
10 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Freshwater Fishing Highlights

Freshwater fi shing was the most 

popular type of fi shing. In 2006, 25.4 

million anglers went freshwater fi shing 

for 433 million days and 337 million 

trips. Their expenditures for trips and 

equipment totaled $26.3 billion for the 

year. Freshwater fi shing can be separated into Great Lakes and freshwater 

other than the Great Lakes. 

There were 25.0 million anglers who 

fi shed for 420 million days on 323 

million trips to freshwater other than 

the Great Lakes. Trip and equipment 

expenditures for non-Great Lakes 

freshwater fi shing totaled $24.6 billion 

for an average of $982 per angler. 

Total trip expenditures were $11.5 

billion. Food and lodging composed 

$4.2 billion or 37 percent of total trip 

expenditures. Transportation costs 

were $3.7 billion or 32 percent. Other 

trip expenses, which include guide fees, 

equipment rental, and bait, were $3.6 

billion or 31 percent. 

Anglers spent $13.1 billion on equipment for non-Great Lakes freshwater 

fi shing. Expenditures for fi shing equipment, such as rods and reels, tackle 

boxes, depth fi nders, and artifi cial lures 

and fl ies, totaled $3.4 billion. Expenditures for auxiliary equipment such 

as binoculars and camping equipment 

were $601 million. Expenditures for 

Freshwater Fishing

Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.4 million

 Freshwater except Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.0 million

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 433.3 million

 Freshwater except Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419.9 million

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.0 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 336.5 million

 Freshwater except Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323.3 million

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.3 million

Trip and equipment expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26.3 billion

 Freshwater except Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24.6 billion

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 billion

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple response and nonresponse.

Source: Tables 1, 13, 14, and 15.

Freshwater Fishing Trip and Equipment Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $26.3 billion)

Freshwater except Great Lakes 

94%

$24.6 billion

Great Lakes

6%

$1.5 billion

Freshwater Fishing 

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Great

Lakes

Freshwater

except Great

Lakes

Total

Million

Note: Detail does not add to total because of 

 multiple responses and nonresponse. 

Freshwater anglers

Days

(Total: 433.3 million)

Freshwater except Great Lakes 

415.3 million

Great Lakes

13.4 million

Both

4.6 million

Trips

(Total: 336.5 million)

Freshwater except Great Lakes 

323.3 million

Great Lakes

13.3 million
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 11

special equipment such as boats, vans, 

and cabins accounted for $9.1 billion. 

There were 1.4 million people who 

fi shed 18 million days on 13 million 

trips to the Great Lakes in 2006. Their 

Great Lakes-related expenditures 

totaled $1.5 billion. Trip-related 

expenses totaled $1.1 billion. Of these 

expenditures, $375 million was spent 

on food and lodging, 35 percent of trip 

costs; $238 million went for transportation, 22 percent of trip costs; and 

$453 million, or 43 percent, was spent 

on other items such as guide fees, 

equipment rental and bait. Equipment 

expenditures totaled $442 million. Of 

this $442 million, $165 million was for 

fi shing equipment (rods, reels, etc.), 

$18 million was for auxiliary equipment (camping equipment, binoculars, 

etc.), and $258 million was for special 

equipment (boats, vans, etc.).

Saltwater Fishing Highlights

In 2006, 7.7 million anglers enjoyed 

saltwater fi shing on 67 million trips 

totaling 86 million days. Overall, they 

spent $8.9 billion during the year 

on trips and equipment for saltwater 

fi shing. Trip-related expenditures 

accounted for $5.3 billion or 60 percent 

of the total. Spending for food and 

lodging was $1.7 billion or 32 percent 

of trip expenditures. Transportation spending totaled $1.1 billion, 20 

percent of trip expenditures. Other trip 

expenditures, such as equipment rental, 

bait, and guide fees, were $2.5 billion 

(48 percent).

Anglers spent a total of $3.6 billion on 

equipment for saltwater fi shing. Of the 

$3.6 billion, $1.3 billion was for fi shing 

equipment (rods, reels, etc.), $108 

million was for auxiliary equipment 

(camping equipment, binoculars, etc.), 

and $2.2 billion was for special equipment (boats, vans, etc.).

Saltwater Fishing

Anglers . . . . . . . . 7.7 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . 85.7 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . 67.0 million

Trip and equipment

 expenditures . . . $8.9 billion

Source: Tables 1 and 16.

Comparative Trip and Equipment Expenditures 

Total expenses

Trip-related 

Equipment

Freshwater

except

Great Lakes

Great Saltwater

Lakes

$1.5 billion

$8.9 billion

$24.6 billion

Freshwater

except

Great Lakes

Great Saltwater

Lakes

71%

60% 47%

29%

40% 53%
12 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Comparative Fishing Highlights

In 2006, anglers spent an average of 17 

days fi shing and took an average of 13 

fi shing trips. Similarly, in freshwater 

excluding the Great Lakes, anglers 

fi shed an average of 17 days and took 

13 trips. For Great Lakes fi shing, 

participants averaged 13 days of fi shing 

on an average of 9 trips. Saltwater 

anglers fi shed fewer days, averaging 11 

days of fi shing on 9 saltwater trips.

Overall, anglers spent an average of 

$1,407 on fi shing-related expenses in 

2006. They averaged $597 per angler 

on their trips, or about $35 per day. For 

freshwater fi shing excluding the Great 

Lakes, participants averaged $460 in 

trip-related expenses in 2006, equaling 

$27 per day. For fi shing in the Great 

Lakes, participants averaged $751 in 

trip-related expenses, equaling $59 per 

day. Anglers in saltwater averaged trip 

expenditures of $686 per participant, 

which amounts to approximately $62 

per day. 

Fishing for Selected Fish

The most popular fi sh species among 

the 25.0 million anglers who fi shed 

freshwater other than the Great Lakes 

was black bass. Ten million spent 161 

million days fi shing for black bass. 

Following black bass in popularity 

were several species with a similar 

number of anglers and days of fi shing. 

Panfi sh were pursued by 7.5 million 

anglers on 102 million days. Catfi sh 

and bullheads drew 7.0 million anglers 

on 98 million days. About 6.8 million 

anglers fi shed for trout on 76 million 

days. Crappie fi shing attracted 6.2 

million anglers on 91 million days. 

Three species were very close in 

popularity among Great Lakes anglers. 

Walleye and sauger attracted nearly 

500 thousand anglers, as did perch. 

Anglers fi shed for walleye and sauger 

for 4.9 million days and for perch, 5.5 

million days. Salmon followed closely 

with 418 thousand anglers fi shing for 

5.7 million days. Lake trout, black bass 

and steelhead were also popular Great 

Lakes species, as they were pursued by 

328 thousand, 298 thousand, and 201 

thousand anglers, respectively. 

Among the 7.7 million saltwater 

anglers, 2.1 million fi shed for fl atfi sh, 

which includes fl ounder and halibut, on 

21 million days. Redfi sh (red drum) 

followed in popularity with 1.8 million 

Selected Fish by Type of Fishing

(In millions)

Type of fi shing Anglers Days 

Freshwater except Great Lakes, total . . . . . . . . . . . . 25.0 419.9

 Black bass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.0 161.0

 Panfi sh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 101.6

 Catfi sh/bullhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.0 98.2

 Trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 75.5

 Crappie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.2 90.7

 White bass, striped bass, and striped bass hybrids . . 4.8 65.2 

Great Lakes, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 18.0

 Walleye, sauger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 4.9

 Perch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.5 5.5

 Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 5.7

 Lake trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 4.4

 Black bass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 2.9

 Steelhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 1.9

Saltwater, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7 85.7

 Flatfi sh (fl ounder, halibut) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.1 20.5

 Redfi sh (red drum) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 20.2

 Sea trout (weak fi sh). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 18.2

 Striped bass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4 15.4

 Bluefi sh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0 9.9

 Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6 3.4

Source: Tables 3, 4, and 5.

Comparative Fishing by Type of Fishing 

All fishing

Freshwater except Great Lakes

Great Lakes

Saltwater

17

17

13

11

13

13

9

9

$597

$460

$751

$686

$35

$27

$59

$62

Trips per angler

Days per angler

Trip expenditures

per day

Trip expenditures

per angler
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 13

anglers fi shing for 20 million days. 

Also popular were sea trout and striped 

bass with 1.5 and 1.4 million anglers 

who fi shed for 18.2 and 15.4 million 

days, respectively. Other prominent 

saltwater species were bluefi sh with 1.0 

million anglers and salmon with nearly 

600 thousand anglers. 

Participation by Geographic Region

In 2006, 229 million people 16 years 

old and older lived in the United States 

and 1 of every 8 of these U.S. residents went fi shing. While the national 

participation rate was 13 percent, the 

regional rates ranged from 8 percent 

in the Middle Atlantic and Pacifi c to 

21 percent in the West North Central. 

The West North Central, East North 

Central, East South Central, West South 

Central, and South Atlantic all reported 

participation rates above the national 

rate. The Mountain region tied the 

national rate at 13 percent, and New 

England was below the national rate at 

11 percent.

Fishing in State of Residence and 

in Other States

A large majority of the 30.0 million 

anglers who fi shed in 2006 did so 

within their home state. Approximately 

27.6 million participants, 92 percent of 

all anglers, fi shed in their resident state. 

Nearly 6.5 million, 22 percent, fi shed 

out of state. Percentages do not add to 

100 because those anglers who fi shed 

both in state and out of state were 

included in both categories.

Of the 25.0 million non-Great Lakes 

freshwater anglers, 93 percent, 23.3 

million, fi shed within their resident 

state. About 4.6 million, 18 percent, of 

these freshwater anglers fi shed out of 

state.

Eighty-three percent, 1.2 million, 

of all Great Lakes anglers enjoyed 

fi shing within their home state in 2006. 

Twenty-two percent, 306 thousand, of 

all Great Lakes anglers fi shed out of 

state.

Of the three different types of fi shing, 

saltwater fi shing had both the highest 

percentage of anglers fi shing outside 

their resident state, 28 percent, and the 

lowest percentage fi shing within their 

resident state, 79 percent. Nonresident 

saltwater anglers numbered 2.2 million 

and resident anglers 6.1 million.

Fishing in State of Residence 

and in Other States 

(In millions) 

 Out of 

 In state state

Total anglers . . . . . 27.6 6.5

 Freshwater except

 Great Lakes . . . 23.3 4.6

 Great Lakes . . . . 1.2 0.3

 Saltwater . . . . . . . 6.1 2.2

 

Source: Table 2.

AK

WA

OR

CA

MT

WY

ID

NV

UT

AZ

CO

NM

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

WI

IL

MI

IN OH

KY

TN

MS AL

FL

GA

SC

NC

VA WV

PA

NY

NH ME VT

MA

RI

CT

NJ

DE

MD

DC

HI

Fishing Participation

(National participation rate: 13%)

Pacific

8%

Mountain

13%

West North 

Central 

21%

East 

North 

Central

15%

Middle 

Atlantic

8%

New England 

11%

South Atlantic 

14%

East South 

Central

West South 18%

Central 

16%

Percent of All Fishing—in State of Residence and in Other States

(Total: 30.0 million participants)

In state of residence and 

other states 

14%

In state of residence only

78%

In other states only 

8%
14 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Types of Freshwater Fished, 

Excluding Great Lakes

Excluding the Great Lakes, 84 percent 

or 21.1 million of all freshwater anglers 

fi shed in reservoirs, lakes, and ponds. 

Forty-fi ve percent or 11.3 million fi shed 

in rivers and streams. They spent 304 

million days fi shing in lakes, reservoirs, 

and ponds and 136 million days fi shing 

in rivers and streams. 

Great Lakes Anglers

Great Lakes fi shing includes not only 

the Great Lakes, but also their tributaries—bodies of water that connect 

the Great Lakes—and the St. Lawrence 

River south of the bridge at Cornwall. 

The most popular of the Lakes among 

anglers was Lake Erie, attracting 37 

percent of all the Great Lakes anglers. 

They averaged 9 days of fi shing in 

Lake Erie during 2006. Lake Michigan 

ranked second in popularity, hosting 

33 percent of Great Lakes anglers who 

fi shed there for an average of 12 days. 

Lake Ontario attracted 15 percent of 

the anglers, 218 thousand, who averaged 6 fi shing days. The tributaries 

to the Lakes drew 9 percent of Great 

Lakes anglers who averaged 9 days per 

angler. Lake Huron drew 7 percent, 93 

thousand anglers, who averaged 9 days 

of fi shing.

Great Lakes Fishing

 Percentage

 Anglers of all Great 

(thousands) Lakes anglers

Total, all Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,420 100

Lake Erie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526 37

Lake Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474 33

Lake Ontario . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 15

Tributaries to the Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 9

Lake Huron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *93 7

Lake Superior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *89 6

St. Lawrence River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...

Lake St. Clair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Source: Table 26.

Types of Freshwater Fished, Excluding Great Lakes 

(In millions)

25.0

21.1

11.3

419.9

304.5

136.0

Anglers

Days

Rivers and streams

Lakes and reservoirs

Total freshwater

excluding Great Lakes

Rivers and streams

Lakes and reservoirs

Total freshwater

excluding Great Lakes
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 15

Sex and Age of Anglers

Although more men than women 

fi shed in 2006, a substantial number of 

women fi shed as well. Twenty percent 

of all males 16 years and older went 

fi shing, while 6 percent of females 

fi shed. Of the 30.0 million anglers who 

fi shed in the United States, 75 percent, 

22.3 million, were male and 25 percent, 

7.6 million, were female.

Of the age categories, 7.5 million 

anglers, 25 percent of all anglers, were 

35 to 44 years old. Their participation rate was also the highest at 17 

percent. They were followed by 6.6 

million anglers 45 to 54 years old who 

composed 22 percent of all anglers and 

had a participation rate of 15 percent. 

Next came the 25-to-34-year-old age 

group with 4.9 million participants 

who accounted for 16 percent of all 

anglers and had a participation rate of 

13 percent. The 4.6 million 55-to-64-

year-olds who fi shed accounted for 15 

percent of all anglers and had a participation rate of 14 percent. Anglers 

65 years old and older numbered 2.8 

million, 10 percent of total anglers, and 

had a 7 percent participation rate. The 

2.4 million anglers 18 to 24 years old 

made up 8 percent of the angler population, and they had a participation rate 

of 10 percent. The 16- and 17-yearolds added 1.1 million individuals to 

the angler population. They made up 

4 percent of the total angler population 

and had a 13 percent participation rate.

Anglers by Sex and Age 

Total, both sexes . . 30.0 million

 Male . . . . . . . . . . 22.3 million

 Female . . . . . . . . 7.6 million

Total, all ages . . . . . 30.0 million

 16 and 17 . . . . . . 1.1 million

 18 to 24 . . . . . . . . 2.4 million

 25 to 34 . . . . . . . . 4.9 million

 35 to 44 . . . . . . . . 7.5 million

 45 to 54 . . . . . . . . 6.6 million

 55 to 64 . . . . . . . . 4.6 million

 65 and older . . . . 2.8 million

Source: Table 9.

Percent of Anglers by Sex 

Percent of Males and Females Who Fished in the United States

Percent of Anglers by Age

Males 

75%

Females

25%

65 and older 

10%

55 to 64 

15%

16 and 17

4%

45 to 54 

22%

35 to 44 

25%

25 to 34

16%

18 to 24

8%

Females

Males 20%

6%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Age

65 and older

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

18 to 24

16 and 17 13%

10%

13%

17%

15%

14%

7%
16 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan 

Anglers

While residents of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)1

 had lower participation rates in fi shing than non-MSA 

residents, they still accounted for the 

majority of anglers. Eleven percent 

of all MSA residents fi shed in 2006, 

but they composed 73 percent of all 

anglers. By comparison, non-MSA 

residents composed 27 percent of all 

anglers, but their participation rate was 

more than twice as high at 21 percent. 

Larger MSAs had lower participation 

rates in fi shing than smaller MSAs but 

composed more of the angler population. Large MSAs with populations 

of 1,000,000 or more had the lowest 

participation rate at 10 percent, but 

they made up 39 percent of all anglers. 

Medium MSAs with a population of 

250,000 to 999,999 had a 13 percent 

participation rate and represented 20 

percent of all anglers. Those MSAs 

with populations under 250,000 had 

a participation rate of 18 percent and 

composed 14 percent of all anglers. 

Household Income of Anglers 

The participation rate in fi shing tended 

to increase as household income 

increased. The participation rate is 

the percent of each income group that 

fi shed. The rate for those who reported 

incomes of $75,000 to $99,999 was 

the highest at 19 percent. Those with 

incomes of $50,000 to $74,999 and 

$100,000 or more had a slightly lower 

rate at 18 percent. The participation 

rate declined as income decreased. 

Those with incomes $40,000 to 

$49,999 participated at a 16 percent 

rate, and it declined steadily to 15 

percent among those with incomes 

$35,000 to $39,999, 14 percent among 

those with incomes $30,000 to $34,999, 

and 13 percent among those with 

incomes $20,000 to $29,999. Those 

with incomes under $20,000 had the 

lowest participation rates at under 10 

percent.

The majority of anglers had household 

incomes of $50,000 or more. Among 

anglers who reported income, 59 

percent were from households with 

incomes of $50,000 or more and 41 

percent were from households with 

incomes of less than $50,000.

1

 See Appendix A for defi nition of metropolitan 

statistical area.

Percent of Anglers by Residence

Outside MSA Large MSA 27% 39%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Residence

(Total U.S. population that fished: 13%) 

Outside MSA

Small MSA

(249,999 or less)

Medium MSA

(250,000 to 999,999)

Large MSA

(1,000,000 or more) 10%

13%

18%

21%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Household Income 

$100,000 or more

$75,000 to $99,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$10,000 to $19,999

Less than $10,000

Small MSA 

14%

Medium MSA 

20%

18%

19%

18%

16%

15%

14%

13%

13%

9%

7%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 17

Education, Race, and Ethnicity

People of all educational backgrounds 

had similar participation rates. Those 

with 11 years of education or less and 

those with 5 years of college or more 

had participation rates of 12 percent. 

Those with 12 years of education and 

those with 4 years of college had participation rates of 13 percent. Those with 

1 to 3 years of college had the highest 

participation rate at 14 percent. 

While the highest participation rate 

is among those with 1 to 3 years 

of college, those with 12 years of 

education make up the largest share 

of anglers. Thirty-four percent or 

10.3 million anglers have 12 years of 

 education. 

Fishing was most popular among 

Whites and those identifi ed as other 

races. Whites participated at a 15 

percent rate. Other races, which 

include Native Americans, Pacifi c 

Islanders, and those of mixed race, 

participated at a 16 percent rate. 

Blacks and Asians participated at 

comparatively lower rates at 6 percent 

and 3 percent, respectively. Of all 

anglers, 92 percent were White, 5 

percent were Black, 1 percent was 

Asian, and 2 percent were other races. 

Hispanics, who represent a growing 

percentage of the U.S. population, 

fi shed at a much lower rate than nonHispanics. Five percent of Hispanics 

fi shed in 2006 compared to 14 percent 

of non-Hispanics. The 1.6 million 

Hispanics who fi shed in 2006 made up 

5 percent of all anglers.

Anglers by Education, Race, 

and Ethnicity

(In millions)

Total anglers . . . . . . . . . . . 30.0

Education

 11 years or less . . . . . . . . 4.0 

 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.3 

 1 to 3 years . . . . . . . . . . . 7.6 

 4 years of college . . . . . . 5.1 

 5 years or more of college 2.9

Race

 White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27.5

 Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5

 Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.6

Ethnicity

 Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . 28.4

Source: Table 9.

Percent of Anglers by Education

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Ethnicity

4 years of college 

17%

11 years or less

13%

Percent of Anglers by Race

White 92%

Other 2%

Black 5%

Asian 1%

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic 14%

5%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Education 

5 years or more

of college

4 years of college

1 to 3 years of college

12 years

11 years or less 12%

13%

14%

13%

12%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Fished by Race 

Other

Asian

Black

White

5 years or more of college 

10%

1 to 3 years of college 

25%

12 years

34%

15%

6%

3%

16%
18 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1996–2006 Comparison of Fishing 

Activity

In 2006, participation for all types of 

fi shing was down signifi cantly from 

both 1996 and 2001. The majority 

of the downturn occurred over the 

fi ve-year period from 2001 to 2006. 

As a result, the percent changes from 

1996 to 2006 and 2001 to 2006 are 

similar. The total number of anglers 

fell 15 percent from 1996 to 2006 and 

12 percent from 2001 to 2006. Over 

the ten years from 1996 to 2006 and 

the fi ve years between 2001 and 2006, 

fi shing in the Great Lakes experienced 

the greatest downturn at 30 percent and 

23 percent, respectively. Fishing in 

freshwater other than the Great Lakes 

fared the best with a decline of only 13 

percent between 1996 and 2006 and 

a decline of only 10 percent between 

2001 to 2006. The decline in saltwater 

fi shing was between these two with an 

18 percent decline from 1996 to 2006 

and a 15 percent decline from 2001 to 

2006. 

The trend in fi shing days was similar 

to that of total participants. For all 

types of fi shing, there was a decline of 

7 percent in the number of fi shing days 

from 2001 to 2006. As with anglers, 

the decline in days from 2001 to 2006 

was sharpest for Great Lakes fi shing 

at 22 percent, which was followed by 

saltwater fi shing at 6 percent. The 

decline among freshwater other than 

Great Lakes fi shing was the least at 5 

percent. Overall, the decline in days 

from 2001 to 2006 was not as large as 

the decline in the number of anglers. 

This indicates that the average number 

of days fi shing by anglers increased 

over the period. 

The trend in fi shing expenditures is 

different from that of total participants. 

Fishing-related expenditures declined 

signifi cantly from 1996 to 2006 but 

remained roughly the same from 2001 

to 2006. Total fi shing expenditures 

fell 13 percent from 1996 to 2006 and 

increased 4 percent from 2001 to 2006, 

but this is not a statistically signifi cant 

change. None of the changes from 

2001 to 2006 were signifi cant.

Number of Anglers

(Millions)

1996 2001 2006

Days of Fishing 

(Millions)

1996 2001 2006

Fishing Expenditures 

(Billions of 2006 dollars) 

1996 2001 2006

35.2 34.1

30.0

625.9

557.4

516.8

$48.6

$40.6 $42.0
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 19

1996–2006 Fishing Participants, Days, and Expenditures 

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 1996 2006 1996–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Anglers, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35,246 100 29,952 100 –15

 All freshwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,734 87 25,431 85 –14

 Freshwater, except Great Lakes . . 28,921 85 25,035 84 –13

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,039 7 1,420 5 –30

 Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,438 25 7,717 26 –18

Days, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 625,893 100 516,781 100 –17

 All freshwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515,115 82 433,337 84 –16

 Freshwater, except Great Lakes . . 485,474 78 419,942 81 –13

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,095 3 18,016 3 –10 *

 Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103,034 16 85,663 17 –17 

Fishing, total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . . . $48,565,444 100 $42,011,124 100 –13

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,763,326 41 17,878,560 43 –10 *

 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,636,355 51 18,757,370 45 –24

 Fishing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,821,115 14 5,332,401 13 –22

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 1,332,134 3 778,740 2 –42

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,483,106 34 12,646,229 30 –23 *

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,165,763 9 5,375,195 13 29 *

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.

2001–2006 Fishing Participants, Days, and Expenditures

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 2001 2006 2001–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Anglers, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34,071 100 29,952 100 –12

 All freshwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28,439 83 25,431 85 –11

 Freshwater, except Great Lakes . . 27,913 82 25,035 84 –10

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,847 5 1,420 5 –23

 Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,051 27 7,717 26 –15

Days, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 557,394 100 516,781 100 –7

 All freshwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466,984 84 433,337 84 –7

 Freshwater, except Great Lakes . . 443,247 80 419,942 81 –5 *

 Great Lakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,138 4 18,016 3 –22 *

 Saltwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90,838 16 85,663 17 –6 *

Fishing, total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . . . $40,560,198 100 $42,011,124 100 4*

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,682,925 41 17,878,560 43 7 *

 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,309,578 48 18,757,370 45 –3 *

 Fishing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,256,228 13 5,332,401 13 1 *

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 820,770 2 778,740 2 –5 *

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,232,580 33 12,646,229 30 –4 *

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,567,694 11 5,375,195 13 18 *

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.
Hunting
22 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

In 2006, 12.5 million people 16 years 

old and older enjoyed hunting a variety 

of animals within the United States. 

They hunted 220 million days and took 

185 million trips. Hunting expenditures totaled $22.9 billion.

Big game hunting was the most popular 

type of hunting. An estimated 10.7 

million hunters pursued big game, such 

as deer and elk, on 164 million days. 

Big game related-expenditures on trips 

and equipment totaled $11.8 billion. 

There were 4.8 million hunters of small 

game including squirrels and rabbits. 

They hunted small game on 52 million 

days and spent $2.4 billion on small 

game hunting trips and equipment. 

Migratory bird hunters numbered 2.3 

million. They spent 20.0 million days 

hunting birds such as waterfowl and 

dove. Migratory bird-related trip and 

equipment expenditures totaled $1.3 

billion. About 1.1 million hunters 

sought other animals, such as raccoons 

and groundhogs, on 15 million days, 

and their expenditures on trips and 

equipment were $208 million.

Hunting Highlights

Hunting

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Other

animals

Migratory

bird

Small

game

Big

game

Total

hunting

Million

Days Trips

Big game 

Small game 

Migratory bird 

Other animals 

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse. 

220 million

185 million

Hunters

164

115

52

41

20 16

15 13

Total Hunting

Hunters . . . . . . . . . . 12.5 million

Big game . . . . . . 10.7 million

Small game . . . . . 4.8 million

Migratory bird . . 2.3 million

Other animal . . . . 1.1 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . . . 220 million

Big game . . . . . . 164 million

Small game . . . . . 52 million

Migratory bird . . 20 million

Other animal . . . . 15 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 million

Big game . . . . . . 115 million

Small game . . . . . 41 million

Migratory bird . . 16 million

Other animal . . . . 13 million

Expenditures . . . . . $22.9 billion

Big game . . . . . . 11.8 billion

Small game . . . . . 2.4 billion

Migratory bird . . 1.3 billion

Other animal . . . . 0.2 billion

Nonspecifi c . . . . . 7.1 billion

Source: Tables 1 and 17–21.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 23

Hunting Expenditures

Of the $22.9 billion spent by hunters 

in 2006, 29 percent, $6.7 billion, was 

spent on trip-related expenses. Food 

and lodging totaled $2.8 billion, 42 

percent of all trip-related expenses. 

Transportation spending was $2.7 

billion, 40 percent of trip expenditures. 

Other trip expenses, such as guide fees, 

land use fees, and equipment rental, 

were $1.2 billion or 18 percent of all 

trip-related expenses.

Total equipment expenditures for 

hunting were $10.7 billion in 2006, 

47 percent of all hunting expenses. 

Hunting equipment, such as guns 

and rifl es, telescopic sights, and 

ammunition, composed $5.4 billion 

or 50 percent of all equipment costs. 

Expenditures for auxiliary equipment, including camping equipment, binoculars, and special hunting 

clothing, accounted for $1.3 billion or 

12 percent of all equipment expenses. 

Special equipment, such as campers or 

all-terrain vehicles, amounted to $4.0 

billion or 38 percent of all equipment 

expenditures.

Land leasing and ownership for hunting 

was a large expenditure category. 

Hunters spent $4.4 billion on land 

leasing and ownership, which was 19 

percent of all hunting-related expenditures. Expenditures for magazines, 

books, membership dues, contributions, 

licenses, stamps, tags, and permits 

totaled $1.1 billion or 5 percent.

Percent of Total Hunting Expenditures

(Total expenditures: $22.9 billion)

Hunting Expenditures by Type of Hunting

(Total expenditures: $22.9 billion)

Big game

$11.8 billion

51%

Other animals

 $0.2 billion

1%

Other 

24%

Trip-related 

29%

Equipment

47%

Small game 

$2.4 billion

10%

Nonspecific

$7.1 billion

31%

Migratory bird

$1.3 billion

6%

Total Hunting Expenditures

Total hunting expenditures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $22.9 billion

Total trip-related expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.7 billion

 Food and lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.8 billion

 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.7 billion

 Other trip costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 billion

Total equipment expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.7 billion

 Hunting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4 billion

 Auxiliary equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 billion

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.0 billion

Total other hunting expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5.5 billion

 Magazines, books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1 billion

 Membership dues and contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.3 billion

 Land leasing and ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4 billion

 Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.7 billion

Source: Table 17.
24 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Big Game Hunting

In 2006, a majority of hunters, 10.7 

million, devoted 164 million days to 

hunting big game including deer, elk, 

bear, and wild turkey. They took 115 

million trips and spent an average of 15 

days hunting big game.

Trip and equipment expenditures for 

big game hunting totaled $11.8 billion. 

Trip-related expenses were $4.6 billion. 

Of that amount, food and lodging 

accounted for $2.0 billion or 42 percent 

of all trip-related costs. Transportation 

costs reached $1.8 billion, 39 percent of 

trip costs. Other trip-related expenses 

amounted to $868 million or 19 percent 

of trip costs.

Sixty percent of big game-related 

expenditures was on equipment, 

which totaled $7.1 billion. Hunting 

 equipment, which includes fi rearms, 

ammunition, bows, and arrows, 

accounted for $3.0 billion or 42 

percent of all equipment. Purchases 

of auxiliary equipment, such as tents 

and binoculars, totaled $1.1 billion (15 

percent). Special equipment, such 

as campers and all-terrain vehicles, 

accounted for $3.0 billion (43 percent).

Small Game Hunting

Small game, such as rabbits, squirrels, 

pheasants, quail, and grouse, was also 

popular with 4.8 million hunters who 

pursued small game on a total of 52 

million days. They took 41 million 

trips and averaged 11 days in the fi eld 

hunting small game.

These hunters spent $2.4 billion on 

trips and equipment for small game 

hunting. Trip-related expenditures 

totaled $1.2 billion. Spending on food 

and lodging was $510 million or 43 

percent of all trip expenditures. Transportation costs totaled $535 million or 

45 percent of small game trip expenses. 

Other trip-related expenditures were 

$151 million or 13 percent of all trip 

costs.

Equipment expenditures for small game 

hunting were $1.2 billion. Of that 

amount, hunting equipment accounted 

for $776 million (66 percent), auxiliary equipment accounted for $62 

million (5 percent), and special equipment accounted for $331 million (28 

percent).

Big Game Hunting Trip and Equipment Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $11.8 billion) 

Small Game Hunting Trip and Equipment Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $2.4 billion) 

Trip-related

Equipment $7.1 billion

$4.6 billion

Trip-related

Equipment $1.2 billion

$1.2 billion

Big Game

Hunters . . . . . . . . . 10.7 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . . 164 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . . 115 million

Trip and equipment

 expenditures . . . . $11.8 billion

Source: Tables 1 and 18.

Small Game

Hunters . . . . . . . . . 4.8 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . . 52 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . . 41 million

Trip and equipment

 expenditures . . . . $2.4 billion 

Source: Tables 1 and 19
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 25

Migratory Bird Hunting

In 2006, 2.3 million migratory bird 

hunters devoted 20 million days on 16 

million trips for hunting birds, such as 

doves, ducks, and geese. Hunters averaged 9 days pursuing migratory birds 

for the year.

Migratory bird-related spending for 

trips and equipment was $1.3 billion in 

2006. Of this amount, $691 million was 

spent on hunting trips. An estimated 

$261 million or 38 percent of all trip 

expenditures were on food and lodging, 

and $266 million (38 percent) were 

on transportation. Other trip expenses 

were $165 million (24 percent) of 

the total trip-related expenditures for 

migratory bird hunters.

Equipment purchases for migratory 

bird hunting totaled $658 million in 

2006. Of this amount, $416 million, 

or 63 percent, was spent on hunting 

equipment (fi rearms, ammunition, 

etc.). Spending on auxiliary equipment was $68 million (10 percent) and 

$174 million (26 percent) was spent on 

special equipment.

Hunting Other Animals

Over 1.1 million hunters reported 

spending 15 million days on 13 million 

trips pursuing other animals, such 

as groundhogs, raccoons, foxes, and 

coyotes. They averaged 13 days of 

hunting.

These hunters spent $208 million in 

2006 on trips and equipment for the 

pursuit of other animals. Trip-related 

costs totaled $143 million. Of that, 

food and lodging was $52 million or 

36 percent of all trip costs; transportation was $84 million, 59 percent of trip 

expenses; and other trip expenses were 

$7 million, 5 percent of all trip costs.

Equipment expenditures for hunting 

other animals totaled $65 million. For 

the pursuit of other animals, hunters 

spent $51 million on hunting equipment (fi rearms, ammunition, etc.) and 

$15 million on auxiliary equipment.

Comparative Hunting Highlights

In 2006, big game hunters pursued big 

game an average of 15 days and 11 

trips. Small game hunters pursued 

small game an average of 11 days and 

9 trips. Migratory bird hunters hunted 

migratory birds an average of 9 days 

and 7 trips. Individuals hunting other 

animals did so an average of 13 days 

and 11 trips. 

Average spending on trips and equipment was about twice as high for big 

game hunting than for other types 

of hunting. For hunting big game, 

participants spent an average of $1,100 

for the year. By comparison, spending 

Migratory Bird Hunting Trip and Equipment Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $1.3 billion) 

Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Hunting Other Animals 

(Total expenditures: $208 million) 

Trip-related

Equipment $0.7 billion

$0.7 billion

Trip-related

Equipment $65 million

$143 million

Migratory Bird

Hunters . . . . . . . . 2.3 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . 20 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . 16 million

Trip and equipment

 expenditures . . $1.3 billion

Source: Tables 1 and 20.

Other Animals

Hunters . . . . . . . . 1.1 million

Days . . . . . . . . . . 15 million

Trips . . . . . . . . . . 13 million

Trip and equipment

 expenditures . . $208 million

Source: Tables 1 and 21.
26 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

on small game hunting by participants 

averaged $493, spending on migratory 

bird hunting by participants averaged 

$588, and spending on other animal 

hunting averaged $184. 

During 2006, trip expenditures for all 

hunting averaged $534 per hunter, a 

daily average of $30. In pursuit of big 

game, hunters averaged trip expenditures of $435, which was $28 per 

day. Hunters spent an average of $249 

while seeking small game ($23 per day) 

and spent an average of $301 ($35 per 

day) while pursuing migratory birds. 

Hunters averaged $126 ($9 per day) 

while pursuing other animals. 

Hunting for Selected Game

Among big game species, deer was the 

most popular animal pursued, attracting 

10.1 million hunters on 132 million 

days. Wild turkey attracted 2.6 million 

hunters on 26 million days, while elk 

drew 799 thousand on 7 million days, 

and bear 399 thousand on 3 million 

days. In addition, 578 thousand hunters 

spent 6 million days hunting other big 

game animals.

Among small game species, rabbit was 

the most popular quarry with nearly 2 

million small game hunters pursuing 

rabbits on 21 million days. Squirrels 

were hunted by 1.8 million participants on 19 million days, and pheasants attracted 1.6 million hunters on 

12 million days. Quail was fl ushed by 

1.0 million hunters on 8 million days, 

while grouse and prairie chicken were 

pursued by 800 thousand hunters on 7 

million days. In addition, 325 thousand 

hunters spent 4 million days hunting 

other small game animals.

Among those hunting migratory birds, 

1.1 million pursued duck on 12 million 

days. There were 1.2 million hunters 

who pursued dove on 6 million days. 

On 6 million days, 700 thousand 

hunters hunted geese in 2006. Other 

migratory bird species attracted 150 

thousand people who hunted on 1 

million days.

Comparative Hunting by Type of Hunting 

Total

Big game

Small game

Migratory birds

Other animals

18

15

11

9

15

11

9

7

$534

$435

$249

$301

$30

$28

$23

$35

13

11

$126

$9

Trips per hunter

Days per hunter

Trip expenditures

per day

Trip expenditures

per hunter

Hunting for Selected Game

(In millions)

Type of hunting Hunters Days

Big game, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.7 164

 Deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.1 132

 Wild turkey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.6 26

 Elk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 7

 Bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 3

Small game, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.8 52

 Rabbit and hare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.9 21

 Squirrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.8 19

 Pheasant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 12

 Grouse/prairie chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.8 7

 Quail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0 8

Migratory birds, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.3 20

 Doves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 6

 Ducks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 12

 Geese . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.7 6

Source: Table 7.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 27

Participation by Geographic 

Regions

Regionally, participation rates in 

hunting ranged from 2 percent in the 

Pacifi c Region to 12 percent in the 

West North Central Region. The East 

North Central, East South Central, West 

South Central, and Mountain Regions 

also had participation rates above the 

national average of 5 percent. The 

participation rates in the South Atlantic 

and New England Regions were below 

the national average at 4 percent and 

3 percent, respectively. The rate in 

the Middle Atlantic was equal to the 

average at 5 percent. 

Hunting in State of Residence and 

in Other States

A large majority of participants, 96 

percent or 12.0 million, hunted within 

their resident state. Only 1.8 million, 

15 percent, hunted in another state. 

Percentages do not add to 100 because 

those who hunted both in state and out 

of state were included in both categories.

The overall resident/nonresident division is relatively constant across all 

types of hunting. About 10.3 million 

big game hunters, 96 percent of all 

big game hunters, hunted within their 

state of residence, while 12 percent, 1.3 

million people, traveled to another state 

to hunt big game. About 4.5 million 

small game hunters, 93 percent of all 

small game hunters, pursued game in 

their resident state. About 625 thousand, 13 percent, ventured across state 

lines to hunt small game. Ninety-fi ve 

percent of all migratory bird hunters, 

2.2 million participants, hunted within 

their resident state. Thirteen percent 

or 291 thousand hunted out of state. 

Among sportspersons who hunted other 

animals, 96 percent, 1.1 million, hunted 

in-state and 10 percent, 112 thousand 

participants, hunted out of state.

AK

WA

OR

CA

MT

WY

ID

NV

UT

AZ

CO

NM

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

WI

IL

MI

IN OH

KY

TN

MS AL

FL

GA

SC

NC

VA WV

PA

NY

NH ME VT

MA

RI

CT

NJ

DE

MD

DC

HI

Hunting Participation 

(National participation rate: 5%) 

Pacific

2%

Mountain

6%

West North 

Central 

12%

East 

North 

Central

7%

Middle 

Atlantic

5%

New England 

3%

South Atlantic 

4%

East South 

Central

West South 8%

Central 

7%

Hunting in State of Residence 

and in Other States

(In millions)

 Out of 

 In state state

All hunters . . . . . . 12.0 1.8

 Big game . . . . . . 10.3 1.3

 Small game . . . . 4.5 0.6

 Migratory bird . . 2.2 0.3

 Other animal . . . 1.1 0.1

Source: Table 6.
28 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Hunting on Public and Private 

Lands

In 2006, 12.5 million hunters 16 years 

old and older hunted on public land, 

private land, or both. Of this number, 

4.9 million or 39 percent hunted on 

publicly owned lands compared to 10.2 

million or 82 percent who hunted on 

privately owned land. Some hunters 

hunted exclusively on public land and 

others hunted exclusively on private 

land—1.9 million, 15 percent of all 

hunters, used public lands only, and 7.2 

million hunted only on private land, 58 

percent of all hunters. Slightly over 3 

million hunters, 24 percent, hunted on 

both public and private lands. 

During 2006, 4.9 million hunters used 

public lands on 54 million days, which 

represents 25 percent of all hunting 

days. Thirty-fi ve percent of big game 

hunters pursued big game on public 

land for 37 million days. Thirty-fi ve 

percent of all small game hunters, 

1.7 million, pursued small game on 

public land for 13 million days. Nearly 

800 thousand migratory bird hunters, 

35 percent, hunted migratory birds 

on public lands for 6 million days. 

Twenty-eight percent, 311 thousand, 

of other animal hunters pursued their 

game on public land for 3 million days.

The percent of hunters on private land 

differs little among different types of 

hunting. Eighty percent of big game 

hunters hunted on private land, which 

compares to 79 percent seeking small 

game, 76 percent seeking migratory 

birds, and 82 percent seeking other 

animals. 

Of all days hunting, 75 percent or 164 

million were on private land. The 

percent of hunting days on private land 

varied more among types of hunting 

than the percent of hunters. Seventythree percent of big game and small 

game hunting days, 68 percent of 

migratory bird days, and 81 percent 

of other animal days were on private 

land. Total hunting days pursuing these 

species on private land were as follows: 

big game, 120 million; small game, 38 

million; migratory birds, 13 million; 

and other animals, 12 million. 

People Hunting on Public and Private Lands

Percent of All Hunting—in State of Residence and in Other States 

(Total: 12.5 million participants)

In state of residence only

85%

In state of residence

and other states

10%

Private only 

7.2 million

Public only

1.9 million

In other states only

4%

Public and private

3.0 million

Undetermined

0.4 million
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 29

Sex and Age of Hunters

Of the U.S. population 16 years old 

and older, 10 percent of males and 1 

percent of females enjoyed hunting in 

2006. Of the 12.5 million participants 

who hunted, 91 percent (11.4 million) 

were male and 9 percent (1.2 million) 

were female.

The participation rate in hunting tended 

to increase with age until individuals 

reached 35 to 44 years of age, and 

thereafter it declined. During 2006, 6 

percent or 501 thousand 16- and 17-

year-olds hunted. The participation rate 

climbed from 4 percent of individuals 

18 to 24 years old to 7 percent of those 

35 to 44. After age 44 the rate declined 

to 6 percent of those 45 to 64 and 3 

percent of those 65 and over. 

The majority of hunters were 35 to 44 

years old. An estimated 3.1 million 

hunters, which was 25 percent of 

all hunters, were 35 to 44 years old. 

Individuals aged 45 to 54 were close in 

total number of hunters at 2.9 million. 

Percent of Hunters by Sex

Percent of Males and Females Who Hunted in the United States

Percent of Hunters by Age

Males 

91%

Females

9%

65 and older 

9%

55 to 64 

15%

16 and 17

4%

45 to 54 

23%

35 to 44

25%

25 to 34

16%

18 to 24

8%

Females

Males 10%

1%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Age

65 and older

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

18 to 24

16 and 17 6%

4%

5%

7%

6%

6%

3%

Hunters by Sex and Age

Total, both sexes . . 12.5 million

 Male . . . . . . . . . . 11.4 million

 Female . . . . . . . . 1.2 million

Total, all ages . . . . . 12.5 million

 16 and 17 . . . . . . 0.5 million

 18 to 24 . . . . . . . . 1.0 million

 25 to 34 . . . . . . . . 2.1 million

 35 to 44 . . . . . . . . 3.1 million

 45 to 54 . . . . . . . . 2.9 million

 55 to 64 . . . . . . . . 1.9 million

 65 and older . . . . 1.2 million

Source: Table 10.
30 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan 

Hunters

As was the case for fi shing, participation rates for hunting were the lowest 

among residents of the largest metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)1

 and 

were the highest among non-MSA 

residents. Residents of MSAs with a 

population of 1 million or more hunted 

at a 3 percent rate, which compares to 

12 percent of those who resided outside 

MSAs. Furthermore, the smaller the 

MSA the higher was the participation rate. The rate among residents of 

MSAs of 249,999 or less was 9 percent 

and among residents of MSAs with 

250,000 to 999,999 inhabitants, the rate 

was 5 percent.

Despite the lower participation rates 

among MSA residents, they still made 

up the majority of hunters. Sixty-two 

percent of hunters were MSA residents, 

28 percent were from the largest MSAs, 

and 34 percent were from smaller to 

mid-sized MSAs. 

Household Income of Hunters

The participation rate in hunting 

tended to increase as household income 

increased. Participation rates for those 

who reported incomes of $50,000 to 

$99,000 were the highest at 8 percent. 

Those with incomes of $40,000 to 

$49,999 and $100,000 or more had a 

slightly lower rate at 7 percent. Those 

with incomes of $35,000 to $39,999 

also had a participation rate of 7 

percent, and it declined to 5 percent 

among those with incomes $25,000 to 

$29,999, 4 percent among those with 

incomes $10,000 to $24,999, and 2 

percent among those with incomes of 

under $10,000. 

The majority of hunters had household incomes of $50,000 or more. 

Among hunters who reported income, 

59 percent had household incomes 

of $50,000 or more and 41 percent 

had household incomes of less than 

$50,000. Fishing had the exact same 

percentages of participants with over 

and under $50,000 in household 

income. 

1

 See Appendix A for defi nition of MSA.

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Residence 

(Total U.S. population that hunted: 5%) 

Outside MSA

Small MSA

(249,999 or less)

Medium MSA

(250,000 to 999,999)

Large MSA

(1,000,000 or more)

3%

5%

9%

12%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Household Income

$100,000 or more

$75,000 to $99,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$10,000 to $19,999

Less than $10,000

7%

8%

8%

7%

6%

7%

5%

4%

4%

2%

Percent of Hunters by Residence

Outside MSA 

38%

Large MSA

28%

Small MSA 

17%

Medium MSA

17%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 31

Education and Race of Hunters

Participation rates were highest among 

those with 12 years of education and 

those with 1 to 3 years of college. 

Those with 11 years of education or 

less had a slightly lower participation 

rate at 5 percent, and those with 4 years 

of college or more participated at a 4 

percent rate. 

The largest category of education 

was 12 years, which accounted for 39 

percent of the hunting population. This 

was followed by those with 1 to 3 years 

of college at 26 percent. Those with 

11 years or less of education and those 

with 4 years of college each composed 

14 percent of hunters. Individuals with 

5 years or more of college made up 7 

percent of all hunters. 

While people of all races participate in 

hunting, the majority are White. Six 

percent of the nation’s White population, 1 percent of the Black population, 

6 percent of those identifi ed as other 

races, and less than 0.5 percent of the 

Asian population went hunting in 2006. 

Percent of Hunters by Education

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Ethnicity

4 years of college 

14%

11 years or less

14%

Percent of Hunters by Race

White 96%

Other 2%

Black 2%

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic 6%

1%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Education 

5 years or more

of college

4 years of college

1 to 3 years of college

12 years

11 years or less 5%

6%

6%

4%

4%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Hunted by Race 

Other 

Black

White

5 years or more of college 

7%

1 to 3 years of college 

26%

12 years

39%

6%

1%

6%

Hunters by Education, Race, 

and Ethnicity

(In millions)

Total hunters . . . . . . . . . . . 12.5

Education

 11 years or less . . . . . . . . 1.7

 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.9

 1 to 3 years of college . . 3.2

 4 years of college . . . . . . 1.8

 5 years or more of college 0.9

Race

 White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.0

 Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2

 Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1

Ethnicity

 Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . 12.1

Source: Table 10.
32 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1996–2006 Comparison of Hunting 

Activity

The overall number of hunters in the 

United States declined from 1996 to 

2006, but the latest results for 2006 

indicate that the sharp downturn 

experienced in the 1990s may be 

abating. The downturn from 1996 

to 2001 was 7 percent, a statistically 

signifi cant change. The downturn from 

2001 to 2006 was 4 percent and is not 

sig nifi cant. 

All types of hunting had signifi cant 

declines in participation from 1996 

to 2006; however, only some types 

had signifi cant declines from 2001 to 

2006. Big game hunting has remained 

relatively stable over time. The decline 

of 2 percent from 2001 to 2006, is 

not signifi cant. However, some types 

of hunting have not remained stable. 

From 2001 to 2006, the decline of 12 

percent for small game hunting and 22 

percent for migratory bird hunting are 

both signifi cant. 

Among the different types of hunting, 

the trend in hunting days was similar 

to that of total participants. There was 

a 14 percent decline in the number of 

hunting days for all types of hunting 

from 1996 to 2006 and a decline of 

4 percent from 2001 to 2006. The 

decline from 2001 to 2006 is not 

signifi cant. Big game hunting days 

actually went up 7 percent from 2001 

to 2006. Over the same period, small 

game hunting days declined 13 percent 

and migratory bird hunting declined 33 

percent. 

The trend in hunting expenditures is 

similar to that of total participants. 

While the number of hunters declined 

10 percent from 1996 to 2006, huntingrelated expenditures declined 14 

percent. Additionally, from 2001 to 

2006 the number of hunters declined 4 

percent (not signifi cant), and huntingrelated expenditures declined 2 percent 

(not signifi cant). 

No expenditure categories experienced 

notable changes from 2001 to 2006. 

The stability of hunting expenditures 

across the board from 2001 to 2006 is 

noteworthy.

Number of Hunters

(Millions)

1996 2001 2006

Days of Hunting 

(Millions)

1996 2001 2006

Hunting Expenditures 

(Billions of 2006 dollars) 

1996 2001 2006

14.0

13.0 12.5

256.7

228.4 219.9

26.5

23.5 22.9
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 33

1996–2006 Hunting Participants, Days, and Expenditures 

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 1996 2006 1996–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Hunters, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,975 100 12,510 100 –10

 Big game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,288 81 10,682 85 –5 *

 Small game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,945 50 4,797 38 –31

 Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,073 22 2,293 18 –25

 Other animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,521 11 1,128 9 –26

 

Days, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256,676 100 219,925 100 –14

 Big game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153,784 60 164,061 75 7 *

 Small game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75,117 29 52,395 24 –30

 Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,501 10 19,770 9 –25

 Other animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,522 10 15,205 7 –38

 

Hunting, total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . $26,486,173 100 $22,893,156 100 –14 *

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,624,069 25 6,678,614 29 1 *

 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,484,381 55 10,731,501 47 –26

 Hunting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 7,091,539 27 5,366,357 23 –24

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . 1,584,433 6 1,330,216 6 –16 *

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,808,408 22 4,034,928 18 –31 *

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,377,723 20 5,483,041 24 2 *

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.

2001–2006 Hunting Participants, Days, and Expenditures

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 2001 2006 2001–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Hunters, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,034 100 12,510 100 –4 *

 Big game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,911 84 10,682 85 –2 *

 Small game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,434 42 4,797 38 –12

 Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,956 23 2,293 18 –22

 Other animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,047 8 1,128 9 8 *

Days, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228,368 100 219,925 100 –4*

 Big game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153,191 67 164,061 75 7 *

 Small game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,142 26 52,395 24 –13 *

 Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29,310 13 19,770 9 –33

 Other animal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,207 8 15,205 7 –21 *

Hunting, total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . $23,461,530 100 $22,893,156 100 –2*

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,978,797 25 6,678,614 29 12 *

 Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,794,490 50 10,731,501 47 –9 *

 Hunting equipment . . . . . . . . . . . 5,192,593 22 5,366,357 23 3 *

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . 1,369,198 6 1,330,216 6 –3 *

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,232,699 22 4,034,928 18 –23 *

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,688,242 24 5,483,041 24 –4 *

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.
Wildlife Watching
36 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Nearly a third of the U.S. population 

enjoyed wildlife watching in 2006. 

Wildlife watching is defi ned here as 

closely observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife, visiting public parks 

around the home because of wildlife, 

and maintaining plantings and natural 

areas around the home for the benefi t 

of wildlife. These activities are categorized as around the home (within a mile 

of home) or away from home (at least 

one mile from home).

The 2006 Survey counts as wildlifewatching, recreational activities in 

which the primary objective was to 

watch wildlife, as defi ned above. 

Secondary or incidental participation, 

such as observing wildlife while doing 

something else, was not included in the 

Survey.

During 2006, 71 million U.S. residents, 

31 percent of the U.S. population 16 

years old and older, participated in 

wildlife-watching activities. People 

who took an interest in wildlife around 

their homes numbered 68 million, 

while those who took trips away from 

their homes to wildlife watch numbered 

23 million people.

Wild Bird Observers

Of all the wildlife in the United States, 

birds attracted the biggest following. 

Approximately 47.7 million people 

observed birds around the home and 

on trips in 2006. A large majority, 

88 percent (41.8 million), observed 

wild birds around the home, while 42 

percent, 19.9 million, took trips away 

from home to observe wild birds. 

Participants averaged a startling 115 

days of birding in 2006, due to the 

124 days of around-the-home birders. 

Away-from-home birders averaged 14 

days.

Wildlife-Watching Highlights

Wildlife-Watching Participants 

by Activity

(In millions)

Total wildlife-watching

 participants . . . . . . . . . . 71.1

Away from home . . . . . . . 23.0

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . 21.5

 Photographers . . . . . . . . 11.7

 Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1

Around the home . . . . . . . 67.8

 Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.5

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . 44.5

 Photographers . . . . . . . . 18.8

 Maintainers of plantings 

 or natural areas . . . . . . 14.5

 Visitors of public parks 

 or areas . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.3

Source: Table 39.

Wildlife-Watching Participants 

(In millions) 

Away from home

Around the home

Total 71.1 

67.8

23.0 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 37

Wildlife-Watching Expenditures

Thirty-seven percent of all the dollars 

spent in 2006 for all wildlife-related 

recreation was due to wildlife watching. 

Wildlife-watching participants 16 years 

old and older spent $45.7 billion, an 

average of $816 per spender. Seventynine percent of all wildlife watchers 

spent money on their avocation.

Wildlife watchers spent $12.9 billion 

on trips pursuing their activities. Food 

and lodging accounted for $7.5 billion 

(58 percent of all trip-related expenditures), transportation expenses totaled 

$4.5 billion (35 percent), and other trip 

costs, such as land use fees and equipment rental, amounted to $903 million 

(7 percent) for the year.

These recreationists purchased $23.2 

billion worth of equipment for wildlife watching. They spent $9.9 billion 

(43 percent of all equipment expenditures) on wildlife-watching equipment 

including binoculars, cameras, bird 

food, and special clothing. Expenditures for auxiliary equipment, such 

as tents and backpacking equipment, 

totaled $1.0 billion (4 percent) for the 

year. Participants spent $12.3 billion 

(53 percent) on special equipment, 

including off-road vehicles, campers, 

and boats.

Also for the year, wildlife watchers 

spent $6.6 billion on land leasing and 

owning; $1.6 billion on plantings for 

the benefi t of wildlife; $1.1 billion on 

membership dues and contributions; 

and $360 million on magazines and 

books. 

Total Wildlife-Watching Expenditures

Total wildlife-watching expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $45.7 billion

Total trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.9 billion

 Food and lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 billion

 Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.5 billion

 Other trip costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.9 billion

Total equipment expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $23.2 billion

 Wildlife-watching equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9.9 billion

 Auxiliary equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.0 billion

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.3 billion

Total other expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.6 billion

 Land leasing and owning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.6 billion

 Plantings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 billion

 Membership dues and contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1 billion

 Magazines, books . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4 billion

Source: Table 44.

Trip-Related Expenditures 

(Total expenditures: $12.9 billion)

Wildlife-Watching Expenditures

(Total expenditures: $45.7 billion)

Transportation 

$4.5 billion

35% 

Other trip-related costs

$0.9 billion

7%

Other 

$9.6 billion

21% 

Trip-related 

$12.9 billion

28% 

Equipment

$23.2 billion

51%

Food 

$4.3 billion

33% 

Lodging

$3.2 billion

25%
38 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Around-The-Home WildlifeWatching Highlights 

In 2006 around-the-home participants 

16 years old and older numbered 67.8 

million—95 percent of all wildlifewatching recreationists. The most 

popular activity, feeding birds and other 

wildlife, accounted for 55.5 million 

wildlife watchers, 82 percent of all 

around-the-home participants. About 

44.5 million people observed wildlife, 

representing 66 percent of all aroundthe-home participants. 

Approximately 18.8 million recreationists (28 percent of all around-the-home 

wildlife watchers) photographed 

wildlife. About 14.5 million maintained 

plantings or natural areas for the benefi t 

of wildlife. They made up 21 percent 

of all around-the-home participants. 

Finally, 13.3 million people visited 

public areas within a mile of their 

homes for wildlife watching. They 

comprised 20 percent of all around-thehome participants.

Around-The-Home Participants 

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . . 67.8

 Feed wild birds . . . . . . . . 53.4

 Observe wildlife . . . . . . . 44.5

 Feed other wildlife . . . . . 19.2

 Photograph wildlife . . . . 18.8

 Visit public areas . . . . . . 13.3

 Maintain natural areas . . 10.2

 Maintain plantings . . . . . 9.6

Source: Table 41.

Percent of Total Around-The-Home Participants by Activity 

(Total: 67.8 million participants)

Maintain

plantings

Maintain

natural

areas

Visit

public

areas

Feed Photograph

other

wildlife

Feed Observe

wild

birds

79%

15% 14%

20%

28% 28%

66%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 39

Wildlife Fed, Observed, or 

 Photographed by Around-The-Home 

Participants

Of the 55.5 million people feeding 

wildlife around their homes in 2006, 

96 percent (53.4 million) fed wild birds 

while 35 percent (19.2 million) fed 

other wildlife.

Approximately 44.5 million participants closely observed wildlife around 

their homes, of which 41.8 million 

observed birds. Observing mammals 

was undertaken by 36.6 million participants. Insects and spiders attracted 

the attention of 16.0 million people; 

12.8 million observed amphibians 

or reptiles; and 9.1 million people 

observed fi sh or other wildlife. The 

median days of around-the-home observation for all animals was a little over 

80 days in 2006.

About 18.8 million people photographed wildlife around their homes. 

The median number of days people 

took pictures of wildlife around their 

homes in 2006 was 5 days, although 

2.9 million people (15 percent) photographed wildlife 21 days or more.

Around-The-Home Wildlife 

Watchers by Geographic Region

In 2006, 229 million people 16 years 

old and older lived in the United States. 

Of those, 30 percent wildlife watched 

around their homes. The participation 

rates of these around-the-home participants varied by region. 

The percentages of regional populations that wildlife watched around 

their homes ranged from 24 percent 

in the Pacifi c Region to 42 percent in 

the West North Central Region. The 

New England, East North Central, West 

North Central, and East South Central 

Regions had participation rates above 

the national average of 30 percent.

Percent of Around-The-Home Observers

by Type of Wildlife Observed

(Total wildlife observers: 44.5 million)

Percent of Around-The-Home Photographers

by Days Spent Photographing Wildlife

(Total wildlife photographers: 18.8 million)

21 days or more

15%

11 to 20 days

11%

6 to 10 days

15%

Fish and

other wildlife

Reptiles and

amphibians

Insects and

spiders

Mammals

Birds 94%

20%

29%

36%

82%

4 to 5 days

13%

2 to 3 days

29%

1 day

14%

AK

WA

OR

CA

MT

WY

ID

NV

UT

AZ

CO

NM

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

WI

IL

MI

IN OH

KY

TN

MS AL

FL

GA

SC

NC

VA WV

PA

NY

NH ME VT

MA

RI

CT

NJ

DE

MD

DC

HI

Around-The-Home Wildlife-Watching Participation 

(National participation rate: 30%)

Pacific

24%

Mountain

29%

West North 

Central 

42%

East 

North 

Central

33%

Middle 

Atlantic

27%

New England 

38%

South Atlantic 

28%

East South 

Central

West South 34%

Central 

25%
40 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sex and Age of Around-The-Home 

Wildlife Watchers

Females and males had similar participation rates for around-the-home 

wildlife watching. In 2006, 31 percent 

of females and 29 percent of males 

enjoyed around-the-home activities. 

Of the 67.8 million around-the-home 

wildlife watchers, 54 percent (36.3 

million) were females and 46 percent 

(31.5 million) were males.

People in the 55-to-64-year-old age 

group were most likely to participate 

at 40 percent (13.0 million). People 

in the 18-to-24-year-old age group 

were least likely to participate, with 13 

percent (3.0 million). The disparity in 

participation rates between people 16 

to 34 years old (17 percent) and those 

35 years old and older (35 percent) is 

striking.

Around-The-Home Participants 

by Sex and Age

Total, both sexes . . 67.8 million

Male . . . . . . . . . . 31.5 million 

Female . . . . . . . . 36.3 million

Total, all ages . . . . . 67.8 million

 16 and 17 . . . . . . 1.3 million

 18 to 24 . . . . . . . . 3.0 million

 25 to 34 . . . . . . . . 7.1 million

 35 to 44 . . . . . . . . 13.8 million

 45 to 54 . . . . . . . . 16.1 million

 55 to 64 . . . . . . . . 13.0 million

 65 and older . . . . 13.5 million

Source: Table 46.

Percent of Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers by Sex

(Total participants: 67.8 million)

Percent of U.S. Males and Females Who Participated 

Percent of Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers by Age

(Total participants: 67.8 million)

Males 

46%

Females

54%

65 and older 

20%

55 to 64 

19%

16 and 17

2%

45 to 54 

24%

35 to 44

20%

25 to 34

11%

18 to 24

4%

Females

Males 29%

31%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Age

65 and older

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

18 to 24

16 and 17 16%

13%

19%

31%

36%

40%

35%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 41

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan 

Around-The-Home Participants

Approximately 78 percent of aroundthe-home wildlife watchers lived in 

metropolitan areas, as defi ned by 

the U.S. Census Bureau. Metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs (see 

Appendix A), with populations of 1 

million or more had a participation rate 

of 25 percent, lower than any smaller 

MSA or non-MSA. Nonetheless, 

recreationists from the most populous 

MSAs comprised 44 percent of all 

around-the-home wildlife watchers. 

In MSAs of 250,000 to 999,999, the 

participation rate was 32 percent and 

they made up 22 percent of all aroundthe-home recreationists. About 12 

percent of around-the-home wildlife 

watchers lived in MSAs with a population less than 250,000. The population 

of these areas had a participation rate of 

34 percent.

The participation rate for nonmetropolitan populations was 38 percent, higher 

than for any MSA. Seventeen percent 

of the total U.S. population lived 

outside MSAs in 2006 and represented 

22 percent of all around-the-home 

wildlife watchers.

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Residence 

Percent of Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers by Residence

(Total participants: 67.8 million)

Outside MSA 

22%

Small MSA

12%

Outside MSA

Small MSA

(249,999 or less)

Medium MSA

(250,000 to 999,999)

Large MSA

(1,000,000 or more)

38%

34%

32%

25%

Medium MSA 

22%

Large MSA

44%
42 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Household Income of Around-TheHome Participants

Participation rates ranged from 21 

percent among U.S. residents living in 

households earning less than $10,000 

per year to 40 percent among participants living in households earning 

$100,000 or more annually. These 

groups represented 3 percent and 17 

percent, respectively, of all around-thehome wildlife watchers.

Participants in households earning 

$10,000 to $19,999 a year constituted 

5 percent of all around-the-home 

recreationists. The recreationists with 

incomes of $20,000 to $24,999 made 

up 4 percent of all around-the-home 

participants. People with incomes of 

$25,000 to $29,999 accounted for 5 

percent. Those people with incomes 

of $30,000 to $34,999 constituted 4 

percent. Recreationists whose incomes 

totaled $35,000 to $39,999 represented 

5 percent. People from households 

with annual incomes of $40,000 to 

$49,999 constituted 9 percent of all 

around-the-home participants. Approximately 19 percent of around-the-home 

participants had incomes of $50,000 to 

$74,999. Recreationists with incomes 

of $75,000 to $99,999 accounted for 12 

percent.

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Household Income

$100,000 or more

$75,000 to $99,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$10,000 to $19,999

Less than $10,000

40%

37%

38%

36%

31%

26%

30%

22%

24%

21%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 43

Education, Race, and Ethnicity of 

Around-The-Home Participants

Looking at the educational background of participants, the highest 

rate of participation was found among 

recreationists with 5 years or more of 

college, 42 percent. They made up 15 

percent of all around-the-home wildlife 

watchers. The lowest participation rate, 

19 percent, was among people with less 

than 12 years of education—10 percent 

of all around-the-home participants. 

Recreationists with 12 years of education, 31 percent of all around-the-home 

participants, had a participation rate 

of 27 percent. Participants with 1 to 3 

years of college had a participation rate 

of 32 percent, while those with 4 years 

of college had a participation rate of 34 

percent. Those groups represented 25 

percent and 20 percent of all aroundthe-home wildlife watchers, respectively. 

A wide range of participation rates was 

found among the different races and 

ethnic groups. About 33 percent of the 

White population engaged in aroundthe-home wildlife watching, contrasted 

with 10 percent of the Black population, 12 percent of the Asian population, and 29 percent of individuals 

comprising the “other” race category. 

Of the total number of around-thehome participants, 93 percent were 

White, 4 percent were Black, 2 percent 

were Asian, and 2 percent were all 

other races.

Approximately 12 percent of the U.S. 

Hispanic population engaged in wildlife watching around their homes in 

comparison with 32 percent of the nonHispanic population. The 64.2 million 

non-Hispanic participants comprised 95 

percent of all around-the-home wildlife 

watchers and the 3.6 million Hispanic 

participants made up 5 percent.

Around-The-Home 

Participants by Education, 

Race, and Ethnicity

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . . 67.8

Education Level

 11 years or less . . . . . . . . 6.6

 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.9

 1 to 3 years of college . . 17.0

 4 years of college . . . . . . 13.2

 5 years or more of college 10.0

Race

 White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62.9

 Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5

 Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.1

Ethnicity

 Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.6

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . 64.2

Source: Table 46.

Percent of Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers by Education

(Total: 67.8 million participants)

5 years or more of college

15%

4 years of college

20%

1 to 3 years of college 

25%

12 years

31%

11 years or less

10%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Education

5 years or more

of college

4 years of college

1 to 3 years of college

12 years

11 years or less 19%

42%

34%

32%

27%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Ethnicity

Percent of Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers by Race

(Total: 67.8 million participants)

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic 32%

White 93%

Asian 2%

Black 4%

12%

Other 2%
44 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Away-From-Home WildlifeWatching Highlights

In 2006, 23 million people 16 years 

old and older took trips away from 

home to feed, observe, or photograph 

wildlife. They comprised 32 percent 

of all wildlife watchers. Most popular 

with away-from-home participants 

was closely observing wildlife. About 

21.5 million participants, 9 percent of 

the U.S population, observed wildlife 

an average of 14 days in 2006. Photographing wildlife was enjoyed by 11.7 

million people, 5 percent of the U.S. 

population. They averaged 9 days 

per photographer. Approximately 7.1 

million people fed wildlife an average 

of 11 days and comprised 3 percent of 

the U.S. population.

About 83 percent of all away-fromhome participants took trips within 

their resident state to participate in 

wildlife watching. Approximately 67 

percent took trips only in their resident 

state, 16 percent took trips both inside 

and outside their resident state, and 17 

percent took trips only to other states. 

Altogether, 33 percent of all awayfrom-home participants took at least 

some of their trips to other states.

Away-From-Home Participants

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . 23.0

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . 21.5

 Photographers . . . . . . . . 11.7

 Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1

Total days . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352

 Observing . . . . . . . . . . . 291

 Photographing . . . . . . . 104

 Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Source: Table 40.

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Type of Activity

(Total: 23 million participants)

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers—

in State of Residence and in Other States

(Total participants: 23 million)

Feed

Photograph

Observe

Total 10%

In state of residence and 

in other states

16%

3%

5%

9%

In state of residence only

67%

In other states only

17%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 45

Wildlife Observed, Fed, or 

Photographed by Away-From-Home 

Participants

Wild birds attracted the most interest 

from wildlife watchers on their trips—

20.0 million people or 87 percent of 

all away-from-home participants. The 

most-watched birds, waterfowl (ducks 

and geese, primarily), were watched by 

15.4 million people. Next on the list of 

most-watched were birds of prey which 

drew 14.0 million trip-takers, followed 

by songbirds with 13.7 million 

watchers. Herons, shore birds, and 

other water birds attracted 11.5 million 

recreationists. Lastly, other birds, such 

as road runners and turkeys, attracted 

8.8 million wildlife watchers.

Land mammals, such as deer, bears, 

and coyotes, were observed, fed, or 

photographed by 16.2 million people— 

70 percent of all away-from-home 

participants. Fish attracted the attention of 6.8 million people or 29 percent 

of all away-from-home recreationists.

About 3.4 million people or 15 percent 

of all away-from-home participants 

observed, fed, or photographed marine 

mammals, such as whales, seals, and 

dolphins. Other wildlife, such as butterfl ies, snakes, and turtles, appealed to 

10.4 million people or 45 percent of all 

away-from-home wildlife watchers.

Away-From-Home Participants 

by Type of Wildlife Observed, 

Fed, or Photographed

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . . 23.0

Birds, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20.0

 Waterfowl . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.4

 Birds of prey . . . . . . . . . . 14.0

 Songbirds . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.7

 Water birds . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5

 Other birds . . . . . . . . . . . 8.8

Land mammals, total . . . . 16.2

 Small land mammals . . . 13.4

 Large land mammals . . . 12.8

Fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8

Marine mammals . . . . . . . 3.4

Other (turtles, 

 butterfl ies, etc.) . . . . . . . . 10.4

Source: Table 42.

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers Who 

Observed, Fed, or Photographed Wildlife 

(Total: 23 million participants)

Other (turtles,

 butterflies, etc.)

Marine mammals

Fish

Land mammals

Birds 87%

45%

15%

29%

70%
46 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Area Visited by Away-From-Home 

Participants

In 2006, the most visited areas for 

Americans to observe, feed, or photograph wildlife were publicly owned. 

Approximately 80 percent of all 

trip-taking wildlife watchers used 

public areas while just 38 percent used 

private areas. About 27 percent of all 

away-from-home participants, 6.2 

million, visited both public and private 

areas. Approximately 12.2 million, 

53 percent, visited only public areas 

to engage in their activities while 2.5 

million, 11 percent, visited only private 

areas.

Away-From-Home Participants 

by Public and Private Land

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . . 23.0

 Public land only . . . . . . . 12.2

 Private land only . . . . . . . 2.5

 Public and private land . . 6.2

 Not reported . . . . . . . . . . 2.1

Source: Table 40.

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers

by Public and Private Land

(Total participants: 23 million)

Public and private

27%

Private only

11%

Public only

53%

Not reported

9%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 47

Away-From-Home Wildlife 

Watchers by Geographic Region

In 2006, 229 million people 16 years 

old and older lived in the United 

States—10 percent of whom took trips 

to wildlife watch.

Away-from-home participation rates 

ranged from 7 percent in the South 

Atlantic Region to 14 percent in the 

West North Central Region. The 

regions that had participation rates 

higher than the national average were 

New England, East North Central, West 

North Central, East South Central, 

Mountain, and Pacifi c.

AK

WA

OR

CA

MT

WY

ID

NV

UT

AZ

CO

NM

ND

SD

NE

KS

OK

TX

MN

IA

MO

AR

LA

WI

IL

MI

IN OH

KY

TN

MS AL

FL

GA

SC

NC

VA WV

PA

NY

NH ME VT

MA

RI

CT

NJ

DE

MD

DC

HI

Away-From-Home Wildlife-Watching Participation

(National participation rate: 10%)

Pacific

11%

Mountain

13%

West North 

Central 

14%

East 

North 

Central

11%

Middle 

Atlantic

9%

New England 

12%

South Atlantic 

7%

East South 

Central

West South 13%

Central 

8%
48 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Sex and Age of Away-From-Home 

Wildlife Watchers

A similar number of males and females 

participated in away-from-home wildlife watching in 2006. 51 percent (11.8 

million) of all participants were males 

and 49 percent (11.2 million) were 

females. 11 percent of males and 9 

percent of females in the U.S. enjoyed 

observing, feeding, or photographing 

wildlife away from home.

The 35-to-44-year-old age group had 

the most away-from-home recreationists, 6.0 million. This age group and 

55-to-64-year-olds had the highest 

participation rate, 13 percent. Another 

age group that had a high participation rate was the 45-to-54-year-old age 

group, 12 percent. The 18-to-24-yearold age group had the lowest participation rate, at 5 percent.

Away-From-Home Participants 

by Sex and Age

Total, both sexes . . 23.0 million

 Male . . . . . . . . . . 11.8 million

 Female . . . . . . . . 11.2 million

Total, all ages . . . . . 23.0 million

 16 and 17 . . . . . . 0.6 million

 18 to 24 . . . . . . . . 1.1 million

 25 to 34 . . . . . . . . 3.1 million

 35 to 44 . . . . . . . . 6.0 million

 45 to 54 . . . . . . . . 5.2 million

 55 to 64 . . . . . . . . 4.4 million

 65 and older . . . . 2.6 million

Source: Table 45.

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Sex

(Total participants: 23 million)

Percent of U.S. Males and Females Who Participated

Males

51%

Females

49%

Females

Males 11%

9%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Age 

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Age

(Total participants: 23 million)

65 and older

11%

45 to 54

23%

65 and older

55 to 64

45 to 54

35 to 44

25 to 34

18 to 24

16 and 17

35 to 44

26%

16 and 17

3%

12%

13%

7%

55 to 64

19%

25 to 34

13%

18 to 24

5%

13%

8%

5%

7%
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 49

Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan 

Away-From-Home Participants

In 2006, 9 percent of all people living 

in MSAs (see Appendix A for defi nition) took trips primarily to enjoy 

wildlife. MSA residents comprised 78 

percent of all away-from-home participants. In contrast, 13 percent of all 

people living outside an MSA watched 

wildlife away from home.

As was the case with around-the-home 

wildlife watching, the biggest MSA 

had both the lowest participation rate 

and the highest number of participants. 

Residents of non-MSAs made up 22 

percent of both away-from-home and 

around-the-home participants.

Household Income of Away-FromHome Participants

Participation rates ranged from 6 

percent for those in households earning 

less than $20,000 per year to 16 

percent for those in households earning 

$75,000 or more. There was a strong 

correlation between income and the 

likelihood to wildlife watch away from 

home, with an increase in one matched 

by an increase in the other. The income 

group that had the most participants 

was $50,000 to $74,999, with 4.7 

million recreationists.

Median income was higher for awayfrom-home participants than for Americans as a whole, slightly over $60,000 

for recreationists compared to about 

$50,000 for the U.S. population. 

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Residence 

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Residence 

(Total participants: 23 million)

Outside MSA 

22%

Small MSA

12%

Outside MSA

Small MSA

(249,999 or less)

Medium MSA

(250,000 to 999,999)

Large MSA

(1,000,000 or more)

13%

12%

10%

9%

Medium MSA 

21%

Large MSA

45%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Household Income

$100,000 or more

$75,000 to $99,999

$50,000 to $74,999

$40,000 to $49,999

$35,000 to $39,999

$30,000 to $34,999

$25,000 to $29,999

$20,000 to $24,999

$10,000 to $19,999

Less than $10,000

16%

16%

14%

12%

10%

10%

8%

7%

6%

6%
50 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Education, Race, and Ethnicity of 

Away-From-Home Participants

As in the case of household income, 

educational achievement and participation in away-from-home wildlife 

watching have a direct correlation. 

About 4 percent of the U.S. population with 11 years of education or less 

participated, compared to 18 percent 

of the population with 5 years or more 

of college. The educational cohort with 

the most participants was 1 to 3 years 

of college, with 6.2 million recreationists. The educational cohort with the 

fewest recreationists was 11 years or 

less, with 1.4 million. 

The participation rates by race varied 

greatly. Approximately 11 percent of 

Whites and 9 percent of other races 

except Blacks and Asians took trips to 

wildlife watch. In contrast, 3 percent of 

Blacks and 4 percent of Asians participated. Of the total 23 million awayfrom-home participants, 94 percent 

were White, 3 percent were Black, 2 

percent were Asian, and 2 percent were 

other races.

About 1.4 million recreationists were 

Hispanic, 6 percent of all participants. 

Approximately 5 percent of the U.S. 

Hispanic population took trips to 

engage in wildlife watching. Of the 

non-Hispanic population, 11 percent 

(21.6 million participants) took trips 

to wildlife watch. They comprised 94 

percent of all away-from-home wildlife 

watchers.

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Education

(Total participants: 23 million)

5 years or more of college

19%

4 years of college

21%

1 to 3 years of college 

27%

12 years

27%

11 years or less

6%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Ethnicity

Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Race

(Total participants: 23 million)

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic 11%

White 94%

Asian 2%

Black 3%

5%

Other 2%

Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Education

5 years or more

of college

4 years of college

1 to 3 years of college

12 years

11 years or less 4%

18%

12%

12%

8%

Away-From-Home 

Participants by Education, 

Race, and Ethnicity

(In millions)

Total participants . . . . . . . 23.0

Education Level

 11 years or less . . . . . . . . 1.4

 12 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1

 1 to 3 years of college . . 6.2

 4 years of college . . . . . . 4.9

 5 years or more of college 4.4

Race

 White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21.5

 Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.7

 Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.4

Ethnicity

 Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.4

 Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . 21.6

Source: Table 45.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 51

1996–2006 Comparison of WildlifeWatching Participation

The number of all wildlife watchers 

increased 5 percent from 1996 to 2001 

and 8 percent from 2001 to 2006, with 

62.9 million participants in 1996, 66.1 

million in 2001, and 71.1 million in 

2006. Comparing the results from 

the last three Surveys fi nds differing 

trends for the two categories of wildlife 

watching: around the home and away 

from home. 

Around-the-home wildlife watching, 

the most popular type of wildlife 

watching, led the overall upward trend 

with a 12 percent increase from 1996 

to 2006. The upward trend from 1996 

to 2006 was seen in all fi ve types of 

around-the-home wildlife watching: 

feeding, observing, photographing, 

maintaining plantings or natural areas, 

and visiting public areas. The number 

of around-the-home feeders increased 

3 percent (not a statistically signifi cant 

change), from 54.1 million in 1996 to 

55.5 million in 2006. The number of 

observers increased 1 percent (although 

this is not signifi cant at the 5 percent 

level) from 44.1 million in 1996 to 44.5 

million in 2006. The number of photographers increased 17 percent, from 16.0 

million in 1996 to 18.8 million in 2006. 

The number of people who maintained 

plantings or natural areas for the benefi t 

of wildlife increased 8 percent (not 

a statistically signifi cant difference) 

from 1996 to 2006, 13.4 million to 14.5 

million. Finally, the number of visitors 

to public areas within a mile of home 

increased 21 percent, from 11.0 million 

to 13.3 million.

Unlike around-the-home wildlife 

watching, away-from-home wildlife 

watching did not increase from 1996 

to 2006. There was a 3 percent drop, 

which is not statistically signifi cant. 

From 1996 to 2001, participation 

decreased 8 percent, from 23.7 million 

to 21.8 million. From 2001 to 2006, the 

direction of the change in participation 

reversed, increasing 5 percent—from 

21.8 million to 23.0 million—although 

not enough to match the level of 

participation in 1996. There are three 

categories of away-from-home wildlife 

watching: observing, photographing, 

and feeding. From 1996 to 2006, the 

number of observers decreased 6 

percent (not a statistically signifi cant 

difference), from 22.9 million to 21.5 

million. The number of photographers 

decreased 3 percent (not a statistically 

signifi cant change), from 12.0 million 

to 11.7 million. Lastly, the number 

of feeders decreased a whopping 

29 percent, from 10.0 million to 7.1 

million.

Days afi eld by away-from-home wildlife watchers increased 12 percent (not 

a statistically signifi cant change) from 

1996 to 2006, largely due to the efforts 

of photographers. Days afi eld in 2001 

were even higher than in 1996 or 2006, 

372 million compared to 314 million 

or 352 million, respectively (although 

the differences are not statistically 

si gnifi cant).

Expenditures for wildlife watching 

increased 21 percent from 1996 to 

2006. Interestingly, the reason for the 

increase from 2001 to 2006 was the 

rise in trip-related expenditures (a 38 

percent increase while equipment had 

a 14 percent decrease), whereas the 

reason for the increase from 1996 to 

2001 was equipment expenditures (a 

41 percent increase while trip-related 

expenditures underwent a 20 percent 

decrease).

Number of Wildlife Watchers

(In millions)

1996 2001 2006

Days of Away-From-Home 

Wildlife Watching

(In millions)

1996 2001 2006

Wildlife-Watching Expenditures 

(Billions of 2006 dollars) 

1996 2001 2006

62.9 66.1

71.1

314

372

352 37.7

43.8 45.7
52 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1996–2006 Wildlife-Watching Participants, Days, and Expenditures

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 1996 2006 1996–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Wildlife-watching participants, total 62,868 100 71,132 100 13 

 Around the home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60,751 97 67,756 95 12 

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,063 70 44,467 63 1 *

 Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,021 25 18,763 26 17 

 Feeders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,122 86 55,512 78 3 *

 Visitors of public parks or areas . 11,011 18 13,271 19 21 

 Maintainers of plantings or natural areas 13,401 21 14,508 20 8 * 

 

 Away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,652 38 22,977 32 –3 *

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,878 36 21,546 30 –6 * 

 Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,038 19 11,708 16 –3 *

 Feeders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,976 16 7,084 10 –29 

 

 Days, away from home. . . . . . . . . . . 313,790 100 352,070 100 12 *

 Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278,683 89 291,027 83 4 *

 Photographing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79,342 25 103,872 30 31 * 

 Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89,606 29 77,329 22 –14 *

 

Wildlife-watching expenditures, 

 total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,651,365 100 $45,654,960 100 21 

 

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,165,513 32 $12,875,152 28 6 *

 Equipment, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21,451,842 57 $23,174,053 51 8 * 

 Wildlife-watching equipment . . . $10,601,546 28 $9,869,727 22 –7 *

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . $1,105,724 3 $1,033,060 2 –7 *

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,744,572 26 $12,271,266 27 26 *

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,034,010 11 $9,605,755 21 138 

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 53

2001–2006 Wildlife-Watching Participants, Days, and Expenditures

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands) 

 2001 2006 2001–2006

 Number Percent Number Percent percent change

Wildlife-watching participants, total. . 66,105 100 71,132 100 8 

 Around the home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62,928 95 67,756 95 8 

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42,111 64 44,467 63 6 

 Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,937 21 18,763 26 35 

 Feeders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53,988 82 55,512 78 3 *

 Visitors of public parks or areas . . 10,981 17 13,271 19 21 

 Maintainers of plantings or 

 natural areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,072 20 14,508 20 11 

 

 Away from home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,823 33 22,977 32 5 *

 Observers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,080 30 21,546 30 7 * 

 Photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,427 14 11,708 16 24 

 Feeders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,077 11 7,084 10 (Z) * 

 

 Days, away from home. . . . . . . . . . . . 372,006 100 352,070 100 –5 *

 Observing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295,345 79 291,027 83 –1 *

 Photographing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76,324 21 103,872 30 36 * 

 Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103,307 28 77,329 22 –25 * 

 

Wildlife-watching expenditures, 

 total (2006 dollars) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $43,792,516 100 $45,654,960 100 4 *

 Trip-related . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9,305,180 21 $12,875,152 28 38 

 Equipment, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $26,835,136 61 $23,174,053 51 –14 

 Wildlife-watching equipment . . . . $8,383,534 19 $9,869,727 22 18 

 Auxiliary equipment . . . . . . . . . . . $817,266 2 $1,033,060 2 26 * 

 Special equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . $17,634,336 40 $12,271,266 27 –30 * 

 

 Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,652,201 17 $9,605,755 21 26 *

* Not different from zero at the 5 percent level of signifi cance.

(Z) Less than 0.5 percent.
Tables
56 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Purpose and Coverage of Tables

The statistical tables of this report were 

designed to meet a wide range of needs 

for those interested in wildlife-related 

recreation. Special terms used in these 

tables are defi ned in Appendix A.

The tables are based on responses to 

the 2006 Survey, which was designed 

to collect data about participation in 

wi ldlife-related recreation. To have 

taken part in the Survey, a respondent 

must have been a U.S. resident (a 

resident of one of the 50 states or the 

District of Columbia). No one residing 

outside the United States (including 

U.S. citizens) was eligible for interviewing. Therefore, reported state and 

national totals do not include participation by those who were not U.S. 

residents or who were U.S. citizens 

residing outside the United States.

Comparability With Previous 

Surveys

The numbers reported can be compared 

with those in the 1991, 1996, and 2001 

Survey Reports. The methodology used 

in 2006 was similar to that used in 

those Surveys. These results should not 

be directly compared to results from 

Surveys earlier than 1991 since there 

were major changes in methodology. 

These changes were made to improve 

accuracy in the information provided. 

Trends further back than 1991 are 

presented in Appendix C. These trends 

were developed using parts of the 

Surveys that were comparable.

Coverage of an Individual Table

Since the Survey covers many activities in various places by participants 

of different ages, all table titles, 

headnotes, stubs, and footnotes are 

designed to identify and articulate each 

item being reported in the table. For 

example, the title of Table 1 shows that 

data about anglers and hunters, their 

days of participation, and their number 

of trips are reported by type of activity. 

By contrast, the title of Table 3 indicates that it contains data on freshwater 

anglers and the days they fi shed for 

different species.

Percentages Reported in the Tables

Percentages are reported in the tables 

for the convenience of the user. When 

exclusive groups are being reported, 

the base of a percentage is apparent 

from its context because the percents 

add to 100 percent (plus or minus a 

rounding error). For example, Table 1 

reports the number of trips taken by big 

game hunters (62 percent), those taken 

by small game hunters (22 percent), 

those taken by migratory bird hunters 

(9 percent), and those taken by hunters 

pursuing other animals (7 percent). 

These comprise 100 percent because 

they are exclusive categories.

Percents should not add to 100 when 

nonexclusive groups are being reported. 

Using Table 1 as an example again, 

note that adding the percentages associated with the total number of big game 

hunters (85 percent), total small game 

hunters (38 percent), total migratory 

bird hunters (18 percent), and total 

hunters of other animals (9 percent) 

will not yield total hunters (100 

percent) because respondents could 

hunt for more than one type of game.

When the base of the percentage is not 

apparent in context, it is identifi ed in a 

footnote. For example, Table 6 reports 

three percentages with different bases: 

one for the number of hunters, one for 

the number of trips, and one for days of 

hunting. Footnotes are used to clarify 

the bases of the reported percentages.

Footnotes to the Tables

Footnotes are used to clarify the information or items that are being reported 

in a table. Symbols in the body of a 

table indicate important footnotes. 

The following symbols are used in the 

tables to refer to the same footnote each 

time they appear:

* Estimate based on a sample size of 

10-29.

... Sample size too small to report 

data reliably.

W Less than .5 dollars.

Z Less than .5 percent.

X Not applicable.

NA Not available.

Estimates based upon fewer than ten 

responses are regarded as being based 

on a sample size that is too small for 

reliable reporting. An estimate based 

upon at least 10 but fewer than 30 

responses is treated as an estimate 

based on a small sample size. Other 

footnotes appear, as necessary, to 

qualify or clarify the estimates reported 

in the tables. In addition, these two 

important footnotes appear frequently:

• Detail does not add to total because 

of multiple responses.

• Detail does not add to total 

because of multiple responses and 

no nresponse.

“Multiple responses” is a term used to 

refl ect the fact that individuals or their 

characteristics fall into more than one 

category. Using Table 2 as an example, 

those who fi shed in saltwater and freshwater appear in both of these totals. Yet 

each angler is represented only once in 

the “Total, all fi shing” column. Similarly, in Table 6, those who hunt for 

big game and small game are counted 

only once as a hunter in the “Total, all 

hunting” column. Therefore, totals will 

be smaller than the sum of subcategories when multiple responses exist.

“Nonresponse” exists because the 

Survey questions were answered 

voluntarily, and some respondents did 

not or could not answer all the questions. The effect of nonresponse is 

illustrated in Table 31, where the total 

for anglers who use boats is greater 

than the sum of anglers fi shing from a 

motorboat and anglers fi shing from a 

non-motor boat. This occurs because 

some respondents did not answer the 

motorboat/non-motorboat question. As 

a result, it is known how many anglers 

used a boat due to an earlier question 

but not known if it was a motorboat or 

non-motorboat. In this case, totals are 

greater than the sum of subcategories 

when nonresponses have occurred.

Guide to Statistical Tables
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 57

Table 1. Anglers and Hunters 16 Years Old and Older, Days of Participation, and Trips by Type of

Fishing and Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Type of fishing and hunting

Participants Days of participation Trips

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total sportspersons ........................ 33,916 100 736,707 100 588,891 100

FISHING

Total, all fishing ........................... 29,952 100 516,781 100 403,492 100

Total, all freshwater ....................... 25,431 85 433,337 84 336,528 83

Freshwater, except Great Lakes............ 25,035 84 419,942 81 323,265 80

Great Lakes ........................... 1,420 5 18,016 3 13,264 3

Saltwater................................ 7,717 26 85,663 17 66,963 17

HUNTING

Total, all hunting .......................... 12,510 100 219,925 100 185,399 100

Big game ............................... 10,682 85 164,061 75 115,255 62

Small game.............................. 4,797 38 52,395 24 40,856 22

Migratory bird ........................... 2,293 18 19,770 9 16,390 9

Other animals............................ 1,128 9 15,205 7 12,898 7

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 2. Anglers, Trips, and Days of Fishing by Type of Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Anglers, trips, and days

of fishing

Total, all fishing

Freshwater

Saltwater Total,

all freshwater

Freshwater, except

Great Lakes Great Lakes

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

ANGLERS

Total in U.S. ............... 29,952 100 25,431 100 25,035 100 1,420 100 7,717 100

In state of residence........ 27,641 92 23,639 93 23,266 93 1,182 83 6,089 79

In other states............. 6,494 22 4,749 19 4,604 18 306 22 2,185 28

TRIPS

Total in U.S. ............... 403,492 100 336,528 100 323,265 100 13,264 100 66,963 100

In state of residence........ 376,511 93 316,575 94 304,611 94 11,964 90 59,937 90

In other states............. 26,980 7 19,953 6 18,653 6 1,300 10 7,027 10

DAYS OF FISHING

Total in U.S. ............... 516,781 100 433,337 100 419,942 100 18,016 100 85,663 100

In state of residence........ 470,594 91 400,883 93 382,512 91 15,545 86 73,365 86

In other states............. 52,380 10 40,697 9 37,869 9 2,366 13 12,451 15

Average days per angler . . . . . . 17 (X) 17 (X) 17 (X) 13 (X) 11 (X)

(X) Not applicable.

Note: Detail for participants does not add to total because of multiple responses. Percents shown are based on the respective ‘‘Total in U.S.’’ rows.
58 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 3. Freshwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands. Excludes Great Lakes fishing)

Type of fish

Anglers Days of fishing

Average days

Number Percent Number Percent per angler

Total, all types of fish............................ 25,035 100 419,942 100 17

Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, etc.) .......... 10,013 40 161,005 38 16

White bass, striped bass and striped bass hybrids .... 4,751 19 65,211 16 14

Panfish....................................... 7,534 30 101,569 24 13

Crappie ...................................... 6,210 25 90,732 22 15

Catfish and bullheads........................... 6,954 28 98,190 23 14

Walleye ...................................... 2,672 11 39,117 9 15

Sauger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 1 2,875 1 12

Northern pike, pickerel, muskie, muskie hybrids ..... 1,788 7 24,762 6 14

Trout ........................................ 6,750 27 75,485 18 11

Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 937 4 8,643 2 9

Steelhead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 434 2 4,307 1 10

Anything1 .................................... 4,000 16 35,507 8 9

Another type of freshwater fish................... 1,640 7 22,328 5 14

1 Respondent fished for no specific species and identified ‘‘Anything’’ from a list of categories of fish.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 4. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Type of fish

Anglers Days of fishing

Average days

Number Percent Number Percent per angler

Total, all types of fish............................ 1,420 100 18,016 100 13

Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . 298 21 2,919 16 10

Walleye, sauger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 480 34 4,890 27 10

Northern pike, pickerel, muskie, muskie hybrids . . . . . *111 *8 *1,818 *10 *16

Perch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461 32 5,549 31 12

Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418 29 5,659 31 14

Steelhead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 14 1,893 11 9

Lake trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 23 4,427 25 13

Other trout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 12 2,231 12 13

Anything1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214 15 1,628 9 8

Another type of Great Lakes fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *61 *4 *560 *3 *9

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

1 Respondent fished for no specific species and identified ‘‘Anything’’ from a list of categories of fish.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 59

Table 5. Saltwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Fish: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Type of fish

Anglers Days of fishing

Average days

Number Percent Number Percent per angler

Total, all types of fish............................ 7,717 100 85,663 100 11

Salmon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 582 8 3,379 4 6

Striped bass................................... 1,424 18 15,411 18 11

Flatfish (flounder, halibut) ....................... 2,069 27 20,478 24 10

Bluefish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 993 13 9,880 12 10

Red drum (redfish) ............................. 1,831 24 20,247 24 11

Sea trout (weakfish) ............................ 1,470 19 18,184 21 12

Mackerel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490 6 5,326 6 11

Shellfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 606 8 3,701 4 6

Anything1 .................................... 2,424 31 20,774 24 9

Another type of saltwater fish .................... 2,547 33 28,591 33 11

1 Respondent fished for no specific species and identified ‘‘Anything’’ from a list of categories of fish.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 6. Hunters, Trips, and Days of Hunting by Type of Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Hunters, trips, and days

of hunting

Total, all hunting Big game Small game Migratory bird Other animals

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

HUNTERS

Total in U.S. ............... 12,510 100 10,682 100 4,797 100 2,293 100 1,128 100

In state of residence........ 11,971 96 10,258 96 4,473 93 2,179 95 1,078 96

In other states............. 1,826 15 1,279 12 625 13 291 13 112 10

TRIPS

Total in U.S. ............... 185,399 100 115,255 100 40,856 100 16,390 100 12,898 100

In state of residence........ 175,360 95 109,172 95 38,520 94 15,348 94 12,319 96

In other states............. 10,039 5 6,083 5 2,336 6 1,042 6 579 4

DAYS OF HUNTING

Total in U.S. ............... 219,925 100 164,061 100 52,395 100 19,770 100 15,205 100

In state of residence........ 203,319 92 151,978 93 48,650 93 17,561 89 14,386 95

In other states............. 18,023 8 12,661 8 4,001 8 2,309 12 867 6

Average days per hunter . . . . . . 18 (X) 15 (X) 11 (X) 9 (X) 13 (X)

(X) Not applicable.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Percents shown are based on the respective ‘‘Total in U.S.’’ rows.
60 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 7. Hunters and Days of Hunting by Type of Game: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Type of game

Hunters Days of hunting

Average days

Number Percent Number Percent per hunter

Total, all big game .............................. 10,682 100 164,061 100 15

Deer......................................... 10,062 94 132,194 81 13

Elk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 799 7 6,675 4 8

Bear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 4 3,471 2 9

Wild turkey ................................... 2,569 24 25,828 16 10

Other big game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 578 5 6,324 4 11

Total, all small game ............................ 4,797 100 52,395 100 11

Rabbit, hare................................... 1,923 40 20,513 39 11

Quail ........................................ 1,046 22 7,688 15 7

Grouse/prairie chicken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800 17 6,960 13 9

Squirrel ...................................... 1,845 38 18,534 35 10

Pheasant ..................................... 1,632 34 11,940 23 7

Other small game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325 7 4,499 9 14

Total, all migratory birds ........................ 2,293 100 19,770 100 9

Waterfowl (geese and/or ducks)................... 1,306 57 13,071 66 10

Geese. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 700 31 6,008 30 9

Ducks ..................................... 1,147 50 12,173 62 11

Doves ....................................... 1,238 54 5,893 30 5

Other migratory bird. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 7 1,052 5 7

Total, all other animals (fox, raccoon, groundhog,

etc.) .......................................... 1,128 100 15,205 100 13

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 61

Table 8. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Sportspersons (fished or hunted) Fished only

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 229,245 100 33,916 15 100 21,406 9 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 176,740 77 20,053 11 59 14,378 8 67

Rural .......................... 52,504 23 13,863 26 41 7,028 13 33

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 190,425 83 24,178 13 71 16,393 9 77

1,000,000 or more .............. 120,356 53 12,732 11 38 9,181 8 43

250,000 to 999,999.............. 46,506 20 6,569 14 19 4,427 10 21

Less than ..................... 23,562 10 4,878 21 14 2,785 12 13

Outside MSA .................... 38,820 17 9,738 25 29 5,014 13 23

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 11,233 5 1,353 12 4 979 9 5

Middle Atlantic .................. 31,518 14 3,214 10 9 1,694 5 8

East North Central ................ 35,609 16 5,975 17 18 3,599 10 17

West North Central................ 15,458 7 3,836 25 11 2,056 13 10

South Atlantic ................... 43,965 19 6,633 15 20 4,749 11 22

East South Central ................ 13,722 6 2,689 20 8 1,588 12 7

West South Central................ 25,407 11 4,499 18 13 2,689 11 13

Mountain ....................... 15,651 7 2,372 15 7 1,504 10 7

Pacific ......................... 36,681 16 3,345 9 10 2,548 7 12

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,272 4 1,284 16 4 782 9 4

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,292 10 2,655 11 8 1,687 7 8

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,468 16 5,441 15 16 3,384 9 16

35 to 44 years ................... 45,112 20 8,382 19 25 5,308 12 25

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,209 19 7,608 17 22 4,738 11 22

55 to 64 years ................... 32,867 14 5,229 16 15 3,377 10 16

65 years and older ................ 38,024 17 3,317 9 10 2,131 6 10

Sex

Male, total ...................... 110,273 48 25,855 23 76 14,504 13 68

16 to 17 years ................. 4,307 2 987 23 3 587 14 3

18 to 24 years ................. 11,638 5 1,929 17 6 1,090 9 5

25 to 34 years ................. 18,278 8 4,119 23 12 2,245 12 10

35 to 44 years ................. 21,946 10 6,342 29 19 3,552 16 17

45 to 54 years ................. 21,352 9 5,709 27 17 3,124 15 15

55 to 64 years ................. 16,157 7 4,113 25 12 2,402 15 11

65 years and older .............. 16,594 7 2,657 16 8 1,505 9 7

Female, total .................... 118,972 52 8,061 7 24 6,902 6 32

16 to 17 years ................. 3,965 2 297 7 1 196 5 1

18 to 24 years ................. 11,655 5 726 6 2 597 5 3

25 to 34 years ................. 19,189 8 1,323 7 4 1,139 6 5

35 to 44 years ................. 23,166 10 2,040 9 6 1,755 8 8

45 to 54 years ................. 22,857 10 1,899 8 6 1,614 7 8

55 to 64 years ................. 16,710 7 1,116 7 3 975 6 5

65 years and older .............. 21,430 9 659 3 2 626 3 3

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 29,218 13 1,732 6 5 1,308 4 6

Non-Hispanic .................... 200,027 87 32,184 16 95 20,098 10 94

Race

White .......................... 189,255 83 31,316 17 92 19,287 10 90

Black .......................... 25,925 11 1,577 6 5 1,383 5 6

Asian .......................... 10,104 4 344 3 1 294 3 1

All others....................... 3,960 2 680 17 2 442 11 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................ 10,673 5 807 8 2 584 5 3

$10,000 to $19,999................ 15,373 7 1,590 10 5 1,010 7 5

$20,000 to $24,999................ 11,374 5 1,555 14 5 1,069 9 5

$25,000 to $29,999................ 10,524 5 1,503 14 4 936 9 4

$30,000 to $34,999................ 11,161 5 1,759 16 5 1,022 9 5

$35,000 to $39,999................ 10,349 5 1,794 17 5 1,124 11 5

$40,000 to $49,999................ 17,699 8 3,167 18 9 1,958 11 9

$50,000 to $74,999................ 33,434 15 6,811 20 20 4,057 12 19

$75,000 to $99,999................ 21,519 9 4,676 22 14 2,937 14 14

$100,000 or more ................. 29,159 13 5,671 19 17 3,694 13 17

Not reported..................... 57,981 25 4,583 8 14 3,015 5 14

Education

11 years or less .................. 34,621 15 4,587 13 14 2,862 8 13

12 years ........................ 78,073 34 11,837 15 35 6,941 9 32

1 to 3 years college ............... 53,019 23 8,595 16 25 5,360 10 25

4 years college ................... 39,506 17 5,652 14 17 3,902 10 18

5 years or more college ............ 24,025 10 3,245 14 10 2,342 10 11

See footnotes at end of table.
62 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 8. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters: 2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Hunted only Fished and hunted

Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 3,964 2 100 8,546 4 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 1,750 1 44 3,925 2 46

Rural .......................... 2,213 4 56 4,621 9 54

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 2,364 1 60 5,422 3 63

1,000,000 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 996 1 25 2,554 2 30

250,000 to 999,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 680 1 17 1,462 3 17

Less than 249,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 687 3 17 1,405 6 16

Outside MSA .................... 1,600 4 40 3,124 8 37

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 1 3 267 2 3

Middle Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 664 2 17 856 3 10

East North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 785 2 20 1,591 4 19

West North Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552 4 14 1,228 8 14

South Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 516 1 13 1,368 3 16

East South Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253 2 6 848 6 10

West South Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547 2 14 1,263 5 15

Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 2 7 580 4 7

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 1 6 546 1 6

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 2 5 321 4 4

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 1 6 719 3 8

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 584 2 15 1,474 4 17

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906 2 23 2,168 5 25

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 960 2 24 1,910 4 22

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 613 2 15 1,239 4 15

65 years and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470 1 12 716 2 8

Sex

Male, total ...................... 3,518 3 89 7,833 7 92

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 3 3 266 6 3

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 2 6 621 5 7

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512 3 13 1,362 7 16

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 814 4 21 1,976 9 23

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850 4 21 1,735 8 20

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 536 3 14 1,174 7 14

65 years and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 453 3 11 699 4 8

Female, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 445 (Z) 11 713 1 8

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *47 *1 *1 *54 *1 *1

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *30 *(Z) *1 98 1 1

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *72 *(Z) *2 112 1 1

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 (Z) 2 193 1 2

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 (Z) 3 175 1 2

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *76 *(Z) *2 *65 *(Z) *1

65 years and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *16 *(Z) *(Z)

Ethnicity

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 1 4 268 1 3

Non-Hispanic .................... 3,807 2 96 8,278 4 97

Race

White .......................... 3,825 2 97 8,203 4 96

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *62 *(Z) *2 132 1 2

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *20 *(Z) *1 *30 *(Z) *(Z)

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *56 *1 *1 181 5 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *73 *1 *2 150 1 2

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 1 5 371 2 4

$20,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127 1 3 359 3 4

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 2 5 382 4 4

$30,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 2 6 487 4 6

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 2 6 418 4 5

$40,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 401 2 10 808 5 9

$50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 830 2 21 1,924 6 23

$75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 602 3 15 1,137 5 13

$100,000 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 504 2 13 1,473 5 17

Not reported. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 532 1 13 1,036 2 12

Education

11 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 547 2 14 1,178 3 14

12 years ........................ 1,571 2 40 3,325 4 39

1 to 3 years college ............... 1,004 2 25 2,231 4 26

4 years college . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 1 14 1,213 3 14

5 years or more college . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 1 8 599 2 7

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: Percent who participated shows the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named by the column. Percent columns show the percent of each column’s

participants who are described by the row heading.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 63

Table 9. Selected Characteristics of Anglers by Type of Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Total, all fishing Total freshwater

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 229,245 100 29,952 13 100 25,431 11 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 176,740 77 18,303 10 61 14,814 8 58

Rural .......................... 52,504 23 11,649 22 39 10,617 20 42

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 190,425 83 21,815 11 73 17,936 9 71

1,000,000 or more .............. 120,356 53 11,735 10 39 9,250 8 36

250,000 to 999,999.............. 46,506 20 5,889 13 20 4,925 11 19

Less than 249,999............... 23,562 10 4,190 18 14 3,761 16 15

Outside MSA .................... 38,820 17 8,138 21 27 7,496 19 29

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 11,233 5 1,246 11 4 937 8 4

Middle Atlantic .................. 31,518 14 2,550 8 9 1,848 6 7

East North Central ................ 35,609 16 5,190 15 17 4,818 14 19

West North Central................ 15,458 7 3,284 21 11 3,248 21 13

South Atlantic ................... 43,965 19 6,116 14 20 4,661 11 18

East South Central ................ 13,722 6 2,436 18 8 2,315 17 9

West South Central................ 25,407 11 3,952 16 13 3,251 13 13

Mountain ....................... 15,651 7 2,084 13 7 2,028 13 8

Pacific ......................... 36,681 16 3,094 8 10 2,326 6 9

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,272 4 1,103 13 4 992 12 4

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,292 10 2,406 10 8 2,158 9 8

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,468 16 4,857 13 16 4,190 11 16

35 to 44 years ................... 45,112 20 7,476 17 25 6,266 14 25

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,209 19 6,647 15 22 5,612 13 22

55 to 64 years ................... 32,867 14 4,616 14 15 3,818 12 15

65 years and older ................ 38,024 17 2,847 7 10 2,395 6 9

Sex

Male........................... 110,273 48 22,337 20 75 19,053 17 75

Female ......................... 118,972 52 7,615 6 25 6,378 5 25

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 29,218 13 1,576 5 5 1,158 4 5

Non-Hispanic .................... 200,027 87 28,377 14 95 24,274 12 95

Race

White .......................... 189,255 83 27,490 15 92 23,416 12 92

Black .......................... 25,925 11 1,515 6 5 1,265 5 5

Asian .......................... 10,104 4 324 3 1 241 2 1

All others....................... 3,960 2 624 16 2 510 13 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................ 10,673 5 733 7 2 642 6 3

$10,000 to $19,999................ 15,373 7 1,380 9 5 1,260 8 5

$20,000 to $24,999................ 11,374 5 1,427 13 5 1,203 11 5

$25,000 to $29,999................ 10,524 5 1,319 13 4 1,192 11 5

$30,000 to $34,999................ 11,161 5 1,510 14 5 1,385 12 5

$35,000 to $39,999................ 10,349 5 1,543 15 5 1,375 13 5

$40,000 to $49,999................ 17,699 8 2,766 16 9 2,339 13 9

$50,000 to $74,999................ 33,434 15 5,981 18 20 5,222 16 21

$75,000 to $99,999................ 21,519 9 4,074 19 14 3,344 16 13

$100,000 or more ................. 29,159 13 5,167 18 17 4,063 14 16

Not reported..................... 57,981 25 4,051 7 14 3,406 6 13

Education

11 years or less .................. 34,621 15 4,040 12 13 3,588 10 14

12 years ........................ 78,073 34 10,266 13 34 8,833 11 35

1 to 3 years college ............... 53,019 23 7,590 14 25 6,439 12 25

4 years college ................... 39,506 17 5,115 13 17 4,146 10 16

5 years or more college ............ 24,025 10 2,941 12 10 2,425 10 10

See footnotes at end of table.
64 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 9. Selected Characteristics of Anglers by Type of Fishing: 2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Freshwater

Saltwater

Freshwater, except Great Lakes Great Lakes

Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 25,035 11 100 1,420 1 100 7,717 3 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 14,545 8 58 952 1 67 5,739 3 74

Rural .......................... 10,490 20 42 468 1 33 1,979 4 26

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 17,606 9 70 1,133 1 80 6,664 3 86

1,000,000 or more .............. 9,037 8 36 718 1 51 4,063 3 53

250,000 to 999,999.............. 4,840 10 19 269 1 19 1,734 4 22

Less than 249,999............... 3,729 16 15 146 1 10 866 4 11

Outside MSA ................... 7,429 19 30 287 1 20 1,053 3 14

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 935 8 4 *11 *(Z) *1 588 5 8

Middle Atlantic .................. 1,770 6 7 297 1 21 901 3 12

East North Central ................ 4,515 13 18 981 3 69 212 1 3

West North Central................ 3,244 21 13 *67 *(Z) *5 80 1 1

South Atlantic ................... 4,660 11 19 *20 *(Z) *1 2,784 6 36

East South Central ................ 2,313 17 9 ... ... ... 315 2 4

West South Central................ 3,251 13 13 ... ... ... 1,391 5 18

Mountain ....................... 2,028 13 8 ... ... ... 167 1 2

Pacific ......................... 2,318 6 9 ... ... ... 1,280 3 17

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 981 12 4 ... ... ... 185 2 2

18 to 24 years ................... 2,133 9 9 *103 *(Z) *7 542 2 7

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,119 11 16 234 1 16 1,352 4 18

35 to 44 years ................... 6,184 14 25 377 1 27 2,010 4 26

45 to 54 years ................... 5,515 12 22 268 1 19 1,751 4 23

55 to 64 years ................... 3,730 11 15 301 1 21 1,214 4 16

65 years and older ................ 2,373 6 9 *94 *(Z) *7 664 2 9

Sex

Male........................... 18,723 17 75 1,198 1 84 5,992 5 78

Female ......................... 6,312 5 25 222 (Z) 16 1,726 1 22

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 1,140 4 5 ... ... ... 699 2 9

Non-Hispanic .................... 23,895 12 95 1,395 1 98 7,018 4 91

Race

White .......................... 23,054 12 92 1,290 1 91 6,897 4 89

Black .......................... 1,230 5 5 *69 *(Z) *5 478 2 6

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241 2 1 ... ... ... 171 2 2

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510 13 2 ... ... ... 171 4 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 621 6 2 ... ... ... 102 1 1

$10,000 to $19,999................ 1,242 8 5 ... ... ... 195 1 3

$20,000 to $24,999................ 1,192 10 5 ... ... ... 295 3 4

$25,000 to $29,999................ 1,169 11 5 *46 *(Z) *3 246 2 3

$30,000 to $34,999................ 1,373 12 5 *43 *(Z) *3 212 2 3

$35,000 to $39,999................ 1,350 13 5 *91 *1 *6 346 3 4

$40,000 to $49,999................ 2,313 13 9 148 1 10 676 4 9

$50,000 to $74,999................ 5,136 15 21 345 1 24 1,397 4 18

$75,000 to $99,999................ 3,287 15 13 226 1 16 1,311 6 17

$100,000 or more ................. 4,005 14 16 218 1 15 1,904 7 25

Not reported..................... 3,349 6 13 188 (Z) 13 1,034 2 13

Education

11 years or less .................. 3,503 10 14 *174 *1 *12 757 2 10

12 years ........................ 8,723 11 35 432 1 30 2,409 3 31

1 to 3 years college ............... 6,340 12 25 367 1 26 2,071 4 27

4 years college ................... 4,065 10 16 287 1 20 1,574 4 20

5 years or more college ............ 2,403 10 10 160 1 11 906 4 12

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: Percent who participated shows the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named by the column (the percent of those living in urban areas who

fished in the Great Lakes, etc.). Percent columns show the percent of each column’s participants who are described by the row heading (the percent of those Great Lakes

anglers who lived in urban areas, etc.).
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 65

Table 10. Selected Characteristics of Hunters by Type of Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Total, all hunting Big game

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 229,245 100 12,510 5 100 10,682 5 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 176,740 77 5,675 3 45 4,598 3 43

Rural .......................... 52,504 23 6,835 13 55 6,085 12 57

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 190,425 83 7,785 4 62 6,478 3 61

1,000,000 or more .............. 120,356 53 3,551 3 28 2,936 2 27

250,000 to 999,999.............. 46,506 20 2,143 5 17 1,774 4 17

Less than 249,999............... 23,562 10 2,092 9 17 1,768 8 17

Outside MSA .................... 38,820 17 4,724 12 38 4,205 11 39

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 11,233 5 374 3 3 340 3 3

Middle Atlantic .................. 31,518 14 1,520 5 12 1,447 5 14

East North Central ................ 35,609 16 2,376 7 19 2,134 6 20

West North Central................ 15,458 7 1,779 12 14 1,359 9 13

South Atlantic ................... 43,965 19 1,884 4 15 1,620 4 15

East South Central ................ 13,722 6 1,101 8 9 986 7 9

West South Central................ 25,407 11 1,810 7 14 1,511 6 14

Mountain ....................... 15,651 7 868 6 7 669 4 6

Pacific ......................... 36,681 16 798 2 6 616 2 6

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,272 4 501 6 4 438 5 4

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,292 10 968 4 8 815 4 8

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,468 16 2,058 5 16 1,864 5 17

35 to 44 years ................... 45,112 20 3,074 7 25 2,660 6 25

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,209 19 2,870 6 23 2,404 5 23

55 to 64 years ................... 32,867 14 1,852 6 15 1,527 5 14

65 years and older ................ 38,024 17 1,186 3 9 973 3 9

Sex

Male........................... 110,273 48 11,351 10 91 9,670 9 91

Female ......................... 118,972 52 1,159 1 9 1,013 1 9

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 29,218 13 424 1 3 337 1 3

Non-Hispanic .................... 200,027 87 12,085 6 97 10,345 5 97

Race

White .......................... 189,255 83 12,028 6 96 10,281 5 96

Black .......................... 25,925 11 194 1 2 158 1 1

Asian .......................... 10,104 4 50 (Z) (Z) *37 *(Z) *(Z)

All others....................... 3,960 2 238 6 2 207 5 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................ 10,673 5 223 2 2 192 2 2

$10,000 to $19,999................ 15,373 7 580 4 5 522 3 5

$20,000 to $24,999................ 11,374 5 486 4 4 437 4 4

$25,000 to $29,999................ 10,524 5 567 5 5 492 5 5

$30,000 to $34,999................ 11,161 5 737 7 6 659 6 6

$35,000 to $39,999................ 10,349 5 670 6 5 568 5 5

$40,000 to $49,999................ 17,699 8 1,209 7 10 1,042 6 10

$50,000 to $74,999................ 33,434 15 2,754 8 22 2,418 7 23

$75,000 to $99,999................ 21,519 9 1,739 8 14 1,435 7 13

$100,000 or more ................. 29,159 13 1,977 7 16 1,544 5 14

Not reported..................... 57,981 25 1,568 3 13 1,375 2 13

Education

11 years or less .................. 34,621 15 1,724 5 14 1,543 4 14

12 years ........................ 78,073 34 4,896 6 39 4,335 6 41

1 to 3 years college ............... 53,019 23 3,235 6 26 2,784 5 26

4 years college ................... 39,506 17 1,750 4 14 1,346 3 13

5 years or more college ............ 24,025 10 904 4 7 674 3 6

See footnotes at end of table.
66 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 10. Selected Characteristics of Hunters by Type of Hunting: 2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Small game Migratory bird Other animals

Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 4,797 2 100 2,293 1 100 1,128 (Z) 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 2,186 1 46 1,268 1 55 370 (Z) 33

Rural .......................... 2,611 5 54 1,025 2 45 758 1 67

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 2,942 2 61 1,570 1 68 594 (Z) 53

1,000,000 or more .............. 1,347 1 28 767 1 33 281 (Z) 25

250,000 to 999,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832 2 17 423 1 18 153 (Z) 14

Less than 249,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762 3 16 380 2 17 160 1 14

Outside MSA .................... 1,855 5 39 723 2 32 534 1 47

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 1 3 52 (Z) 2 28 (Z) 2

Middle Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 520 2 11 *116 *(Z) *5 191 1 17

East North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 886 2 18 284 1 12 146 (Z) 13

West North Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 865 6 18 279 2 12 150 1 13

South Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 731 2 15 320 1 14 164 (Z) 15

East South Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 3 8 214 2 9 98 1 9

West South Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 638 3 13 641 3 28 211 1 19

Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 2 7 165 1 7 65 (Z) 6

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279 1 6 223 1 10 75 (Z) 7

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 2 3 75 1 3 *38 *(Z) *3

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419 2 9 182 1 8 150 1 13

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 811 2 17 436 1 19 252 1 22

35 to 44 years ................... 1,204 3 25 642 1 28 249 1 22

45 to 54 years ................... 1,151 3 24 458 1 20 190 (Z) 17

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 635 2 13 359 1 16 147 (Z) 13

65 years and older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 431 1 9 141 (Z) 6 103 (Z) 9

Sex

Male........................... 4,520 4 94 2,162 2 94 1,059 1 94

Female . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 (Z) 6 131 (Z) 6 69 (Z) 6

Ethnicity

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 1 4 118 (Z) 5 *36 *(Z) *3

Non-Hispanic .................... 4,594 2 96 2,176 1 95 1,092 1 97

Race

White .......................... 4,596 2 96 2,239 1 98 1,079 1 96

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 (Z) 2 ... ... ... ... ... ...

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *26 *(Z) *1 ... ... ... ... ... ...

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *70 *2 *1 *37 *1 *2 *24 *1 *2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 1 2 *27 *(Z) *1 ... ... ...

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 1 4 *57 *(Z) *2 *70 *(Z) *6

$20,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 1 3 *73 *1 *3 *26 *(Z) *2

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 2 4 *53 *1 *2 *69 *1 *6

$30,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 3 7 134 1 6 *65 *1 *6

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 2 5 103 1 4 *75 *1 *7

$40,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 3 10 204 1 9 131 1 12

$50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 996 3 21 503 2 22 258 1 23

$75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710 3 15 419 2 18 151 1 13

$100,000 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858 3 18 514 2 22 165 1 15

Not reported. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 539 1 11 207 (Z) 9 110 (Z) 10

Education

11 years or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 603 2 13 200 1 9 164 (Z) 15

12 years ........................ 1,789 2 37 733 1 32 460 1 41

1 to 3 years college ............... 1,242 2 26 644 1 28 340 1 30

4 years college . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741 2 15 455 1 20 103 (Z) 9

5 years or more college . . . . . . . . . . . . 421 2 9 261 1 11 61 (Z) 5

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: Percent who participated shows the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named by the column (the percent of those living in urban areas who

hunted big game, etc.). Percent columns show the percent of each column’s participants who are described by the row heading (the percent of big game hunters who lived in

urban areas, etc.).
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 67

Table 11. Summary of Expenditures for Fishing and Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

sportsperson

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

sportspersons

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items.................................. 76,650,027 2,260 32,567 96 2,354

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related................................ 24,557,174 724 30,201 89 813

Food and lodging, total .......................... 9,093,769 268 26,381 78 345

Food ........................................ 6,504,319 192 26,242 77 248

Lodging...................................... 2,589,450 76 6,465 19 401

Transportation, total ............................ 7,658,755 226 26,611 78 288

Public ....................................... 738,243 22 1,509 4 489

Private ....................................... 6,920,512 204 26,239 77 264

Other trip costs1 ................................ 7,804,650 230 23,416 69 333

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment ............................... 5,365,933 158 19,337 57 277

Hunting equipment ............................... 5,716,758 169 10,107 30 566

Auxiliary equipment2 ............................. 2,969,992 88 9,749 29 305

Special equipment3 ............................... 26,910,442 793 3,203 9 8,402

OTHER EXPENDITURES

Books, magazines................................ 304,181 9 6,759 20 45

Membership dues and contributions ................. 593,242 17 4,481 13 132

Land leasing and ownership........................ 8,986,342 265 2,226 7 4,038

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits.................. 1,245,963 37 22,607 67 55

1 Other trip costs include guide fees, pack trip or package fees, public and private land use fees, equipment rental, boating costs (which include launching, mooring,

storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel), bait, ice, and heating and cooking fuel. 2 Auxiliary equipment includes camping equipment, binoculars, special fishing and hunting clothing, etc. 3 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Detail in subsequent tables may not add to totals shown here because of nonresponse to individual

questions.
68 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 12. Expenditures for Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

angler

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

anglers

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 42,011,124 1,403 28,307 95 1,484

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 17,878,560 597 26,318 88 679

Food and lodging, total ................................. 6,302,524 210 22,572 75 279

Food ............................................... 4,327,090 144 22,415 75 193

Lodging ............................................ 1,975,434 66 5,304 18 372

Transportation, total ................................... 4,961,830 166 22,361 75 222

Public .............................................. 523,856 17 1,163 4 451

Private.............................................. 4,437,974 148 21,979 73 202

Other trip costs, total .................................. 6,614,205 221 22,275 74 297

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 832,476 28 2,307 8 361

Public land use fees................................... 176,803 6 3,339 11 53

Private land use fees .................................. 143,543 5 1,041 3 138

Equipment rental ..................................... 377,334 13 1,645 5 229

Boating costs1

........................................ 3,408,623 114 7,405 25 460

Bait ................................................ 1,183,332 40 18,224 61 65

Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 378,190 13 11,168 37 34

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 113,904 4 3,195 11 36

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment, total ................................ 5,332,401 178 19,082 64 279

Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking components ............. 2,288,572 76 10,666 36 215

Lines and leaders ..................................... 543,186 18 11,886 40 46

Artificial lures, flies, baits, and dressing for flies or lines..... 906,951 30 13,624 45 67

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other items attached to a line,

except lures and baits ................................ 387,836 13 13,885 46 28

Tackle boxes......................................... 127,197 4 3,819 13 33

Creels, stringers, fish bags, landing nets, and gaff hooks ..... 107,108 4 3,154 11 34

Minnow traps, seines, and bait containers ................. 61,267 2 2,481 8 25

Depth finders, fish finders, and other electronic fishing

devices ............................................ 514,423 17 1,140 4 451

Ice fishing equipment ................................. 105,335 4 663 2 159

Other fishing equipment ............................... 290,524 10 3,069 10 95

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 778,740 26 3,837 13 203

Camping equipment ................................... 404,240 13 1,756 6 230

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 42,639 1 414 1 103

Special fishing clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 239,687 8 1,971 7 122

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... 42,183 1 188 1 225

Other............................................... 49,992 2 392 1 128

Special equipment2

..................................... 12,646,229 422 1,818 6 6,957

OTHER EXPENDITURES

Magazines, books....................................... 115,019 4 2,944 10 39

Membership dues and contributions ........................ 157,728 5 1,423 5 111

Land leasing and ownership .............................. 4,598,988 154 768 3 5,987

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits, total.................... 503,460 17 16,259 54 31

Licenses ............................................ 460,266 15 15,650 52 29

Stamps, tags, and permits .............................. 43,194 1 3,011 10 14

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Detail in tables 13 to 16 may not add to totals shown here because of multiple responses and

nonresponse.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 69

Table 13. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Freshwater Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

angler

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

anglers

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 26,348,217 1,036 23,414 92 1,125

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 12,587,930 495 22,713 89 554

Food and lodging, total ................................. 4,609,923 181 19,364 76 238

Food ............................................... 3,287,225 129 19,246 76 171

Lodging ............................................ 1,322,697 52 4,278 17 309

Transportation, total ................................... 3,905,885 154 19,204 76 203

Public .............................................. 304,895 12 771 3 395

Private.............................................. 3,600,990 142 18,901 74 191

Other trip costs, total .................................. 4,072,123 160 18,877 74 216

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 308,275 12 1,235 5 250

Public land use fees................................... 147,629 6 2,862 11 52

Private land use fees .................................. 84,679 3 817 3 104

Equipment rental ..................................... 221,286 9 1,176 5 188

Boating costs1

........................................ 2,094,418 82 6,005 24 349

Bait ................................................ 844,211 33 15,646 62 54

Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269,037 11 9,131 36 29

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 102,587 4 2,878 11 36

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment, total ................................ 3,575,227 141 15,286 60 234

Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking components ............. 1,531,910 60 8,214 32 187

Lines and leaders ..................................... 377,652 15 9,107 36 41

Artificial lures, flies, baits, and dressing for flies or lines..... 679,266 27 10,854 43 63

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other items attached to a line,

except lures and baits ................................ 273,047 11 10,823 43 25

Tackle boxes......................................... 92,173 4 2,854 11 32

Creels, stringers, fish bags, landing nets, and gaff hooks ..... 64,423 3 2,228 9 29

Minnow traps, seines, and bait containers ................. 38,202 2 1,741 7 22

Depth finders, fish finders, and other electronic fishing

devices ............................................ 280,597 11 806 3 348

Ice fishing equipment ................................. 100,437 4 635 2 158

Other fishing equipment ............................... 137,522 5 2,055 8 67

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 621,657 24 3,085 12 201

Camping equipment ................................... 342,465 13 1,522 6 225

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 27,233 1 250 1 109

Special fishing clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 183,947 7 1,536 6 120

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... 34,127 1 156 1 219

Other............................................... 33,884 1 287 1 118

Special equipment2

..................................... 9,563,402 376 1,444 6 6,622

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
70 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 14. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Freshwater Fishing, Except Great Lakes: 2006

(Population 16 years old and over)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

angler

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

anglers

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 24,581,671 982 22,898 91 1,074

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 11,521,818 460 22,193 89 519

Food and lodging, total ................................. 4,235,176 169 18,902 76 224

Food ............................................... 3,038,376 121 18,789 75 162

Lodging ............................................ 1,196,800 48 4,055 16 295

Transportation, total ................................... 3,667,944 147 18,737 75 196

Public .............................................. 281,318 11 728 3 386

Private.............................................. 3,386,626 135 18,442 74 184

Other trip costs, total .................................. 3,618,698 145 18,380 73 197

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 272,634 11 1,075 4 254

Public land use fees................................... 140,129 6 2,793 11 50

Private land use fees .................................. 67,391 3 763 3 88

Equipment rental ..................................... 209,491 8 1,086 4 193

Boating costs1

........................................ 1,798,118 72 5,697 23 316

Bait ................................................ 785,113 31 15,260 61 51

Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250,365 10 8,842 35 28

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 95,458 4 2,825 11 34

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment, total ................................ 3,361,439 134 14,803 59 227

Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking components ............. 1,447,041 58 7,922 32 183

Lines and leaders ..................................... 349,449 14 8,798 35 40

Artificial lures, flies, baits, and dressing for flies or lines..... 648,870 26 10,454 42 62

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other items attached to a line,

except lures and baits ................................ 257,959 10 10,464 42 25

Tackle boxes......................................... 89,756 4 2,762 11 32

Creels, stringers, fish bags, landing nets, and gaff hooks ..... 60,014 2 2,131 9 28

Minnow traps, seines, and bait containers ................. 37,016 1 1,658 7 22

Depth finders, fish finders, and other electronic fishing

devices ............................................ 259,122 10 746 3 347

Ice fishing equipment ................................. 81,329 3 566 2 144

Other fishing equipment ............................... 130,885 5 1,951 8 67

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 600,558 24 2,956 12 203

Camping equipment ................................... 337,021 13 1,472 6 229

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 26,365 1 243 1 109

Special fishing clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 174,772 7 1,466 6 119

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... 32,581 1 133 1 244

Other............................................... 29,820 1 276 1 108

Special equipment2

..................................... 9,097,856 363 1,409 6 6,457

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 71

Table 15. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Great Lakes Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

angler

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

anglers

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 1,507,656 1,062 1,346 95 1,120

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 1,066,113 751 1,315 93 811

Food and lodging, total ................................. 374,747 264 1,102 78 340

Food ............................................... 248,849 175 1,092 77 228

Lodging ............................................ 125,897 89 305 21 413

Transportation, total ................................... 237,941 168 1,168 82 204

Public .............................................. *23,577 *17 *85 *6 *277

Private.............................................. 214,365 151 1,116 79 192

Other trip costs, total .................................. 453,424 319 1,131 80 401

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 35,641 25 172 12 207

Public land use fees................................... 7,501 5 91 6 82

Private land use fees .................................. *17,288 *12 *58 *4 *299

Equipment rental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *11,795 *8 *93 *7 *127

Boating costs1

........................................ 296,300 209 476 34 622

Bait ................................................ 59,098 42 856 60 69

Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18,671 13 544 38 34

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 7,129 5 89 6 80

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment, total ................................ 165,403 116 521 37 317

Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking components ............. 54,602 38 259 18 210

Lines and leaders ..................................... 23,081 16 246 17 94

Artificial lures, flies, baits, and dressing for flies or lines..... 23,673 17 358 25 66

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other items attached to a line,

except lures and baits ................................ 13,639 10 316 22 43

Tackle boxes......................................... *1,827 *1 *67 *5 *27

Creels, stringers, fish bags, landing nets, and gaff hooks ..... *4,110 *3 *84 *6 *49

Minnow traps, seines, and bait containers ................. *1,049 *1 *75 *5 *14

Depth finders, fish finders, and other electronic fishing

devices ............................................ *20,140 *14 *51 *4 *392

Ice fishing equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Other fishing equipment ............................... *6,420 *5 *96 *7 *67

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 18,386 13 117 8 157

Camping equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Special fishing clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ *8,427 *6 *63 *4 *134

Processing and taxidermy costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Special equipment2

..................................... *257,754 *182 *16 *1 *15,675

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
72 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 16. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Saltwater Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars

Average per

angler

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

anglers

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 8,879,948 1,151 6,836 89 1,299

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 5,290,630 686 6,730 87 786

Food and lodging, total ................................. 1,692,602 219 5,895 76 287

Food ............................................... 1,039,865 135 5,803 75 179

Lodging ............................................ 652,737 85 1,372 18 476

Transportation, total ................................... 1,055,945 137 5,551 72 190

Public .............................................. 218,961 28 446 6 491

Private.............................................. 836,984 108 5,304 69 158

Other trip costs, total .................................. 2,542,083 329 5,821 75 437

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 524,202 68 1,236 16 424

Public land use fees................................... 29,173 4 635 8 46

Private land use fees .................................. 58,864 8 251 3 235

Equipment rental ..................................... 156,048 20 559 7 279

Boating costs1

........................................ 1,314,205 170 1,845 24 712

Bait ................................................ 339,122 44 4,228 55 80

Ice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109,153 14 3,200 41 34

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 11,317 1 436 6 26

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Fishing equipment, total ................................ 1,266,978 164 3,163 41 401

Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking components ............. 530,540 69 1,644 21 323

Lines and leaders ..................................... 121,970 16 2,045 26 60

Artificial lures, flies, baits, and dressing for flies or lines..... 156,892 20 1,886 24 83

Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other items attached to a line,

except lures and baits ................................ 84,690 11 2,230 29 38

Tackle boxes......................................... 20,389 3 541 7 38

Creels, stringers, fish bags, landing nets, and gaff hooks ..... 33,666 4 640 8 53

Minnow traps, seines, and bait containers ................. 16,382 2 467 6 35

Depth finders, fish finders, and other electronic fishing

devices ............................................ 178,220 23 218 3 817

Other fishing equipment ............................... 124,229 16 703 9 177

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 108,267 14 551 7 197

Camping equipment ................................... 37,924 5 148 2 256

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 13,918 2 134 2 104

Special fishing clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 35,647 5 308 4 116

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... *7,173 *1 *27 *(Z) *264

Other............................................... 13,605 2 67 1 202

Special equipment2

..................................... 2,214,073 287 262 3 8,454

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 73

Table 17. Expenditures for Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

hunter

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent

of hunters

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 22,893,156 1,830 12,153 97 1,884

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 6,678,614 534 10,828 87 617

Food and lodging, total ................................. 2,791,245 223 9,567 76 292

Food ............................................... 2,177,229 174 9,533 76 228

Lodging ............................................ 614,016 49 1,599 13 384

Transportation, total ................................... 2,696,924 216 10,064 80 268

Public .............................................. 214,387 17 401 3 535

Private.............................................. 2,482,537 198 9,982 80 249

Other trip costs, total .................................. 1,190,445 95 3,416 27 348

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 416,529 33 557 4 748

Public land use fees................................... 47,268 4 564 5 84

Private land use fees .................................. 396,810 32 711 6 558

Equipment rental ..................................... 80,729 6 313 2 258

Boating costs1

........................................ 102,255 8 459 4 223

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 146,853 12 2,132 17 69

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Hunting equipment, total ............................... 5,366,357 429 9,287 74 578

Guns and rifles....................................... 2,452,285 196 2,992 24 820

Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,119,900 90 1,625 13 689

Shotguns.......................................... 765,423 61 1,320 11 580

Muzzleloaders, primitive firearms...................... 184,157 15 531 4 347

Pistols, handguns ................................... 382,805 31 636 5 602

Bows, arrows, archery equipment ........................ 674,117 54 1,940 16 348

Telescopic sights ..................................... 404,866 32 1,471 12 275

Decoys and game calls ................................ 187,141 15 2,074 17 90

Ammunition ......................................... 696,451 56 7,995 64 87

Hand loading equipment ............................... 140,072 11 929 7 151

Hunting dogs and associated costs ....................... 493,659 39 780 6 633

Other............................................... 317,765 25 2,312 18 137

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 1,330,216 106 4,196 34 317

Camping equipment ................................... 141,920 11 538 4 264

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 203,606 16 968 8 210

Special hunting clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 459,823 37 2,743 22 168

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... 485,153 39 1,496 12 324

Other............................................... 39,714 3 290 2 137

Special equipment2

..................................... 4,034,928 323 505 4 7,993

OTHER EXPENDITURES

Magazines, books....................................... 83,524 7 1,767 14 47

Membership dues and contributions ........................ 269,660 22 1,707 14 158

Land leasing and ownership .............................. 4,387,354 351 1,606 13 2,732

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits, total.................... 742,503 59 9,862 79 75

Licenses ............................................ 619,511 50 9,506 76 65

Federal duck stamps .................................. 22,934 2 1,529 12 15

Other stamps, tags, and permits ......................... 100,058 8 2,689 21 37

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Detail in tables 18 to 21 may not add to totals shown here because of multiple responses and

nonresponse.
74 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 18. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Big Game Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

hunter

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent

of hunters

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 11,754,122 1,100 9,813 92 1,198

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 4,648,341 435 9,192 86 506

Food and lodging, total ................................. 1,967,680 184 8,066 76 244

Food ............................................... 1,555,229 146 8,039 75 193

Lodging ............................................ 412,451 39 1,205 11 342

Transportation, total ................................... 1,812,575 170 8,481 79 214

Public .............................................. 119,956 11 263 2 457

Private.............................................. 1,692,619 158 8,410 79 201

Other trip costs, total .................................. 868,086 81 2,689 25 323

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 333,018 31 356 3 936

Public land use fees................................... 28,061 3 387 4 73

Private land use fees .................................. 291,460 27 514 5 567

Equipment rental ..................................... 47,420 4 198 2 239

Boating costs1

........................................ 47,671 4 197 2 242

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 120,456 11 1,886 18 64

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Hunting equipment, total ............................... 2,986,381 280 6,583 62 454

Firearms ............................................ 1,308,890 123 1,802 17 726

Rifles ............................................ 809,254 76 1,117 10 724

Shotguns.......................................... 192,840 18 406 4 475

Muzzleloaders ..................................... 179,833 17 516 5 348

Pistols, handguns ................................... 126,964 12 166 2 767

Bows, arrows, archery equipment ........................ 628,426 59 1,795 17 350

Telescopic sights ..................................... 307,014 29 1,102 10 279

Decoys and game calls ................................ 72,923 7 1,239 12 59

Ammunition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311,362 29 4,757 45 65

Hand loading equipment ............................... 78,053 7 677 6 115

Hunting dogs and associated costs ....................... 77,271 7 109 1 709

Other............................................... 202,442 19 1,526 14 133

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 1,073,737 101 3,443 32 312

Camping equipment ................................... 119,309 11 445 4 268

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. 166,775 16 808 8 207

Special hunting clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 337,850 32 2,035 19 166

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... 422,181 40 1,353 13 312

Other............................................... 27,621 3 175 2 158

Special equipment2

..................................... 3,045,663 285 390 4 7,809

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 75

Table 19. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Small Game Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

hunter

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent

of hunters

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 2,365,778 493 4,027 84 587

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 1,196,318 249 3,783 79 316

Food and lodging, total ................................. 510,922 107 3,211 67 159

Food ............................................... 371,352 77 3,193 67 116

Lodging ............................................ 139,569 29 427 9 327

Transportation, total ................................... 534,603 111 3,364 70 159

Public .............................................. 75,173 16 128 3 588

Private.............................................. 459,430 96 3,290 69 140

Other trip costs, total .................................. 150,793 31 850 18 177

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 56,869 12 171 4 333

Public land use fees................................... 7,362 2 174 4 42

Private land use fees .................................. 38,405 8 148 3 260

Equipment rental ..................................... *19,811 *4 *87 *2 *227

Boating costs1

........................................ 10,513 2 71 1 148

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 17,833 4 428 9 42

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Hunting equipment, total ............................... 776,420 162 2,032 42 382

Firearms ............................................ 364,087 76 597 12 610

Rifles ............................................ 123,341 26 217 5 569

Shotguns.......................................... 203,440 42 369 8 552

Muzzleloaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Pistols, handguns ................................... 36,270 8 72 2 503

Bows, arrows, archery equipment ........................ *5,698 *1 *24 *1 *237

Telescopic sights ..................................... 35,948 7 146 3 247

Decoys and game calls ................................ 11,737 2 190 4 62

Ammunition ......................................... 93,878 20 1,461 30 64

Hand loading equipment ............................... 25,228 5 100 2 253

Hunting dogs and associated costs ....................... 219,403 46 355 7 617

Other............................................... 20,442 4 210 4 97

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 61,988 13 332 7 187

Camping equipment ................................... *9,229 *2 *30 *1 *308

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. *6,418 *1 *46 *1 *141

Special hunting clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 23,340 5 227 5 103

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... *17,161 *4 *24 *1 *703

Other............................................... *5,840 *1 *51 *1 *115

Special equipment2

..................................... *331,052 *69 *30 *1 *11,193

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
76 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 20. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Migratory Bird Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

hunter

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent

of hunters

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 1,349,148 588 2,001 87 674

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 691,288 301 1,895 83 365

Food and lodging, total ................................. 260,690 114 1,650 72 158

Food ............................................... 203,473 89 1,650 72 123

Lodging ............................................ 57,217 25 202 9 283

Transportation, total ................................... *265,875 *116 *1,716 *75 *155

Public .............................................. *14,771 *6 *57 *2 *258

Private.............................................. *251,104 *110 *1,699 *74 *148

Other trip costs, total .................................. 164,723 72 577 25 285

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 25,267 11 89 4 284

Public land use fees................................... 11,452 5 120 5 96

Private land use fees .................................. 65,155 28 92 4 707

Equipment rental ..................................... *12,396 *5 *39 *2 *319

Boating costs1

........................................ 43,721 19 250 11 175

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 6,732 3 153 7 44

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Hunting equipment, total ............................... 416,107 181 1,029 45 404

Firearms ............................................ 156,615 68 221 10 709

Rifles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Shotguns.......................................... 143,235 62 216 9 662

Muzzleloaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Pistols, handguns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Bows, arrows, archery equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Telescopic sights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Decoys and game calls ................................ 72,570 32 361 16 201

Ammunition ......................................... 88,432 39 745 33 119

Hand loading equipment ............................... *1,640 *1 *24 *1 *69

Hunting dogs and associated costs ....................... 79,707 35 153 7 521

Other............................................... 17,072 7 127 6 135

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 67,708 30 247 11 274

Camping equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. .................. *7,429 *3 *26 *1 *291

Special hunting clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear........................................ 37,940 17 180 8 211

Processing and taxidermy costs.......................... *19,274 *8 *59 *3 *326

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Special equipment2

..................................... *174,045 *76 *51 *2 *3,394

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 77

Table 21. Trip and Equipment Expenditures for Hunting Other Animals: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

hunter

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent

of hunters

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 207,856 184 799 71 260

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 142,667 126 775 69 184

Food and lodging, total ................................. 51,953 46 592 52 88

Food ............................................... 47,175 42 592 52 80

Lodging ............................................ *4,778 *4 *34 *3 *139

Transportation, total ................................... *83,871 *74 *627 *56 *134

Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Private. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Other trip costs, total .................................. 6,842 6 127 11 54

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Public land use fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Private land use fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Equipment rental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Boating costs1

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. *1,832 *2 *74 *7 *25

EQUIPMENT EXPENDITURES

Hunting equipment, total ............................... 50,527 45 154 14 328

Firearms ............................................ *27,563 *24 *36 *3 *762

Rifles ............................................ *18,167 *16 *18 *2 *1,002

Shotguns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Muzzleloaders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Pistols, handguns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Bows, arrows, archery equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Telescopic sights ..................................... *2,067 *2 *12 *1 *166

Decoys and game calls ................................ *1,909 *2 *44 *4 *44

Ammunition ......................................... 4,497 4 90 8 50

Hand loading equipment ............................... *1,295 *1 *10 *1 *128

Hunting dogs and associated costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Other............................................... *2,192 *2 *15 *1 *142

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. *14,662 *13 *41 *4 *355

Camping equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Binoculars, field glasses, telescopes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Special hunting clothing, rubber boots, waders, and foul

weather gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Processing and taxidermy costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

Special equipment2

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel. 2 Special equipment includes boats, campers, cabins, trail bikes, etc.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
78 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 22. Special Equipment Expenditures for Fishing and Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Special equipment item

Expenditures Spenders

Amount

(thousands

of dollars)

Average per

sportsperson

(dollars)

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

sportspersons

Average per

spender

(dollars)

Total, all items ........................................ 26,910,442 793 3,203 9 8,402

Motorboat (other than bass boat) ........................ 4,555,033 134 505 1 9,013

Bass boat ........................................... 1,748,529 52 222 1 7,885

Canoe, other non-motorboat ............................ 174,122 5 365 1 477

Boat motor, trailer or hitch, and other boat accessories....... 1,004,204 30 996 3 1,009

Travel or tent trailer, pickup, camper, van, motor home,

recreational vehicle (RV), house trailer .................. 13,838,464 408 952 3 14,537

Cabin .............................................. *1,897,951 *56 *31 *(Z) *61,573

Trail bike, dune buggy, 4x4 vehicle, 4-wheeler, snowmobile . . 3,396,880 100 666 2 5,099

Other............................................... 295,259 9 234 1 1,263

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 23. Anglers and Hunters Who Purchased Licenses or Were Exempt: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Sportspersons

Anglers Hunters

Number Percent Number Percent

Total sportspersons .................................... 29,952 100 12,510 100

Total license purchasers1 ................................ 19,498 65 10,054 80

Sportspersons purchasing licenses:

In state of residence................................. 18,070 60 9,591 77

In other states...................................... 3,435 11 1,286 10

Total exempt from purchasing licenses.................... 4,725 16 2,288 18

Sportspersons exempt from license purchase:

In state of residence................................. 4,371 15 2,138 17

In other states. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562 2 239 2

Other2 ............................................... 7,456 25 1,233 10

Not reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 543 2 133 1

1 Includes persons who had licenses bought for them. Does not include persons who purchased licenses and did not fish or hunt in 2006. 2 Includes persons engaged in activities requiring no licenses or exemptions and those who failed to buy a license for activities requiring a license.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse. Respondents could have been licensed in one state and exempt in another.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 79

Table 24. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters Who Purchased Licenses: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Anglers Hunters

Total Purchased a

license1 Did not purchasea license2 Total Purchased alicense1 Did not purchasea license2

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total persons ..................... 29,952 100 19,498 65 10,455 35 12,510 100 10,054 80 2,455 20

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 18,303 100 11,695 64 6,608 36 5,675 100 4,628 82 1,047 18

Rural .......................... 11,649 100 7,803 67 3,846 33 6,835 100 5,426 79 1,409 21

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 21,815 100 14,050 64 7,764 36 7,785 100 6,298 81 1,487 19

1,000,000 or more .............. 11,735 100 7,264 62 4,472 38 3,551 100 2,798 79 752 21

250,000 to 999,999.............. 5,889 100 3,830 65 2,059 35 2,143 100 1,673 78 470 22

Less than 249,999............... 4,190 100 2,957 71 1,234 29 2,092 100 1,827 87 265 13

Outside MSA .................... 8,138 100 5,447 67 2,690 33 4,724 100 3,756 80 968 20

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 1,246 100 722 58 524 42 374 100 329 88 45 12

Middle Atlantic .................. 2,550 100 1,456 57 1,094 43 1,520 100 1,351 89 168 11

East North Central ................ 5,190 100 3,702 71 1,488 29 2,376 100 2,057 87 318 13

West North Central................ 3,284 100 2,489 76 795 24 1,779 100 1,435 81 344 19

South Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,116 100 3,290 54 2,827 46 1,884 100 1,300 69 584 31

East South Central ................ 2,436 100 1,453 60 983 40 1,101 100 807 73 294 27

West South Central................ 3,952 100 2,376 60 1,576 40 1,810 100 1,348 74 462 26

Mountain ....................... 2,084 100 1,635 78 449 22 868 100 769 89 99 11

Pacific ......................... 3,094 100 2,375 77 719 23 798 100 658 83 139 17

Age

16 to 17 years ................... 1,103 100 565 51 538 49 501 100 400 80 101 20

18 to 24 years ................... 2,406 100 1,499 62 907 38 968 100 777 80 191 20

25 to 34 years ................... 4,857 100 3,407 70 1,450 30 2,058 100 1,717 83 341 17

35 to 44 years ................... 7,476 100 4,844 65 2,632 35 3,074 100 2,526 82 548 18

45 to 54 years ................... 6,647 100 4,635 70 2,013 30 2,870 100 2,384 83 485 17

55 to 64 years ................... 4,616 100 3,295 71 1,322 29 1,852 100 1,540 83 312 17

65 years and older ................ 2,847 100 1,253 44 1,594 56 1,186 100 710 60 476 40

Sex

Male........................... 22,337 100 15,170 68 7,167 32 11,351 100 9,223 81 2,128 19

Female ......................... 7,615 100 4,328 57 3,287 43 1,159 100 832 72 327 28

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 1,576 100 889 56 686 44 424 100 299 71 *125 *29

Non-Hispanic .................... 28,377 100 18,608 66 9,769 34 12,085 100 9,755 81 2,330 19

Race

White .......................... 27,490 100 18,144 66 9,346 34 12,028 100 9,716 81 2,313 19

Black .......................... 1,515 100 823 54 692 46 194 100 124 64 *70 *36

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324 100 194 60 130 40 50 100 *47 *95 ... ...

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 624 100 337 54 287 46 238 100 168 71 70 29

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 733 100 395 54 338 46 223 100 161 72 62 28

$10,000 to $19,999................ 1,380 100 849 62 531 38 580 100 411 71 168 29

$20,000 to $24,999................ 1,427 100 804 56 623 44 486 100 356 73 130 27

$25,000 to $29,999................ 1,319 100 831 63 488 37 567 100 446 79 120 21

$30,000 to $34,999................ 1,510 100 1,006 67 503 33 737 100 609 83 128 17

$35,999 to $39,999................ 1,543 100 1,068 69 475 31 670 100 525 78 145 22

$40,000 to $49,999................ 2,766 100 1,903 69 863 31 1,209 100 968 80 241 20

$50,000 to $74,999................ 5,981 100 4,020 67 1,961 33 2,754 100 2,245 82 509 18

$75,000 to $99,999................ 4,074 100 2,782 68 1,293 32 1,739 100 1,437 83 302 17

$100,000 or more ................. 5,167 100 3,328 64 1,839 36 1,977 100 1,646 83 331 17

Not reported..................... 4,051 100 2,511 62 1,540 38 1,568 100 1,248 80 319 20

Education

11 years or less .................. 4,040 100 2,307 57 1,733 43 1,724 100 1,336 77 389 23

12 years ........................ 10,266 100 6,938 68 3,329 32 4,896 100 3,930 80 966 20

1 to 3 years college ............... 7,590 100 5,074 67 2,516 33 3,235 100 2,626 81 609 19

4 years college . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,115 100 3,293 64 1,822 36 1,750 100 1,431 82 319 18

5 or more years college ............ 2,941 100 1,887 64 1,054 36 904 100 732 81 172 19

Days of Participation

1 to 5 days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,362 100 6,688 54 5,674 46 4,198 100 3,144 75 1,054 25

6 to 10 days..................... 5,609 100 3,816 68 1,793 32 2,589 100 2,125 82 464 18

11 to 25 days .................... 6,102 100 4,431 73 1,671 27 3,052 100 2,534 83 518 17

26 days or more .................. 5,743 100 4,479 78 1,264 22 2,638 100 2,244 85 395 15

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Includes persons who purchased a license in 2006 in any state. Respondents could have been licensed in one state and exempt in another. 2 Includes those persons who did not purchase a license in any state in 2006 and those who did not specify a license purchase in 2006.
80 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 25. Freshwater Anglers and Days of Fishing by Type of Water: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands. Excludes Great Lakes fishing)

Type of water

Anglers Days of fishing

Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all types of water................................. 25,035 100 419,942 100

Lakes, reservoirs, and ponds ............................ 21,129 84 304,452 72

Rivers and streams.................................... 11,253 45 135,950 32

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.

Table 26. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Fishing by Great Lake: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Great Lake

Anglers Days of fishing

Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all Great Lakes .................................. 1,420 100 18,016 100

Lake Ontario, including the Niagara River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 15 1,245 7

Lake Erie, including the Detroit River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 526 37 4,651 26

Lake Huron, including St. Mary’s River System . . . . . . . . . . . . *93 *7 *811 *5

Lake Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 474 33 5,647 31

Lake Superior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *89 *6 *2,123 *12

Lake St. Clair, including the St. Clair River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ...

St. Lawrence River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ...

Tributaries to the Great Lakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 9 1,204 7

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.

Table 27. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Public and Private Land by Type of Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Hunters and days of hunting

Total, all hunting Big game Small game Migratory bird Other animals

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

HUNTERS

Total, all land ................ 12,510 100 10,682 100 4,797 100 2,293 100 1,128 100

Public land, total ........... 4,901 39 3,784 35 1,681 35 798 35 311 28

Public land only ........... 1,888 15 1,717 16 824 17 412 18 149 13

Public and private land ..... 3,013 24 2,066 19 857 18 386 17 162 14

Private land, total........... 10,206 82 8,571 80 3,795 79 1,740 76 928 82

Private land only .......... 7,193 58 6,504 61 2,939 61 1,354 59 766 68

Private and public land ..... 3,013 24 2,066 19 857 18 386 17 162 14

DAYS OF HUNTING

Total, all land ................ 219,925 100 164,061 100 52,395 100 19,770 100 15,205 100

Public land1 ................ 54,433 25 37,301 23 12,532 24 5,722 29 2,820 19

Private land2 ................ 164,319 75 120,092 73 38,080 73 13,441 68 12,248 81

1 Days of hunting on public land includes both days spent solely on public land and those spent on public and private land. 2 Days of hunting on private land includes both days spent solely on private land and those spent on private and public land.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 81

Table 28. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Public Land by Selected Characteristic: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Hunters Days of hunting

Total

hunters,

public and

private land

Hunters on public land1

Total days,

public and

private land

Days on public land2

Number

Percent of

total hunters

Percent of

hunters

using

public land Number

Percent of

total days

Percent of

days on

public land

Total persons ..................... 12,510 4,901 39 100 219,925 54,433 25 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 5,675 2,572 45 52 80,603 25,563 32 47

Rural .......................... 6,835 2,328 34 48 139,323 28,870 21 53

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 7,785 3,120 40 64 128,551 32,555 25 60

1,000,000 or more .............. 3,551 1,391 39 28 58,281 14,289 25 26

250,000 to 999,999 ............. 2,143 911 43 19 36,109 9,233 26 17

Less than 249,999............... 2,092 818 39 17 34,162 9,033 26 17

Outside MSA ................... 4,724 1,780 38 36 91,374 21,878 24 40

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 159 43 3 6,653 1,680 25 3

Middle Atlantic .................. 1,520 699 46 14 28,755 7,680 27 14

East North Central ................ 2,376 869 37 18 41,709 8,469 20 16

West North Central................ 1,779 623 35 13 27,062 6,328 23 12

South Atlantic ................... 1,884 571 30 12 35,332 6,642 19 12

East South Central ................ 1,101 350 32 7 25,685 3,910 15 7

West South Central................ 1,810 398 22 8 34,237 5,487 16 10

Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868 681 78 14 9,869 6,959 71 13

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798 551 69 11 10,625 7,278 69 13

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501 188 38 4 6,277 1,646 26 3

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 382 39 8 18,312 3,960 22 7

25 to 34 years ................... 2,058 959 47 20 36,459 10,047 28 18

35 to 44 years ................... 3,074 1,294 42 26 54,330 13,105 24 24

45 to 54 years ................... 2,870 1,035 36 21 51,817 12,382 24 23

55 to 64 years ................... 1,852 685 37 14 31,946 8,257 26 15

65 years and older ................ 1,186 357 30 7 20,784 5,036 24 9

Sex

Male........................... 11,351 4,568 40 93 208,244 51,674 25 95

Female ......................... 1,159 333 29 7 11,681 2,759 24 5

Ethnicity

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424 138 32 3 4,432 1,864 42 3

Non-Hispanic .................... 12,085 4,763 39 97 215,494 52,569 24 97

Race

White .......................... 12,028 4,710 39 96 211,524 52,234 25 96

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 *33 *17 *1 3,281 *211 *6 *(Z)

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 *32 *65 *1 608 *417 *69 *1

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 125 53 3 4,513 1,570 35 3

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 75 34 2 3,766 990 26 2

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 204 35 4 9,134 1,992 22 4

$20,000 to $24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486 136 28 3 9,397 1,742 19 3

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567 211 37 4 9,214 2,538 28 5

$30,000 to $34,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737 279 38 6 14,270 3,516 25 6

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670 239 36 5 12,997 2,315 18 4

$40,000 to $49,999 ............... 1,209 504 42 10 22,075 6,477 29 12

$50,000 to $74,999 ............... 2,754 1,129 41 23 48,999 11,742 24 22

$75,000 to $99,999 ............... 1,739 714 41 15 29,112 7,368 25 14

$100,000 or more ................ 1,977 784 40 16 33,008 8,395 25 15

Not reported..................... 1,568 626 40 13 27,953 7,356 26 14

Education

11 years or less .................. 1,724 616 36 13 31,126 6,435 21 12

12 years ........................ 4,896 1,846 38 38 93,320 22,212 24 41

1 to 3 years college ............... 3,235 1,341 41 27 56,700 16,334 29 30

4 years college ................... 1,750 697 40 14 26,887 6,165 23 11

5 or more years college . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 400 44 8 11,893 3,287 28 6

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

1 Hunters on public land include those who hunted on both public and private land. 2 Days of hunting on public land includes both days spent solely on public land and those spent on public and private land.

Note: Percent of total hunters and percent of total days are based on the total hunters and total days columns for each row. Percent of hunters using public land and percent of days on

public land are based on the total number of hunters on public land and total number of days on public land, respectively.
82 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 29. Hunters and Days of Hunting on Private Land by Selected Characteristic: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Hunters Days of hunting

Total

hunters,

public and

private land

Hunters on private land1

Total days,

public and

private land

Days on private land2

Number

Percent of

total hunters

Percent of

hunters

using

private land Number

Percent of

total days

Percent of

days on

private land

Total persons ........................ 12,510 10,206 82 100 219,925 164,319 75 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban............................. 5,675 4,311 76 42 80,603 54,671 68 33

Rural ............................. 6,835 5,895 86 58 139,323 109,649 79 67

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ...... 7,785 6,234 80 61 128,551 93,046 72 57

1,000,000 or more ................. 3,551 2,818 79 28 58,281 44,195 76 27

250,000 to 999,999 ................ 2,143 1,709 80 17 36,109 23,816 66 14

Less than 249,999.................. 2,092 1,707 82 17 34,162 25,035 73 15

Outside MSA ...................... 4,724 3,972 84 39 91,374 71,273 78 43

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374 314 84 3 6,653 4,689 70 3

Middle Atlantic ..................... 1,520 1,208 79 12 28,755 20,411 71 12

East North Central .................. 2,376 2,039 86 20 41,709 32,062 77 20

West North Central .................. 1,779 1,608 90 16 27,062 22,150 82 13

South Atlantic ...................... 1,884 1,655 88 16 35,332 27,688 78 17

East South Central .................. 1,101 1,020 93 10 25,685 21,755 85 13

West South Central .................. 1,810 1,573 87 15 34,237 28,236 82 17

Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868 355 41 3 9,869 3,050 31 2

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 798 436 55 4 10,625 4,278 40 3

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 501 392 78 4 6,277 4,592 73 3

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 787 81 8 18,312 14,092 77 9

25 to 34 years ...................... 2,058 1,697 82 17 36,459 27,087 74 16

35 to 44 years ...................... 3,074 2,501 81 25 54,330 39,891 73 24

45 to 54 years ...................... 2,870 2,326 81 23 51,817 39,447 76 24

55 to 64 years ...................... 1,852 1,502 81 15 31,946 23,618 74 14

65 years and older ................... 1,186 1,002 84 10 20,784 15,593 75 9

Sex

Male.............................. 11,351 9,288 82 91 208,244 155,560 75 95

Female ............................ 1,159 919 79 9 11,681 8,759 75 5

Ethnicity

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 424 312 74 3 4,432 2,584 58 2

Non-Hispanic ....................... 12,085 9,894 82 97 215,494 161,735 75 98

Race

White ............................. 12,028 9,835 82 96 211,524 158,186 75 96

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 167 86 2 3,281 2,695 82 2

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 *22 *43 *(Z) 608 *265 *44 *(Z)

All others. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 182 77 2 4,513 3,173 70 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 185 83 2 3,766 2,581 69 2

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 580 438 75 4 9,134 6,470 71 4

$20,000 to $24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 486 421 87 4 9,397 7,787 83 5

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 567 430 76 4 9,214 6,967 76 4

$30,000 to $34,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 737 611 83 6 14,270 10,451 73 6

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 670 528 79 5 12,997 9,891 76 6

$40,000 to $49,999 .................. 1,209 964 80 9 22,075 15,836 72 10

$50,000 to $74,999 .................. 2,754 2,281 83 22 48,999 36,530 75 22

$75,000 to $99,999 .................. 1,739 1,377 79 13 29,112 22,090 76 13

$100,000 or more ................... 1,977 1,675 85 16 33,008 25,437 77 15

Not reported........................ 1,568 1,297 83 13 27,953 20,280 73 12

Education

11 years or less ..................... 1,724 1,413 82 14 31,126 24,345 78 15

12 years ........................... 4,896 3,928 80 38 93,320 68,000 73 41

1 to 3 years college .................. 3,235 2,621 81 26 56,700 41,903 74 26

4 years college ...................... 1,750 1,503 86 15 26,887 20,780 77 13

5 or more years college . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 741 82 7 11,893 9,291 78 6

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

1 Hunters on private land include those who hunted on both private and public land. 2 Days of hunting on private land includes both days spent solely on private land and those spent on private and public land.

Note: Percent of total hunters and percent of total days are based on the total hunters and total days columns for each row. Percent of hunters using private land and percent of days

on private land are based on the total number of hunters on private land and total number of days on private land, respectively.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 83

Table 30. Anglers Fishing From Boats and Days of Participation by Type of Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Participants and days

of fishing

Total, all fishing Freshwater, excludes

Great Lakes Great Lakes Saltwater

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total anglers ...................... 29,952 100 25,035 100 1,420 100 7,717 100

Anglers fishing from boats.......... 17,035 57 13,073 52 1,054 74 5,304 69

Total days of fishing ................ 516,781 100 419,942 100 18,016 100 85,663 100

Days fishing from boats............ 246,038 48 185,074 44 10,728 60 50,236 59

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponses.

Table 31. Anglers Fishing From Motorboats and Non-Motorboats: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Anglers Number Percent

Anglers who use boats, total .................................................. 17,035 100

Anglers fishing most often from a motorboat .................................... 12,475 73

Anglers fishing most often from a non-motorboat ................................ 3,743 22

Note: Detail does not add to total because of nonresponses.
84 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 32. Boats and Boat Launches Used by Anglers and Completion of Boating Safety Courses: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Boating facts Number Percent

LENGTH OF BOAT USED MOST OFTEN

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Less than 13 feet........................................................... 2,342 14

13 to 16 feet .............................................................. 4,697 28

17 to 19 feet .............................................................. 3,435 20

20 to 25 feet .............................................................. 3,163 19

26 to 30 feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719 4

31 to 40 feet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 454 3

41 feet or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 3

DISTANCE TO BOAT LAUNCH USED MOST OFTEN

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Less than 1 mile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343 2

1 to 5 miles ............................................................... 1,366 8

6 to 10 miles .............................................................. 1,068 6

11 to 20 miles ............................................................. 1,413 8

21 to 30 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911 5

31 to 40 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 4

41 to 50 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 619 4

51 to 75 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 665 4

76 to 100 miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 514 3

101 miles or more .......................................................... 1,415 8

Did not use a boat launch...................................................... 7,882 46

COMPLETED A BOATING SAFETY COURSE

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Completed course .......................................................... 3,489 20

Did not complete or attempt course ............................................ 13,040 77

Note: Detail does not add to total because of nonresponses.

Table 33. Anglers Fishing Most Often From Boats Alone or With Others: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Anglers and their boating companions Number Percent

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Fished most often alone ..................................................... 1,854 11

Fished most often with friends................................................ 7,819 46

Fished most often with spouse/partner.......................................... 5,042 30

Fished most often with children............................................... 3,746 22

Fished most often with parents................................................ 1,594 9

Fished most often with other family ........................................... 3,897 23

Fished most often with other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 4

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponses. Adds to more than the total because anglers fished with people in more than one

category.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 85

Table 34. Information Used by Anglers Fishing From Boats: 2006

Information sources and types Number Percent

TYPES OF INFORMATION

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Directions to boat launch .................................................... 1,228 7

Directions to fishing sites.................................................... 1,980 12

Boating rules and regulations................................................. 1,595 9

Fishing rules and regulations ................................................. 2,686 16

Water attributes (e.g., depth).................................................. 1,960 12

Fish species ............................................................... 4,697 28

Weather conditions ......................................................... 4,029 24

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 522 3

None. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 838 5

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Total anglers using boats ..................................................... 17,035 100

Published boating guide ..................................................... 1,086 6

Internet................................................................... 2,795 16

TV or radio ............................................................... 1,922 11

Call-in service center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 1

State fish and game agency .................................................. 1,416 8

Magazines and newspapers................................................... 1,471 9

Boating, fishing, outdoor shows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 365 2

Friends, family, other anglers/boaters........................................... 4,620 27

Bait and tackle shop ........................................................ 1,867 11

Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,119 7

None..................................................................... 6,619 39

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponses.

Table 35. Participation in Ice Fishing and Fly-Fishing: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Anglers and days Number Percent

Total anglers................................................................ 29,952 100

Ice anglers ............................................................... 1,723 6

Fly-anglers................................................................ 3,012 10

Total days of fishing ......................................................... 516,781 100

Days of ice fishing ......................................................... 14,036 3

Days of fly-fishing ......................................................... 30,259 6

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 36. Participation in Catch-and-Release Fishing: 2006

Anglers Number Percent

Total anglers................................................................ 29,952 100

Anglers who caught fish..................................................... 26,265 88

Anglers who caught fish they legally could have kept ............................. 24,133 81

Anglers who released some fish they legally could have kept....................... 20,190 67

Anglers who released all fish they legally could have kept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,114 20

Percent of fish caught that were released . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 (X)

(X) Not applicable.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.
86 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 37. Hunters Using Bows and Arrows, Muzzleloaders, or Other Firearms: 2006

Hunters Number Percent

Total hunters ............................................................... 12,510 100

Hunters using bow and arrow................................................. 3,501 28

Hunters using muzzleloader .................................................. 2,484 20

Hunters using other firearm (e.g., shotgun, rifle) ................................. 11,633 93

Total days of hunting ........................................................ 219,925 100

With bow and arrow ........................................................ 50,027 23

With muzzleloader ......................................................... 16,787 8

With other firearm (e.g., shotgun, rifle)......................................... 147,176 67

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.

Table 38. Land Owned or Leased for the Primary Purpose of Fishing or Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years of age or older. Numbers in thousands)

Fishing and hunting Number Percent

LAND OWNERSHIP

Sportspersons Owning Land

Total sportspersons ......................................................... 2,132 100

Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 967 45

Hunters .................................................................. 1,336 63

Acres Owned

Total acres owned .......................................................... 167,733 100

Acres for fishing .......................................................... 33,395 20

Acres for hunting .......................................................... 134,338 80

Expenditures for Land Owned

Total expenditures .......................................................... 7,923,079 100

For fishing ............................................................... 4,276,492 54

For hunting............................................................... 3,646,587 46

LAND LEASING

Sportspersons Leasing Land

Total sportspersons ......................................................... 1,055 100

Anglers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 22

Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 860 82

Acres Leased

Total acres leased ........................................................... 226,416 100

Acres for fishing .......................................................... 9,647 4

Acres for hunters .......................................................... 216,769 96

Expenditures for Land Leased

Total expenditures .......................................................... 1,063,263 100

For fishing ............................................................... 322,496 30

For hunting............................................................... 740,767 70

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 87

Table 39. Wildlife-Watching Participants by Type of Activity: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Activity Number Percent

Total participants ..................... 71,132 100

Away from home .................... 22,977 32

Observe wildlife................... 21,546 30

Photograph wildlife ................ 11,708 16

Feed wildlife...................... 7,084 10

Activity Number Percent

Around the home .................... 67,756 95

Observe wildlife................... 44,467 63

Photograph wildlife ................ 18,763 26

Feed wildlife...................... 55,512 78

Visit public parks or areas1 ......... 13,271 19

Maintain plantings or natural areas . . 14,508 20

1 Includes visits only to parks or publicly held areas within one mile of home.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 40. Participants, Area Visited, Trips, and Days of Participation in Wildlife Watching Away From

Home: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Participants, area visited, trips, and days of participation Number Percent

PARTICIPANTS

Total participants................................................................ 0 22,977 10

Observe wildlife ............................................................... 4 21,546 9

Photograph wildlife ............................................................. 1 1 1,708 5

Feed wildlife .................................................................. 1 7,084 3

AREA VISITED

Total, all areas .................................................................. 0 22,977 10

Public only .................................................................... 3 12,199 5

Private only ................................................................... 1 2,534 1

Public and private .............................................................. 7 6,175 2

Not reported ................................................................... 9 2,069

TRIPS

Total trips....................................................................... 0 232,643 10

Average days per trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 (X)

DAYS

Total days....................................................................... 0 352,070 10

Observing wildlife.............................................................. 3 291,027 8

Photographing wildlife .......................................................... 0 103,872 3

Feeding wildlife................................................................ 2 77,329 2

Average days per participant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 (X)

Observing wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 (X)

Photographing wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 (X)

Feeding wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 (X)

(X) Not applicable.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
88 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 41. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities Around the Home: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Activity Number Percent

Total around the home .......... 67,756 100

Observe wildlife ............... 44,467 66

Photograph wildlife ............ 18,763 28

Feed wildlife.................. 55,512 82

Visit public parks or other public

areas1 ....................... 13,271 20

Maintain natural areas ......... 10,248 15

Maintain plantings ............. 9,587 14

OBSERVE WILDLIFE

Participants observing:

Total, all wildlife.............. 44,467 100

Birds....................... 41,821 94

Land mammals, all .......... 36,644 82

Large mammals........... 21,295 48

Small mammals ........... 33,934 76

Amphibians or reptiles ...... 12,750 29

Insects or spiders............ 15,983 36

Fish or other wildlife ........ 9,067 20

Participants observing:

Total, 1 day or more .......... 44,467 100

1 to 10 days ................ 9,402 21

11 to 20 days ............... 3,332 7

21 to 50 days .............. 5,437 12

51 to 100 days .............. 6,516 15

101 to 200 days ............. 6,486 15

201 days or more............ 12,434 28

VISIT PUBLIC PARKS OR

AREAS1

Participants visiting:

Total, 1 day or more .......... 13,271 100

1 to 5 days ................. 6,406 48

6 to 10 days ................ 2,073 16

11 days or more ............. 4,595 35

Activity Number Percent

PHOTOGRAPH WILDLIFE

Participants photographing:

Total, 1 day or more .......... 18,763 100

1 day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,671 14

2 to 3 days ................. 5,451 29

4 to 5 days ................. 2,446 13

6 to 10 days ................ 2,846 15

11 to 20 days ............... 1,972 11

21 days or more............. 2,866 15

FEED WILDLIFE

Participants feeding:

Total, all wildlife.............. 55,512 100

Wild birds .................. 53,350 96

Other wildlife ............... 19,177 35

MAINTAIN NATURAL AREAS

Participants maintaining:

Total, all acreages............. 10,248 100

1 acre or less ............... 6,379 62

2 to 10 acres................ 2,625 26

11 to 50 acres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 820 8

More than 50 acres . . . . . . . . . 369 4

MAINTAIN PLANTINGS

Participants maintaining

plantings ..................... 9,587 100

Participants spending:

Less than $25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,975 41

$25 to $75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,283 24

More than $75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,833 30

Average expenditure per

participant for plantings . . . . . . . . . $171 (X)

(X) Not applicable.

1 Includes visits only to parks or publicly held areas within 1 mile of home.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 89

Table 42. Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers by Wildlife Observed, Photographed, or Fed and Place:

2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Wildlife observed, photographed,

or fed

Total participants

Participation by place

Total In state of residence In other states

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all wildlife .................. 22,977 100 22,977 100 19,095 83 7,530 33

Total birds ....................... 20,025 87 20,025 100 17,071 85 6,938 35

Songbirds (cardinals, robins, etc.) . . . 13,715 60 13,715 100 11,874 87 4,500 33

Birds of prey (hawks, eagles, etc.) . . . 14,018 61 14,018 100 11,544 82 5,129 37

Waterfowl (ducks, geese, etc.) ....... 15,362 67 15,362 100 13,098 85 5,129 33

Other water birds (shorebirds,

herons, cranes, etc.) .............. 11,535 50 11,535 100 9,073 79 4,277 37

Other birds (pheasants, turkeys, road

runners, etc.) .................... 8,805 38 8,805 100 7,326 83 2,657 30

Total land mammals ............... 16,192 70 16,192 100 13,630 84 5,611 35

Large land mammals (deer, bear, etc.) 12,761 56 12,761 100 10,478 82 4,340 34

Small land mammals (squirrel, prairie

dog, etc.) ...................... 13,446 59 13,446 100 11,274 84 4,693 35

Fish (salmon, shark, etc.) ............. 6,754 29 6,754 100 5,276 78 2,412 36

Marine mammals (whales, dolphins,

etc.) ............................. 3,384 15 3,384 100 2,126 63 1,471 43

Other wildlife (turtles, butterflies, etc.) . . 10,358 45 10,358 100 8,697 84 3,430 33

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Column showing percent of total participants is based on the ‘‘Total, all wildlife’’ number. Participation

by place percent columns are based on the total number of participants for each type of wildlife.

Table 43. Wild Bird Observers and Days of Observation: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Observers and days of observation Number Percent

OBSERVERS

Total bird observers ......................................................... 47,693 100

Around-the-home observers .................................................. 41,821 88

Away-from-home observers .................................................. 19,860 42

DAYS

Total days observing birds.................................................... 5,473,398 100

Around the home........................................................... 5,202,536 95

Away from home........................................................... 270,861 5

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.
90 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 44. Expenditures for Wildlife Watching: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older)

Expenditure item Expenditures

(thousands

of dollars)

Spenders

Number

(thousands)

Percent of

wildlife-watching

participants1

Average per spender

(dollars)

Total, all items2

........................................ 45,654,960 55,979 79 816

TRIP-RELATED EXPENDITURES

Total trip-related ...................................... 12,875,152 19,443 85 662

Food and lodging, total ................................ 7,516,281 16,415 71 458

Food ............................................... 4,298,403 16,261 71 264

Lodging ............................................ 3,217,878 6,624 29 486

Transportation, total ................................... 4,456,013 18,329 80 243

Public ............................................. 1,566,963 2,902 13 540

Private ............................................. 2,889,050 17,447 76 166

Other trip costs, total .................................. 902,858 7,681 33 118

Guide fees, pack trip or package fees..................... 250,047 1,570 7 159

Public land use fees................................... 140,508 4,331 19 32

Private land use fees .................................. 66,145 1,173 5 56

Equipment rental ..................................... 148,706 1,274 6 117

Boating costs3 ....................................... 224,981 1,474 6 153

Heating and cooking fuel .............................. 72,470 1,885 8 38

EQUIPMENT AND OTHER EXPENSES

Total ................................................. 32,779,808 52,178 73 628

Wildlife-watching equipment, total ....................... 9,869,727 49,040 69 201

Binoculars, spotting scopes ............................. 656,462 5,269 7 125

Cameras, video cameras, special lenses, and other

photographic equipment .............................. 3,078,089 6,832 10 451

Film and developing .................................. 767,465 9,842 14 78

Bird food, total ...................................... 3,350,132 39,944 56 84

Commercially prepared and packaged wild bird food ...... 2,707,601 37,332 52 73

Other bulk foods used to feed wild birds ............... 642,531 11,448 16 56

Feed for other wildlife ................................ 664,554 10,341 15 64

Nest boxes, bird houses, feeders, baths ................... 789,918 16,481 23 48

Day packs, carrying cases, and special clothing ............ 451,524 3,388 5 133

Other wildlife-watching equipment (such as field guides and

maps) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111,582 3,755 5 30

Auxiliary equipment, total .............................. 1,033,060 4,848 7 213

Tents, tarps ......................................... 243,670 2,336 3 104

Frame packs and backpacking equipment ................. 140,371 1,138 2 123

Other camping equipment ............................. 368,281 2,298 3 160

Other auxiliary equipment (such as blinds) ................ 280,739 801 1 350

Special equipment, total ................................ 12,271,266 1,914 3 6,411

Off-the-road vehicle .................................. 3,819,030 586 1 6,520

Travel or tent trailer, pickup, camper, van, motor home, house

trailer, recreational vehicle (RV) ........................ 5,329,261 567 1 9,402

Boats, boat accessories ................................ 1,824,071 779 1 2,341

Cabins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ...

Other .............................................. *851,940 *205 *(Z) *4,154

Magazines, books ...................................... 359,681 9,490 13 38

Land leasing and ownership .............................. 6,551,517 871 1 7,524

Membership dues and contributions ........................ 1,052,496 7,932 11 133

Plantings.............................................. 1,642,061 6,543 9 251

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

1 Percent of wildlife-watching participants column is based on away-from-home participants for trip-related expenditures. For equipment and other expenditures the

percent of wildlife-watching participants is based on total participants. 2 Information on trip-related expenditures was collected for away-from-home participants only. Equipment and other expenditures are based on information collected from

both away-from-home and around-the-home participants. 3 Boating costs include launching, mooring, storage, maintenance, insurance, pumpout fees, and fuel.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 91

Table 45. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Away From Home: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Total wildlife-watching participants Total away-from-home participants

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ...................... 229,245 100 71,132 31 100 22,977 10 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban .......................... 176,740 77 46,641 26 66 15,483 9 67

Rural........................... 52,504 23 24,491 47 34 7,494 14 33

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ..... 190,425 83 55,477 29 78 17,892 9 78

1,000,000 or more ............... 120,356 53 31,523 26 44 10,294 9 45

250,000 to 999,999 .............. 46,506 20 15,483 33 22 4,870 10 21

Less than 249,999 ................ 23,562 10 8,471 36 12 2,729 12 12

Outside MSA .................... 38,820 17 15,655 40 22 5,085 13 22

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 11,233 5 4,489 40 6 1,340 12 6

Middle Atlantic ................... 31,518 14 8,723 28 12 2,729 9 12

East North Central ................. 35,609 16 12,215 34 17 3,792 11 17

West North Central................. 15,458 7 6,741 44 9 2,163 14 9

South Atlantic .................... 43,965 19 12,862 29 18 3,208 7 14

East South Central ................. 13,722 6 4,931 36 7 1,758 13 8

West South Central ................ 25,407 11 6,764 27 10 2,127 8 9

Mountain ....................... 15,651 7 4,968 32 7 2,004 13 9

Pacific .......................... 36,681 16 9,439 26 13 3,856 11 17

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,272 4 1,441 17 2 583 7 3

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23,292 10 3,279 14 5 1,083 5 5

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,468 16 7,813 21 11 3,053 8 13

35 to 44 years .................... 45,112 20 14,881 33 21 6,045 13 26

45 to 54 years .................... 44,209 19 16,542 37 23 5,225 12 23

55 to 64 years .................... 32,867 14 13,544 41 19 4,437 13 19

65 years and older ................. 38,024 17 13,633 36 19 2,551 7 11

Sex

Male, total ...................... 110,273 48 33,397 30 47 11,819 11 51

16 to 17 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,307 2 756 18 1 231 5 1

18 to 24 years .................. 11,638 5 1,517 13 2 470 4 2

25 to 34 years................... 18,278 8 3,561 19 5 1,469 8 6

35 to 44 years................... 21,946 10 7,291 33 10 3,350 15 15

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,352 9 8,242 39 12 2,716 13 12

55 to 64 years................... 16,157 7 6,203 38 9 2,320 14 10

65 years and older ............... 16,594 7 5,827 35 8 1,262 8 5

Female, total ..................... 118,972 52 37,735 32 53 11,159 9 49

16 to 17 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,965 2 684 17 1 352 9 2

18 to 24 years................... 11,655 5 1,762 15 2 613 5 3

25 to 34 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19,189 8 4,252 22 6 1,584 8 7

35 to 44 years................... 23,166 10 7,590 33 11 2,695 12 12

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,857 10 8,300 36 12 2,509 11 11

55 to 64 years................... 16,710 7 7,341 44 10 2,117 13 9

65 years and older................ 21,430 9 7,806 36 11 1,289 6 6

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 29,218 13 4,055 14 6 1,422 5 6

Non-Hispanic ..................... 200,027 87 67,077 34 94 21,556 11 94

Race

White .......................... 189,255 83 65,961 35 93 21,525 11 94

Black .......................... 25,925 11 2,630 10 4 686 3 3

Asian .......................... 10,104 4 1,276 13 2 414 4 2

All others ....................... 3,960 2 1,264 32 2 353 9 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................. 10,673 5 2,284 21 3 623 6 3

$10,000 to $19,999................. 15,373 7 3,820 25 5 919 6 4

$20,000 to $24,999 ................ 11,374 5 2,616 23 4 776 7 3

$25,000 to $29,999................. 10,524 5 3,233 31 5 881 8 4

$30,000 to $34,999 ................ 11,161 5 3,115 28 4 1,115 10 5

$35,000 to $39,999................. 10,349 5 3,430 33 5 1,030 10 4

$40,000 to $49,999 ................ 17,699 8 6,623 37 9 2,145 12 9

$50,000 to $74,999................. 33,434 15 13,345 40 19 4,716 14 21

$75,000 to $99,999 ................ 21,519 9 8,623 40 12 3,449 16 15

$100,000 or more ................. 29,159 13 12,433 43 17 4,620 16 20

Not reported...................... 57,981 25 11,609 20 16 2,704 5 12

Education

11 years or less ................... 34,621 15 6,920 20 10 1,406 4 6

12 years......................... 78,073 34 21,818 28 31 6,102 8 27

1 to 3 years college ................ 53,019 23 18,022 34 25 6,155 12 27

4 years college .................... 39,506 17 13,781 35 19 4,905 12 21

5 or more years college.............. 24,025 10 10,591 44 15 4,409 18 19

See footnotes at end of table.
92 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 45. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Away From Home:

2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Away-from-home participants

Observe Photograph Feed

Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent

Total persons ...................... 21,546 9 100 11,708 5 100 7,084 3 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban .......................... 14,594 8 68 7,787 4 67 4,877 3 69

Rural........................... 6,952 13 32 3,922 7 33 2,206 4 31

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ..... 16,792 9 78 9,285 5 79 5,535 3 78

1,000,000 or more ............... 9,632 8 45 5,498 5 47 3,401 3 48

250,000 to 999,999 .............. 4,596 10 21 2,497 5 21 1,334 3 19

Less than 249,999 ............... 2,563 11 12 1,290 5 11 800 3 11

Outside MSA..................... 4,754 12 22 2,423 6 21 1,548 4 22

Census Geographic Division

New England ..................... 1,245 11 6 677 6 6 327 3 5

Middle Atlantic ................... 2,517 8 12 1,552 5 13 873 3 12

East North Central ................. 3,637 10 17 1,830 5 16 1,267 4 18

West North Central................. 2,075 13 10 1,057 7 9 686 4 10

South Atlantic .................... 2,936 7 14 1,627 4 14 1,250 3 18

East South Central ................. 1,652 12 8 769 6 7 612 4 9

West South Central................. 1,915 8 9 961 4 8 919 4 13

Mountain ........................ 1,899 12 9 1,088 7 9 409 3 6

Pacific ......................... 3,669 10 17 2,147 6 18 739 2 10

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 524 6 2 *289 *3 *2 *125 *2 *2

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 955 4 4 554 2 5 346 1 5

25 to 34 years .................... 2,725 7 13 1,512 4 13 871 2 12

35 to 44 years .................... 5,787 13 27 3,043 7 26 2,092 5 30

45 to 54 years .................... 4,802 11 22 2,793 6 24 1,479 3 21

55 to 64 years .................... 4,291 13 20 2,361 7 20 1,321 4 19

65 years and older ................. 2,462 6 11 1,156 3 10 848 2 12

Sex

Male, total ...................... 10,983 10 51 5,795 5 49 3,348 3 47

16 to 17 years................... *217 *5 *1 *97 *2 *1 ... ... ...

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420 4 2 *169 *1 *1 *159 *1 *2

25 to 34 years................... 1,300 7 6 760 4 6 339 2 5

35 to 44 years................... 3,172 14 15 1,582 7 14 986 4 14

45 to 54 years .................. 2,449 11 11 1,367 6 12 761 4 11

55 to 64 years................... 2,212 14 10 1,183 7 10 565 3 8

65 years and older ............... 1,214 7 6 637 4 5 491 3 7

Female, total ..................... 10,562 9 49 5,914 5 51 3,735 3 53

16 to 17 years .................. *307 *8 *1 *192 *5 *2 ... ... ...

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535 5 2 385 3 3 *187 *2 *3

25 to 34 years................... 1,425 7 7 752 4 6 533 3 8

35 to 44 years .................. 2,614 11 12 1,461 6 12 1,106 5 16

45 to 54 years .................. 2,354 10 11 1,426 6 12 719 3 10

55 to 64 years................... 2,079 12 10 1,179 7 10 756 5 11

65 years and older................ 1,248 6 6 519 2 4 358 2 5

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 1,252 4 6 775 3 7 503 2 7

Non-Hispanic ..................... 20,293 10 94 10,933 5 93 6,581 3 93

Race

White .......................... 20,239 11 94 10,901 6 93 6,496 3 92

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622 2 3 366 1 3 *183 *1 *3

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 392 4 2 *213 *2 *2 *232 *2 *3

All others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 7 1 228 6 2 *173 *4 *2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 6 3 *235 *2 *2 *214 *2 *3

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 835 5 4 373 2 3 303 2 4

$20,000 to $24,999 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 719 6 3 373 3 3 357 3 5

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 805 8 4 421 4 4 265 3 4

$30,000 to $34,999 ................ 1,011 9 5 586 5 5 525 5 7

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 995 10 5 476 5 4 359 3 5

$40,000 to $49,999 ................ 1,946 11 9 1,066 6 9 669 4 9

$50,000 to $74,999 ................ 4,414 13 20 2,277 7 19 1,288 4 18

$75,000 to $99,999 ................ 3,296 15 15 1,804 8 15 1,176 5 17

$100,000 or more ................. 4,318 15 20 2,803 10 24 1,064 4 15

Not reported...................... 2,596 4 12 1,295 2 11 863 1 12

Education

11 years or less ................... 1,266 4 6 669 2 6 499 1 7

12 years......................... 5,581 7 26 2,651 3 23 2,057 3 29

1 to 3 years college ................ 5,808 11 27 3,236 6 28 2,084 4 29

4 years college .................... 4,667 12 22 2,574 7 22 1,297 3 18

5 or more years college.............. 4,224 18 20 2,579 11 22 1,147 5 16

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Percent who participated columns show the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named by the column.

Percent columns show the percent of each column’s participants who are described by the row heading.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 93

Table 46. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Around the Home: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Total wildlife-watching participants Total around-the-home participants

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ...................... 229,245 100 71,132 31 100 67,756 30 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban .......................... 176,740 77 46,641 26 66 44,064 25 65

Rural .......................... 52,504 23 24,491 47 34 23,692 45 35

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ..... 190,425 83 55,477 29 78 52,820 28 78

1,000,000 or more ............... 120,356 53 31,523 26 44 30,000 25 44

250,000 to 999,999 ............... 46,506 20 15,483 33 22 14,763 32 22

Less than 249,999 ............... 23,562 10 8,471 36 12 8,057 34 12

Outside MSA .................... 38,820 17 15,655 40 22 14,936 38 22

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 11,233 5 4,489 40 6 4,310 38 6

Middle Atlantic ................... 31,518 14 8,723 28 12 8,451 27 12

East North Central ................. 35,609 16 12,215 34 17 11,845 33 17

West North Central................. 15,458 7 6,741 44 9 6,447 42 10

South Atlantic .................... 43,965 19 12,862 29 18 12,432 28 18

East South Central ................. 13,722 6 4,931 36 7 4,683 34 7

West South Central................. 25,407 11 6,764 27 10 6,319 25 9

Mountain ........................ 15,651 7 4,968 32 7 4,605 29 7

Pacific ......................... 36,681 16 9,439 26 13 8,664 24 13

Age

16 to 17 years .................... 8,272 4 1,441 17 2 1,285 16 2

18 to 24 years .................... 23,292 10 3,279 14 5 2,969 13 4

25 to 34 years .................... 37,468 16 7,813 21 11 7,149 19 11

35 to 44 years .................... 45,112 20 14,881 33 21 13,800 31 20

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,209 19 16,542 37 23 16,051 36 24

55 to 64 years .................... 32,867 14 13,544 41 19 13,042 40 19

65 years and older ................. 38,024 17 13,633 36 19 13,460 35 20

Sex

Male, total ...................... 110,273 48 33,397 30 47 31,456 29 46

16 to 17 years................... 4,307 2 756 18 1 692 16 1

18 to 24 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,638 5 1,517 13 2 1,369 12 2

25 to 34 years .................. 18,278 8 3,561 19 5 3,258 18 5

35 to 44 years................... 21,946 10 7,291 33 10 6,632 30 10

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21,352 9 8,242 39 12 7,947 37 12

55 to 64 years................... 16,157 7 6,203 38 9 5,816 36 9

65 years and older ............... 16,594 7 5,827 35 8 5,742 35 8

Female, total ..................... 118,972 52 37,735 32 53 36,300 31 54

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,965 2 684 17 1 593 15 1

18 to 24 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,655 5 1,762 15 2 1,600 14 2

25 to 34 years................... 19,189 8 4,252 22 6 3,891 20 6

35 to 44 years................... 23,166 10 7,590 33 11 7,169 31 11

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22,857 10 8,300 36 12 8,104 35 12

55 to 64 years................... 16,710 7 7,341 44 10 7,226 43 11

65 years and older................ 21,430 9 7,806 36 11 7,718 36 11

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 29,218 13 4,055 14 6 3,604 12 5

Non-Hispanic ..................... 200,027 87 67,077 34 94 64,152 32 95

Race

White .......................... 189,255 83 65,961 35 93 62,872 33 93

Black .......................... 25,925 11 2,630 10 4 2,482 10 4

Asian .......................... 10,104 4 1,276 13 2 1,259 12 2

All others ....................... 3,960 2 1,264 32 2 1,144 29 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................. 10,673 5 2,284 21 3 2,218 21 3

$10,000 to $19,999................. 15,373 7 3,820 25 5 3,724 24 5

$20,000 to $24,999 ................ 11,374 5 2,616 23 4 2,538 22 4

$25,000 to $29,999................. 10,524 5 3,233 31 5 3,107 30 5

$30,000 to $34,999 ................ 11,161 5 3,115 28 4 2,893 26 4

$35,000 to $39,999................. 10,349 5 3,430 33 5 3,189 31 5

$40,000 to $49,999 ................ 17,699 8 6,623 37 9 6,415 36 9

$50,000 to $74,999................. 33,434 15 13,345 40 19 12,599 38 19

$75,000 to $99,999 ................ 21,519 9 8,623 40 12 7,996 37 12

$100,000 or more ................. 29,159 13 12,433 43 17 11,757 40 17

Not reported...................... 57,981 25 11,609 20 16 11,322 20 17

Education

11 years or less ................... 34,621 15 6,920 20 10 6,621 19 10

12 years......................... 78,073 34 21,818 28 31 20,876 27 31

1 to 3 years college ................ 53,019 23 18,022 34 25 17,018 32 25

4 years college .................... 39,506 17 13,781 35 19 13,246 34 20

5 or more years college.............. 24,025 10 10,591 44 15 9,995 42 15

See footnotes at end of table.
94 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 46. Selected Characteristics of Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities Around the Home:

2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Around-the-home participants

Observe Photograph Feed wild birds

Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent

Total persons ...................... 44,467 19 100 18,763 8 100 53,350 23 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban .......................... 28,296 16 64 11,622 7 62 33,540 19 63

Rural........................... 16,171 31 36 7,141 14 38 19,810 38 37

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) ..... 34,307 18 77 14,639 8 78 40,866 21 77

1,000,000 or more ............... 18,989 16 43 8,688 7 46 22,590 19 42

250,000 to 999,999 .............. 9,743 21 22 3,909 8 21 11,606 25 22

Less than 249,999 ............... 5,575 24 13 2,041 9 11 6,670 28 13

Outside MSA..................... 10,159 26 23 4,125 11 22 12,484 32 23

Census Geographic Division

New England ..................... 3,080 27 7 1,275 11 7 3,337 30 6

Middle Atlantic ................... 5,375 17 12 2,127 7 11 6,668 21 12

East North Central ................. 7,459 21 17 3,380 9 18 9,631 27 18

West North Central................. 4,472 29 10 1,597 10 9 5,190 34 10

South Atlantic .................... 7,854 18 18 3,402 8 18 10,100 23 19

East South Central ................. 3,225 23 7 1,074 8 6 3,956 29 7

West South Central................. 3,995 16 9 2,041 8 11 5,387 21 10

Mountain ....................... 3,093 20 7 1,312 8 7 3,096 20 6

Pacific ......................... 5,915 16 13 2,554 7 14 5,986 16 11

Age

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 682 8 2 443 5 2 844 10 2

18 to 24 years .................... 1,655 7 4 739 3 4 2,104 9 4

25 to 34 years .................... 4,300 11 10 2,236 6 12 4,938 13 9

35 to 44 years .................... 9,019 20 20 4,512 10 24 10,337 23 19

45 to 54 years .................... 10,600 24 24 4,905 11 26 12,771 29 24

55 to 64 years .................... 9,230 28 21 3,548 11 19 10,769 33 20

65 years and older ................. 8,982 24 20 2,381 6 13 11,587 30 22

Sex

Male, total ...................... 20,272 18 46 9,033 8 48 24,001 22 45

16 to 17 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 7 1 *230 *5 *1 456 11 1

18 to 24 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 758 7 2 406 3 2 1,009 9 2

25 to 34 years .................. 2,022 11 5 1,018 6 5 2,087 11 4

35 to 44 years................... 4,333 20 10 2,185 10 12 4,892 22 9

45 to 54 years .................. 5,093 24 11 2,479 12 13 5,998 28 11

55 to 64 years .................. 4,027 25 9 1,539 10 8 4,686 29 9

65 years and older ............... 3,747 23 8 1,176 7 6 4,873 29 9

Female, total ..................... 24,195 20 54 9,731 8 52 29,350 25 55

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390 10 1 *212 *5 *1 388 10 1

18 to 24 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 8 2 333 3 2 1,095 9 2

25 to 34 years .................. 2,278 12 5 1,219 6 6 2,851 15 5

35 to 44 years .................. 4,686 20 11 2,327 10 12 5,445 24 10

45 to 54 years .................. 5,506 24 12 2,425 11 13 6,773 30 13

55 to 64 years .................. 5,202 31 12 2,009 12 11 6,083 36 11

65 years and older................ 5,235 24 12 1,206 6 6 6,714 31 13

Ethnicity

Hispanic ........................ 2,042 7 5 708 2 4 2,459 8 5

Non-Hispanic ..................... 42,425 21 95 18,055 9 96 50,891 25 95

Race

White .......................... 41,544 22 93 17,560 9 94 49,559 26 93

Black .......................... 1,511 6 3 546 2 3 1,931 7 4

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 662 7 1 402 4 2 953 9 2

All others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 749 19 2 255 6 1 907 23 2

Annual Household Income

Less than $10,000 ................. 1,397 13 3 391 4 2 1,791 17 3

$10,000 to $19,999................. 2,192 14 5 705 5 4 3,135 20 6

$20,000 to $24,999................. 1,644 14 4 437 4 2 2,168 19 4

$25,000 to $29,999................. 1,832 17 4 778 7 4 2,368 22 4

$30,000 to $34,999 ................ 2,058 18 5 659 6 4 2,235 20 4

$35,000 to $39,999................. 2,106 20 5 714 7 4 2,475 24 5

$40,000 to $49,999 ................ 4,023 23 9 1,643 9 9 5,062 29 9

$50,000 to $74,999 ................ 8,349 25 19 3,961 12 21 10,264 31 19

$75,000 to $99,999 ................ 5,192 24 12 2,606 12 14 6,327 29 12

$100,000 or more ................. 8,133 28 18 4,078 14 22 8,758 30 16

Not reported...................... 7,540 13 17 2,793 5 15 8,767 15 16

Education

11 years or less ................... 4,015 12 9 1,057 3 6 5,246 15 10

12 years......................... 12,827 16 29 4,986 6 27 17,099 22 32

1 to 3 years college ................ 11,316 21 25 5,092 10 27 13,556 26 25

4 years college .................... 9,046 23 20 4,250 11 23 9,915 25 19

5 or more years college.............. 7,262 30 16 3,378 14 18 7,534 31 14

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse. Percent who participated columns show the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named

by the column. Percent columns show the percent of each column’s participants who are described by the row heading.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 95

Table 47. Land Owned or Leased for the Primary Purpose of Wildlife Watching: 2006

(Population 16 years of age or older. Numbers in thousands)

Wildlife watching Number Average per person

Land Ownership for Wildlife Watching

Participants owning land..................................................... 1,121 (X)

Acres owned .............................................................. 38,276 34

Expenditures for owned land ................................................. 6,235,351 5,562

Land Leasing for Wildlife Watching

Participants leasing land ..................................................... *192 (X)

Acres leased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *11,878 *62

Expenditures for leased land.................................................. *316,166 *1,646

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. (X) Not applicable.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.

Table 48. Participation of Wildlife-Watching Participants in Fishing and Hunting: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Type of fishing and hunting

Total Away from home Around the home

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total participants ......................... 71,132 100 22,977 100 67,756 100

Nonsportspersons ......................... 53,496 75 14,386 63 52,395 77

Sportspersons ............................ 17,636 25 8,591 37 15,361 23

Anglers ............................... 15,621 22 7,596 33 13,657 20

Hunters ............................... 7,149 10 3,705 16 6,195 9

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.

Table 49. Participation of Sportspersons in Wildlife-Watching Activities: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Wildlife-watching activity

Sportspersons Anglers Hunters

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total sportspersons ........................ 33,916 100 29,952 100 12,510 100

Sportspersons who:

Did not engage in wildlife-watching activities. . 16,280 48 14,332 48 5,361 43

Engaged in wildlife-watching activities ....... 17,636 52 15,621 52 7,149 57

Away from home ....................... 8,591 25 7,596 25 3,705 30

Around the home ....................... 15,361 45 13,657 46 6,195 50

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses and nonresponse.
96 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 50. Participation in Wildlife-Associated Recreation by State Residents Inside and Outside Their

Resident State: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Participant’s state

of residence

Population

Total participants Sportspersons Wildlife-watching participants

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total .... 229,245 87,465 38 33,916 15 71,132 31

Alabama ................ 3,550 1,417 40 707 20 1,006 28

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499 288 58 149 30 207 42

Arizona ................ 4,585 1,233 27 418 9 988 22

Arkansas ............... 2,156 1,082 50 551 26 859 40

California .............. 27,299 6,804 25 1,783 7 5,799 21

Colorado ................ 3,605 1,735 48 593 16 1,459 40

Connecticut.............. 2,735 1,223 45 297 11 1,102 40

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669 256 38 85 13 212 32

Florida ................. 14,233 4,626 33 2,004 14 3,520 25

Georgia ................ 6,910 2,415 35 1,161 17 1,819 26

Hawaii ................. 1,014 227 22 100 10 160 16

Idaho................... 1,102 564 51 259 24 432 39

Illinois ................. 9,767 2,886 30 1,109 11 2,355 24

Indiana ................. 4,799 2,279 47 822 17 1,825 38

Iowa ................... 2,339 1,306 56 518 22 1,111 48

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,110 979 46 425 20 787 37

Kentucky ............... 3,260 1,667 51 670 21 1,341 41

Louisiana ............... 3,433 1,106 32 678 20 712 21

Maine .................. 1,074 717 67 266 25 600 56

Maryland ............... 4,333 1,549 36 521 12 1,334 31

Massachusetts ........... 5,032 1,931 38 472 9 1,725 34

Michigan ............... 7,804 3,651 47 1,371 18 2,947 38

Minnesota .............. 4,021 2,480 62 1,280 32 1,946 48

Mississippi .............. 2,214 896 40 537 24 618 28

Missouri ................ 4,521 2,496 55 1,096 24 2,059 46

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 510 68 232 31 412 55

Nebraska................ 1,359 552 41 234 17 438 32

Nevada ................. 1,895 530 28 182 10 420 22

New Hampshire .......... 1,044 527 51 141 14 471 45

New Jersey .............. 6,734 1,826 27 562 8 1,537 23

New Mexico............. 1,500 601 40 224 15 490 33

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,990 4,103 27 1,236 8 3,548 24

North Carolina .......... 6,719 2,816 42 1,038 15 2,267 34

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 507 232 46 145 29 134 26

Ohio ................... 8,889 4,022 45 1,488 17 3,379 38

Oklahoma .............. 2,743 1,372 50 602 22 1,082 39

Oregon ................. 2,889 1,531 53 550 19 1,266 44

Pennsylvania............. 9,793 4,165 43 1,415 14 3,638 37

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 842 355 42 86 10 312 37

South Carolina ........... 3,315 1,283 39 595 18 943 28

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 327 54 136 23 266 44

Tennessee ............... 4,699 2,287 49 775 16 1,966 42

Texas................... 17,076 5,481 32 2,668 16 4,111 24

Utah ................... 1,808 764 42 351 19 574 32

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 311 62 91 18 279 55

Virginia ................. 5,893 2,500 42 857 15 2,126 36

Washington.............. 4,980 2,315 46 764 15 2,007 40

West Virginia ............ 1,458 735 50 364 25 585 40

Wisconsin ............... 4,350 2,217 51 1,185 27 1,710 39

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 229 57 113 28 194 48

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 97

Table 51. Participation in Wildlife-Associated Recreation in Each State by Both Residents and

Nonresidents of the State: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where activity

took place

Total participants Sportspersons Wildlife-watching participants

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 87,465 100 33,916 39 71,132 81

Alabama ................ 1,719 100 962 56 1,161 68

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 691 100 315 46 496 72

Arizona ................ 1,546 100 493 32 1,277 83

Arkansas ............... 1,419 100 790 56 1,011 71

California .............. 7,385 100 1,814 25 6,270 85

Colorado ................ 2,234 100 813 36 1,819 81

Connecticut.............. 1,332 100 309 23 1,170 88

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 395 100 189 48 285 72

Florida ................. 5,886 100 2,815 48 4,240 72

Georgia ................ 2,773 100 1,308 47 1,987 72

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366 100 162 44 262 72

Idaho................... 1,005 100 440 44 754 75

Illinois ................. 3,126 100 1,004 32 2,566 82

Indiana ................. 2,610 100 886 34 2,042 78

Iowa ................... 1,455 100 552 38 1,205 83

Kansas ................. 1,107 100 544 49 816 74

Kentucky ............... 1,906 100 820 43 1,475 77

Louisiana ............... 1,221 100 769 63 738 60

Maine .................. 1,007 100 411 41 801 80

Maryland ............... 1,867 100 707 38 1,491 80

Massachusetts ........... 2,205 100 532 24 1,919 87

Michigan ............... 4,217 100 1,685 40 3,227 77

Minnesota .............. 2,970 100 1,571 53 2,093 70

Mississippi .............. 1,138 100 656 58 731 64

Missouri ................ 2,876 100 1,300 45 2,248 78

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950 100 378 40 755 79

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 650 100 259 40 490 75

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 788 100 177 22 686 87

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . 839 100 258 31 710 85

New Jersey .............. 2,100 100 696 33 1,713 82

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 947 100 316 33 787 83

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,595 100 1,428 31 3,852 84

North Carolina .......... 3,412 100 1,361 40 2,641 77

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 279 100 190 68 148 53

Ohio ................... 4,247 100 1,488 35 3,489 82

Oklahoma .............. 1,472 100 684 46 1,110 75

Oregon ................. 1,837 100 661 36 1,484 81

Pennsylvania............. 4,663 100 1,520 33 3,947 85

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 527 100 163 31 436 83

South Carolina ........... 1,653 100 893 54 1,115 67

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 572 100 251 44 432 75

Tennessee ............... 2,824 100 969 34 2,362 84

Texas................... 6,029 100 2,940 49 4,225 70

Utah ................... 1,132 100 437 39 877 77

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 545 100 150 27 468 86

Virginia ................. 2,866 100 1,045 36 2,312 81

Washington.............. 2,739 100 818 30 2,331 85

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 994 100 488 49 743 75

Wisconsin ............... 2,913 100 1,582 54 2,039 70

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 762 100 264 35 643 84

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
98 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 52. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation by State Where Spending Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

State where spending

took place

Total, wildlife-associated expenditures Fishing and hunting expenditures

Total Trip-related Equipment Other Total Trip-related Equipment Other

United States, total .... 122,304,987 37,432,326 64,137,178 20,735,483 76,650,027 24,557,174 40,963,125 11,129,728

Alabama ................ 2,188,366 808,343 1,149,125 230,899 1,738,363 656,678 890,573 191,111

Alaska.................. 1,255,021 922,526 270,541 61,954 673,969 410,924 233,737 29,308

Arizona ................ 2,060,295 714,360 1,151,984 193,951 1,221,988 338,103 862,688 21,197

Arkansas ............... 2,093,535 569,231 1,089,988 434,316 1,486,462 454,352 775,713 256,397

California .............. 7,975,145 3,431,669 4,055,460 488,016 3,795,562 1,434,117 2,123,820 237,625

Colorado ................ 2,972,516 1,126,076 1,722,970 123,470 1,584,779 588,649 905,502 90,628

Connecticut.............. 873,137 189,759 596,284 87,095 363,187 136,733 201,185 25,269

Delaware................ 298,979 75,302 203,737 19,940 168,146 62,174 93,523 12,449

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,115,284 3,017,044 4,189,608 908,633 5,033,788 2,129,102 2,459,456 445,231

Georgia ................ 3,542,304 754,626 2,139,230 648,448 1,926,988 607,904 893,170 425,913

Hawaii ................. 373,778 268,563 98,427 6,787 163,363 83,464 77,922 1,977

Idaho................... 921,985 467,679 385,120 69,186 656,601 274,211 322,363 60,027

Illinois ................. 2,393,450 616,175 1,461,258 316,017 1,259,594 410,199 680,337 169,058

Indiana ................. 2,200,587 451,791 1,501,804 246,992 1,266,667 308,177 830,209 128,282

Iowa ................... 1,033,723 305,785 595,413 132,525 715,716 251,373 396,223 68,120

Kansas ................. 838,316 301,936 478,352 58,028 682,131 249,158 388,057 44,916

Kentucky ............... 1,870,689 437,134 1,226,197 207,358 1,328,630 321,021 852,162 155,446

Louisiana ............... 2,023,585 604,540 989,792 429,252 1,711,155 542,718 801,384 367,053

Maine .................. 1,499,097 355,461 951,465 192,172 633,454 176,998 358,414 98,041

Maryland ............... 1,575,094 425,438 1,042,077 107,580 938,880 354,981 516,067 67,832

Massachusetts ........... 1,614,739 482,766 930,257 201,716 859,776 333,987 436,249 89,539

Michigan ............... 5,134,320 1,185,544 2,783,944 1,164,833 3,511,799 846,356 2,003,686 661,757

Minnesota .............. 4,298,979 1,297,727 2,182,729 818,522 3,600,090 1,026,234 1,811,891 761,964

Mississippi .............. 1,071,563 323,568 491,271 256,724 895,717 254,981 404,718 236,018

Missouri ................ 3,376,385 912,363 1,685,842 778,180 2,507,310 692,431 1,275,031 539,848

Montana ................ 1,129,300 585,233 471,741 72,326 752,849 282,608 417,110 53,131

Nebraska................ 639,982 129,760 412,621 97,601 498,071 107,019 304,273 86,780

Nevada ................. 916,183 259,899 529,124 127,159 553,954 100,964 419,308 33,682

New Hampshire .......... 559,942 222,382 224,050 113,510 286,023 106,246 148,584 31,193

New Jersey .............. 1,663,140 690,158 804,007 168,975 1,125,691 543,858 538,907 42,926

New Mexico............. 822,115 429,743 282,632 109,741 524,941 221,465 200,679 102,797

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,526,906 1,481,998 1,553,726 491,181 1,959,277 786,275 918,420 254,582

North Carolina .......... 2,711,328 1,029,862 1,449,506 231,959 1,794,425 782,956 860,848 150,621

North Dakota ........... 269,150 116,473 137,318 15,359 246,238 111,521 120,339 14,377

Ohio ................... 3,157,972 914,655 1,859,639 383,678 1,970,269 707,402 1,121,338 141,529

Oklahoma .............. 1,424,671 571,611 768,708 84,352 1,096,011 436,744 591,140 68,127

Oregon ................. 1,995,580 637,590 1,213,970 144,020 1,219,166 375,165 771,151 72,850

Pennsylvania............. 5,402,046 897,758 3,912,745 591,543 3,959,365 572,767 2,983,892 402,705

Rhode Island ............ 381,086 180,041 126,323 74,722 166,840 82,634 77,439 6,767

South Carolina ........... 2,455,112 843,694 1,324,978 286,441 1,904,335 647,890 1,043,543 212,902

South Dakota ............ 549,769 305,618 166,547 77,604 366,466 175,688 119,571 71,207

Tennessee ............... 2,329,427 727,111 1,314,601 287,716 1,337,066 399,871 881,063 56,132

Texas................... 9,167,954 2,862,119 4,695,522 1,610,312 6,228,935 2,437,922 2,915,351 875,662

Utah ................... 1,288,534 577,456 658,473 52,605 724,091 255,433 431,781 36,877

Vermont ................ 383,376 119,682 206,143 57,551 260,504 61,463 175,682 23,358

Virginia ................. 2,353,483 768,146 1,412,796 172,540 1,393,293 520,125 785,935 87,233

Washington.............. 3,055,034 870,765 1,599,076 585,192 1,552,723 429,113 1,004,370 119,240

West Virginia ............ 904,973 369,037 435,423 100,513 663,372 232,902 358,355 72,115

Wisconsin ............... 3,918,727 1,282,746 1,433,705 1,202,276 3,174,037 1,022,580 1,148,520 1,002,937

Wyoming ............... 1,078,978 473,584 231,797 373,598 684,109 173,595 167,057 343,457

See footnotes at end of table.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 99

Table 52. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation by State Where Spending Took Place:

2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

State where spending

took place

Wildlife-watching expenditures

Total Trip-related Equipment Other

United States, total .... 45,654,960 12,875,152 23,174,053 9,605,755

Alabama ................ 450,004 151,665 258,551 39,788

Alaska.................. 581,051 511,602 36,803 32,646

Arizona ................ 838,307 376,256 289,296 172,754

Arkansas ............... 607,073 114,879 314,275 177,919

California .............. 4,179,583 1,997,551 1,931,640 250,391

Colorado ................ 1,387,737 537,427 817,468 32,842

Connecticut.............. 509,950 53,025 395,098 61,826

Delaware................ 130,832 13,128 110,214 7,490

Florida ................. 3,081,496 887,942 1,730,152 463,402

Georgia ................ 1,615,316 146,722 1,246,059 222,534

Hawaii ................. 210,414 185,100 20,505 4,810

Idaho................... 265,383 193,468 62,756 9,159

Illinois ................. 1,133,856 205,976 780,921 146,959

Indiana ................. 933,920 143,615 671,595 118,710

Iowa ................... 318,006 54,411 199,190 64,405

Kansas ................. 156,185 52,778 90,294 13,113

Kentucky ............... 542,059 116,113 374,034 51,912

Louisiana ............... 312,430 61,822 188,409 62,199

Maine .................. 865,643 178,462 593,051 94,130

Maryland ............... 636,214 70,457 526,010 39,748

Massachusetts ........... 754,963 148,779 494,008 112,177

Michigan ............... 1,622,521 339,188 780,258 503,076

Minnesota .............. 698,889 271,493 370,838 56,558

Mississippi .............. 175,846 68,587 86,553 20,706

Missouri ................ 869,075 219,932 410,810 238,332

Montana ................ 376,451 302,625 54,631 19,195

Nebraska................ 141,910 22,741 108,348 10,821

Nevada ................. 362,229 158,935 109,816 93,478

New Hampshire .......... 273,920 116,136 75,466 82,318

New Jersey .............. 537,449 146,300 265,100 126,049

New Mexico............. 297,174 208,278 81,952 6,944

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,567,629 695,724 635,306 236,599

North Carolina .......... 916,903 246,906 588,658 81,338

North Dakota ........... 22,913 4,952 16,979 981

Ohio ................... 1,187,703 207,253 738,301 242,149

Oklahoma .............. 328,660 134,868 177,568 16,225

Oregon ................. 776,414 262,425 442,818 71,170

Pennsylvania............. 1,442,681 324,990 928,853 188,838

Rhode Island ............ 214,247 97,407 48,884 67,955

South Carolina ........... 550,777 195,804 281,434 73,539

South Dakota ............ 183,304 129,930 46,977 6,397

Tennessee ............... 992,362 327,240 433,538 231,585

Texas................... 2,939,018 424,197 1,780,171 734,650

Utah ................... 564,443 322,023 226,692 15,728

Vermont ................ 122,872 58,219 30,461 34,192

Virginia ................. 960,190 248,021 626,861 85,307

Washington.............. 1,502,311 441,652 594,706 465,953

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 241,601 136,136 77,068 28,397

Wisconsin ............... 744,689 260,166 285,185 199,339

Wyoming ............... 394,869 299,988 64,740 30,140

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
100 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 53. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation in the United States by State Residents Both

Inside and Outside Their Resident State: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

Participant’s state

of residence

Total, wildlife-associated expenditures Fishing and hunting expenditures

Total Trip-related Equipment Other Total Trip-related Equipment Other

United States, total .... 122,304,987 37,432,326 64,137,178 20,735,483 76,650,027 24,557,174 40,963,125 11,129,728

Alabama ................ 2,255,226 772,709 1,235,088 247,428 1,761,377 574,577 978,331 208,468

Alaska.................. 540,041 189,194 283,616 67,231 378,136 123,618 234,027 20,492

Arizona ................ 1,540,698 641,998 688,826 209,873 751,401 340,002 386,602 24,797

Arkansas ............... 1,859,935 489,260 1,017,376 353,300 1,409,243 419,162 708,673 281,409

California .............. 8,579,974 3,936,108 4,043,232 600,633 4,205,307 1,709,474 2,159,640 336,193

Colorado ................ 3,060,175 732,853 2,237,327 89,996 1,906,666 428,910 1,419,958 57,798

Connecticut.............. 1,322,903 470,021 709,848 143,034 593,185 229,313 289,015 74,856

Delaware................ 348,875 79,278 245,131 24,466 230,913 66,788 147,619 16,506

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,112,073 2,269,467 5,088,990 753,616 4,873,738 1,813,946 2,793,699 266,093

Georgia ................ 3,299,332 938,235 1,810,276 550,821 1,770,640 648,315 785,999 336,326

Hawaii ................. 204,819 88,963 105,457 10,399 150,183 58,958 86,009 5,216

Idaho................... 712,613 291,841 394,010 26,763 574,757 204,490 347,687 22,580

Illinois ................. 3,215,834 1,243,245 1,545,352 427,237 1,849,948 811,769 758,090 280,089

Indiana ................. 2,503,372 632,387 1,511,393 359,593 1,386,090 397,631 854,455 134,005

Iowa ................... 1,163,782 412,287 611,904 139,591 766,110 307,745 382,914 75,451

Kansas ................. 968,297 342,207 526,232 99,857 732,552 250,370 397,050 85,132

Kentucky ............... 2,214,149 568,398 1,398,295 247,456 1,511,349 404,563 896,015 210,771

Louisiana ............... 2,023,533 681,610 982,745 359,178 1,602,652 563,293 742,381 296,979

Maine .................. 1,294,577 210,134 939,026 145,417 509,721 104,794 330,541 74,387

Maryland ............... 1,774,605 461,259 1,077,278 236,068 1,047,831 357,994 498,646 191,191

Massachusetts ........... 2,104,733 750,211 1,071,689 282,833 1,219,207 500,231 559,117 159,859

Michigan ............... 5,217,263 1,257,235 2,717,390 1,242,638 3,426,954 734,358 1,937,535 755,061

Minnesota .............. 4,234,352 1,461,945 2,199,914 572,493 3,347,027 1,003,011 1,827,919 516,097

Mississippi .............. 1,066,440 305,415 518,683 242,343 862,477 227,648 414,384 220,445

Missouri ................ 3,295,807 1,046,714 1,638,191 610,903 2,319,214 681,454 1,263,739 374,021

Montana ................ 706,261 197,835 456,323 52,103 575,137 140,374 401,804 32,959

Nebraska................ 650,718 185,410 357,208 108,100 481,102 129,617 254,246 97,239

Nevada ................. 1,211,480 269,099 701,029 241,352 747,551 161,046 437,208 149,296

New Hampshire .......... 423,652 137,114 195,939 90,600 240,420 75,850 140,439 24,131

New Jersey .............. 2,228,739 804,376 848,027 576,336 1,579,731 609,125 598,493 372,113

New Mexico............. 620,544 250,443 313,245 56,856 442,930 168,583 224,982 49,366

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,573,499 1,716,521 1,416,605 440,373 1,980,373 829,483 924,444 226,446

North Carolina .......... 2,978,628 968,663 1,853,454 156,511 1,968,476 643,695 1,237,884 86,897

North Dakota ........... 242,194 90,275 129,784 22,136 214,095 81,985 111,012 21,099

Ohio ................... 3,283,714 1,232,008 1,682,263 369,442 2,048,073 866,372 1,055,519 126,182

Oklahoma .............. 1,555,383 733,541 737,371 84,470 1,066,297 441,877 556,996 67,424

Oregon ................. 1,780,370 548,422 1,067,345 164,603 1,092,075 371,058 644,947 76,070

Pennsylvania............. 5,820,210 1,320,252 3,900,497 599,461 4,111,971 732,446 2,973,474 406,051

Rhode Island ............ 317,522 104,760 135,065 77,697 145,186 60,360 77,258 7,567

South Carolina ........... 1,979,808 678,069 1,030,559 271,180 1,577,952 510,605 865,819 201,527

South Dakota ............ 372,940 118,874 185,715 68,352 274,717 72,105 140,709 61,903

Tennessee ............... 2,131,393 721,629 1,027,766 381,998 1,315,528 479,122 690,289 146,116

Texas................... 9,392,329 3,328,265 4,528,521 1,535,543 5,931,052 2,405,596 2,724,050 801,406

Utah ................... 1,029,777 400,054 527,986 101,737 837,788 283,653 457,760 96,375

Vermont ................ 243,048 81,443 112,006 49,598 151,374 55,755 73,812 21,808

Virginia ................. 2,086,183 726,811 1,194,427 164,945 1,340,347 571,819 685,043 83,485

Washington.............. 3,207,376 792,578 1,794,271 620,527 1,772,537 477,898 1,162,017 132,622

West Virginia ............ 904,338 339,516 415,640 149,183 717,308 256,041 341,988 119,280

Wisconsin ............... 3,342,135 1,034,065 1,289,386 1,018,684 2,697,864 845,439 1,011,982 840,443

Wyoming ............... 705,660 142,014 253,757 309,889 567,607 87,542 185,844 294,221

See footnotes at end of table.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 101

Table 53. Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation in the United States by State Residents Both

Inside and Outside Their Resident State: 2006—Continued

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

Participant’s state

of residence

Wildlife-watching expenditures

Total Trip-related Equipment Other

United States, total .... 45,654,960 12,875,152 23,174,053 9,605,755

Alabama ................ 493,849 198,132 256,757 *38,960

Alaska.................. 161,904 65,576 49,589 46,739

Arizona ................ 789,297 301,997 302,224 185,076

Arkansas ............... 450,692 70,098 308,703 *71,891

California .............. 4,374,667 2,226,634 1,883,592 264,441

Colorado ................ 1,153,510 303,943 817,369 32,198

Connecticut.............. 729,718 240,708 420,832 68,177

Delaware................ 117,962 12,490 97,511 7,960

Florida ................. 3,238,334 455,521 2,295,291 487,522

Georgia ................ 1,528,691 289,920 1,024,277 214,495

Hawaii ................. 54,636 30,005 19,448 5,183

Idaho................... 137,856 87,351 46,323 *4,183

Illinois ................. 1,365,886 431,477 787,262 147,148

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,117,282 234,756 656,938 225,588

Iowa ................... 397,672 104,542 228,990 64,140

Kansas ................. 235,745 91,838 129,182 14,725

Kentucky ............... 702,800 163,835 502,280 36,685

Louisiana ............... 420,881 118,317 240,365 62,199

Maine .................. 784,855 105,340 608,486 71,030

Maryland ............... 726,774 103,265 578,632 44,877

Massachusetts ........... 885,526 249,979 512,572 122,975

Michigan ............... 1,790,310 522,877 779,856 487,577

Minnesota .............. 887,325 458,934 371,995 56,396

Mississippi .............. 203,964 77,767 104,299 *21,898

Missouri ................ 976,593 365,259 374,452 236,882

Montana ................ 131,125 57,461 54,520 19,144

Nebraska................ 169,616 55,793 102,961 10,861

Nevada ................. 463,929 108,053 263,821 92,056

New Hampshire .......... 183,232 61,263 55,500 66,469

New Jersey .............. 649,008 195,252 249,533 204,222

New Mexico............. 177,613 81,860 88,263 7,490

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,593,127 887,039 492,160 213,928

North Carolina .......... 1,010,152 324,968 615,570 69,614

North Dakota ........... 28,099 8,290 18,772 *1,037

Ohio ................... 1,235,640 365,635 626,744 243,261

Oklahoma .............. 489,086 291,664 180,375 17,047

Oregon ................. 688,295 177,364 422,399 88,532

Pennsylvania............. 1,708,239 587,806 927,023 193,410

Rhode Island ............ 172,336 44,400 57,806 70,130

South Carolina ........... 401,857 167,464 164,740 69,653

South Dakota ............ 98,224 46,769 45,006 6,449

Tennessee ............... 815,865 242,507 337,477 235,882

Texas................... 3,461,277 922,669 1,804,471 734,137

Utah ................... 191,989 116,401 70,227 5,361

Vermont ................ 91,674 25,689 38,195 27,790

Virginia ................. 745,837 154,992 509,385 81,460

Washington.............. 1,434,839 314,680 632,254 487,905

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 187,030 83,475 73,652 *29,903

Wisconsin ............... 644,271 188,626 277,404 178,241

Wyoming ............... 138,052 54,472 67,913 15,668

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
102 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 54. Anglers and Hunters by Sportsperson’s State of Residence: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Sportsperson’s state

of residence

Population

Fished or hunted Fished only Hunted only Fished and hunted

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total .... 229,245 33,916 15 21,406 9 3,964 2 8,546 4

Alabama ................ 3,550 707 20 395 11 79 2 233 7

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499 149 30 94 19 *11 *2 44 9

Arizona ................ 4,585 418 9 290 6 48 1 81 2

Arkansas ............... 2,156 551 26 244 11 88 4 220 10

California .............. 27,299 1,783 7 1,465 5 *94 *(Z) 223 1

Colorado ................ 3,605 593 16 460 13 *39 *1 94 3

Connecticut.............. 2,735 297 11 257 9 ... ... 34 1

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669 85 13 64 10 *9 *1 12 2

Florida ................. 14,233 2,004 14 1,678 12 *54 *(Z) 271 2

Georgia ................ 6,910 1,161 17 805 12 *101 *1 255 4

Hawaii ................. 1,014 100 10 81 8 ... ... *14 *1

Idaho................... 1,102 259 24 136 12 *36 *3 88 8

Illinois ................. 9,767 1,109 11 837 9 *74 *1 198 2

Indiana ................. 4,799 822 17 569 12 83 2 171 4

Iowa ................... 2,339 518 22 308 13 70 3 141 6

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,110 425 20 233 11 56 3 136 6

Kentucky ............... 3,260 670 21 410 13 *49 *1 212 7

Louisiana ............... 3,433 678 20 403 12 *81 *2 195 6

Maine .................. 1,074 266 25 120 11 40 4 106 10

Maryland ............... 4,333 521 12 370 9 46 1 105 2

Massachusetts ........... 5,032 472 9 406 8 *20 *(Z) 46 1

Michigan ............... 7,804 1,371 18 650 8 272 3 449 6

Minnesota .............. 4,021 1,280 32 745 19 *138 *3 398 10

Mississippi .............. 2,214 537 24 293 13 *58 *3 186 8

Missouri ................ 4,521 1,096 24 536 12 165 4 394 9

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 232 31 86 11 53 7 92 12

Nebraska................ 1,359 234 17 129 10 42 3 63 5

Nevada ................. 1,895 182 10 122 6 26 1 34 2

New Hampshire .......... 1,044 141 14 89 9 *17 *2 35 3

New Jersey .............. 6,734 562 8 478 7 *32 *(Z) 53 1

New Mexico............. 1,500 224 15 152 10 34 2 38 3

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,990 1,236 8 734 5 207 1 295 2

North Carolina .......... 6,719 1,038 15 734 11 *74 *1 230 3

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 507 145 29 59 12 40 8 47 9

Ohio ................... 8,889 1,488 17 1,011 11 195 2 282 3

Oklahoma .............. 2,743 602 22 370 13 *55 *2 177 6

Oregon ................. 2,889 550 19 331 11 67 2 152 5

Pennsylvania............. 9,793 1,415 14 482 5 425 4 508 5

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 842 86 10 73 9 ... ... *10 *1

South Carolina ........... 3,315 595 18 429 13 *48 *1 119 4

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 136 23 46 8 41 7 50 8

Tennessee ............... 4,699 775 16 491 10 *67 *1 217 5

Texas................... 17,076 2,668 16 1,672 10 324 2 672 4

Utah ................... 1,808 351 19 197 11 38 2 116 6

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 91 18 34 7 20 4 37 7

Virginia ................. 5,893 857 15 497 8 127 2 233 4

Washington.............. 4,980 764 15 577 12 74 1 113 2

West Virginia ............ 1,458 364 25 165 11 58 4 141 10

Wisconsin ............... 4,350 1,185 27 534 12 160 4 492 11

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 113 28 61 15 *15 *4 37 9

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 103

Table 55. Anglers and Hunters by State Where Fishing or Hunting Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where fishing

or hunting took place

Anglers Hunters

Total anglers,

residents and

nonresidents

State residents Nonresidents

Total hunters,

residents and

nonresidents

State residents Nonresidents

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 29,952 100 27,641 92 6,494 22 12,510 100 11,971 96 1,826 15

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 806 100 600 74 206 26 391 100 310 79 81 21

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293 100 137 47 156 53 71 100 53 75 ... ...

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422 100 330 78 92 22 159 100 126 79 *33 *21

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655 100 430 66 225 34 354 100 301 85 *53 *15

California .............. 1,730 100 1,578 91 152 9 281 100 274 97 ... ...

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 660 100 490 74 171 26 259 100 126 49 134 51

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302 100 251 83 51 17 38 100 36 96 ... ...

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 100 66 41 *94 *59 42 100 19 46 ... ...

Florida ................. 2,767 100 1,881 68 885 32 236 100 214 91 *22 *9

Georgia ................ 1,107 100 971 88 136 12 481 100 344 72 136 28

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 100 92 58 *65 *42 18 100 18 98 ... ...

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 100 206 59 144 41 187 100 122 65 65 35

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 873 100 795 91 78 9 316 100 258 82 *58 *18

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 768 100 663 86 106 14 272 100 237 87 *35 *13

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 100 397 91 *40 *9 251 100 208 83 *44 *17

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 100 319 79 85 21 271 100 183 68 88 32

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721 100 580 80 141 20 291 100 241 83 *50 *17

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 702 100 590 84 112 16 270 100 241 89 ... ...

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 351 100 220 63 131 37 175 100 146 83 *29 *17

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 645 100 403 62 242 38 161 100 133 83 *28 *17

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . 497 100 398 80 99 20 73 100 57 79 *16 *21

Michigan ............... 1,394 100 1,077 77 318 23 753 100 721 96 *32 *4

Minnesota .............. 1,427 100 1,108 78 319 22 535 100 509 95 *26 *5

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 546 100 465 85 80 15 304 100 238 78 *66 *22

Missouri ................ 1,076 100 871 81 206 19 608 100 540 89 69 11

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 100 172 59 119 41 197 100 145 74 *52 *26

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 100 169 85 *29 *15 118 100 102 86 ... ...

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 100 114 81 *27 *19 63 100 54 85 ... ...

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . 230 100 108 47 122 53 61 100 51 85 *9 *15

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654 100 458 70 197 30 89 100 72 81 ... ...

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 100 164 66 *84 *34 99 100 66 67 *32 *33

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,153 100 932 81 221 19 566 100 491 87 75 13

North Carolina .......... 1,263 100 868 69 395 31 304 100 277 91 *27 *9

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 106 100 88 84 ... ... 128 100 86 67 *42 *33

Ohio ................... 1,256 100 1,145 91 112 9 500 100 467 93 ... ...

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 100 525 86 86 14 251 100 224 89 *27 *11

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 576 100 455 79 122 21 237 100 218 92 ... ...

Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . 994 100 830 83 164 17 1,044 100 933 89 111 11

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 100 76 48 82 52 14 100 12 84 ... ...

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . 810 100 527 65 283 35 208 100 159 77 *49 *23

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 100 89 66 45 34 171 100 89 52 81 48

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871 100 658 75 214 25 329 100 265 81 *64 *19

Texas................... 2,527 100 2,308 91 218 9 1,101 100 979 89 123 11

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 100 288 77 87 23 166 100 144 86 *23 *14

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 100 64 56 50 44 73 100 56 76 *17 *24

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 858 100 640 75 218 25 413 100 353 86 *60 *14

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 736 100 641 87 95 13 182 100 179 98 ... ...

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 376 100 291 77 86 23 269 100 194 72 *75 *28

Wisconsin ............... 1,394 100 1,014 73 381 27 697 100 649 93 *48 *7

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 100 96 47 107 53 102 100 50 49 52 51

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: For the U.S. row, detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as

described in Appendix D.
104 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 56. Hunters by Type of Hunting and State Where Hunting Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where hunting

took place

Total, all hunting Big game Small game Migratory bird Other animals

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 12,510 100 10,682 85 4,797 38 2,293 18 1,128 9

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391 100 352 90 126 32 73 19 ... ...

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 100 63 88 *4 *6 *11 *15 *9 *12

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 100 96 61 68 43 *36 *23 ... ...

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 100 282 80 114 32 113 32 ... ...

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 100 153 54 153 54 150 53 ... ...

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259 100 208 80 *58 *22 *44 *17 ... ...

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 100 *21 *57 *15 *39 ... ... ... ...

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 100 37 87 *6 *15 12 29 ... ...

Florida . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 100 191 81 *96 *41 *42 *18 ... ...

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 481 100 410 85 184 38 117 24 ... ...

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 100 *15 *81 ... ... ... ... ... ...

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 100 160 86 55 30 *42 *22 ... ...

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316 100 216 69 146 46 90 29 ... ...

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272 100 233 85 109 40 *30 *11 *19 *7

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 100 175 70 144 57 *22 *9 *36 *14

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 100 142 52 185 68 55 20 *17 *6

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 100 242 83 104 36 *34 *12 *28 *10

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 100 204 76 126 47 100 37 *32 *12

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 100 165 95 59 34 *16 *9 ... ...

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 100 129 80 *42 *26 46 28 ... ...

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . 73 100 58 80 *30 *41 *14 *19 ... ...

Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 100 715 95 228 30 *60 *8 ... ...

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 535 100 416 78 190 35 *55 *10 ... ...

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304 100 285 94 103 34 *57 *19 ... ...

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608 100 502 83 237 39 87 14 *39 *6

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 100 182 92 44 22 *16 *8 ... ...

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 100 67 57 63 54 44 37 *26 *22

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 100 35 56 26 41 ... ... *16 *25

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . 61 100 53 88 *15 *25 *10 *16 *8 *13

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 100 73 82 *38 *42 ... ... ... ...

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 100 81 81 *23 *23 *8 *9 ... ...

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 566 100 537 95 164 29 ... ... *49 *9

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 304 100 234 77 107 35 *40 *13 ... ...

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 128 100 77 60 77 60 24 18 *15 *11

Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 100 432 86 213 43 ... ... *74 *15

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 100 193 77 79 32 *65 *26 *42 *17

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 100 191 80 *58 *24 *29 *12 ... ...

Pennsylvania............. 1,044 100 1,000 96 354 34 *71 *7 *148 *14

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 100 *11 *82 *5 *37 ... ... ... ...

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . 208 100 180 86 *56 *27 *42 *20 ... ...

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 100 67 39 133 78 29 17 *11 *7

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329 100 281 85 130 39 *80 *24 *42 *13

Texas................... 1,101 100 890 81 359 33 435 40 *118 *11

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 100 125 75 71 42 *26 *16 *15 *9

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 100 65 90 23 31 *10 *13 *7 *9

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 413 100 362 88 142 34 *64 *16 *78 *19

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 100 164 90 *42 *23 *20 *11 ... ...

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 269 100 256 95 128 48 ... ... ... ...

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 697 100 639 92 222 32 *75 *11 ... ...

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 100 88 86 *25 *24 ... ... ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 105

Table 57. Days of Hunting by State Where Hunting Took Place and Hunter’s State of Residence: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State

Days of hunting in state Days of hunting by state residents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by state

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Total days, in state

of residence and

other states

Days in state

of residence

Days in other

states

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 219,925 100 203,319 92 18,023 8 219,925 100 203,319 92 18,023 8

Alabama ................ 8,649 100 7,609 88 1,039 12 8,036 100 7,609 95 *427 *5

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854 100 758 89 ... ... 859 100 758 88 *101 *12

Arizona ................ 1,509 100 1,388 92 *121 *8 1,538 100 1,388 90 *151 *10

Arkansas ............... 7,882 100 7,219 92 *662 *8 7,636 100 7,219 95 *417 *5

California .............. 3,376 100 3,339 99 ... ... 4,226 100 3,339 79 *887 *21

Colorado ................ 2,376 100 1,224 52 1,152 48 1,421 100 1,224 86 *197 *14

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509 100 500 98 ... ... 693 100 500 72 *193 *28

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654 100 462 71 ... ... 513 100 462 90 *50 *10

Florida ................. 3,769 100 3,699 98 *70 *2 5,955 100 3,699 62 2,256 38

Georgia ................ 8,228 100 6,783 82 1,445 18 7,248 100 6,783 94 *466 *6

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420 100 *418 *99 ... ... 421 100 *418 *99 ... ...

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,117 100 1,125 53 993 47 1,187 100 1,125 95 ... ...

Illinois ................. 4,688 100 4,238 90 *451 *10 4,658 100 4,238 91 *420 *9

Indiana ................. 4,808 100 4,184 87 *624 *13 4,652 100 4,184 90 *468 *10

Iowa ................... 3,849 100 3,627 94 *222 *6 3,745 100 3,627 97 *118 *3

Kansas ................. 3,017 100 2,574 85 442 15 2,721 100 2,574 95 *147 *5

Kentucky ............... 5,429 100 4,886 90 *543 *10 5,119 100 4,886 95 *233 *5

Louisiana ............... 5,979 100 5,847 98 ... ... 7,278 100 5,847 80 *1,431 *20

Maine .................. 2,283 100 2,004 88 *279 *12 2,043 100 2,004 98 ... ...

Maryland ............... 2,262 100 1,813 80 *449 *20 2,228 100 1,813 81 415 19

Massachusetts ........... 1,149 100 1,083 94 *66 *6 1,821 100 1,083 59 *739 *41

Michigan ............... 11,905 100 11,735 99 *170 *1 11,756 100 11,735 100 ... ...

Minnesota .............. 6,492 100 6,346 98 *145 *2 6,966 100 6,346 91 *619 *9

Mississippi .............. 6,835 100 6,050 89 *786 *11 6,259 100 6,050 97 *209 *3

Missouri ................ 9,714 100 9,171 94 544 6 9,720 100 9,171 94 *550 *6

Montana ................ 2,142 100 1,783 83 *359 *17 1,828 100 1,783 98 ... ...

Nebraska................ 1,611 100 1,559 97 ... ... 1,652 100 1,559 94 *93 *6

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615 100 578 94 ... ... 692 100 578 84 *114 *16

New Hampshire .......... 1,057 100 969 92 *88 *8 1,100 100 969 88 *131 *12

New Jersey .............. 1,457 100 1,343 92 ... ... 1,645 100 1,343 82 *302 *18

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 852 100 685 80 *167 *20 743 100 685 92 *58 *8

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,289 100 9,462 92 826 8 9,747 100 9,462 97 *284 *3

North Carolina .......... 4,880 100 4,653 95 *228 *5 5,484 100 4,653 85 831 15

North Dakota ........... 1,344 100 1,081 80 *263 *20 1,125 100 1,081 96 *44 *4

Ohio ................... 10,633 100 10,419 98 ... ... 10,758 100 10,419 97 *338 *3

Oklahoma .............. 5,534 100 5,339 96 *194 *4 5,569 100 5,339 96 *230 *4

Oregon ................. 2,729 100 2,658 97 ... ... 2,768 100 2,658 96 ... ...

Pennsylvania............. 16,863 100 16,157 96 706 4 17,404 100 16,157 93 *1,247 *7

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 100 140 90 ... ... 184 100 140 76 *43 *24

South Carolina ........... 4,318 100 3,893 90 *424 *10 4,031 100 3,893 97 *138 *3

South Dakota ............ 1,719 100 1,190 69 530 31 1,208 100 1,190 98 ... ...

Tennessee ............... 5,729 100 5,343 93 *386 *7 6,340 100 5,343 84 *997 *16

Texas................... 14,050 100 13,400 95 650 5 13,896 100 13,400 96 ... ...

Utah ................... 1,715 100 1,624 95 *91 *5 1,921 100 1,624 85 *297 *15

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,111 100 922 83 *190 *17 1,073 100 922 86 *152 *14

Virginia ................. 6,771 100 6,280 93 *491 *7 6,752 100 6,280 93 *473 *7

Washington.............. 2,126 100 2,124 100 ... ... 2,409 100 2,124 88 *285 *12

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,939 100 3,376 86 *563 *14 3,691 100 3,376 91 ... ...

Wisconsin ............... 10,059 100 9,679 96 *380 *4 10,016 100 9,679 97 *337 *3

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 100 580 64 325 36 605 100 580 96 ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
106 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 58. Days of Hunting by Type of Hunting and State Where Hunting Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where hunting

took place

Total,

all hunting Big game Small game Migratory bird Other animals

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 219,925 100 164,061 75 52,395 24 19,770 9 15,205 7

Alabama ................ 8,649 100 7,685 89 1,311 15 401 5 ... ...

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 854 100 639 75 *109 *13 *64 *7 *182 *21

Arizona ................ 1,509 100 849 56 535 35 *187 *12 ... ...

Arkansas ............... 7,882 100 5,554 70 1,958 25 1,656 21 ... ...

California .............. 3,376 100 1,837 54 1,438 43 1,140 34 ... ...

Colorado ................ 2,376 100 1,718 72 *400 *17 *302 *13 ... ...

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 509 100 *280 *55 *212 *42 ... ... ... ...

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 654 100 520 80 *79 *12 *103 *16 ... ...

Florida ................. 3,769 100 2,875 76 *1,054 *28 *217 *6 ... ...

Georgia ................ 8,228 100 6,959 85 1,549 19 664 8 ... ...

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 420 100 *386 *92 ... ... ... ... ... ...

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,117 100 1,422 67 398 19 *229 *11 ... ...

Illinois ................. 4,688 100 2,728 58 1,600 34 1,111 24 ... ...

Indiana ................. 4,808 100 3,469 72 1,163 24 *444 *9 *391 *8

Iowa ................... 3,849 100 2,333 61 1,427 37 *182 *5 *529 *14

Kansas ................. 3,017 100 1,239 41 1,528 51 481 16 *199 *7

Kentucky ............... 5,429 100 3,832 71 1,385 26 *285 *5 *530 *10

Louisiana ............... 5,979 100 4,013 67 1,447 24 1,419 24 *487 *8

Maine .................. 2,283 100 1,854 81 436 19 *117 *5 ... ...

Maryland ............... 2,262 100 1,811 80 *264 *12 381 17 ... ...

Massachusetts ........... 1,149 100 936 82 *189 *16 *102 *9 ... ...

Michigan ............... 11,905 100 10,357 87 2,109 18 *357 *3 ... ...

Minnesota .............. 6,492 100 4,406 68 1,925 30 *527 *8 ... ...

Mississippi .............. 6,835 100 5,849 86 1,115 16 *381 *6 ... ...

Missouri ................ 9,714 100 6,973 72 2,078 21 892 9 *844 *9

Montana ................ 2,142 100 1,906 89 316 15 *69 *3 ... ...

Nebraska................ 1,611 100 572 36 653 41 396 25 *298 *19

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615 100 313 51 224 37 ... ... *88 *14

New Hampshire .......... 1,057 100 805 76 *157 *15 *151 *14 *98 *9

New Jersey .............. 1,457 100 1,259 86 *315 *22 ... ... ... ...

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 852 100 580 68 *228 *27 *49 *6 ... ...

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,289 100 8,564 83 3,519 34 ... ... *373 *4

North Carolina .......... 4,880 100 3,275 67 1,462 30 *130 *3 ... ...

North Dakota ........... 1,344 100 561 42 644 48 *187 *14 *85 *6

Ohio ................... 10,633 100 6,796 64 2,908 27 ... ... *1,586 *15

Oklahoma .............. 5,534 100 3,982 72 595 11 *451 *8 *1,039 *19

Oregon ................. 2,729 100 2,201 81 *382 *14 *294 *11 ... ...

Pennsylvania............. 16,863 100 13,609 81 3,379 20 *434 *3 *1,469 *9

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 100 *95 *61 *55 *35 ... ... ... ...

South Carolina ........... 4,318 100 3,870 90 *883 *20 *425 *10 ... ...

South Dakota ............ 1,719 100 543 32 1,028 60 200 12 *184 *11

Tennessee ............... 5,729 100 3,882 68 1,426 25 *550 *10 *323 *6

Texas................... 14,050 100 10,650 76 2,925 21 2,461 18 *1,340 *10

Utah ................... 1,715 100 1,059 62 651 38 *189 *11 *106 *6

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,111 100 827 74 315 28 *94 *8 *70 *6

Virginia ................. 6,771 100 5,072 75 1,008 15 *270 *4 *1,557 *23

Washington.............. 2,126 100 1,835 86 *332 *16 *166 *8 ... ...

West Virginia ............ 3,939 100 3,190 81 1,241 32 ... ... ... ...

Wisconsin ............... 10,059 100 7,950 79 2,059 20 *756 *8 ... ...

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 904 100 726 80 *198 *22 ... ... ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 107

Table 59. Expenditures for Hunting by State Where Spending Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

State where spending

took place

Total

expenditures

Trip-related expenditures Expenditures for equipment Expenditures for

other

items1

Total triprelatedFood and

lodging

TransportationOther

trip costs

Total

equipment

Hunting

equipment

Auxiliary

equipment

Special

equipment

United States, total .... 22,893,156 6,678,614 2,791,245 2,696,924 1,190,445 10,731,501 5,366,357 1,330,216 4,034,928 5,483,041

Alabama ................ 678,024 239,398 82,577 84,777 72,045 315,894 151,297 40,510 *124,087 122,731

Alaska.................. 125,112 48,905 9,745 29,166 9,994 67,897 24,831 19,083 ... 8,310

Arizona ................ 322,739 92,363 33,599 39,386 19,377 219,641 61,155 17,977 ... 10,735

Arkansas ............... 788,575 182,192 81,047 73,257 27,889 375,236 191,180 55,862 *128,194 231,147

California .............. 813,239 230,873 88,210 104,256 38,407 428,493 152,902 38,964 ... 153,873

Colorado ................ 444,061 288,325 97,329 76,786 114,210 91,574 71,900 19,674 ... 64,162

Connecticut.............. 68,530 5,991 *1,782 3,558 *651 50,160 20,660 *4,162 ... 12,379

Delaware................ 41,381 13,638 5,477 4,832 *3,329 24,802 16,019 6,487 ... 2,941

Florida ................. 377,394 155,116 43,013 59,561 52,543 173,749 125,342 28,308 ... 48,528

Georgia ................ 677,762 237,162 96,620 84,652 55,890 209,233 121,722 30,372 ... 231,367

Hawaii ................. 21,098 10,736 5,410 4,469 *858 9,780 8,837 *943 ... 583

Idaho................... 259,718 100,218 37,974 40,986 21,259 121,708 54,161 *11,431 ... 37,792

Illinois ................. 381,937 130,466 47,128 47,761 35,578 129,180 77,291 39,188 ... 122,290

Indiana ................. 223,023 65,553 26,628 31,871 7,054 103,456 85,542 17,914 ... 54,015

Iowa ................... 288,324 110,756 43,895 49,582 *17,279 131,184 99,548 23,535 ... 46,384

Kansas ................. 248,674 121,162 52,847 58,116 10,199 95,175 78,056 15,970 ... 32,337

Kentucky ............... 423,439 83,591 38,019 41,503 4,069 208,270 143,802 29,785 ... 131,578

Louisiana ............... 525,505 205,355 83,297 73,628 48,429 206,072 114,697 23,285 ... 114,078

Maine .................. 241,301 58,997 29,704 25,774 3,519 110,898 33,779 15,174 ... 71,406

Maryland ............... 210,087 62,343 22,873 23,895 15,575 113,376 66,578 30,478 ... 34,367

Massachusetts ........... 70,824 36,675 10,616 19,263 6,796 24,374 19,870 *4,504 ... 9,775

Michigan ............... 915,884 262,326 134,017 105,588 22,720 371,574 210,202 61,477 ... 281,985

Minnesota .............. 494,149 166,577 78,295 73,749 14,533 219,505 179,406 36,001 ... 108,066

Mississippi .............. 519,808 149,362 67,646 53,649 28,068 152,654 90,355 18,348 ... 217,792

Missouri ................ 1,146,240 234,468 90,216 108,385 35,866 499,132 283,748 57,023 ... 412,641

Montana ................ 310,540 132,808 48,044 50,289 34,475 144,951 62,657 16,417 *65,878 32,782

Nebraska................ 231,032 46,027 17,685 25,416 2,926 137,627 75,814 23,727 ... 47,378

Nevada ................. 129,080 39,574 18,022 16,193 5,360 76,412 17,082 12,631 ... 13,094

New Hampshire .......... 74,467 17,665 8,860 8,460 *344 48,294 37,199 2,776 ... 8,509

New Jersey .............. 146,001 72,680 34,083 19,133 *19,463 62,897 55,390 *6,862 ... 10,424

New Mexico............. 164,308 93,052 28,346 25,440 39,266 61,766 29,057 11,090 ... 9,490

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715,707 201,631 98,197 74,828 28,606 338,592 230,525 42,510 ... 175,485

North Carolina .......... 430,562 89,979 46,603 40,173 *3,203 314,578 202,839 17,825 ... 26,006

North Dakota ........... 129,114 72,445 28,270 31,908 *12,266 45,473 24,228 8,561 ... 11,196

Ohio ................... 841,556 148,609 73,341 66,995 *8,273 599,743 210,082 41,726 ... 93,204

Oklahoma .............. 476,657 135,335 52,990 69,314 13,031 307,048 111,501 22,468 *173,078 34,274

Oregon ................. 373,613 116,690 51,610 58,089 6,991 226,632 105,293 16,531 *104,808 30,290

Pennsylvania............. 1,609,045 274,158 125,470 123,397 25,290 1,037,875 390,810 96,587 ... 297,013

Rhode Island ............ 10,186 3,734 1,455 1,731 *547 5,839 5,113 *726 ... 613

South Carolina ........... 278,640 121,953 50,471 38,137 33,345 112,304 94,138 7,767 ... 44,382

South Dakota ............ 185,258 117,063 53,224 41,388 22,451 31,517 24,683 5,679 ... 36,678

Tennessee ............... 488,420 109,447 52,240 45,299 11,908 350,346 109,606 21,663 ... 28,627

Texas................... 2,222,298 873,928 337,965 335,890 200,073 785,297 445,492 125,975 ... 563,073

Utah ................... 273,782 71,575 25,915 37,255 8,405 180,329 92,425 30,042 *57,862 21,879

Vermont ................ 189,707 20,928 10,993 8,954 *981 151,053 17,658 2,587 ... 17,726

Virginia ................. 480,802 124,862 60,585 56,592 7,686 297,143 167,914 25,158 ... 58,797

Washington.............. 313,134 74,233 33,083 36,528 4,622 188,739 66,625 44,120 ... 50,163

West Virginia ............ 284,511 79,376 40,194 38,070 *1,113 160,014 99,231 15,621 ... 45,121

Wisconsin ............... 1,312,128 275,268 147,349 104,350 23,569 316,756 170,466 53,572 ... 720,103

Wyoming ............... 137,265 62,991 31,901 22,090 9,000 45,632 22,802 9,655 ... 28,642

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Includes expenditures for magazine subscriptions, membership dues and contributions, land leasing and ownership, and licenses, stamps, tags, and permits.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
108 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 60. Freshwater (Except Great Lakes) Anglers and Days of Fishing by State Where Fishing Took

Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where fishing

took place

Anglers Days of fishing

Total anglers,

residents and

nonresidents

State residents Nonresidents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by

state

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total..... 25,035 100 23,266 93 4,604 18 419,942 100 382,512 91 37,869 9

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714 100 567 79 147 21 12,987 100 12,202 94 785 6

Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 100 99 52 92 48 1,826 100 1,305 71 521 29

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 422 100 330 78 92 22 4,156 100 3,505 84 651 16

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 655 100 430 66 225 34 10,812 100 9,273 86 1,539 14

California ............... 1,224 100 1,150 94 74 6 12,307 100 11,526 94 781 6

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 660 100 490 74 171 26 6,374 100 5,529 87 845 13

Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204 100 178 87 *26 *13 4,354 100 4,179 96 *175 *4

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 100 34 59 ... ... 1,133 100 780 69 ... ...

Florida ................. 1,417 100 1,155 82 262 18 24,512 100 23,031 94 1,482 6

Georgia ................ 1,025 100 908 89 118 11 15,646 100 14,742 94 905 6

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 100 *15 *69 ... ... 67 100 *60 *90 ... ...

Idaho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350 100 206 59 144 41 4,301 100 3,307 77 994 23

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 777 100 710 91 67 9 15,631 100 14,968 96 663 4

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 677 100 582 86 *96 *14 8,289 100 7,594 92 *695 *8

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 100 397 91 *40 *9 6,215 100 6,063 98 *152 *2

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 100 319 79 85 21 5,314 100 4,883 92 431 8

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 721 100 580 80 141 20 9,231 100 8,324 90 906 10

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 549 100 472 86 *77 *14 8,743 100 8,312 95 *431 *5

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303 100 209 69 94 31 4,272 100 3,472 81 800 19

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 364 100 244 67 119 33 4,799 100 3,090 64 1,708 36

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . 292 100 263 90 29 10 5,345 100 5,186 97 159 3

Michigan ............... 1,192 100 941 79 250 21 19,677 100 17,993 91 1,684 9

Minnesota ............... 1,381 100 1,091 79 289 21 24,041 100 22,093 92 1,949 8

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . 508 100 439 86 *69 *14 7,095 100 6,609 93 *486 *7

Missouri ............... 1,076 100 871 81 206 19 16,569 100 15,263 92 1,306 8

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 100 172 59 119 41 2,927 100 2,357 81 569 19

Nebraska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 100 169 85 *29 *15 3,096 100 2,913 94 *183 *6

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 100 114 81 *27 *19 1,526 100 1,436 94 *90 *6

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . 198 100 94 47 104 53 2,733 100 1,849 68 884 32

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 100 210 86 *33 *14 3,646 100 3,500 96 *146 *4

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 100 164 66 *84 *34 2,596 100 2,129 82 *467 *18

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 741 100 633 85 108 15 10,994 100 9,806 89 1,188 11

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 884 100 740 84 144 16 13,923 100 13,207 95 716 5

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 106 100 88 84 ... ... 953 100 905 95 ... ...

Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982 100 929 95 *53 *5 12,827 100 12,064 94 *763 *6

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 611 100 525 86 86 14 10,580 100 9,843 93 737 7

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 491 100 401 82 90 18 7,053 100 6,175 88 878 12

Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . 914 100 770 84 143 16 14,456 100 13,754 95 703 5

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 100 38 76 ... ... 541 100 467 86 ... ...

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . 612 100 483 79 130 21 10,658 100 9,817 92 842 8

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 135 100 89 66 45 34 1,697 100 1,406 83 291 17

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 871 100 658 75 214 25 15,103 100 13,221 88 1,882 12

Texas .................. 1,860 100 1,711 92 150 8 27,074 100 25,628 95 1,446 5

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375 100 288 77 87 23 3,822 100 3,387 89 434 11

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 100 64 56 50 44 1,665 100 1,400 84 265 16

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 622 100 454 73 168 27 6,417 100 5,680 89 737 11

Washington . . . . . . . . . . . . . 538 100 481 90 *56 *10 7,524 100 7,076 94 *448 *6

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . 376 100 291 77 86 23 6,885 100 6,442 94 443 6

Wisconsin ............... 1,253 100 918 73 336 27 16,216 100 13,424 83 2,792 17

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 100 96 47 107 53 1,691 100 1,245 74 446 26

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: For the U.S. row, detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as

described in Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 109

Table 61. Great Lakes Anglers and Days of Great Lakes Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place:

2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where fishing

took place

Anglers Days of fishing

Total anglers,

residents and

nonresidents

State residents Nonresidents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by

state

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total..... 1,420 100 1,182 83 306 22 18,016 100 15,545 86 2,366 13

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *56 *100 *47 *84 ... ... *728 *100 *709 *97 ... ...

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *46 *100 *42 *90 ... ... *759 *100 *654 *86 ... ...

Michigan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 461 100 367 80 94 20 6,981 100 6,280 90 701 10

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *48 *100 ... ... ... ... *272 *100 ... ... ... ...

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247 100 178 72 69 28 2,060 100 1,431 69 628 31

Ohio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328 100 275 84 *53 *16 2,807 100 2,432 87 *375 *13

Pennsylvania . . . . . . . . . . . . *85 *100 *75 *88 ... ... *598 *100 *522 *87 ... ...

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 100 176 75 *60 *25 3,705 100 3,348 90 *357 *10

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: For the U.S. row, detail does not add to total because of multiple responses.

Table 62. Saltwater Anglers and Days of Saltwater Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where fishing

took place

Anglers Days of fishing

Total anglers,

residents and

nonresidents

State residents Nonresidents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by

state

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 7,717 100 6,089 79 2,185 28 85,663 100 73,365 86 12,451 15

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 100 89 59 *63 *41 758 100 530 70 *229 *30

Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 100 76 42 104 58 974 100 641 66 333 34

California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 761 100 666 88 95 12 7,606 100 7,275 96 330 4

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 100 121 77 *36 *23 1,691 100 1,398 83 *293 *17

Delaware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 100 45 39 *72 *61 703 100 444 63 *260 *37

Florida ................. 2,002 100 1,286 64 716 36 23,077 100 19,553 85 3,524 15

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 100 125 85 ... ... 1,707 100 1,383 81 ... ...

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 100 89 58 *65 *42 1,411 100 1,244 88 *167 *12

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 289 100 248 86 *42 *14 2,975 100 2,541 85 *433 *15

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 100 52 52 48 48 703 100 504 72 198 28

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 100 227 61 145 39 3,114 100 2,357 76 756 24

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . 298 100 223 75 75 25 3,054 100 2,616 86 438 14

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . *66 *100 *57 *87 ... ... *590 *100 *573 *97 ... ...

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . 47 100 27 58 *20 *42 206 100 120 58 *86 *42

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496 100 340 69 155 31 5,568 100 4,728 85 840 15

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 100 238 82 52 18 3,950 100 3,646 92 304 8

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 519 100 253 49 266 51 3,434 100 1,922 56 1,511 44

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 100 128 85 *23 *15 846 100 813 96 *33 *4

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 100 55 45 67 55 1,236 100 864 70 371 30

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 325 100 142 44 183 56 2,174 100 1,425 66 749 34

Texas .................. 1,147 100 1,070 93 77 7 15,143 100 14,380 95 762 5

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352 100 289 82 63 18 3,313 100 3,023 91 290 9

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286 100 244 85 *42 *15 1,550 100 1,383 89 *167 *11

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: For the U.S. row, detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as

described in Appendix D.
110 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 63. Days of Fishing by State Where Fishing Took Place and Angler’s State of Residence: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State

Days of fishing in state Days of fishing by state residents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by state

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Total days, in

state of

residence

and other states

Days in state

of residence

Days in other

states

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 516,781 100 470,594 91 52,380 10 516,781 100 470,594 91 52,380 10

Alabama ................ 13,708 100 12,686 93 1,022 7 13,286 100 12,686 95 600 5

Alaska.................. 2,687 100 1,925 72 762 28 1,965 100 1,925 98 40 2

Arizona ................ 4,156 100 3,505 84 651 16 4,450 100 3,505 79 944 21

Arkansas ............... 10,812 100 9,273 86 1,539 14 10,101 100 9,273 92 828 8

California .............. 19,394 100 18,310 94 1,084 6 19,731 100 18,310 93 1,420 7

Colorado ................ 6,374 100 5,529 87 845 13 6,813 100 5,529 81 1,284 19

Connecticut.............. 5,860 100 5,403 92 457 8 6,400 100 5,403 84 997 16

Delaware................ 1,821 100 1,185 65 *637 *35 1,557 100 1,185 76 373 24

Florida ................. 46,311 100 41,507 90 4,804 10 43,632 100 41,507 95 2,125 5

Georgia ................ 17,375 100 16,305 94 1,070 6 18,567 100 16,305 88 2,262 12

Hawaii ................. 1,471 100 1,300 88 *171 *12 1,345 100 1,300 97 45 3

Idaho................... 4,301 100 3,307 77 994 23 4,214 100 3,307 78 908 22

Illinois ................. 16,881 100 16,159 96 723 4 21,713 100 16,159 74 5,554 26

Indiana ................. 9,805 100 9,052 92 753 8 10,754 100 9,052 84 1,702 16

Iowa ................... 6,215 100 6,063 98 *152 *2 7,188 100 6,063 84 1,125 16

Kansas ................. 5,314 100 4,883 92 431 8 5,724 100 4,883 85 841 15

Kentucky ............... 9,231 100 8,324 90 906 10 10,210 100 8,324 82 1,886 18

Louisiana ............... 11,204 100 10,564 94 640 6 11,205 100 10,564 94 641 6

Maine .................. 4,794 100 3,804 79 990 21 3,856 100 3,804 99 52 1

Maryland ............... 8,223 100 5,753 70 2,470 30 6,729 100 5,753 85 976 15

Massachusetts ........... 7,847 100 7,259 93 588 7 9,892 100 7,259 73 2,633 27

Michigan ............... 24,822 100 22,532 91 2,290 9 23,389 100 22,532 96 856 4

Minnesota .............. 24,382 100 22,305 91 2,077 9 23,474 100 22,305 95 1,169 5

Mississippi .............. 7,648 100 7,134 93 514 7 7,601 100 7,134 94 467 6

Missouri ................ 16,569 100 15,263 92 1,306 8 16,416 100 15,263 93 1,152 7

Montana ................ 2,927 100 2,357 81 569 19 2,464 100 2,357 96 106 4

Nebraska................ 3,096 100 2,913 94 *183 *6 3,235 100 2,913 90 322 10

Nevada ................. 1,526 100 1,436 94 *90 *6 1,999 100 1,436 72 563 28

New Hampshire .......... 2,947 100 1,971 67 976 33 2,518 100 1,971 78 547 22

New Jersey .............. 8,820 100 7,836 89 984 11 9,457 100 7,836 83 1,621 17

New Mexico............. 2,596 100 2,129 82 *467 *18 2,475 100 2,129 86 346 14

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,060 100 14,960 88 2,100 12 16,282 100 14,960 92 1,322 8

North Carolina .......... 17,221 100 15,015 87 2,205 13 16,198 100 15,015 93 1,182 7

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 953 100 905 95 ... ... 1,152 100 905 79 247 21

Ohio ................... 16,318 100 15,141 93 1,178 7 17,628 100 15,141 86 2,487 14

Oklahoma .............. 10,580 100 9,843 93 737 7 10,376 100 9,843 95 533 5

Oregon ................. 8,384 100 7,408 88 975 12 8,126 100 7,408 91 718 9

Pennsylvania............. 17,967 100 17,128 95 839 5 20,957 100 17,128 82 3,829 18

Rhode Island ............ 1,745 100 1,294 74 451 26 1,508 100 1,294 86 214 14

South Carolina ........... 12,325 100 10,910 89 1,415 11 11,311 100 10,910 96 401 4

South Dakota ............ 1,697 100 1,406 83 291 17 1,476 100 1,406 95 69 5

Tennessee ............... 15,103 100 13,221 88 1,882 12 14,134 100 13,221 94 912 6

Texas................... 41,141 100 38,942 95 2,199 5 40,249 100 38,942 97 1,306 3

Utah ................... 3,822 100 3,387 89 434 11 3,852 100 3,387 88 465 12

Vermont ................ 1,665 100 1,400 84 265 16 1,527 100 1,400 92 127 8

Virginia ................. 9,629 100 8,596 89 1,033 11 10,054 100 8,596 85 1,458 15

Washington.............. 8,882 100 8,249 93 633 7 9,166 100 8,249 90 917 10

West Virginia ............ 6,885 100 6,442 94 443 6 6,995 100 6,442 92 552 8

Wisconsin ............... 20,823 100 17,034 82 3,789 18 17,834 100 17,034 96 800 4

Wyoming ............... 1,691 100 1,245 74 446 26 1,363 100 1,245 91 118 9

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 111

Table 64. Expenditures for Fishing by State Where Spending Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

State where spending

took place

Total

expenditures

Trip-related expenditures Expenditures for equipment Expenditures for

other

items1

Total triprelatedFood and

lodging

TransportationOther

trip costs

Total

equipment

Fishing

equipment

Auxiliary

equipment

Special

equipment

United States, total .... 42,011,124 1,787,560 6,302,524 4,961,830 6,614,205 18,757,370 5,332,401 778,740 12,646,229 5,375,195

Alabama ................ 699,532 417,279 126,363 101,414 189,502 221,832 139,540 *11,462 *70,830 60,421

Alaska.................. 516,749 362,019 132,056 99,945 130,018 135,237 39,504 7,063 *88,671 19,492

Arizona ................ 802,405 245,741 80,144 67,026 98,570 547,205 33,529 6,164 *507,512 9,460

Arkansas ............... 420,571 272,160 106,389 84,709 81,062 127,228 66,454 *8,058 *52,717 21,183

California .............. 2,420,503 1,203,244 410,279 291,465 501,500 1,140,587 326,982 90,940 *722,665 76,672

Colorado ................ 542,937 300,324 125,067 111,885 63,373 224,118 52,838 10,974 *160,306 18,494

Connecticut.............. 243,552 130,742 37,910 30,819 62,013 102,988 49,268 12,677 *41,044 9,821

Delaware................ 96,775 48,536 17,785 12,477 18,274 39,246 14,181 6,568 *18,497 8,994

Florida ................. 4,308,583 1,973,985 680,147 419,711 874,127 1,944,798 523,433 37,035 1,384,330 389,800

Georgia ................ 1,020,411 370,743 152,886 100,416 117,441 459,927 134,972 24,435 *300,519 189,741

Hawaii ................. 110,516 72,728 24,600 18,480 29,648 36,849 27,297 6,850 ... 939

Idaho................... 282,972 173,993 75,877 58,256 39,860 90,425 38,885 *5,943 ... 18,554

Illinois ................. 774,319 279,732 94,413 92,326 92,994 455,317 136,349 25,255 *293,714 39,269

Indiana ................. 627,167 242,624 67,201 67,546 107,877 316,108 110,784 17,648 *187,676 68,435

Iowa ................... 322,648 140,617 46,271 40,607 53,740 163,104 59,311 13,215 *90,578 18,927

Kansas ................. 242,444 127,996 40,561 54,627 32,808 108,983 44,817 6,371 *57,794 5,465

Kentucky ............... 855,417 237,430 96,607 67,266 73,557 596,587 125,828 *9,659 ... 21,400

Louisiana ............... 1,006,136 337,363 96,927 87,043 153,393 424,564 122,194 *7,633 *294,738 244,208

Maine .................. 257,124 118,002 51,735 39,653 26,613 115,792 27,679 3,653 *84,460 23,330

Maryland ............... 568,211 292,638 88,459 59,475 144,703 253,571 97,600 6,691 *149,280 22,003

Massachusetts ........... 769,631 297,312 85,723 56,248 155,341 397,049 98,524 14,957 283,568 75,269

Michigan ............... 1,671,114 584,030 210,052 180,363 193,615 720,637 190,066 *13,532 *517,039 366,446

Minnesota .............. 2,725,366 859,657 350,889 299,240 209,528 1,220,074 218,400 26,485 975,188 645,635

Mississippi .............. 240,332 105,618 38,357 33,464 33,798 120,138 50,651 *4,797 ... 14,576

Missouri ................ 1,093,206 457,963 187,138 135,593 135,232 517,239 134,910 18,514 *363,815 118,003

Montana ................ 226,349 149,800 58,092 61,516 30,192 59,938 23,765 *3,186 *32,987 16,610

Nebraska................ 181,280 60,992 24,365 22,042 14,584 83,777 32,130 4,978 *46,669 36,511

Nevada ................. 144,634 61,390 26,342 23,476 11,572 65,190 26,863 2,708 ... 18,054

New Hampshire .......... 172,413 88,581 35,674 28,613 24,293 62,892 21,588 6,559 *34,744 20,940

New Jersey .............. 752,273 471,178 88,650 74,589 307,939 253,729 128,299 14,311 *111,118 27,366

New Mexico............. 301,101 128,413 51,059 48,588 28,766 80,729 29,216 7,293 *44,220 91,958

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 925,701 584,644 197,876 143,792 242,976 269,704 180,746 18,774 *70,185 71,354

North Carolina .......... 1,124,274 692,977 281,279 169,492 242,206 311,489 166,816 28,474 *116,198 119,809

North Dakota ........... 93,729 39,076 14,367 18,762 5,948 52,346 15,745 *1,007 ... 2,306

Ohio ................... 1,062,036 558,793 198,886 125,429 234,478 461,692 147,939 21,790 *291,963 41,552

Oklahoma .............. 501,786 301,408 108,505 106,687 86,216 169,020 87,604 5,849 *75,566 31,358

Oregon ................. 496,941 258,474 102,998 98,698 56,779 199,319 101,008 19,364 *78,947 39,149

Pennsylvania............. 1,291,211 298,610 113,989 107,453 77,168 896,076 153,021 37,226 *705,829 96,526

Rhode Island ............ 153,694 78,900 20,276 9,561 49,063 68,950 18,458 7,346 *43,146 5,845

South Carolina ........... 1,404,133 525,937 194,829 115,546 215,562 725,624 176,118 *28,664 *520,842 152,572

South Dakota ............ 131,089 58,624 25,821 21,408 11,395 38,564 20,215 *1,698 ... 33,900

Tennessee ............... 599,683 290,424 101,063 90,676 98,685 280,692 90,631 11,076 *178,985 28,568

Texas................... 3,237,212 1,563,994 448,390 480,681 634,924 1,363,877 496,454 47,487 ... 309,341

Utah ................... 371,087 183,859 65,081 63,356 55,421 174,560 54,025 15,828 *104,708 12,667

Vermont ................ 63,749 40,535 17,916 9,858 12,762 18,907 8,023 *1,591 ... 4,306

Virginia ................. 733,777 395,264 122,771 72,448 200,045 318,616 95,681 14,978 *207,957 19,897

Washington.............. 904,796 354,880 117,878 120,130 116,873 485,945 139,299 35,378 311,267 63,971

West Virginia ............ 333,454 153,525 63,284 57,739 32,503 154,149 38,504 21,775 ... 25,780

Wisconsin ............... 1,647,035 747,312 351,744 225,688 169,879 623,420 152,350 8,795 462,275 276,303

Wyoming ............... 521,479 110,604 44,488 50,939 15,178 97,185 17,480 *3,037 *76,668 313,690

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Includes expenditures for magazine subscriptions, membership dues and contributions, land leasing and ownership, and licenses, stamps, tags, and permits.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
112 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 65. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Residents Both Inside and Outside Their

Resident State: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Participant’s state

of residence

Population

Total participants Away from home Around the home

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total .... 229,245 71,132 31 22,977 10 67,756 30

Alabama ................ 3,550 1,006 28 348 10 989 28

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 499 207 42 68 14 202 41

Arizona ................ 4,585 988 22 381 8 950 21

Arkansas ............... 2,156 859 40 304 14 811 38

California .............. 27,299 5,799 21 2,565 9 5,259 19

Colorado ................ 3,605 1,459 40 531 15 1,393 39

Connecticut.............. 2,735 1,102 40 290 11 1,063 39

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 669 212 32 49 7 206 31

Florida ................. 14,233 3,520 25 988 7 3,274 23

Georgia ................ 6,910 1,819 26 371 5 1,798 26

Hawaii ................. 1,014 160 16 *55 *5 145 14

Idaho................... 1,102 432 39 183 17 395 36

Illinois ................. 9,767 2,355 24 756 8 2,258 23

Indiana ................. 4,799 1,825 38 611 13 1,786 37

Iowa ................... 2,339 1,111 48 344 15 1,059 45

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,110 787 37 234 11 723 34

Kentucky ............... 3,260 1,341 41 540 17 1,235 38

Louisiana ............... 3,433 712 21 *234 *7 671 20

Maine .................. 1,074 600 56 213 20 576 54

Maryland ............... 4,333 1,334 31 305 7 1,322 31

Massachusetts ........... 5,032 1,725 34 531 11 1,647 33

Michigan ............... 7,804 2,947 38 827 11 2,826 36

Minnesota .............. 4,021 1,946 48 579 14 1,908 47

Mississippi .............. 2,214 618 28 *145 *7 606 27

Missouri ................ 4,521 2,059 46 709 16 1,966 43

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 753 412 55 184 24 389 52

Nebraska................ 1,359 438 32 151 11 407 30

Nevada ................. 1,895 420 22 168 9 371 20

New Hampshire .......... 1,044 471 45 127 12 451 43

New Jersey .............. 6,734 1,537 23 513 8 1,483 22

New Mexico............. 1,500 490 33 220 15 437 29

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,990 3,548 24 1,178 8 3,465 23

North Carolina .......... 6,719 2,267 34 402 6 2,237 33

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . 507 134 26 *30 *6 128 25

Ohio ................... 8,889 3,379 38 1,174 13 3,272 37

Oklahoma .............. 2,743 1,082 39 414 15 976 36

Oregon ................. 2,889 1,266 44 481 17 1,129 39

Pennsylvania............. 9,793 3,638 37 1,038 11 3,502 36

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 842 312 37 96 11 298 35

South Carolina ........... 3,315 943 28 332 10 924 28

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 266 44 116 19 257 43

Tennessee ............... 4,699 1,966 42 725 15 1,853 39

Texas................... 17,076 4,111 24 1,176 7 3,861 23

Utah ................... 1,808 574 32 255 14 491 27

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 279 55 82 16 274 54

Virginia ................. 5,893 2,126 36 603 10 2,082 35

Washington.............. 4,980 2,007 40 686 14 1,927 39

West Virginia ............ 1,458 585 40 *129 *9 559 38

Wisconsin ............... 4,350 1,710 39 424 10 1,703 39

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 405 194 48 82 20 180 44

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 113

Table 66. Participation in Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Where Activity Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where activity

took place

Total participants Away from home Around the home

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total ....... 71,132 100 22,977 32 67,756 95

Alabama ................... 1,161 100 471 41 989 85

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 496 100 354 72 202 41

Arizona ................... 1,277 100 644 50 950 74

Arkansas .................. 1,011 100 435 43 811 80

California ................. 6,270 100 2,894 46 5,259 84

Colorado ................... 1,819 100 873 48 1,393 77

Connecticut................. 1,170 100 266 23 1,063 91

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285 100 109 38 206 72

Florida .................... 4,240 100 1,560 37 3,274 77

Georgia ................... 1,987 100 438 22 1,798 90

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262 100 154 59 145 55

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 754 100 506 67 395 52

Illinois .................... 2,566 100 837 33 2,258 88

Indiana .................... 2,042 100 755 37 1,786 87

Iowa ...................... 1,205 100 404 34 1,059 88

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 816 100 248 30 723 89

Kentucky .................. 1,475 100 572 39 1,235 84

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 738 100 *225 *30 671 91

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 801 100 399 50 576 72

Maryland .................. 1,491 100 419 28 1,322 89

Massachusetts .............. 1,919 100 655 34 1,647 86

Michigan .................. 3,227 100 1,034 32 2,826 88

Minnesota ................. 2,093 100 641 31 1,908 91

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 731 100 246 34 606 83

Missouri ................... 2,248 100 842 37 1,966 87

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 755 100 512 68 389 52

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 490 100 176 36 407 83

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 686 100 416 61 371 54

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . 710 100 347 49 451 63

New Jersey ................. 1,713 100 615 36 1,483 87

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 787 100 507 64 437 55

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,852 100 1,293 34 3,465 90

North Carolina ............. 2,641 100 686 26 2,237 85

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148 100 *39 *26 128 86

Ohio ...................... 3,489 100 1,055 30 3,272 94

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,110 100 372 33 976 88

Oregon .................... 1,484 100 675 45 1,129 76

Pennsylvania................ 3,947 100 1,168 30 3,502 89

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 436 100 203 47 298 68

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,115 100 447 40 924 83

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432 100 270 63 257 60

Tennessee .................. 2,362 100 1,007 43 1,853 78

Texas...................... 4,225 100 956 23 3,861 91

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877 100 518 59 491 56

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 468 100 265 57 274 59

Virginia .................... 2,312 100 728 31 2,082 90

Washington................. 2,331 100 959 41 1,927 83

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 743 100 282 38 559 75

Wisconsin .................. 2,039 100 685 34 1,703 84

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 643 100 521 81 180 28

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
114 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 67. Participation in Away-From-Home Wildlife Watching by State Where Activity Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State where activity

took place

Total participants State residents Nonresidents

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 22,977 100 19,095 83 7,530 33

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471 100 315 67 *156 *33

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 100 66 19 288 81

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 644 100 352 55 292 45

Arkansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 435 100 274 63 *161 *37

California .............. 2,894 100 2,328 80 566 20

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 873 100 488 56 385 44

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266 100 187 70 *79 *30

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 100 35 32 *74 *68

Florida ................. 1,560 100 813 52 746 48

Georgia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 438 100 *256 *58 *183 *42

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 100 *47 *31 *107 *69

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 100 179 35 326 65

Illinois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 837 100 546 65 *291 *35

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 755 100 537 71 *218 *29

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 100 292 72 *112 *28

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248 100 202 81 ... ...

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 572 100 398 70 *173 *30

Louisiana ............... *225 *100 *193 *86 ... ...

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 399 100 186 47 213 53

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 419 100 253 60 *166 *40

Massachusetts . . . . . . . . . . . 655 100 444 68 212 32

Michigan ............... 1,034 100 753 73 *281 *27

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 641 100 495 77 *146 *23

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 100 *126 *51 *120 *49

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 842 100 611 73 *231 *27

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 512 100 169 33 343 67

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176 100 115 65 *61 *35

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 416 100 133 32 283 68

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . 347 100 98 28 249 72

New Jersey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615 100 418 68 *198 *32

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . 507 100 199 39 *308 *61

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,293 100 936 72 357 28

North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . 686 100 300 44 386 56

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . *39 *100 *23 *60 ... ...

Ohio ................... 1,055 100 923 87 *132 *13

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372 100 313 84 ... ...

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 675 100 382 57 293 43

Pennsylvania............. 1,168 100 858 73 310 27

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 100 75 37 *128 *63

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . 447 100 267 60 *180 *40

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 100 105 39 *165 *61

Tennessee ............... 1,007 100 611 61 397 39

Texas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 956 100 *778 *81 *178 *19

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 518 100 194 37 324 63

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 100 77 29 188 71

Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 728 100 542 74 *186 *26

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 959 100 628 66 *331 *34

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . 282 100 *120 *43 *162 *57

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 100 356 52 329 48

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 521 100 71 14 451 86

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 115

Table 68. Days of Wildlife Watching Away From Home by State Where Activity Took Place

and Participant’s State of Residence: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

State

Days of activity in state Days of activity by state residents

Total days,

residents and

nonresidents

Days by

residents

Days by

nonresidents

Total days, in state

of residence and

other states

Days in state

of residence

Days in other

states

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

United States, total .... 352,070 100 269,936 77 82,134 23 352,070 100 269,936 77 82,134 23

Alabama ................ 7,292 100 6,634 91 *659 *9 7,488 100 6,634 89 *854 *11

Alaska.................. 4,126 100 1,434 35 2,692 65 1,629 100 1,434 88 ... ...

Arizona ................ 5,281 100 3,634 69 1,647 31 4,784 100 3,634 76 *1,149 *24

Arkansas ............... 4,148 100 3,739 90 *409 *10 4,434 100 3,739 84 ... ...

California .............. 45,010 100 41,436 92 3,573 8 47,752 100 41,436 87 6,315 13

Colorado ................ 9,404 100 7,010 75 2,394 25 8,105 100 7,010 86 *1,095 *14

Connecticut.............. 4,184 100 3,660 87 *524 *13 5,400 100 3,660 68 1,740 32

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 855 100 718 84 *136 *16 847 100 718 85 *129 *15

Florida ................. 16,551 100 10,449 63 6,102 37 14,451 100 10,449 72 *4,001 *28

Georgia ................ 4,097 100 *3,266 *80 *830 *20 5,221 100 *3,266 *63 *1,954 *37

Hawaii ................. 1,109 100 *386 *35 *723 *65 *488 *100 *386 *79 ... ...

Idaho................... 5,165 100 2,423 47 2,741 53 2,975 100 2,423 81 ... ...

Illinois ................. 5,686 100 4,512 79 *1,174 *21 7,720 100 4,512 58 3,208 42

Indiana ................. 24,013 100 7,397 31 *16,616 *69 8,644 100 7,397 86 *1,248 *14

Iowa ................... 4,013 100 3,655 91 *358 *9 4,436 100 3,655 82 *782 *18

Kansas ................. 3,244 100 3,029 93 ... ... 3,626 100 3,029 84 *597 *16

Kentucky ............... 4,155 100 3,265 79 *890 *21 4,155 100 3,265 79 *890 *21

Louisiana ............... *3,199 *100 *3,076 *96 ... ... *3,905 *100 *3,076 *79 ... ...

Maine .................. 4,778 100 3,621 76 1,157 24 3,979 100 3,621 91 *358 *9

Maryland ............... 4,782 100 4,124 86 *658 *14 4,919 100 4,124 84 *795 *16

Massachusetts ........... 8,461 100 7,866 93 595 7 9,863 100 7,866 80 1,998 20

Michigan ............... 10,043 100 8,600 86 *1,443 *14 11,582 100 8,600 74 *2,982 *26

Minnesota .............. 8,040 100 7,416 92 *625 *8 9,705 100 7,416 76 *2,290 *24

Mississippi .............. 1,302 100 *962 *74 *339 *26 *1,408 *100 *962 *68 ... ...

Missouri ................ 14,757 100 13,445 91 *1,312 *9 14,924 100 13,445 90 *1,479 *10

Montana ................ 3,081 100 1,578 51 1,503 49 1,809 100 1,578 87 *231 *13

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906 100 808 89 *98 *11 1,323 100 808 61 *514 *39

Nevada ................. 2,298 100 1,366 59 932 41 1,935 100 1,366 71 *569 *29

New Hampshire .......... 3,165 100 1,922 61 1,243 39 2,393 100 1,922 80 471 20

New Jersey .............. 7,965 100 7,307 92 *658 *8 8,694 100 7,307 84 1,388 16

New Mexico............. 5,429 100 3,670 68 *1,759 *32 3,890 100 3,670 94 *219 *6

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13,521 100 11,361 84 2,160 16 14,515 100 11,361 78 *3,154 *22

North Carolina .......... 4,868 100 2,552 52 2,316 48 3,641 100 2,552 70 *1,089 *30

North Dakota ........... *264 *100 *168 *64 ... ... *284 *100 *168 *59 ... ...

Ohio ................... 7,816 100 6,746 86 *1,070 *14 9,522 100 6,746 71 *2,776 *29

Oklahoma .............. 7,098 100 6,824 96 ... ... 8,003 100 6,824 85 *1,179 *15

Oregon ................. 8,162 100 6,344 78 1,817 22 7,741 100 6,344 82 *1,397 *18

Pennsylvania............. 11,972 100 10,562 88 1,410 12 13,157 100 10,562 80 *2,594 *20

Rhode Island ............ 2,948 100 900 31 *2,048 *69 1,246 100 900 72 346 28

South Carolina ........... 4,759 100 1,788 38 *2,972 *62 2,233 100 1,788 80 *446 *20

South Dakota ............ 1,382 100 690 50 *693 *50 771 100 690 89 ... ...

Tennessee ............... 15,486 100 13,447 87 2,039 13 15,031 100 13,447 89 *1,584 *11

Texas................... 13,120 100 *12,150 *93 *970 *7 *31,986 *100 *12,150 *38 ... ...

Utah ................... 3,927 100 2,409 61 1,518 39 3,216 100 2,409 75 *807 *25

Vermont ................ 2,459 100 1,491 61 968 39 2,053 100 1,491 73 *562 *27

Virginia ................. 5,745 100 4,495 78 *1,250 *22 7,269 100 4,495 62 *2,774 *38

Washington.............. 9,104 100 7,995 88 *1,109 *12 9,475 100 7,995 84 1,480 16

West Virginia ............ 4,005 100 *2,748 *69 *1,257 *31 *3,346 *100 *2,748 *82 ... ...

Wisconsin ............... 5,547 100 3,760 68 1,786 32 4,568 100 3,760 82 ... ...

Wyoming ............... 3,009 100 813 27 2,196 73 963 100 813 84 *149 *16

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of nonresponse. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in

Appendix D.
116 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table 69. Expenditures for Wildlife-Watching Activities by State Where Spending Took Place: 2006

(Population 16 years old and older. Expenditures in thousands of dollars)

State where spending

took place Total

expenditures

Trip-related expenditures Expenditures for equipment

Expenditures for

other

items1

Total triprelatedFood and

lodging

TransportationOther

trip costs

Total

equipment

Wildlifewatching

equipment

Auxiliary

equipment

Special

equipment

United States, total .... 45,654,960 12,875,152 7,516,281 4,456,013 902,858 23,174,053 9,869,727 1,033,060 12,271,266 9,605,755

Alabama ................ 450,004 151,665 77,815 47,239 *26,611 258,551 137,632 *18,943 ... *39,788

Alaska.................. 581,051 511,602 308,919 148,615 54,068 36,803 34,318 *2,486 ... 32,646

Arizona ................ 838,307 376,256 226,856 138,829 10,572 289,296 132,546 *28,670 ... 172,754

Arkansas ............... 607,073 114,879 60,666 46,451 *7,762 314,275 128,546 ... ... *177,919

California .............. 4,179,583 1,997,551 1,181,309 657,316 158,927 1,931,640 1,131,764 200,080 *599,797 250,391

Colorado ................ 1,387,737 537,427 345,652 165,370 26,405 817,468 131,635 *32,468 ... 32,842

Connecticut.............. 509,950 53,025 14,833 34,896 *3,296 395,098 151,303 13,581 ... 61,826

Delaware................ 130,832 13,128 6,054 5,978 *1,097 110,214 31,593 *3,053 ... 7,490

Florida ................. 3,081,496 887,942 565,177 264,052 58,713 1,730,152 353,046 24,159 *1,352,947 463,402

Georgia ................ 1,615,316 146,722 89,209 43,820 *13,694 1,246,059 417,129 *44,523 ... 222,534

Hawaii ................. 210,414 185,100 108,276 60,429 16,395 20,505 17,450 *3,055 ... 4,810

Idaho................... 265,383 193,468 81,615 96,383 15,471 62,756 59,828 ... ... *9,159

Illinois ................. 1,133,856 205,976 98,942 88,364 *18,670 780,921 340,407 *57,082 ... 146,959

Indiana ................. 933,920 143,615 80,678 43,914 19,022 671,595 242,537 *8,853 ... 118,710

Iowa ................... 318,006 54,411 26,749 26,241 ... 199,190 132,212 ... ... 64,405

Kansas ................. 156,185 52,778 20,316 30,411 *2,051 90,294 55,191 *4,815 ... 13,113

Kentucky ............... 542,059 116,113 67,494 46,949 ... 374,034 137,558 ... ... 51,912

Louisiana ............... 312,430 61,822 *41,818 *18,772 *1,232 188,409 102,097 ... ... 62,199

Maine .................. 865,643 178,462 116,876 50,392 11,194 593,051 76,001 *61,474 *455,576 94,130

Maryland ............... 636,214 70,457 35,864 25,799 8,794 526,010 174,055 *8,815 *343,140 39,748

Massachusetts ........... 754,963 148,779 73,481 65,496 9,802 494,008 215,958 31,122 ... 112,177

Michigan ............... 1,622,521 339,188 189,949 133,660 *15,579 780,258 331,432 *26,322 ... 503,076

Minnesota .............. 698,889 271,493 192,267 68,787 *10,439 370,838 332,942 *20,354 ... 56,558

Mississippi .............. 175,846 68,587 *31,567 *30,634 *6,386 86,553 84,814 ... ... *20,706

Missouri ................ 869,075 219,932 86,027 121,019 *12,886 410,810 316,242 *21,580 ... 238,332

Montana ................ 376,451 302,625 177,498 95,146 29,982 54,631 43,694 ... ... 19,195

Nebraska................ 141,910 22,741 10,721 11,431 *589 108,348 42,675 *960 ... 10,821

Nevada ................. 362,229 158,935 75,569 45,901 37,466 109,816 61,649 *6,426 ... 93,478

New Hampshire .......... 273,920 116,136 63,345 50,754 2,037 75,466 70,947 *3,509 ... 82,318

New Jersey .............. 537,449 146,300 81,168 58,984 *6,148 265,100 225,519 *35,044 ... 126,049

New Mexico............. 297,174 208,278 124,779 71,056 12,443 81,952 47,495 *3,541 ... 6,944

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,567,629 695,724 351,017 306,721 37,986 635,306 602,353 *17,256 ... 236,599

North Carolina .......... 916,903 246,906 131,930 99,341 15,635 588,658 294,390 *15,900 ... 81,338

North Dakota ........... 22,913 4,952 *1,306 *3,551 ... 16,979 10,008 ... ... *981

Ohio ................... 1,187,703 207,253 118,964 84,018 ... 738,301 372,495 *40,105 ... 242,149

Oklahoma .............. 328,660 134,868 75,517 54,824 *4,527 177,568 158,048 *3,052 ... 16,225

Oregon ................. 776,414 262,425 155,350 96,970 10,105 442,818 142,603 *29,407 ... 71,170

Pennsylvania............. 1,442,681 324,990 176,807 131,536 16,646 928,853 432,149 *29,397 ... 188,838

Rhode Island ............ 214,247 97,407 84,630 9,984 *2,793 48,884 33,237 *10,103 ... 67,955

South Carolina ........... 550,777 195,804 115,067 57,668 *23,069 281,434 150,641 *36,976 ... 73,539

South Dakota ............ 183,304 129,930 97,896 29,244 *2,789 46,977 34,758 *4,204 ... 6,397

Tennessee ............... 992,362 327,240 215,427 102,989 8,823 433,538 271,007 46,057 ... 231,585

Texas................... 2,939,018 424,197 206,692 148,729 68,776 1,780,171 664,076 *24,928 ... 734,650

Utah ................... 564,443 322,023 228,164 83,011 10,848 226,692 55,756 *8,414 ... 15,728

Vermont ................ 122,872 58,219 37,206 19,244 *1,770 30,461 27,646 *2,815 ... 34,192

Virginia ................. 960,190 248,021 195,270 41,807 10,944 626,861 245,364 *4,016 ... 85,307

Washington.............. 1,502,311 441,652 227,721 157,045 56,886 594,706 262,335 29,797 *302,574 465,953

West Virginia ............ 241,601 136,136 *76,701 *57,678 ... 77,068 69,352 ... ... *28,397

Wisconsin ............... 744,689 260,166 171,773 79,881 *8,512 285,185 199,868 *27,604 ... 199,339

Wyoming ............... 394,869 299,988 186,338 97,847 15,803 64,740 20,031 ... ... 30,140

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

1 Includes expenditures for magazine subscriptions, membership dues and contributions, land leasing and owning, and plantings around the home that benefit wildlife.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in Appendix D.
Appendix A
118 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Annual household income—Total 

2006 income of household members 

before taxes and other deductions.

Around-the-home wildlife 

watching—Activity within 1 mile of 

home with one of six primary purposes: 

(1) taking special interest in or trying 

to identify birds or other wildlife; (2) 

photographing wildlife; (3) feeding 

birds or other wildlife; (4) maintaining 

natural areas of at least 1/4 acre for 

the benefi t of wildlife; (5) maintaining 

plantings (such as shrubs and agricultural crops) for the benefi t of wildlife; 

and (6) visiting public land to observe, 

photograph, or feed wildlife.

Auxiliary equipment—Equipment 

owned primarily for wildlife- associated 

recreation. For the sportspersons 

section, these include sleeping bags, 

packs, duffel bags, tents, binoculars 

and fi eld glasses, special fi shing and 

hunting clothing, foul weather gear, 

boots and waders, maintenance and 

repair of equipment, and processing 

and taxidermy costs. For the wildlifewatching section, these include tents, 

tarps, frame packs, backpacking and 

other camping equipment, and blinds.

Away-from-home wildlife watching—

Trips or outings at least 1 mile from 

home for the primary purpose of 

observing, photographing, or feeding 

wildlife. Trips to zoos, circuses, aquariums, and museums are not included. 

Big game—Bear, deer, elk, moose, 

wild turkey, and similar large animals 

that are hunted.

Census Divisions

East North Central

Illinois

Indiana

Michigan

Ohio

Wisconsin

East South Central

Alabama

Kentucky

Mississippi

Tennessee

Middle Atlantic

New Jersey

New York

Pennsylvania

Mountain

Arizona

Colorado

Idaho

Montana

Nevada

New Mexico

Utah

Wyoming

New England

Connecticut

Maine

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Rhode Island

Vermont

Pacifi c

Alaska

California

Hawaii

Oregon

Washington

South Atlantic

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Maryland

North Carolina

South Carolina

Virginia

West Virginia

West North Central

Kansas

Iowa

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

North Dakota

South Dakota

West South Central

Arkansas

Louisiana

Oklahoma

Texas

Day—Any part of a day spent participating in a given activity. For example, 

if someone hunted two hours one day 

and three hours another day, it would 

be reported as two days of hunting. 

If someone hunted two hours in the 

morning and three hours in the afternoon of the same day, it would be 

considered one day of hunting.

Education—The highest completed 

grade of school or year of college.

Expenditures—Money spent in 2006 

for wildlife-related recreation trips 

in the United States, wildlife-related 

recreational equipment purchased in 

the United States, and other items. The 

“other items” were books and magazines, membership dues and contributions, land leasing or owning, hunting 

and fi shing licenses, and plantings, 

all for the purpose of wildlife-related 

recreation. Expenditures included 

both money spent by participants for 

themselves and the value of gifts they 

received.

Fishing—The sport of catching or 

attempting to catch fi sh with a hook 

and line, bow and arrow, or spear; it 

also includes catching or gathering 

shellfi sh (clams, crabs, etc.); and the 

noncommercial seining or netting 

of fi sh, unless the fi sh are for use as 

bait. For example, seining for smelt is 

fi shing, but seining for bait minnows is 

not included as fi shing. 

Appendix A. 

Defi nitions
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 119

Fishing equipment—Items owned 

primarily for fi shing:

 Rods, reels, poles, and rodmaking 

components

 Lines and leaders

 Artifi cial lures, fl ies, baits, and 

dressing for fl ies or lines

 Hooks, sinkers, swivels, and other 

items attached to a line, except lures 

and baits

 Tackle boxes

 Creels, stringers, fi sh bags, landing 

nets, and gaff hooks

 Minnow traps, seines, and bait 

containers

 Depth fi nders, fi sh fi nders, and other 

electronic fi shing devices

 Ice fi shing equipment

 Other fi shing equipment

Freshwater—Reservoirs, lakes, ponds, 

and the nontidal portions of rivers and 

streams.

Great Lakes fi shing—Fishing in Lakes 

Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, 

Erie, and Ontario, their connecting 

waters such as the St. Mary’s River 

system, Detroit River, St. Clair River, 

and the Niagara River, and the St. 

Lawrence River south of the bridge 

at Cornwall, New York. Great Lakes 

fi shing includes fi shing in tributaries of 

the Great Lakes for smelt, steelhead, 

and salmon. 

Home—The starting point of a 

wi ldlife-related recreational trip. It may 

be a permanent residence or a temporary or seasonal residence such as a 

cabin. 

Hunting—The sport of shooting or 

attempting to shoot wildlife with fi rearms or archery equipment.

Hunting equipment—Items owned 

primarily for hunting:

 Rifl es, shotguns, muzzleloaders, and 

handguns

 Archery equipment

 Telescopic sights

 Decoys and game calls

 Ammunition

 Hand loading equipment

 Hunting dogs and associated costs

 Other hunting equipment

Land leasing and owning—Leasing 

or owning land either singly or in 

cooperation with others for the primary 

purpose of fi shing, hunting, or wildlife 

watching on it.

Maintain natural areas—To set aside 

1/4 acre or more of natural environment, such as wood lots or open fi elds, 

for the primary purpose of benefi ting 

wildlife. This is categorized as a wildlife-watching activity, not fi shing or 

hunting. 

Maintain plantings—To introduce 

or encourage the growth of food and 

cover plants for the primary purpose 

of benefi ting wildlife. Examples of 

plantings are butterfl y bushes and 

various sumacs. This is categorized as 

a wildlife-watching activity, not fi shing 

or hunting. 

Metropolitan statistical ar ea 

(MSA)—Except in the New England 

States, an MSA is a county or group of 

contiguous counties containing at least 

one city of 50,000 or more inhabitants 

or twin cities (i.e., cities with contiguous boundaries and constituting, for 

general social and economic purposes, 

a single community) with a combined 

population of at least 50,000. Also 

included in an MSA are contiguous 

counties that are socially and economically integrated with the central city. 

In the New England States, an MSA 

consists of towns and cities instead of 

counties. Each MSA must include at 

least one central city. See U.S. Census 

Bureau publication State and Metropolitan Area Data Book; 2006 for more 

detailed information on MSAs. It can 

be found at <http://www.census.gov

/prod/2006pubs/smadb/smadb-06.pdf>.

Migratory birds—Birds that regularly 

migrate from one region or climate to 

another such as ducks, geese, and doves 

and other birds that may be hunted. 

Multiple responses—The term used 

to refl ect the fact that individuals or 

their characteristics fall into more than 

one reporting category. An example 

of a big game hunter who hunted for 

deer and elk demonstrates the effect of 

multiple responses. In this case, adding 

the number of deer hunters (one) and 

elk hunters (one) would overstate the 

number of big game hunters (one) 

because deer and elk hunters are not 

mutually exclusive categories. In 

contrast, total participants is the sum of 

male and female participants, because 

“male” and “female” are mutually 

exclusive categories.

Nonresidents—Individuals who do 

not live in the State being reported. 

For example, a person living in Texas 

who watches whales in California is 

a nonresidential wildlife-watcher in 

California.

Nonresponse—A term used to refl ect 

the fact that some Survey respondents 

provide incomplete sets of information. For example, a Survey respondent 

may have been unable to identify the 

primary type of hunting for which a 

gun was bought. Total hunting expenditure estimates will include the gun 

purchase, but it will not appear as 

spending for big game or any other 

type of hunting. Nonresponses result in 

reported totals that are greater than the 

sum of their parts. 

Observe—To take special interest in 

or try to identify birds, fi sh, or other 

wildlife. 

Other animals—Coyotes, crows, 

foxes, groundhogs, prairie dogs, 

raccoons, and similar animals that can 

be legally hunted and are not classifi ed 

as big game, small game, or migratory birds. They may be classifi ed as 

unprotected or predatory animals by the 

State in which they are hunted. Feral 

pigs are classifi ed as “other animals” in 

all States except Hawaii, where they are 

considered big game. 

Participants—Individuals who engage 

in fi shing, hunting, or a wildlifewatching activity. Unless otherwise 

stated, a person has to have hunted, 

fi shed, or wildlife watched in 2006 to 

be considered a participant.

Plantings—See “Maintain plantings.”

Primary purpose—The principal 

motivation for an activity, trip, or 

expenditure.

Private land—Land that is owned by a 

private individual, group of individuals, 

or nongovernmental organization.

Public land—Land that is owned by 

local governments (such as county 

parks and municipal watersheds), State 
120 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

governments (such as State parks and 

wildlife management areas), or federal 

governments (such as National Forests 

and Wildlife Refuges).

Public parks or areas—See “Public 

land.” 

Residents—Individuals who lived in 

the State being reported. For example, 

a person who lives in California and 

watches whales in California is a residential wildlife watcher in California. 

Rural—All territory, population, 

and housing units located outside of 

urbanized areas and urban clusters, as 

determined by the Census Bureau.

Saltwater—Oceans, tidal bays and 

sounds, and the tidal portions of rivers 

and streams.

Screening interviews—The fi rst 

Survey contact with a sample household. Screening interviews are 

conducted with a household representative to identify respondents who 

are eligible for in-depth interviews. 

Screening interviews gather data such 

as age and sex about individuals in the 

households. Further information on 

screening interviews is available on 

page vii in the “Survey Background 

and Method” section of this report.

Small game—Grouse, pheasants, quail, 

rabbits, squirrels, and similar small 

animals for which States have small 

game seasons and bag limits.

Special equipment—Big-ticket equipment items that are owned primarily for 

wildlife-related recreation:

 Bass boats

 Other types of motorboats

 Canoes and other types of nonmotorboats

 Boat motors, boat trailer/hitches, 

and other boat accessories

 Pickups, campers, vans, travel or 

tent trailers, motor homes, house 

trailers, recreational vehicles (RVs)

 Cabins

 Off-the-road vehicles such as trail 

bikes, all terrain vehicles (ATVs), 

dune buggies, four-wheelers, 4x4 

vehicles, and snowmobiles

 Other special equipment 

Spenders—People who spent money 

on fi shing, hunting, or wildlifewatching activities or equipment. 

Sportspersons—Individuals who 

engage in fi shing, hunting, or both.

Trip—An outing involving fi shing, 

hunting, or wildlife watching. A trip 

may begin from an individual’s principal residence or from another place, 

such as a vacation home or the home 

of a relative. A trip may last an hour, a 

day, or many days. 

Type of fi shing—There are three 

types of fi shing: (1) freshwater except 

Great Lakes, (2) Great Lakes, and (3) 

saltwater.

Type of hunting—There are four types 

of hunting: (1) big game, (2) small 

game, (3) migratory bird, and (4) other 

animal.

Unspecifi ed expenditure—An item 

that was purchased for use in both 

fi shing and hunting, rather than 

primarily one or the other. Auxiliary 

equipment, special equipment, magazines and books, and membership dues 

and contributions are the items for 

which a purchase could be categorized 

as “unspecifi ed.” 

Urban—All territory, population, and 

housing units located within boundaries 

that encompass densely settled territory, 

consisting of core census block groups 

or blocks that have a population density 

of at least 1,000 people per square mile 

and surrounding census blocks that 

have an overall density of at least 500 

people per square mile. Under certain 

conditions, less densely settled territory 

may be included, as determined by the 

Census Bureau. 

Wildlife—Animals, such as birds, fi sh, 

insects, mammals, amphibians, and 

reptiles that are living in natural or wild 

environments. Wildlife does not include 

animals living in aquariums, zoos, 

and other artifi cial surroundings or 

domestic animals such as farm animals 

or pets.

Wildlife-associated recreation—

Recreational fi shing, hunting, and 

wildlife watching. 

Wildlife watching—There are six 

types of wildlife watching: (1) closely 

observing, (2) photographing, (3) 

feeding, (4) visiting public parks or 

areas, (5) maintaining plantings, and 

(6) maintaining natural areas. These 

activities must be the primary purpose 

of the trip or the around-the-home 

undertaking.

Wildlife observed, photographed, or 

fed—Examples of species that wildlife 

watchers observe, photograph, and/or 

feed are (1) Wild birds—songbirds 

such as cardinals, robins, warblers, 

jays, buntings, and sparrows; birds 

of prey such as hawks, owls, eagles, 

and falcons; waterfowl such as ducks, 

geese, and swans; other water birds 

such as shorebirds, herons, pelicans, 

and cranes; and other birds such as 

pheasants, turkeys, road runners, and 

woodpeckers; (2) Land mammals—

large land mammals such as bears, 

bison, deer, moose, and elk; and small 

land mammals such as squirrels, foxes, 

prairie dogs, and rabbits; (3) Fish 

such as salmon, sharks, and groupers; 

(4) Marine mammals such as whales, 

dolphins, and manatees; and (5) Other 

wildlife such as butterfl ies, turtles, 

spiders, and snakes.

Wildlife-watching equipment—Items 

owned primarily for observing, photographing, or feeding wildlife:

 Binoculars and spotting scopes

 Cameras, video cameras, special 

lenses, and other photographic 

equipment

 Film and developing

 Commercially prepared and packaged wild bird food

 Other bulk food used to feed wild 

birds

 Food for other wildlife

 Nest boxes, bird houses, feeders, and 

baths

 Day packs, carrying cases, and 

special clothing

 Other items such as fi eld guides and 

maps
Appendix B
122 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation was carried out in two 

phases. The fi rst (or screening) phase 

began in April 2006. The main purpose 

of this phase was to collect information about all persons 16 years old and 

older in order to develop a sample of 

potential sportspersons and wildlifewatchers for the second (or detailed) 

phase. Also, information was collected 

on the number of persons 6 to 15 years 

old who participated in wildlife-related 

recreation activities in 2005.

It is important to emphasize that the 

information reported from the 2006 

screen relates to activity only up to 

and including 2005. Also, these data 

are reported in most cases by one 

household respondent speaking for all 

household members rather than the 

actual participant. In addition, these 

data are based on long-term recall 

(at least a 12-month recall), which 

has been found in Survey research 

(Investigation of Possible Recall/Reference Period Bias in National Surveys 

of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-

 Associated Recreation, December 

1989, Westat, Inc.) to add bias to the 

resulting estimates. In many cases, 

longer recall periods result in overestimating participation and expenditures 

for wildlife-related recreation.

Tables B-1 through B-4 report data on 

fi rst-time participation and the most 

recent year of hunting and fi shing 

for participants 6 years of age and 

older. Tables B-5 though B-11 report 

data specifi cally on 6-to-15-year-old 

participants in 2005. Table B-12 gives 

trend data for 6-15 year olds. Detailed 

expenditures and recreational activity 

data were not gathered for the 6-to-15-

year-old participants.

Because of differences in methodologies of the screening and the detailed 

phases of the 2006 Survey, resulting 

estimates are not comparable. Only 

participants 16 years old and older 

were eligible for the detailed phase. 

The detailed phase was a series of three 

interviews conducted at four-month 

intervals. The screening interviews 

were one year or more recall. The 

shorter recall period of the detailed 

phase had better data accuracy. 

Appendix B.

2005 Participation of 6-to-15-Year-Olds and 

Historical Participation of Sportspersons: Data 

From Screening Interviews
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 123

Table B-1. Anglers and Hunters Participating for the First Time in 2005 by Age Group

(Population 6 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Age group

Total anglers

in 2005

Fishing for first time

Total hunters

in 2005

Hunting for first time

Number

Percent

of anglers

in age group Number

Percent

of hunters

in age group

Total, all ages .............. 55,739 3,983 7 15,725 1,327 8

6 to 8 years .............. 3,403 937 28 212 101 48

9 to 11 years.............. 3,747 574 15 369 153 42

12 to 15 years ............ 4,960 464 9 1,192 423 35

16 to 17 years ............ 1,910 128 7 677 97 14

18 to 24 years ............ 4,773 288 6 1,475 165 11

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 7,468 418 6 2,388 143 6

35 to 44 years ............ 10,523 518 5 3,104 113 4

45 to 54 years ............ 9,091 350 4 3,171 103 3

55 to 64 years ............ 6,005 150 3 1,927 *21 *1

65 years or older .......... 3,859 155 4 ... ... ...

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members. The screening interview

required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity.

Table B-2. Anglers and Hunters Participating in 2004 but Not in 2005 by Age Group

(Population 6 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Age group

Anglers Hunters

Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all ages ....................... 11,506 100 3,183 100

6 to 8 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 475 4 *61 *2

9 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 615 5 88 3

12 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 929 8 171 5

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 506 4 121 4

18 to 24 years ..................... 1,002 9 327 10

25 to 34 years ..................... 1,846 16 522 16

35 to 44 years ..................... 2,166 19 697 22

45 to 54 years ..................... 1,973 17 525 16

55 to 64 years ..................... 1,131 10 402 13

65 years or older . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 864 8 269 8

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members. The screening interview

required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who fished or hunted only in other countries.
124 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table B-3. Most Recent Year of Hunting by Age Group

(Population 6 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Age group

Total, all persons

who hunted in 2005

or earlier year

Most recent year of hunting

2005 2004 2003

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all ages .............. 46,247 100 15,741 34 3,191 7 1,750 4

6 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 829 100 581 70 149 18 *28 *3

12 to 15 years ............ 1,588 100 1,192 75 172 11 68 4

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 967 100 677 70 121 13 73 8

18 to 24 years ............ 3,037 100 1,477 49 331 11 224 7

25 to 34 years ............ 5,868 100 2,390 41 522 9 300 5

35 to 44 years ............ 8,465 100 3,111 37 700 8 409 5

45 to 54 years ............ 9,326 100 3,174 34 525 6 281 3

55 to 64 years ............ 7,761 100 1,927 25 402 5 219 3

65 years or older .......... 8405 100 1,213 14 269 3 149 2

Most recent year of hunting

2002 2001 2000 Before 2000

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all ages .............. 1,249 3 1,037 2 1,271 3 21,693 47

6 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ... ... *39 *5

12 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . *43 *3 *15 *1 ... ... 67 4

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... *16 *2 *18 *2 47 5

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 5 116 4 132 4 546 18

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 3 202 3 191 3 2,022 34

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 291 3 193 2 256 3 3,437 41

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 3 189 2 264 3 4,605 49

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 2 128 2 214 3 4,681 60

65 years or older . . . . . . . . . . 127 2 176 2 179 2 6,249 74

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members. The screening interview

required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 125

Table B-4. Most Recent Year of Fishing by Age Group

(Population 6 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Age group

Total, all persons

who fished in 2005

or earlier year

Most recent year of fishing

2005 2004 2003

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all ages .............. 119,399 100 55,766 47 11,546 10 5,760 5

6 to 11 years.............. 9,333 100 7,150 77 1,090 12 397 4

12 to 15 years ............ 7,543 100 4,960 66 935 12 443 6

16 to 17 years ............ 3,635 100 1,910 53 506 14 248 7

18 to 24 years ............ 9,753 100 4,781 49 1,013 10 646 7

25 to 34 years ............ 15,840 100 7,470 47 1,851 12 884 6

35 to 44 years ............ 20,805 100 10,527 51 2,172 10 1,089 5

45 to 54 years ............ 21,081 100 9,095 43 1,979 9 1,003 5

55 to 64 years ............ 15,645 100 6,008 38 1,134 7 593 4

65 years or older .......... 15,763 100 3,865 25 866 5 456 3

Most recent year of fishing

2002 2001 2000 Before 2000

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total, all ages .............. 3,965 3 3,250 3 3,169 3 35,190 29

6 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223 2 126 1 85 1 199 2

12 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 330 4 167 2 113 1 560 7

16 to 17 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 5 107 3 97 3 547 15

18 to 24 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 389 4 343 4 373 4 2,051 21

25 to 34 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 619 4 435 3 447 3 3,990 25

35 to 44 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 630 3 588 3 677 3 5,000 24

45 to 54 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 722 3 603 3 661 3 6,935 33

55 to 64 years . . . . . . . . . . . . 492 3 508 3 343 2 6,514 42

65 years or older . . . . . . . . . . 363 2 374 2 372 2 9,394 60

Note: Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members. The screening interview

required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity.
126 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table B-5. Anglers and Hunters 6 to 15 Years Old: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Sportspersons

Total, 6 to 15 years old 12 to 15 years old 9 to 11 years old 6 to 8 years old

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

Total sportspersons, fished or hunted . 12,318 100 5,121 100 3,786 100 3,411 100

Total anglers .................... 12,110 98 4,960 97 3,747 99 3,403 100

Fished only .................... 10,545 86 3,929 77 3,417 90 3,199 94

Fished and hunted............... 1,565 13 1,031 20 330 9 203 6

Total hunters .................... 1,773 14 1,192 23 369 10 212 6

Hunted only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 2 161 3 *38 *1 ... ...

Hunted and fished............... 1,565 13 1,031 20 330 9 203 6

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member

responded for all household members 6 to 15 years old. The screening interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons

who fished or hunted only in other countries.

Table B-6. Wildlife-Watching Participants 6 to 15 Years Old by Wildlife-Watching Activity: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Activity

Total, 6 to 15 years old 12 to 15 years old 9 to 11 years old 6 to 8 years old

Number

Percent

of participants

Percent

of

population Number

Percent

of participants

Percent

of

population Number

Percent

of participants

Percent

of

population Number

Percent

of participants

Percent

of population

Total participants ......... 13,587 100 34 5,115 100 30 4,334 100 37 4,137 100 35

Away from home ........ 5,850 43 14 2,154 42 13 1,981 46 17 1,716 41 14

Around the home ........ 12,055 89 30 4,526 88 27 3,849 89 33 3,680 89 31

Observe wildlife ....... 9,967 73 25 3,684 72 22 3,212 74 27 3,072 74 26

Photograph wildlife .... 2,009 15 5 934 18 6 670 15 6 405 10 3

Feed wild birds or other

wildlife ............. 6,324 47 16 2,248 44 13 2,139 49 18 1,937 47 16

Maintain plantings or

natural areas ......... 1,913 14 5 843 16 5 626 14 5 444 11 4

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Columns showing percent of participants are based on the first row of each column. Columns showing

percent of population in age group are based on the U.S. population in each age category, including those who did not participate in wildlife-watching activities.

Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for household members 6 to 15 years old. The screening

interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who participated only in other countries.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 127

Table B-7. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters 6 to 15 Years Old: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population Sportspersons, fished or hunted Fished only

Number Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons ....................... 40,500 100 12,318 30 100 10,545 26 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban............................ 31,077 77 8,108 26 66 7,382 24 70

Rural ............................ 9,422 23 4,210 45 34 3,163 34 30

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA).... 33,809 83 9,618 28 78 8,537 25 81

1,000,000 or more ............... 21,164 52 5,590 26 45 5,039 24 48

250,000 to 999,999............... 8,790 22 2,678 30 22 2,383 27 23

Less than 250,000................ 3,854 10 1,350 35 11 1,114 29 11

Outside MSA ..................... 6,691 17 2,701 40 22 2,008 30 19

Census Geographic Division

New England ..................... 1,807 4 552 31 4 530 29 5

Middle Atlantic .................... 5,246 13 1,384 26 11 1,266 24 12

East North Central ................. 6,343 16 2,285 36 19 2,002 32 19

West North Central................. 2,571 6 1,289 50 10 1,074 42 10

South Atlantic ..................... 7,435 18 2,222 30 18 1,930 26 18

East South Central ................. 2,309 6 886 38 7 627 27 6

West South Central................. 4,896 12 1,502 31 12 1,117 23 11

Mountain......................... 2,922 7 872 30 7 760 26 7

Pacific ........................... 6,971 17 1,326 19 11 1,240 18 12

Age

6 to 8 years....................... 11,896 29 3,411 29 28 3,199 27 30

9 to 11 years...................... 11,827 29 3,786 32 31 3,417 29 32

12 to 15 years..................... 16,777 41 5,121 31 42 3,929 23 37

Sex

Male, total........................ 20,929 52 7,662 37 62 6,225 30 59

6 to 8 years..................... 6,068 15 2,017 33 16 1,835 30 17

9 to 11 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,104 15 2,324 38 19 2,013 33 19

12 to 15 years................... 8,756 22 3,321 38 27 2,377 27 23

Female, total ...................... 19,571 48 4,656 24 38 4,320 22 41

6 to 8 years..................... 5,828 14 1,394 24 11 1,364 23 13

9 to 11 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,722 14 1,462 26 12 1,404 25 13

12 to 15 years................... 8,021 20 1,799 22 15 1,551 19 15

Ethnicity

Hispanic ......................... 7,598 19 1,032 14 8 941 12 9

Non-Hispanic ..................... 32,901 81 11,286 34 92 9,604 29 91

Race

White............................ 31,400 78 10,976 35 89 9,315 30 88

Black ............................ 6,051 15 709 12 6 664 11 6

Asian ............................ 1,948 5 227 12 2 220 11 2

All others ........................ 1,100 3 406 37 3 347 32 3

Annual Household Income

Under $10,000 .................... 1,647 4 324 20 3 290 18 3

$10,000 to $19,999................. 2,894 7 439 15 4 405 14 4

$20,000 to $24,999................. 2,105 5 509 24 4 449 21 4

$25,000 to $29,999................. 2,099 5 524 25 4 441 21 4

$30,000 to $34,999................. 2,127 5 561 26 5 492 23 5

$35,000 to $39,999................. 2,006 5 565 28 5 477 24 5

$40,000 to $49,999................. 3,416 8 1,200 35 10 1,026 30 10

$50,000 to $74,999................. 6,824 17 2,542 37 21 2,077 30 20

$75,000 to $99,999................. 4,470 11 1,869 42 15 1,611 36 15

$100,000 or more .................. 6,225 15 2,616 42 21 2,295 37 22

Not reported ...................... 6,687 17 1,170 17 9 983 15 9

See footnotes at end of table.
128 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table B-7. Selected Characteristics of Anglers and Hunters 6 to 15 Years Old: 2005—Continued

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

Hunted only Fished and hunted

Number

Percent who

participated Percent Number

Percent who

participated Percent

Total persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208 1 100 1,565 4 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 (Z) 47 627 2 40

Rural . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 1 53 937 10 60

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA). . . . 141 (Z) 68 939 3 60

1,000,000 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 (Z) 30 489 2 31

250,000 to 999,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *49 *1 *24 245 3 16

Less than 250,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *31 *1 *15 205 5 13

Outside MSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 1 32 626 9 40

Census Geographic Division

New England . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *20 *1 *1

Middle Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *95 *2 *6

East North Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 264 4 17

West North Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *30 *1 *14 185 7 12

South Atlantic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *37 *(Z) *18 255 3 16

East South Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *31 *1 *15 228 10 15

West South Central. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *30 *1 *15 355 7 23

Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 1 12 86 3 6

Pacific . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 75 1 5

Age

6 to 8 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 203 2 13

9 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *38 *(Z) *18 330 3 21

12 to 15 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 1 77 1,031 6 66

Sex

Male, total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 1 76 1,278 6 82

6 to 8 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 175 3 11

9 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *27 *(Z) *13 284 5 18

12 to 15 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 1 60 819 9 52

Female, total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 (Z) 24 286 1 18

6 to 8 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *28 *(Z) *2

9 to 11 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *46 *1 *3

12 to 15 years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *36 *(Z) *17 212 3 14

Ethnicity

Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *86 *1 *6

Non-Hispanic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203 1 97 1,478 4 94

Race

White. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 1 93 1,466 5 94

Black . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *36 *1 *2

Asian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... ... ... ...

All others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 55 5 3

Annual Household Income

Under $10,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *29 *2 *2

$10,000 to $19,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *26 *1 *2

$20,000 to $24,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *50 *2 *3

$25,000 to $29,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... *74 *4 *5

$30,000 to $34,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 64 3 4

$35,000 to $39,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 75 4 5

$40,000 to $49,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ... ... 161 5 10

$50,000 to $74,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 1 28 407 6 26

$75,000 to $99,999. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *27 *1 *13 231 5 15

$100,000 or more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *39 *1 *19 282 5 18

Not reported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . *21 *(Z) *10 165 2 11

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.

Note: Percent who participated columns show the percent of each row’s population who participated in the activity named by the column (the percent of those living in

urban areas who fished only, etc.). Percent columns show the percent of each column’s participants who are described by the row heading (the percent of those who

fished only who lived in urban areas, etc.). Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all

household members. The screening interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 129

Table B-8. Selected Characteristics of Wildlife-Watching Participants 6 to 15 Years Old: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Characteristic

U.S. population

Participants

Total Away from home Around the home

Number Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent Number

Percent

who

participated Percent

Total persons ..................... 40,500 100 13,587 34 100 5,850 14 100 12,055 30 100

Population Density of Residence

Urban.......................... 31,077 77 9,503 31 70 4,103 13 70 8,331 27 69

Rural .......................... 9,422 23 4,084 43 30 1,747 19 30 3,724 40 31

Population Size of Residence

Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) . . . 33,809 83 10,937 32 80 4,726 14 81 9,694 29 80

1,000,000 or more .............. 21,164 52 6,289 30 46 2,713 13 46 5,569 26 46

250,000 to 999,999 ............. 8,790 22 3,097 35 23 1,365 16 23 2,727 31 23

Less than 250,000 .............. 3,854 10 1,550 40 11 647 17 11 1,398 36 12

Outside MSA.................... 6,691 17 2,650 40 20 1,125 17 19 2,361 35 20

Census Geographic Division

New England .................... 1,807 4 744 41 5 295 16 5 658 36 5

Middle Atlantic .................. 5,246 13 1,698 32 12 712 14 12 1,564 30 13

East North Central ................ 6,343 16 2,265 36 17 987 16 17 2,074 33 17

West North Central ............... 2,571 6 1,201 47 9 498 19 9 1,028 40 9

South Atlantic ................... 7,435 18 2,343 32 17 875 12 15 2,165 29 18

East South Central ................ 2,309 6 792 34 6 317 14 5 731 32 6

West South Central ............... 4,896 12 1,603 33 12 738 15 13 1,400 29 12

Mountain ....................... 2,922 7 1,072 37 8 554 19 9 906 31 8

Pacific ......................... 6,971 17 1,868 27 14 873 13 15 1,528 22 13

Age

6 to 8 years ..................... 11,896 29 4,137 35 30 1,716 14 29 3,680 31 31

9 to 11 years .................... 11,827 29 4,334 37 32 1,981 17 34 3,849 33 32

12 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,777 41 5,115 30 38 2,154 13 37 4,526 27 38

Sex

Male, total ...................... 20,929 52 7,281 35 54 3,138 15 54 6,468 31 54

6 to 8 years ................... 6,068 15 2,156 36 16 916 15 16 1,908 31 16

9 to 11 years .................. 6,104 15 2,256 37 17 1,051 17 18 2,027 33 17

12 to 15 years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,756 22 2,869 33 21 1,171 13 20 2,533 29 21

Female, total .................... 19,571 48 6,306 32 46 2,712 14 46 5,587 29 46

6 to 8 years ................... 5,828 14 1,981 34 15 800 14 14 1,772 30 15

9 to 11 years .................. 5,722 14 2,078 36 15 930 16 16 1,822 32 15

12 to 15 years ................. 8,021 20 2,247 28 17 983 12 17 1,993 25 17

Ethnicity

Hispanic........................ 7,598 19 1,626 21 12 784 10 13 1,378 18 11

Non-Hispanic .................... 32,901 81 11,960 36 88 5,067 15 87 10,677 32 89

Race

White .......................... 31,400 78 11,687 37 86 5,025 16 86 10,468 33 87

Black .......................... 6,051 15 1,000 17 7 314 5 5 890 15 7

Asian .......................... 1,948 5 438 22 3 275 14 5 294 15 2

All others....................... 1,100 3 461 42 3 236 21 4 404 37 3

Annual Household Income

Under $10,000 ................... 1,647 4 335 20 2 145 9 2 284 17 2

$10,000 to $19,999 ............... 2,894 7 716 25 5 271 9 5 648 22 5

$20,000 to $24,999 ............... 2,105 5 533 25 4 188 9 3 462 22 4

$25,000 to $29,999 ............... 2,099 5 547 26 4 300 14 5 464 22 4

$30,000 to $34,999 ............... 2,127 5 743 35 5 279 13 5 642 30 5

$35,000 to $39,999 ............... 2,006 5 641 32 5 283 14 5 596 30 5

$40,000 to $49,999 ............... 3,416 8 1,312 38 10 493 14 8 1,167 34 10

$50,000 to $74,999 ............... 6,824 17 2,601 38 19 1,171 17 20 2,351 34 20

$75,000 to $99,999 ............... 4,470 11 2,027 45 15 1,022 23 17 1,776 40 15

$100,000 or more................. 6,225 15 2,858 46 21 1,280 21 22 2,537 41 21

Not reported..................... 6,687 17 1,273 19 9 417 6 7 1,129 17 9

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. Percent who participated columns show the percent of each row’s population who participated in the

activity named by the column (the percent of those living in urban areas who were around-the-home participants, etc.). Percent columns show the percent of each

column’s participants who are described by the row heading (the percent of those who were around-the-home participants who lived in urban areas, etc.). Data

reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members 6 to 15 years old. The screening

interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who participated in wildlife-watching activities only in other countries.
130 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table B-9. Participants in Wildlife-Related Recreation 6 to 15 Years Old by State Residents Both Inside

and Outside Their Resident State: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Participant’s state of

residence

Population

Total participants Sportspersons Wildlife-watching participants

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total.......... 40,500 18,421 45 12,318 30 13,587 34

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 281 47 230 38 177 29

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 75 72 58 55 52 50

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879 321 36 172 20 236 27

Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 217 58 164 44 121 33

California ................ 5,389 1,656 31 810 15 1,255 23

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646 364 56 242 37 302 47

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472 225 48 138 29 175 37

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 53 49 35 32 40 37

Florida .................. 2,263 884 39 547 24 645 29

Georgia .................. 1,281 567 44 394 31 406 32

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 56 33 33 20 38 22

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 124 60 87 42 86 42

Illinois................... 1,785 725 41 493 28 500 28

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 489 55 366 41 313 35

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 240 65 184 50 177 48

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 237 64 177 48 178 48

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541 348 64 272 50 245 45

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 233 37 167 27 160 26

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 103 66 73 47 78 51

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772 329 43 210 27 253 33

Massachusetts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 798 380 48 194 24 316 40

Michigan................. 1,414 747 53 541 38 613 43

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672 495 74 391 58 346 52

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 164 41 147 36 96 24

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756 469 62 353 47 343 45

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 71 63 46 41 49 44

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 135 58 106 45 73 31

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 122 34 69 20 103 29

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . 172 106 62 78 45 80 47

New Jersey ............... 1,203 438 36 279 23 326 27

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 131 48 83 31 103 38

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,476 905 37 513 21 697 28

North Carolina ............ 1,181 562 48 384 33 370 31

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 45 61 37 50 28 38

Ohio .................... 1,531 861 56 596 39 597 39

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466 269 58 172 37 201 43

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477 254 53 157 33 188 39

Pennsylvania.............. 1,567 854 54 592 38 674 43

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 67 50 36 26 52 39

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . 564 290 51 218 39 179 32

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 65 65 41 41 56 56

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764 364 48 236 31 275 36

Texas.................... 3,438 1,412 41 1,000 29 1,121 33

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 203 51 141 36 157 40

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 53 71 33 45 41 56

Virginia .................. 1,000 479 48 325 33 367 37

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833 416 50 268 32 335 40

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 120 57 109 52 83 39

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716 375 52 290 40 242 34

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 46 74 30 49 36 58

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in the

statistical accuracy appendix. Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for household members

6 to 15 years old. The screening interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who participated only in other countries.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 131

Table B-10. Anglers and Hunters 6 to 15 Years Old by State Residents Participating Both Inside and

Outside Their Resident State: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Sportsperson’s state of

residence

Population

Fished or hunted Fished only Hunted only Fished and hunted

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total.......... 40,500 12,318 30 10,545 26 208 1 1,565 4

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 230 38 157 26 ... ... *64 *11

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 58 55 52 50 ... ... *6 *5

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879 172 20 156 18 ... ... ... ...

Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 164 44 120 32 ... ... *37 *10

California ................ 5,389 810 15 778 14 ... ... ... ...

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646 242 37 223 34 ... ... *13 *2

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472 138 29 136 29 ... ... ... ...

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 35 32 32 30 ... ... ... ...

Florida .................. 2,263 547 24 499 22 ... ... *38 *2

Georgia .................. 1,281 394 31 324 25 ... ... *56 *4

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 33 20 30 18 ... ... ... ...

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 87 42 68 33 ... ... *13 *6

Illinois................... 1,785 493 28 438 25 ... ... *55 *3

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 366 41 303 34 ... ... *57 *6

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 184 50 157 43 ... ... *23 *6

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 177 48 152 41 ... ... *18 *5

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541 272 50 219 41 ... ... *42 *8

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 167 27 120 19 ... ... *43 *7

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 73 47 68 44 ... ... ... ...

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772 210 27 187 24 ... ... *19 *2

Massachusetts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 798 194 24 190 24 ... ... ... ...

Michigan................. 1,414 541 38 486 34 ... ... *52 *4

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672 391 58 334 50 ... ... *54 *8

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 147 36 78 19 ... ... 61 15

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756 353 47 289 38 ... ... *57 *8

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 46 41 33 30 ... ... *9 *8

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 106 45 86 37 ... ... *18 *8

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 69 20 62 18 ... ... ... ...

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . 172 78 45 74 43 ... ... ... ...

New Jersey ............... 1,203 279 23 271 23 ... ... ... ...

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 83 31 78 29 ... ... ... ...

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,476 513 21 471 19 ... ... ... ...

North Carolina ............ 1,181 384 33 337 29 ... ... *42 *4

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 37 50 26 36 ... ... *7 *9

Ohio .................... 1,531 596 39 541 35 ... ... *49 *3

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466 172 37 125 27 ... ... 41 9

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477 157 33 141 29 ... ... ... ...

Pennsylvania.............. 1,567 592 38 525 33 ... ... *53 *3

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 36 26 35 26 ... ... ... ...

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . 564 218 39 188 33 ... ... *29 *5

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 41 41 30 30 ... ... *8 *8

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764 236 31 173 23 ... ... *62 *8

Texas.................... 3,438 1,000 29 752 22 ... ... 234 7

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 141 36 114 29 ... ... *23 *6

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 33 45 27 37 ... ... ... ...

Virginia .................. 1,000 325 33 289 29 ... ... *34 *3

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833 268 32 239 29 ... ... *22 *3

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 109 52 73 35 ... ... *34 *16

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716 290 40 233 33 ... ... *51 *7

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 30 49 25 40 ... ... *5 *7

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29. ... Sample size too small to report data reliably.

Note: U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in the statistical accuracy appendix. Data reported on this table are

from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for household members 6 to 15 years old. The screening interviews required the

respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who participated only in other countries.
132 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table B-11. Participants in Wildlife-Watching Activities 6 to 15 Years Old by State Residents Participating

Both Inside and Outside Their Resident State: 2005

(Population 6 to 15 years old. Numbers in thousands)

Participant’s state of

residence

Population

Participants

Total Away from home Around the home

Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population Number

Percent of

population

United States, total.......... 40,500 13,587 34 5,850 14 12,055 30

Alabama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 600 177 29 *49 *8 165 27

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 52 50 27 26 47 45

Arizona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 879 236 27 113 13 205 23

Arkansas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371 121 33 *41 *11 102 27

California ................ 5,389 1,255 23 597 11 1,011 19

Colorado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 646 302 47 158 25 265 41

Connecticut. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 472 175 37 71 15 155 33

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 40 37 17 16 35 33

Florida .................. 2,263 645 29 232 10 611 27

Georgia .................. 1,281 406 32 153 12 376 29

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 38 22 17 10 30 18

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206 86 42 37 18 63 31

Illinois................... 1,785 500 28 216 12 467 26

Indiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 897 313 35 144 16 285 32

Iowa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 177 48 77 21 160 43

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368 178 48 68 19 147 40

Kentucky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541 245 45 89 16 224 41

Louisiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 620 160 26 *74 *12 143 23

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 78 51 35 23 73 47

Maryland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 772 253 33 118 15 231 30

Massachusetts. . . . . . . . . . . . . 798 316 40 121 15 278 35

Michigan................. 1,414 613 43 313 22 551 39

Minnesota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 672 346 52 161 24 296 44

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 404 96 24 *34 *8 88 22

Missouri . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 756 343 45 130 17 295 39

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 49 44 36 32 39 34

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233 73 31 33 14 57 25

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 103 29 50 14 84 24

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . 172 80 47 40 23 67 39

New Jersey ............... 1,203 326 27 139 12 288 24

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270 103 38 53 20 82 30

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,476 697 28 264 11 646 26

North Carolina ............ 1,181 370 31 121 10 333 28

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 28 38 *7 *10 25 34

Ohio .................... 1,531 597 39 254 17 533 35

Oklahoma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466 201 43 65 14 178 38

Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477 188 39 74 15 155 33

Pennsylvania.............. 1,567 674 43 310 20 630 40

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 52 39 19 14 46 34

South Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . 564 179 32 90 16 165 29

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 56 56 22 22 47 46

Tennessee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764 275 36 146 19 255 33

Texas.................... 3,438 1,121 33 558 16 977 28

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393 157 40 84 21 137 35

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 41 56 *10 *14 40 54

Virginia .................. 1,000 367 37 111 11 338 34

Washington. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 833 335 40 158 19 284 34

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 83 39 *33 *16 77 36

Wisconsin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 716 242 34 *61 *9 239 33

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 36 58 22 36 31 50

* Estimate based on a sample size of 10–29.

Note: Detail does not add to total because of multiple responses. U.S. totals include responses from participants residing in the District of Columbia, as described in the

statistical accuracy appendix. Data reported on this table are from screening interviews in which one adult household member responded for all household members

6 to 15 years old. The screening interview required the respondent to recall 12 months worth of activity. Includes persons who participated only in other countries.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 133

Table B-12. Participation by 6-to-15-Year-Olds in 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, and 2005

(Numbers in thousands)

Participant

1980 1985 1990

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Total sportspersons ......... 12,141 (NA) 34 12,558 3 36 14,011 12 39

Anglers .................. 11,787 (NA) 33 12,243 4 35 13,790 13 39

Hunters .................. 1,962 (NA) 6 1,799 –8 5 1,730 –4 5

Total wildlife watchers....... (NA) (NA) (NA) 17,789 (NA) 51 17,136 –4 48

Around the home .......... (NA) (NA) (NA) 16,151 (NA) 46 15,406 –5 43

Away from home .......... (NA) (NA) (NA) 6,615 (NA) 19 7,311 11 21

1995 2000 2005

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Number of

participants

Percent

change

from

previous

survey

Percent of

6-to-15-

year-old

population

Total sportspersons ......... 15,019 7 39 13,369 –11 33 12,318 –8 30

Anglers .................. 14,808 7 38 13,145 –11 32 12,110 –8 30

Hunters .................. 1,720 –1 4 1,741 1 4 1,773 2 4

Total wildlife watchers....... 17,449 2 45 15,066 –14 37 13,587 –10 34

Around the home .......... 15,425 (Z) 40 13,542 –12 33 12,055 –11 30

Away from home .......... 8,314 14 21 6,091 –27 15 5,850 –4 14

(NA) Not available. (Z) Less than 0.5 percent.
Appendix C
136 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation (FHWAR) was designed 

to continue the data collection of the 

1955 to 2001 Surveys. While complete 

comparability between any two surveys 

cannot be achieved, this appendix 

compares major fi ndings of all the 

surveys and presents trends for the 

major categories of wildlife-related 

recreation where feasible. Differences 

among the Surveys are discussed in the 

following two sections.

The principal characteristics of the 

1955 to 2006 Surveys are summarized 

in Table C-1. The table shows the scope 

and design of all 11 surveys.

This appendix provides trend information in two sections (1991 to 2006 and 

1955 to 1985). A signifi cant change 

was made in 1991 in the recall period 

used in the detailed phase of the 

FHWAR Surveys. The recall period in 

1991 was shortened from 12 months 

(used in previous surveys) to 4 months 

in order to improve the accuracy of 

the data collected. As a result of that 

change, the surveys conducted since 

1991 cannot be compared with those 

conducted earlier.

The 1955 to 1985 Surveys required 

respondents to recall their recreation 

activities for the survey year at the 

beginning of the following year. The 

1991 to 2006 Surveys went back to 

the respondents three times during the 

survey year to get their activity information. The change in the recall period 

was due to a study1

 of the effect of 

the respondent recall length on survey 

estimates. The study found signifi -

cant differences in FHWAR survey 

results using annual recall periods 

1

 Investigation of Possible Recall/Reference 

Period Bias in National Surveys of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 

December 1989, Westat, Inc.

versus shorter recall periods. Longer 

recall periods lead to higher estimates. 

Even when everything else was held 

constant, such as questionnaire content 

and sample design, increasing the 

respondent’s recall period resulted in 

signifi cantly higher estimates for the 

same phenomenon.

The recall study also found that the 

extent of recall bias varied for different 

types of fi shing and hunting participation and expenditures. For example, 

annual recall respondents gave an 

estimate of average annual days of saltwater fi shing that was 46 percent higher 

than the trimester recall estimate, while 

the annual recall estimate of average 

annual saltwater fi shing trips was 30 

percent higher than the trimester recall 

estimate. This means there is no single 

correction factor for all survey estimates when calculating trends from 

surveys using different recall periods. 

Reliable trends analysis needs to use 

data compiled from surveys in which 

the important elements, such as the 

sample design and recall period, are not 

signifi cantly different.

1991 to 2006 Signifi cant 

Methodological Differences

The most signifi cant design differences 

in the four surveys are as follows:

1. The 1991 Survey data were 

collected by interviewers fi lling 

out paper questionnaires. The data 

entries were keyed in a separate 

operation after the interview. The 

1996, 2001, and 2006 survey 

data were collected by the use of 

computer-assisted interviews. The 

questionnaires were programmed 

into computers, and the interviewer 

keyed in the responses at the time 

of the interview.

2. The 1991 Survey screening phase 

was conducted in January and 

February 1991, when the sample 

households were contacted and a 

household respondent was interviewed on behalf of the entire 

household. The screening interviews for the 1996, 2001, and 

2006 Surveys were conducted 

April through June of their survey 

years in conjunction with the fi rst 

wave of the detailed interviews. 

The screening interviews for all 

four Surveys consisted primarily 

of demographic questions and 

wildlife-related recreation questions concerning activity in the 

previous year (1990, 1995, etc.) 

and int entions for recreating in the 

survey year.

In the 1991 Survey, an attempt was 

made to contact every sample person 

in all three detailed interview waves. In 

1996, 2001, and 2006, respondents who 

were interviewed in the fi rst detailed 

interview wave were not contacted 

again until the third wave. Also, all 

interviews in the second wave were 

conducted by telephone. In-person 

interviews were only conducted in the 

fi rst and third waves.

Section I. Important Instrument 

Changes in the 1996 Survey

1. The 1991 Survey collected information on all wildlife-related 

recreation purchases made by 

participants without reference to 

where the purchase was made. The 

1996 Survey asked in which state 

the purchase was made.

2. In 1991, respondents were asked 

what kind of fi shing they did, i.e., 

Great Lakes, other freshwater, or 

saltwater, and then were asked in 

what states they fi shed. In 1996, 

respondents were asked in which 

Appendix C. 

Signifi cant Methodological Changes From Previous 

Surveys and Regional Trends
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 137

Table C-1. Major Characteristics of Surveys: 1955 to 2006

Characteristic 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1991 1996 2001 2006

Survey design:

Screening interview

mode and population

of interest ............ Combined

with

detailed

phase

Personal

interview,

12 years

old and

older

Personal

interview,

9 years

old and

older

Mail

questionnaire,

9 years

old and

older

Telephone

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

6 years

old and

older

Detailed interview

mode and population

of interest ............ Personal

interview,

12 years

old and

older

Personal

interview,

12 years

old and

older.

Substantial

participants1

Personal

interview,

12 years

old and

older.

Substantial

participants1

Personal

interview,

12 years

old and

older.

Substantial

participants2

Mail

questionnaire,

9 years

old and

older

Personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older

Personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older.

Telephone/

personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older

Telephone/

personal

interview,

16 years

old and

older

Respondent’s recall period. . . 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 4 months

4–8

months

4–8

months

4–8

months

Sample sizes:

Screening phase

(households) .......... 20,000 18,000 16,000 24,000 106,294 116,025 102,694 102,804 44,000 52,508 66,688

Detailed phase

(individuals):

Fishing and hunting .... 9,328 10,300 6,400 8,700 20,211 30,291 28,011 23,179 13,222 25,070 21,938

Wildlife watching3

. . . . . (X) (X) (X) (X) (X) 5,997 26,671 22,723 9,802 15,303 11,279

Response rates:

Screening phase ........ (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) 95 percent 95 percent 93 percent 95 percent 71 percent 75 percent 90 percent

Detailed phase:

Fishing and hunting .... (NA) 93 percent (NA) (NA) 37 percent 90 percent 92 percent 95 percent 80 percent 88 percent 77 percent

Wildlife watching3

. . . . . (X) (X) (X) (X) (X) 95 percent 94 percent 95 percent 82 percent 90 percent 78 percent

Level of reporting......... National National National National State and

National

State and

National

State and

National

State and

National

State and

National

State and

National

State and

National

Data collection agent ...... Private contractor U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

Private contractor U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

U.S.

Census

Bureau

(NA) Not available. (X) Not applicable; wildlife-watching (nonconsumptive) interviews were not conducted prior to 1980.

1 Spent $5.00 or more or participated 3 days or more during the year. 2 Spent $7.50 or more or participated 3 days or more during the year. 3 Termed ‘‘nonconsumptive’’ in 1980, 1985, and 1991 Surveys.
138 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

states they fi shed and then were 

asked what kind of fi shing they did. 

This method had the advantage of 

not asking about, for example, saltwater fi shing when they only fi shed 

in a noncoastal state.

3. In 1991, respondents were asked 

how many days they “actually” 

hunted or fi shed for a particular 

type of game or fi sh and then how 

many days they “chiefl y” hunted 

or fi shed for the same type of game 

or fi sh rather than another type of 

game or fi sh. To get total days of 

hunting or fi shing for a particular 

type of game or fi sh, the “actually” 

day response was used, while to 

get the sum of all days of hunting 

or fi shing, the “chiefl y” days were 

summed. In 1996, respondents 

were asked their total days of 

hunting or fi shing in the country 

and in each state, then how many 

days they hunted or fi shed for a 

particular type of game or fi sh.

4. Trip-related and equipment expenditure categories were not the same 

for all Surveys. “Guide fee” and 

“Pack trip or package fee” were 

two separate trip-related expenditure items in 1991, while they 

were combined into one category 

in the 1996 Survey. “Boating costs” 

was added to the 1996 hunting 

and wildlife-watching trip-related 

expenditure sections. “Heating 

and cooking fuel” was added to 

all of the trip-related expenditure 

sections. “Spearfi shing equipment” 

was moved from a separate category to the “other” list. “Rods” and 

“Reels” were two separate categories in 1991 but were combined 

in 1996. “Lines, hooks, sinkers, 

etc.” was one category in 1991 

but split into “Lines” and “Hooks, 

sinkers, etc.” in 1996. “Food used 

to feed other wildlife” was added 

to the wildlife-watching equipment 

section; “Boats” and “Cabins” were 

added to the wildlife-watching 

special equipment section; and 

“Land leasing and ownership” was 

added to the wildlife-watching 

expenditures section.

5. Questions asking sportspersons if 

they participated as much as they 

wanted were added in 1996. If the 

sportspersons said no, they were 

asked why not.

6. The 1991 Survey included questions about participation in organized fi shing competitions; anglers 

using bows and arrows, nets or 

seines, or spearfi shing; hunters 

using pistols or handguns and target 

shooting in preparation for hunting. 

These questions were not asked in 

1996.

7. The 1996 Survey included questions about catch and release 

fi shing and persons with disabilities 

participating in wildlife-related 

recreation. These questions were 

not part of the 1991 Survey. 

8. The 1991 Survey included questions about average distance 

traveled to recreation sites. These 

questions were not included in the 

1996 Survey.

9. The 1996 Survey included questions about the last trip the respondent took. Included were questions 

about the type of trip, where the 

activity took place, and the distance 

and direction to the site visited. 

These questions were not asked in 

1991.

10. The 1991 Survey collected data 

on hunting, fi shing, and wildlife 

watching by U.S. residents in 

Canada. The 1996 Survey collected 

data on fi shing and wildlifewatching by U.S. residents in 

Canada.

Section II. Important Instrument 

Changes in the 2001 Survey

1. The 1991 and 1996 single-race 

category “Asian or Pacifi c Islander” 

was changed to two categories 

“Asian” and “Native Hawaiian or 

Other Pacifi c Islander.” In 1991 and 

1996, the respondent was required 

to pick only one category, while in 

2001 the respondent could pick any 

combination of categories. The next 

question stipulated that the respondent could only be identifi ed with 

one category and then asked what 

that category was.

2. The 1991 and 1996 land leasing 

and ownership sections asked the 

respondent to combine the two 

types of land use into one and give 

total acreage and expenditures. In 

2001, the two types of land use 

were explored separately.

3. The 1991 and 1996 wildlifewatching sections included questions on birdwatching for residential users only. The 2001 Survey 

added a question on birdwatching 

for nonresidential users. Also, questions on the use of birding life lists 

and how many species the respondent can identify were added.

4. “Recreational vehicles” was added 

to the sportspersons and wildlifewatchers special equipment section. 

“House trailer” was added to the 

sportspersons special equipment 

section.

5. Total personal income was asked 

in the detailed phase of the 1996 

Survey. This was changed to total 

household income in the 2001 

Survey.

6. A question was added to the triprelated expenditures section to 

ascertain how much of the total 

was spent in the respondent’s state 

of residence when the respondent 

participated in hunting, fi shing, or 

wildlife watching out of state.

7. Boating questions were added to 

the fi shing section. The respondent 

was asked about the extent of boat 

usage for the three types of fi shing.

8. The 1996 Survey included questions about the months residential 

wildlife watchers fed birds. These 

questions were not repeated in the 

2001 Survey.

9. The contingent valuation sections of 

the three types of wildlife-related 

recreation were altered, using an 

open-ended question format instead 

of the dichotomous choice format 

used in 1996.

Section III. Important Instrument 

Changes in the 2006 Survey 

1. A series of boating questions was 

added. The new questions dealt 

with anglers using motorboats and/

or non-motorboats, length of boat 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 139

Table C-2. Anglers and Hunters by Census Division: 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006

(U.S. population 16 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Area and sportsperson

1991 1996 2001 2006

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

UNITED STATES

Total population .................... 189,964 100 201,472 100 212,298 100 229,245 100

Sportspersons ...................... 39,979 21 39,694 20 37,805 18 33,916 15

Anglers ......................... 35,578 19 35,246 17 34,067 16 29,952 13

Hunters ......................... 14,063 7 13,975 7 13,034 6 12,510 5

New England

Total population .................... 10,180 100 10,306 100 10,575 100 11,233 100

Sportspersons ...................... 1,658 16 1,673 16 1,504 14 1,353 12

Anglers ......................... 1,545 15 1,520 15 1,402 13 1,246 11

Hunters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 4 465 5 386 4 374 3

Middle Atlantic

Total population .................... 29,216 100 29,371 100 29,806 100 31,518 100

Sportspersons ...................... 4,508 15 4,192 14 3,810 13 3,214 10

Anglers ......................... 3,871 13 3,627 12 3,250 11 2,550 8

Hunters ......................... 1,746 6 1,453 5 1,633 5 1,520 5

East North Central

Total population .................... 32,188 100 33,121 100 34,082 100 35,609 100

Sportspersons ...................... 7,202 22 6,912 21 6,400 19 5,975 17

Anglers ......................... 6,264 19 6,006 18 5,655 17 5,190 15

Hunters ......................... 2,789 9 2,712 8 2,421 7 2,376 7

West North Central

Total population .................... 13,504 100 13,875 100 14,430 100 15,458 100

Sportspersons ...................... 4,143 31 3,977 29 4,239 29 3,836 25

Anglers ......................... 3,647 27 3,416 25 3,836 27 3,284 21

Hunters ......................... 1,709 13 1,917 14 1,710 12 1,779 12

South Atlantic

Total population .................... 33,682 100 36,776 100 39,286 100 43,965 100

Sportspersons ...................... 6,996 21 7,282 20 6,957 18 6,633 15

Anglers ......................... 6,441 19 6,636 18 6,451 16 6,116 14

Hunters ......................... 2,083 6 2,050 6 1,875 5 1,884 4

East South Central

Total population .................... 11,667 100 12,459 100 12,976 100 13,722 100

Sportspersons ...................... 2,984 26 2,907 23 2,865 22 2,689 20

Anglers ......................... 2,635 23 2,514 20 2,543 20 2,436 18

Hunters ......................... 1,279 11 1,301 10 1,164 9 1,101 8

West South Central

Total population .................... 19,926 100 21,811 100 23,337 100 25,407 100

Sportspersons ...................... 5,125 26 5,093 23 4,924 21 4,499 18

Anglers ......................... 4,592 23 4,616 21 4,375 19 3,952 16

Hunters ......................... 1,843 9 1,812 8 1,988 9 1,810 7

Mountain

Total population .................... 10,092 100 11,966 100 13,308 100 15,651 100

Sportspersons ...................... 2,488 25 2,761 23 2,757 21 2,372 15

Anglers ......................... 2,079 21 2,411 20 2,443 18 2,084 13

Hunters ......................... 1,069 11 1,061 9 1,020 8 868 6

Pacific

Total population .................... 29,508 100 31,787 100 34,498 100 36,681 100

Sportspersons ...................... 4,875 17 4,897 15 4,349 13 3,345 9

Anglers ......................... 4,505 15 4,501 14 4,111 12 3,094 8

Hunters ......................... 1,101 4 1,203 4 837 2 798 2
140 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table C-3. Wildlife-Watching Participants by Census Division: 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006

(Numbers in thousands. Population 16 years old and older)

Area and wildlife watcher

1991 1996 2001 2006

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

UNITED STATES

Total population .................... 189,964 100 201,472 100 212,298 100 229,245 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 76,111 40 62,868 31 66,105 31 71,132 31

Away from home ................. 29,999 16 23,652 12 21,823 10 22,977 10

Around the home ................. 73,904 39 60,751 30 62,928 30 67,756 30

New England

Total population .................... 10,180 100 10,306 100 10,575 100 11,233 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 4,598 45 3,710 36 3,875 37 4,489 40

Away from home ................. 1,856 18 1,443 14 1,155 11 1,340 12

Around the home ................. 4,544 45 3,586 35 3,765 36 4,310 38

Middle Atlantic

Total population .................... 29,216 100 29,371 100 29,806 100 31,518 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 10,556 36 8,185 28 8,740 29 8,723 28

Away from home ................. 4,166 14 2,960 10 2,849 10 2,729 9

Around the home ................. 10,282 35 8,023 27 8,452 28 8,451 27

East North Central

Total population .................... 32,188 100 33,121 100 34,082 100 35,609 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 14,511 45 11,731 35 11,631 34 12,215 34

Away from home ................. 5,572 17 4,501 14 3,571 10 3,792 11

Around the home ................. 14,175 44 11,297 34 11,196 33 11,845 33

West North Central

Total population .................... 13,504 100 13,875 100 14,430 100 15,458 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 6,924 51 5,089 37 6,206 43 6,741 44

Away from home ................. 2,654 20 1,927 14 2,059 14 2,163 14

Around the home ................. 6,722 50 4,900 35 5,938 41 6,447 42

South Atlantic

Total population .................... 33,682 100 36,776 100 39,286 100 43,965 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 13,047 39 11,252 31 11,395 29 12,862 29

Away from home ................. 4,450 13 3,992 11 3,469 9 3,208 7

Around the home ................. 12,813 38 10,964 30 10,911 28 12,432 28

East South Central

Total population .................... 11,667 100 12,459 100 12,976 100 13,722 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 4,864 42 3,904 31 4,514 35 4,931 36

Away from home ................. 1,592 14 1,118 9 1,086 8 1,758 13

Around the home ................. 4,765 41 3,795 30 4,390 34 4,683 34

West South Central

Total population .................... 19,926 100 21,811 100 23,337 100 25,407 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 7,035 35 5,933 27 5,747 25 6,764 27

Away from home ................. 2,459 12 2,096 10 1,822 8 2,127 8

Around the home ................. 6,817 34 5,773 26 5,490 24 6,319 25

Mountain

Total population .................... 10,092 100 11,966 100 13,308 100 15,651 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 4,437 44 4,099 34 4,619 35 4,968 32

Away from home ................. 2,215 22 1,967 16 2,019 15 2,004 13

Around the home ................. 4,145 41 3,855 32 4,282 32 4,605 29

Pacific

Total population .................... 29,508 100 31,787 100 34,498 100 36,681 100

Total wildlife watchers............... 10,139 34 8,966 28 9,377 27 9,439 26

Away from home ................. 5,035 17 3,648 11 3,793 11 3,856 11

Around the home ................. 9,641 33 8,558 27 8,504 25 8,664 24
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 141

used most often, distance to boat 

launch used most often, needed 

improvements to facilities at the 

launch, whether or not the respondent completed a boating safety 

course, who the boater fi shed with 

most often, and the source and type 

of information the boater used for 

his or her fi shing.

2. Questions regarding catch and 

release fi shing were added. 

Whether or not the respondent 

caught and released fi sh and, if so, 

the percent of fi sh released.

3. The proportion of hunting 

done with a rifl e or shotgun, as 

contrasted with muzzleloader or 

archery equipment, was asked.

4. In the contingent valuation section, 

where the value of wildlife-related 

recreation was determined, two 

quality-variable questions were 

added: the average length of certain 

fi sh caught and whether a deer, 

elk, or moose was killed. Plus, the 

economic evaluation bid questions 

were rephrased, from “What is 

the most your [species] hunting in 

[State name] could have cost you 

per trip last year before you would 

NOT have gone [species] hunting 

at all in 2001, not even one trip, 

because it would have been too 

expensive?,” for the hunters, for 

example, to “What is the cost that 

would have prevented you from 

taking even one such trip in 2006? 

In other words, if the trip cost was 

below this amount, you would have 

gone [species] hunting in [State 

name], but if the trip cost was 

above this amount, you would not 

have gone.” 

5. Questions concerning hunting, 

fi shing, or wildlife watching in 

other countries was taken out of the 

Survey. 

6. Questions about the reasons for 

not going hunting or fi shing, or not 

going as much as expected, were 

deleted.

7. Disability of participants questions 

were taken out.

8. Determination of the types of sites 

for wildlife watching was discontinued.

9. The birding questions regarding 

the use of birding life lists and the 

ability to identify birds based on 

their sight or sounds were deleted.

10. Public transportation costs were 

divided into two sections, “public 

transportation by airplane” and 

“other public transportation, 

including trains, buses, and car 

rentals, etc.”

1955 to 1985 Signifi cant 

Methodological Differences

1955 to 1970 Surveys 

The 1955 to 1970 Surveys included 

only substantial participants. Substantial participants were defi ned as people 

who participated at least three days 

and/or spent at least $5 (the 1955 to 

1965 Surveys) or $7.50 (the 1970 

Survey) during the survey year. Under 

most circumstances, the Surveys may 

be compared for totals, but the effects 

of differences should be considered 

when comparing the details of the 

Surveys.

The 1960, 1965, and 1970 Surveys 

differed from the 1955 National Survey 

in classifi cation of expenditures as 

outlined below:

1. Alaska and Hawaii were not 

included in the 1955 Survey.

2. Expenditure categories were more 

detailed in 1970 than in earlier 

Surveys.

3. The 1960 to 1970 classifi cation 

of some expenditures differs from 

the 1955 Survey in the following 

respects:

a. “Boats and boat motors” shown 

under “auxiliary equipment” 

were included in “equipment, 

other” in 1955.

b. “Entrance and other privilege 

fees” shown separately were 

included in “trip expenditures, 

other” in 1955.

c. “Snacks and refreshments” not 

included with “food” expenditures in the 1960 to 1970 

reports were under “trip expenditures, other” in 1955.

d. Expenditures on equipment, 

magazines, club dues, licenses, 

and similar items were classifi ed by the one sport activity 

for which expenditures were 

chiefl y made. In 1955, these 

expenditures were evenly 

divided among all the activities 

in which the sportsperson took 

part.

e. Compared with 1955, the 1960 

to 1970 Surveys reported fewer 

expenditures within the “other” 

category because selected items 

were transferred to more appropriate categories.

f. Expenditures on alcoholic 

beverages were reported separately in the 1970 Survey.

g. In 1970, defi nition of a 

“substantial participant” was 

changed from one who spent 

at least $5 during the year or 

spent three days fi shing or 

hunting to one who spent $7.50 

for the year or spent three days 

fi shing or hunting.

4. The number of waterfowl hunters 

in the 1970 Survey is not comparable with those reported in the 

1960 and 1965 Surveys. In 1960 

and 1965, respondent sportspersons 

were not included in the waterfowl 

hunter total if they reported that 

they went waterfowl hunting but 

did not take the trip chiefl y to hunt 

waterfowl. In 1970, all respondents 

who reported that they had hunted 

waterfowl during 1970, regardless 

of trip purpose, were included in 

the total. The number of hunters 

who did not take trips chiefl y 

to hunt waterfowl in 1970 was 

1,054,000.

1975 Survey

In contrast to previous surveys that 

covered substantial participants 12 

years old and older, the 1975 Survey 

based all the estimates on responses 
142 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

from individuals 9 years of age and 

older and did not select respondents 

based upon substantial participation as 

defi ned above. As a result, individuals 

who participated fewer than three days 

or spent less than $7.50 on hunting or 

fi shing were included in the estimates 

of participants, days of activity, and 

expenditures.

Categories of hunting and fi shing 

expenditures differed from the 

previous four Surveys in that only 

major categories were reported. For 

example, hunting equipment expenditures were not further delineated by 

subcategory. Similarly, no detail was 

provided within the category of fi shing 

equipment expenditures. Expenses for 

“other” items, such as daily entrance 

fees, magazines, club dues, and dogs, 

were categorized as “other” in the 1975 

report.

In addition to the above differences, the 

1975 Survey gathered data on species 

sought for the favorite hunting and 

fi shing activity. This data replaced the 

“chiefl y” category where hunting or 

fi shing was the primary purpose of the 

trip or day of activity. Data omitted in 

the 1975 Survey that were included in 

previous Surveys include the respondents population density of residence, 

occupation, and level of education.

1980 to 1985 Surveys

The 1980 and 1985 Surveys were 

similar. Each measured participants, 

rather than substantial participants. 

Questions were incorporated into 

the 1980 and 1985 Survey questionnaires to facilitate the construction of 

categories of data for comparisons with 

earlier Surveys. The use of “chiefl y” 

to delimit primary purpose appeared in 

the 1970 and prior Surveys, and its use 

was continued in the 1980 and 1985 

Surveys. The expenditure categories 

in 1980 and 1985 are similar to the 

1970 categories with the addition of 

fi sh fi nders, motor homes, and camper 

trucks as separate categories. The 

defi nition of fi shing included the use of 

nets or seines and spearfi shing.

As in the 1970 and 1975 Surveys, the 

1980 and 1985 Surveys used a twophase process to gather information 

from households and individuals. In 

the fi rst phase, household respondents 

were asked to identify each participant 

6 years of age and older who resided 

in their household. In comparison, 

the 1975 and 1970 Surveys screened 

households for participants who 

were 9 years of age and older. In the 

second phase, the detailed interview 

phase, interviews were conducted in 

person for the 1985, 1980, and 1970 

Surveys and were conducted by mail 

for the 1975 Survey. Participants were 

included in the detailed phase of the 

Survey if they were at least 12 years 

old in 1970, 9 years old in 1975, and 16 

years old in 1980 and 1985. As a result, 

the population of hunters and anglers 

was more narrowly defi ned in 1980 and 

1985 to include individuals 16 years 

old and older. However, estimates of 

sportspersons 6 years old and older, 9 

years old and older, and 12 years old 

and older are available for comparison 

with past surveys.

Regional Trends

Section I. Most Recent Trends

This trends section covers the period 

from 1991 to 2006. The 1991, 1996, 

2001, and 2006 Surveys used similar 

methodologies, therefore all published 

information for the three Surveys is 

directly comparable. 

Section II. Historical Trends

This trends section covers the period 

from 1955 to 1985. The methodology 

of these Surveys differed (see above), 

but acceptable correction factors were 

estimated. 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 143

Table C-4. Comparison of Major Findings of the National Surveys: 1955 to 1985

(U.S. population 12 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Sportspersons 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985

Total sportspersons .................... 24,917 30,435 32,881 36,277 45,773 46,966 49,827

Anglers............................. 20,813 25,323 28,348 33,158 41,299 41,873 45,345

Freshwater ........................ 18,420 21,677 23,962 29,363 36,599 35,782 39,122

Saltwater ......................... 4,557 6,292 8,305 9,460 13,738 11,972 12,893

Hunters............................. 11,784 14,637 13,583 14,336 17,094 16,758 16,340

Small game ....................... 9,822 12,105 10,576 11,671 14,182 12,496 11,130

Big game ......................... 4,414 6,277 6,566 7,774 11,037 11,047 12,576

Waterfowl......................... 1,986 1,955 1,650 2,894 4,284 3,177 3,201

Expenditures1 ......................... 11,401,464 13,948,974 14,991,502 19,618,548 33,398,677 34,517,421 42,058,860

Anglers............................. 7,655,522 9,743,971 9,952,411 13,699,311 23,498,506 23,387,469 28,585,686

Freshwater ........................ 5,700,187 7,476,454 7,231,851 10,315,966 17,333,212 16,663,239 18,942,060

Saltwater ......................... 1,955,336 2,267,512 2,720,574 3,383,345 6,165,294 5,581,976 7,191,387

Hunters............................. 3,745,942 4,204,997 3,814,303 5,919,236 9,900,171 10,812,058 10,256,668

Small game ....................... 1,975,707 2,629,360 2,093,137 2,612,390 4,525,942 3,335,852 2,342,860

Big game ......................... 1,295,357 1,251,800 1,424,711 2,631,532 4,238,341 5,638,395 5,345,606

Waterfowl......................... 474,878 323,840 296,452 675,315 1,135,889 766,033 783,315

Days................................. 566,870 658,308 708,578 909,876 1,459,551 1,300,983 1,415,379

Fishing ............................. 397,447 465,769 522,759 706,187 1,058,075 952,420 1,064,986

Freshwater ........................ 338,826 385,167 426,922 592,494 890,576 788,392 895,027

Saltwater ......................... 58,621 80,602 95,837 113,694 167,499 164,040 171,055

Hunting ............................ 169,423 192,539 185,819 203,689 401,476 348,543 350,393

Small game ....................... 118,630 138,192 128,448 124,041 269,653 225,793 214,544

Big game ......................... 30,834 39,190 43,845 54,536 100,600 117,406 135,447

Waterfowl......................... 19,959 15,158 13,526 25,113 31,223 26,179 25,933

1 In 1985 dollars.

Note: Methodological differences described in the text make the estimates in this table not comparable with the estimates in Tables C-2 and C-3.
144 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table C-5. Anglers and Hunters by Census Division: 1955 to 1985

(U.S. population 12 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Year

Population Sportspersons,

fished or hunted Anglers Hunters

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

UNITED STATES

1955 ......................... 118,366 100 24,917 21.1 20,813 17.6 11,784 10.0

1960 ......................... 131,226 100 30,435 23.2 25,323 19.3 14,637 11.2

1965 ......................... 141,928 100 32,881 23.2 28,348 20.0 13,585 9.6

1970 ......................... 155,230 100 36,277 23.4 33,158 21.4 14,336 9.2

1975 ......................... 171,860 100 45,773 26.6 41,299 24.0 17,094 9.9

1980 ......................... 184,691 100 46,966 25.4 41,873 22.7 16,758 9.1

1985 ......................... 195,659 100 49,827 25.5 45,345 23.2 16,340 8.4

New England

1955 ......................... 7,919 100 1,224 15.4 1,002 12.7 589 7.4

1960 ......................... 8,349 100 1,368 16.4 1,205 14.4 517 6.2

1965 ......................... 9,256 100 1,650 17.8 1,488 16.0 583 6.3

1970 ......................... 8,652 100 1,579 18.3 1,430 16.5 582 6.7

1975 ......................... 9,910 100 2,004 20.2 1,861 18.8 566 5.7

1980 ......................... 10,205 100 1,974 19.3 1,788 17.5 572 5.6

1985 ......................... 10,554 100 2,058 19.5 1,914 18.1 552 5.2

Middle Atlantic

1955 ......................... 24,869 100 3,539 14.2 2,811 11.3 1,608 6.5

1960 ......................... 26,493 100 3,432 13.0 2,569 9.7 1,723 6.5

1965 ......................... 27,346 100 3,602 13.2 2,760 10.1 1,631 6.0

1970 ......................... 28,244 100 4,539 16.1 4,504 14.4 1,731 6.1

1975 ......................... 30,449 100 5,919 19.4 5,097 16.7 2,096 6.9

1980 ......................... 30,256 100 5,181 17.1 4,332 14.3 2,001 6.6

1985 ......................... 31,099 100 5,565 17.9 4,820 15.5 1,972 6.3

East North Central

1955 ......................... 25,733 100 5,489 21.3 4,583 17.8 2,538 9.9

1960 ......................... 26,833 100 6,316 32.5 5,317 19.8 2,985 11.1

1965 ......................... 28,124 100 6,214 22.1 5,336 19.0 2,563 9.1

1970 ......................... 31,550 100 7,284 23.1 6,699 21.2 2,812 8.9

1975 ......................... 32,796 100 9,049 27.6 8,181 24.9 3,392 10.3

1980 ......................... 33,526 100 8,725 26.0 7,891 23.5 2,955 8.8

1985 ......................... 33,747 100 8,973 26.6 8,270 24.5 2,814 8.3

West North Central

1955 ......................... 9,201 100 2,913 31.7 2,346 25.5 1,534 16.7

1960 ......................... 10,149 100 3,383 33.3 2,855 28.1 1,709 16.8

1965 ......................... 11,681 100 3,678 31.5 3,226 27.6 1,620 13.9

1970 ......................... 12,904 100 4,000 31.0 3,579 27.7 1,783 13.8

1975 ......................... 13,564 100 4,524 33.3 4,089 30.1 1,863 13.7

1980 ......................... 13,826 100 4,770 34.5 4,220 30.5 1,965 14.2

1985 ......................... 14,137 100 5,140 36.4 4,681 33.1 1,971 13.9

South Atlantic

1955 ......................... 14,336 100 3,223 22.5 2,805 19.6 1,449 10.1

1960 ......................... 17,798 100 4,423 24.9 3,695 20.8 2,045 11.5

1965 ......................... 20,593 100 5,626 27.3 5,054 24.5 1,900 9.2

1970 ......................... 23,539 100 5,461 23.2 5,129 21.8 1,904 8.1

1975 ......................... 27,127 100 7,110 26.2 6,479 23.9 2,494 9.2

1980 ......................... 30,512 100 7,769 25.5 7,086 23.2 2,444 8.0

1985 ......................... 33,636 100 8,721 25.9 8,056 24.0 2,467 7.3

East South Central

1955 ......................... 7,959 100 1,963 24.7 1,665 20.9 989 12.4

1960 ......................... 9,277 100 2,778 29.9 2,207 23.8 1,510 16.3

1965 ......................... 9,652 100 2,587 26.8 2,201 22.8 1,294 13.4

1970 ......................... 9,862 100 2,660 27.0 2,464 25.0 1,162 11.8

1975 ......................... 10,798 100 3,007 27.8 2,689 24.9 1,355 12.5

1980 ......................... 11,771 100 3,614 30.7 3,173 27.0 1,567 13.3

1985 ......................... 12,364 100 3,671 29.7 3,308 26.8 1,441 11.7
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 145

Table C-5. Anglers and Hunters by Census Division: 1955 to 1985—Continued

(U.S. population 12 years old and older. Numbers in thousands)

Year

Population Sportspersons,

fished or hunted Anglers Hunters

Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent

West South Central

1955 ......................... 10,250 100 2,560 25.0 2,237 21.8 1,165 11.4

1960 ......................... 11,837 100 3,666 31.0 3,133 26.5 1,750 14.8

1965 ......................... 12,724 100 3,713 29.2 3,278 25.8 1,571 12.3

1970 ......................... 14,624 100 4,380 30.0 4,006 27.4 1,918 13.1

1975 ......................... 16,628 100 5,781 34.8 5,267 31.7 2,563 15.4

1980 ......................... 19,136 100 5,862 30.6 5,136 26.8 2,456 12.8

1985 ......................... 21,184 100 6,418 30.3 5,704 26.9 2,572 12.1

Mountain

1955 ......................... 4,529 100 1,369 30.2 1,112 24.6 796 17.6

1960 ......................... 5,222 100 1,646 31.5 1,372 26.3 1,120 21.4

1965 ......................... 5,029 100 1,565 31.1 1,261 25.1 988 19.6

1970 ......................... 5,656 100 2,044 36.1 1,769 31.3 980 17.3

1975 ......................... 7,576 100 2,570 33.9 2,252 29.7 1,159 15.3

1980 ......................... 9,160 100 2,903 31.7 2,500 27.3 1,268 13.8

1985 ......................... 10,215 100 3,128 30.6 2,765 27.1 1,241 12.1

Pacific

1955 ......................... 13,570 100 2,637 19.4 2,252 16.6 1,116 8.2

1960 ......................... 15,268 100 3,422 22.4 2,971 19.5 1,279 8.4

1965 ......................... 17,523 100 4,246 24.2 3,744 21.4 1,433 8.2

1970 ......................... 20,199 100 4,332 21.4 4,030 20.0 1,466 7.3

1975 ......................... 23,012 100 5,811 25.2 5,386 23.4 1,607 7.0

1980 ......................... 26,299 100 6,168 23.5 5,747 21.9 1,531 5.0

1985 ......................... 38,725 100 6,154 21.4 5,829 20.3 1,310 4.6

Note: Methodological differences described in the text make the estimates in this table not comparable with the estimates in Tables C-2 and C-3.
Appendix D
148 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

This appendix is presented in two parts. 

The fi rst part is the U.S. Census Bureau 

Source and Accuracy Statement. This 

statement describes the sampling 

design for the 2006 Survey and 

highlights the steps taken to produce 

estimates from the completed questionnaires. The statement explains the 

use of standard errors and confi dence 

intervals. It also provides comprehensive information about errors characteristic of surveys and formulas and 

parameters to calculate an approximate 

standard error or confi dence interval for 

each number published in this report. 

The second part, Tables D-1 to D-5, 

reports approximate standard errors 

and 95-percent confi dence intervals 

for selected measures of participation 

and expenditures for wildlife-related 

recreation.

Source and Accuracy Statement for 

the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, 

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated 

Recreation

SOURCE OF DATA

The estimates in this report are 

based on data collected in the 2006 

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, 

and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

(FHWAR) conducted by the Census 

Bureau and sponsored by the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service.

The eligible universe for the FHWAR 

is the civilian noninstitutionalized and 

nonbarrack military population living in 

the United States. The institutionalized 

population, which is excluded from 

the population universe, is composed 

primarily of the population in correctional institutions and nursing homes 

(91 percent of the 4.1 million institutionalized people in Census 2000). 

The 2006 Survey was designed to 

provide state-level estimates of the 

number of participants in recreational 

hunting and fi shing and in wildlifewatching activities (e.g., wi ldlife 

 observation). Information was 

collected on the number of participants, 

where and how often they participated, 

the type of wildlife encountered, and 

the amounts of money spent on wildlife-related recreation.

The survey was conducted in two 

stages: an initial screening of households to identify likely sportspersons 

and wildlife-watching participants 

and a series of follow-up interviews of 

selected persons to collect detailed data 

about their wildlife-related recreation 

during 2006.

SAMPLE DESIGN

The 2006 FHWAR sample was selected 

from the Census Bureau’s master 

address fi le (MAF) and unused sample 

of the Current Population Survey 

(CPS). The CPS sample was used 

to improve coverage in rural areas of 

some states.

The FHWAR is a multistage probability sample, with coverage in all 50 

states and the District of Columbia. In 

the fi rst stage of the sampling process, 

primary sampling units (PSUs) are 

selected for sample. The PSUs are 

defi ned to correspond to the Offi ce of 

Management and Budget defi nitions 

of Core Based Statistical Area defi nitions and to improve effi ciency in 

fi eld operations. The United States is 

divided into 2,025 PSUs. These PSUs 

are grouped into 824 strata. Within 

each stratum, a single PSU is chosen 

for the sample, with its probability of 

selection proportional to its population 

as of the most recent decennial census. 

This PSU represents the entire stratum 

from which it was selected. In the case 

of strata consisting of only one PSU, 

the PSU is chosen with certainty. 

Within the selected PSUs, the FHWAR 

sample was selected from the MAF 

where suffi cient coverage of addresses 

existed. In some rural areas, the sample 

was selected from unused cases from 

the CPS to improve coverage.

FHWAR Screening Sample

The total screening sample consisted 

of 85,000 households. Interviewing 

for the screen was conducted during 

April, May, and June 2006. Of all 

housing units in sample, about 74,000

were determined to be eligible for 

interview. Interviewers obtained 

interviews at 66,688 of these units for 

a national response rate of 90 percent. 

Local fi eld representatives conducted 

interviews by telephone when possible, 

otherwise through a personal visit. The 

fi eld representatives asked screening 

questions for all household members 

6 years old and older. Noninterviews 

occur when the occupants are not found 

at home after repeated calls or are 

unavailable for some other reason. 

Data for the FHWAR sportspersons 

sample and wildlife-watchers sample 

were collected in three waves. The 

fi rst wave started in April 2006, the 

second in September 2006, and the 

third in January 2007. In the sportspersons sample, all persons who hunted 

or fi shed in 2006 by the time of the 

screening interview were interviewed in 

the fi rst wave. The remaining sportspersons sample were interviewed in the 

second wave. A subsampling operation 

was conducted before the third wave of 

sampling to reduce cost of the Survey, 

and everyone remaining in sample was 

interviewed in the third wave.

The reference period was the preceding 

4 months for waves 1 and 2. In wave 

3, the reference period was either 4, 8, 

or 12 months depending on when the 

sample person was fi rst interviewed. 

Detailed Samples

Two independent detailed samples were 

chosen from the FHWAR screening 

sample. One consisted of sportspersons (people who hunt or fi sh) and the 

other of wildlife watchers (people who 

observe, photograph, or feed wildlife).

Appendix D. 

Sample Design and Statistical Accuracy
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 149

A. Sportspersons

 The Census Bureau selected the 

detailed samples based on information reported during the screening 

phase. Based on information 

collected from the household 

respondent, every person 16 years 

old and older in the FHWAR 

screening sample was assigned to a 

sportspersons stratum. The criteria 

for the strata included time devoted 

to hunting or fi shing in previous 

years, participation in hunting or 

fi shing in 2006 by the time of the 

screening interview, and intentions 

to participate in hunting and fi shing 

activities during the remainder 

of 2006. The four sportspersons 

categories were:

1. Active—a person who had 

already participated in hunting 

or fi shing in 2006 at the time of 

the screener interview.

2. Likely—a person who had not 

participated in 2006 at the time 

of the screener, but had participated in 2005 OR was likely to 

participate in 2006.

3. Inactive—a person who had not 

participated in 2005 or 2006 

AND was somewhat unlikely to 

participate in 2006.

4. Nonparticipant—a person who 

had not participated in 2005 or 

2006 AND was very unlikely to 

participate in 2006.

 Persons were selected for the 

detailed phase based on these 

groupings. 

 Active sportspersons were given 

the detailed interview twice—at 

the time of the screening interview (in April, May, or June 2006) 

and again in January or February 

2007. Likely sportspersons and a 

subsample of the inactive sportspersons were also interviewed 

twice—fi rst in September or 

October 2006, then in January or 

February 2007. If Census Bureau 

fi eld representatives were not able 

to obtain the fi rst interview, they 

attempted to interview the person 

in the fi nal interviewing period 

with the reference period being the 

entire year. Persons in the nonparticipant group were not eligible for 

a detailed interview. 

 About 28,600 persons were designated for interviews. The detailed 

sportspersons sample sizes varied 

by state to get reliable state-level 

estimates. During each interview 

period, about 23 percent of the 

designated persons were not found 

at home or were unavailable for 

some other reason. Overall, about 

22,000 detailed sportspersons interviews were completed at a response 

rate of 77 percent.

B. Wildlife Watchers

 The wildlife-watching detailed 

sample was also selected based on 

information reported during the 

screening phase. Based on information collected from the household 

respondent, every person 16 years 

old and older was assigned to a 

stratum. The criteria for the strata 

included time devoted to wildlifewatching activities in previous 

years, participation in wildlifewatching activities in 2006 by the 

time of the screening interview, 

and intentions to participate in 

wildlife watching activities during 

the remainder of 2006. The fi ve 

wildlife watching categories were:

1. Active—a person who had 

already participated in 2006 at 

the time of the screening interview.

2. Avid—a person who had not 

yet participated in 2006, but 

in 2005 had taken trips to 

participate in wildlife-watching 

activities for 21 or more days or 

had spent $300 or more.

3. Average—a person who had not 

yet participated in 2006, but in 

2005 had taken trips to wildlife 

watch for less than 21 days and 

had spent less than $300 OR 

had not participated in wildlife 

watching activities but was very 

likely to in the remainder of 

2006.

4. Infrequent—a person who had 

not participated in 2005 or 

2006, but was somewhat likely 

or somewhat unlikely to participate in the remainder of 2006.

5. Nonparticipant—a person 

who had not participated in 

2005 or 2006 AND was very 

unlikely to participate during 

the remainder of 2006.

 Persons were selected for the 

detailed sample based on these 

groupings, but persons in the 

nonparticipant group were not 

eligible for a detailed interview. 

A subsample of each of the other 

groups was selected to receive a 

detailed interview with the chance 

of selection diminishing as the likelihood of participation diminished.

 Wildlife-watching participants were 

given the detailed interview twice. 

Some received their fi rst detailed 

interview at the same time as the 

screening interview (in April, May, 

or June 2006). The rest received 

their fi rst detailed interview in 

September or October 2006. All 

wildlife-watching participants 

received their second interview 

in January or February 2007. If 

Census Bureau fi eld representatives were not able to obtain the 

fi rst interview, they attempted to 

interview the person in the fi nal 

interviewing period with the reference period being the entire year.

 About 14,400 persons were 

designated for interviews. The 

detailed wildlife-watching sample 

sizes varied by state to get reliable 

state-level estimates. During each 

interview period, about 20 percent 

of the designated persons were not 

found at home or were unavailable 

for some other reason. Overall, 

about 11,300 detailed wildlifewatcher interviews were completed 

at a response rate of 78 percent.

ESTIMATION PROCEDURE

Several stages of adjustments were 

used to derive the fi nal 2006 FHWAR 

person weights. A brief description of 

the major components of the weights is 

given below.

All statistics for the population 6 to 

15 years of age were derived from the 

screening interview. Statistics for the 

population 16 years old and older come 

from both the screening and detailed 

interviews. Estimates that come from 

the screening sample are presented in 

Appendix B.

A. Screening Sample

 Every interviewed person in 

the screening sample received 

a screening weight that was the 

product of the following factors:
150 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1. Base Weight. The base weight 

is the inverse of the household’s 

probability of selection.

2. Household Noninterview 

Adjustment. The noninterview 

adjustment infl ates the weight 

assigned to interviewed households to account for households eligible for interview but 

for which no interview was 

obtained.

3. First-Stage Adjustment. The 

824 areas designated for our 

samples were selected from 

2,025 such areas of the United 

States. Some sample areas 

represent only themselves 

and are referred to as self-

 representing. The remaining 

areas represent other areas 

similar in selected characteristics and are thus designated 

non-self-representing. The 

fi rst-stage factor reduces the 

component of variation arising 

from sampling the non-selfrepresenting areas.

4. Second-Stage Adjustment. This 

adjustment brings the estimates of the total population 

into agreement with censusbased estimates of the civilian 

non institutionalized and nonbarrack military populations for 

each state.

B. Sportspersons Sample

 Every interviewed person in the 

sportspersons detailed sample 

received a weight that was the 

product of the following factors:

1. Screening Weight. This is the 

person’s fi nal weight from the 

screening sample.

2. Sportspersons Stratum Adjustment. This factor infl ates the 

weights of persons selected for 

the detailed sample to account 

for the subsampling done within 

each sportsperson stratum.

3. Sportspersons Noninterview 

Adjustment. This factor adjusts 

the weights of the interviewed 

sportspersons to account for 

sportspersons selected for the 

detailed sample for whom no 

interview was obtained. A 

person was considered a noninterview if he or she was not 

interviewed in the third wave of 

interviewing.

4. Sportspersons Ratio Adjustment 

Factor. This is a ratio adjustment of the detailed sample to 

the screening sample within 

the sportspersons sampling 

stratum. This adjustment brings 

the population estimates of 

persons aged 16 years old and 

older from the detailed sample 

into agreement with the same 

estimates from the screening 

sample, which was a much 

larger sample.

C. Wildlife-Watchers Sample

 Every interviewed person in the 

wildlife-watchers detailed sample 

received a weight that was the 

product of the following factors:

1. Screening Weight. This is the 

person’s fi nal weight from the 

screening sample.

2. Wildlife-Watchers Stratum 

Adjustment. This factor infl ates 

the weights of persons selected 

for the detailed sample to 

account for the subsampling 

done within each wildlifewatcher stratum.

3. Wildlife-Watchers Noninterview 

Adjustment. This factor adjusts 

the weights of the interviewed 

wildlife-watching participants 

to account for wildlife watchers 

selected for the detailed sample 

for which no interview was 

obtained. A person was considered a noninterview if he or she 

was not interviewed in the third 

wave of interviewing.

4. Wildlife-Watchers Ratio Adjustment Factor. This is a ratio 

adjustment of the detailed 

sample to the screening sample 

within wildlife-watchers 

sampling strata. This adjustment brings the population 

estimates of persons aged 16 

years old and older from the 

detailed sample into agreement 

with the same estimates from 

the screening sample, which 

was a much larger sample.

ACCURACY OF THE ESTIMATES

A sample survey estimate has two types 

of error: sampling and nonsampling. 

The accuracy of an estimate depends 

on both types of error. The nature of 

the sampling error is known given the 

survey design; the full extent of the 

nonsampling error is unknown.

NONSAMPLING ERROR

For a given estimator, the difference 

between the estimate that would result 

if the sample were to include the entire 

population and the true population 

value being estimated is known as 

nonsampling error. There are several 

sources of nonsampling error that 

may occur during the development or 

execution of the survey. It can occur 

because of circumstances created by the 

interviewer, the respondent, the survey 

instrument, or the way the data are 

collected and processed. For example, 

errors could occur because:

• The interviewer records the wrong 

answer, the respondent provides 

incorrect information, the respondent estimates the requested 

information, or an unclear survey 

question is misunderstood by the 

respondent (measurement error).

• Some individuals or businesses 

that should have been included 

in the survey frame were missed 

(coverage error).

• Responses are not collected from 

all those in the sample or the 

respondent is unwilling to provide 

information (nonresponse error).

• Values are estimated imprecisely 

for missing data (imputation error).

• Forms may be lost, data may 

be incorrectly keyed, coded, or 

recoded, etc. (processing error).

The Census Bureau employs quality 

control procedures throughout the 

production process, including the 

overall design of surveys, the wording 

of questions, the review of the work 

of interviewers and coders, and the 

statistical review of reports to minimize 

these errors.

Two types of nonsampling error that 

can be examined to a limited extent are 

nonresponse and undercoverage. 

Nonresponse. The effect of nonresponse cannot be measured directly, but 

one indication of its potential effect is 

the nonresponse rate. For the FHWAR 

screener interview, the household-level 

nonresponse rate was 10 percent. The 

person-level nonresponse rate for the 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 151

detailed sportsperson interview was an 

23 percent and for the wildlife watchers 

it was 22 percent. Since the screener 

nonresponse rate is a household-level 

rate and the detailed interview nonresponse rate is a person-level rate, we 

cannot combine these rates to derive 

an overall nonresponse rate. Since it is 

unlikely the nonresponding households 

to the FHWAR have the same number 

of persons as the households successfully interviewed, combining these 

rates would result in an overestimate of 

the “true” person-level overall nonresponse rate for the detailed interviews.

Coverage. Overall screener undercoverage is estimated to be about 13 

percent. Ratio estimation to independent population controls, as described 

previously, partially corrects for the 

bias due to survey undercoverage. 

However, biases exist in the estimates 

to the extent that missed persons in 

missed households or missed persons in 

interviewed households have different 

characteristics from those of interviewed persons in the same age group.

Comparability of Data. Data obtained 

from the 2006 FHWAR and other 

sources are not entirely comparable. 

This results from differences in interviewer training and experience and in 

differing survey processes. This is an 

example of nonsampling variability 

not refl ected in the standard errors. 

Therefore, caution should be used 

when comparing results from different 

sources. (See Appendix C.)

A Nonsampling Error Warning. Since 

the full extent of the nonsampling error 

is unknown, one should be particularly 

careful when interpreting results based 

on small differences between estimates. 

The Census Bureau recommends that 

data users incorporate information 

about nonsampling errors into their 

analyses, as nonsampling error could 

impact the conclusions drawn from 

the results. Caution should also be 

used when interpreting results based 

on a relatively small number of cases. 

Summary measures (such as medians 

and percentage distributions) probably 

do not reveal useful information when 

computed on a subpopulation smaller 

than 50,000 for screener data, 65,000 

for the detailed sportsperson data, and 

230,000 for the wildlife-watchers data. 

SAMPLING ERROR

Since the FHWAR estimates come from 

a sample, they may differ from fi gures 

from an enumeration of the entire 

population using the same questionnaires, instructions, and enumerators. 

For a given estimator, the difference 

between an estimate based on a sample 

and the estimate that would result if 

the sample were to include the entire 

population is known as sampling 

error. Standard errors, as calculated 

by methods described in “Standard 

Errors and Their Use,” are primarily 

measures of the magnitude of sampling 

error. However, they may include some 

nonsampling error. 

Standard Errors and Their Use. The 

sample estimate and its standard error 

enable one to construct a confi dence 

interval. A confi dence interval is a 

range that has a known probability 

of including the average result of all 

possible samples. For example, if all 

possible samples were surveyed under 

essentially the same general conditions 

and using the same sample design, and 

if an estimate and its standard error 

were calculated from each sample, then 

approximately 95 percent of the intervals from 1.96 standard errors below 

the estimate to 1.96 standard errors 

above the estimate would include the 

average result of all possible samples.

A particular confi dence interval may or 

may not contain the average estimate 

derived from all possible samples. 

However, one can say with specifi ed 

confi dence that the interval includes 

the average estimate calculated from all 

possible samples.

Standard errors may also be used to 

perform hypothesis testing, a procedure 

for distinguishing between population 

parameters using sample estimates. 

The most common type of hypothesis is that the population parameters 

are different. An example would be 

comparing the proportion of anglers to 

the proportion of hunters.

Tests may be performed at various 

levels of signifi cance. A signifi cance 

level is the probability of concluding 

that the characteristics are different 

when, in fact, they are the same. For 

example, to conclude that two characteristics are different at the 0.05 level of 

signifi cance, the absolute value of the 

estimated difference between characteristics must be greater than or equal 

to 1.96 times the standard error of the 

difference.

This report uses 95-percent confi dence 

intervals and 0.05 levels of signifi -

cance to determine statistical validity. 

Consult standard statistical textbooks 

for alternative criteria.

Estimating Standard Errors. The 

Census Bureau uses replication 

methods to estimate the standard errors 

of FHWAR estimates. These methods 

primarily measure the magnitude of 

sampling error. However, they do 

measure some effects of nonsampling 

error as well. They do not measure 

systematic biases in the data associated with nonsampling error. Bias is 

the average over all possible samples 

of the differences between the sample 

estimates and the true value. 

Generalized Variance Parameters. 

While it is possible to compute and 

present an estimate of the standard 

error based on the survey data for each 

estimate in a report, there are a number 

of reasons why this is not done. A 

presentation of the individual standard 

errors would be of limited use, since 

one could not possibly predict all of 

the combinations of results that may 

be of interest to data users. Additionally, data users have access to FHWAR 

microdata fi les, and it is impossible to 

compute in advance the standard error 

for every estimate one might obtain 

from those data sets. Moreover, variance estimates are based on sample 

data and have variances of their own. 

Therefore, some methods of stabilizing these estimates of variance, for 

example, by generalizing or averaging 

over time, may be used to improve their 

reliability. 

Experience has shown that certain 

groups of estimates have similar 

relationships between their variances 

and expected values. Modeling or 

generalizing may provide more stable 

variance estimates by taking advantage 

of these similarities. The generalized variance function is a simple 

model that expresses the variance as a 

function of the expected value of the 

survey estimate. The parameters of the 

generalized variance function are estimated using direct replicate variances. 

These generalized variance parameters 

provide a relatively easy method to 

obtain approximate standard errors for 

numerous characteristics. Tables D-6 to 

D-11 provide the generalized variance 

parameters for FHWAR data. Methods 

for using the parameters to calculate 

standard errors of various estimates are 

given in the next sections.
152 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Standard Errors of Estimated Numbers. The approximate standard error, Sx, of an estimated number shown in this report 

can be obtained using the following formulas. Formula (1) is used to calculate the standard errors of levels of sportspersons,

anglers, and wildlife watchers.

Here, x is the size of the estimate and a and b are the parameters in the tables associated with the particular characteristic.

Formula (2) is used for standard errors of aggregates, i.e., trips, days, and expenditures.

Here, x is again the size of the estimate; y is the base of the estimate; and a, b, and c are the parameters in the tables associated with the particular characteristic.

Illustration of the Computation of the Standard Error of an Estimated Number

Table 1 in this report shows that 33,916,000 persons 16 years old and older either fi shed or hunted in the United States in 

2006. Using formula (1) with the parameters a = –0.000027 and b = 6,125 from table D-7, the approximate standard error of 

the estimated number of 33,916,000 sportspersons 16 years old and older is

The 95-percent confi dence interval for the estimated number of sportspersons 16 years old and older is from 33,092,000 to 

34,740,000, i.e., 33,916,000 ± 1.96 x 420,330. Therefore, a conclusion that the average estimate derived from all possible 

samples lies within a range computed in this way would be correct for roughly 95 percent of all possible samples.

Table 1 shows that 12,510,000 hunters 16 years old and older engaged in 219,925,000 days of participation in 2006. Using 

formula (2) with the parameters a = –0.000235, b = –85,241, and c = 22,698 from table D-9, the approximate standard error 

on 219,925,000 estimated days on an estimated base of 12,510,000 hunters is

The 95-percent confi dence interval on the estimate of 219,925,000 days is from 205,044,000 to 234,806,000, i.e., 

219,925,000 ± 1.96 x 7,592,000. Again, a conclusion that the average estimate derived from all possible samples lies within a 

range computed in this way would be correct for roughly 95 percent of all possible samples.

Standard Errors of Estimated Percentages. The reliability of an estimated percentage, computed using sample data for both 

numerator and denominator, depends on the size of the percentage and its base. Estimated percentages are relatively more 

reliable than the corresponding estimates of the numerators of the percentages, particularly if the percentages are 50 percent 

or more. When the numerator and the denominator of the percentage are in different categories, use the parameter in the 

tables indicated by the numerator.

The approximate standard error, sx,p, can be obtained by use of the formula

Here, x is the total number of sportspersons, hunters, etc., which is the base of the percentage; p is the percentage 

(0 ≤ p ≤ 100); and b is the parameter in the tables associated with the characteristic in the numerator of the percentage.

Illustration of the Computation of the Standard Error of an Estimated Percentage

Table 1 shows that of the 12,510,000 hunters 16 years old and older, 18.3 percent hunted migratory birds. From table D-7, 

the appropriate b parameter is 5,756. Using formula (3), the approximate standard error on the estimate of 18.3 percent is

(1) s ax bx x 2

s ax bx (2) cx

y x  2

2

sx  u  u 0 000027 33 916 000 6 125 33 916 000 420 330 2 . ,, , ,, ,

sx  u  u 

u

0 000235 219 925 000 85 241 219 925 000 22 698 219 925 000

12 510 000 7 592 000 2

2

. ,, , ,, , ,,

, , , ,

(3)

,p

s bp p

x x p,

( ) 100 
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 153

Consequently, the 95-percent confi dence interval for the estimate percentage of migratory bird hunters 16 years old and older 

is from 16.7 percent to 19.9 percent, i.e., 18.3 ± 1.96 x 0.83.

Standard Error of a Difference. The standard error of the difference between two sample estimates is approximately equal to

where Sx and Sy are the standard errors of the estimates x and y. The estimates can be numbers, percentages, ratios, etc. This 

will represent the actual standard error quite accurately for the difference between estimates of the same characteristic in two 

different areas, or for the difference between separate and uncorrelated characteristics in the same area. However, if there is 

a high positive (negative) correlation between the two characteristics, the formula will overestimate (underestimate) the true 

standard error.

Illustration of the Computation of the Standard Error of a Difference

In Table 8, of the 11,655,000 females in the age range of 18–24, 726,000 or 6.2 percent are sportspersons. Similarly, of 

the 11,638,000 males in the same age range, 1,929,000 or 16.6 percent are sportspersons. The apparent difference between 

the percent of female and male participants is 10.4 percent. Using formula (3) and the appropriate b parameter from Table 

D-7, the approximate standard errors of 6.2 percent and 16.6 percent are 0.55 and 0.85, respectively. Using formula (4), the 

approximate standard error of the estimated difference of 10.4 percent is

The 95-percent confi dence interval on the difference between 18-to-24-year-old female and male sportspersons is from 8.4 to 

12.4, i.e., 10.4 ± 1.96 x 1.02. Since the interval does not contain zero, we can conclude with 95 percent confi dence that the 

percentage of 18-to-24-year-old female sportspersons is less than the percentage of 18-to-24-year-old male sportspersons.

Standard Errors of Estimated Averages. Certain mean values for sportspersons, anglers, etc., shown in the report were calculated as the ratio of two numbers. For example, average days per angler is calculated as:

Standard errors for these averages may be approximated by the use of formula (5) below.

 

In formula (5), r represents the correlation coeffi cient between the numerator and the denominator of the estimate. In the 

above formula, use 0.7 as an estimate of r.

Illustration of the Computation of the Standard Error of an Estimated Average

Table 2 shows that the average days per angler 16 years old and older for all fi shing was 17.3 days. Using formulas (1) and 

(2) above, we compute the standard error on total days, 516,781,000, and total anglers, 29,952,000, to be 15,828,079 and 

399,342, respectively. The approximate standard error on the estimated average of 17.3 days is

Therefore, the 95-percent confi dence interval on the estimated average of 17.3 days is from 

16.5 to 18.0, i.e., 17.3 ± 1.96 x 0.40.

 

sx p,

,. .

, , . uu  5 756 18 3 100 18 312 510 000 083

s ss (4) xy x y  2 2

sx y   055 085 102 2 2 ...

x

y

total days

total anglers 

s (5) x

y

s

x

s

y

r

s s

xy x y

x y xy a

¬

« o

1⁄4

» 

a

¬

« o

1⁄4

» 

2 2

2

sx y a

¬

« o

1⁄4

» 

a

¬

« o

1⁄4

»  u

u

u 516 781 000

29 952 000

158 280 079

516 781 000

399 342

29 952 000 2 07

15 828 079 399 342

516 781 000 29 952 000 0 40

2 2

, ,

, ,

, ,

, ,

,

, , . ,, ,,, ,, .
154 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-1. Approximate Standard Errors and 95-Percent Confidence Intervals for Selected Fishing

Estimates: 2006

Anglers, days, and expenditures Estimate Standard error Lower 95 percent Upper 95 percent

ANGLERS (thousands)

Total ................................................. 29,952 399 29,169 30,735

Freshwater .......................................... 25,431 372 24,702 26,160

Freshwater, except Great Lakes........................ 25,035 370 24,311 25,759

Great Lakes ....................................... 1,420 93 1,238 1,602

Saltwater............................................ 7,717 214 7,298 8,136

DAYS OF FISHING (thousands)

Total ................................................. 516,781 15,828 485,758 547,804

Freshwater .......................................... 433,337 14,153 405,597 461,077

Freshwater, except Great Lakes........................ 419,942 13,797 392,900 446,984

Great Lakes ....................................... 18,016 2,222 13,661 22,371

Saltwater............................................ 85,663 4,641 76,566 94,760

Average Days Per Angler

Total ................................................. 17.3 0.4 16.5 18.0

Freshwater .......................................... 17.0 0.4 16.2 17.9

Freshwater, except Great Lakes........................ 16.8 0.4 16.0 17.6

Great Lakes ....................................... 12.7 1.1 10.4 14.9

Saltwater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.1 0.4 10.2 12.0

FISHING EXPENDITURES (thousands of dollars)

Total1 ................................................ 42,011,124 1,257,135 39,547,139 44,475,109

Freshwater .......................................... 26,348,217 858,427 24,665,699 28,030,735

Freshwater, except Great Lakes........................ 24,581,671 808,752 22,996,516 26,166,826

Great Lakes ....................................... 1,507,656 193,877 1,127,657 1,887,655

Saltwater............................................ 8,879,948 514,207 7,872,103 9,887,793

Average Expenditures Per Angler (dollars)

Total1 ................................................ 1,403 32 1,340 1,466

Freshwater .......................................... 1,036 26 986 1,086

Freshwater, except Great Lakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 982 24 934 1,030

Great Lakes ....................................... 1,062 101 864 1,260

Saltwater............................................ 1,151 50 1,053 1,248

1 The total expenditures line includes ‘‘other’’ expenditures, such as membership dues, contributions, and licenses, while the type of fishing expenditure lines include triprelated and equipment expenditures only.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 155

Table D-2. Approximate Standard Errors and 95-Percent Confidence Intervals for Selected Hunting

Estimates: 2006

Hunters, days, and expenditures Estimate Standard error Lower 95 percent Upper 95 percent

HUNTERS (thousands)

Total ................................................. 12,510 261 11,999 13,021

Big game ........................................... 10,682 242 10,207 11,157

Small game.......................................... 4,797 164 4,475 5,119

Migratory bird ....................................... 2,293 114 2,069 2,517

Other animals........................................ 1,128 80 970 1,286

DAYS OF HUNTING (thousands)

Total ................................................. 219,925 7,592 205,045 234,805

Big game ........................................... 164,061 6,073 152,158 175,964

Small game.......................................... 52,395 2,807 46,894 57,896

Migratory bird ....................................... 19,770 1,446 16,935 22,605

Other animals........................................ 15,205 1,817 11,644 18,766

Average Days Per Hunter

Total ................................................. 17.6 0.4 16.7 18.4

Big game ........................................... 15.4 0.4 14.6 16.2

Small game.......................................... 10.9 0.4 10.1 11.7

Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.6 0.5 7.7 9.5

Other animals........................................ 13.5 1.2 11.2 15.8

HUNTING EXPENDITURES (thousands of dollars)

Total1 ................................................ 22,893,156 1,097,899 20,741,273 25,045,039

Big game ........................................... 11,754,122 601,296 10,575,582 12,932,662

Small game.......................................... 2,365,778 166,802 2,038,845 2,692,711

Migratory bird ....................................... 1,349,148 128,833 1,096,636 1,601,660

Other animals........................................ 207,856 29,591 149,857 265,855

Average Expenditures Per Hunter (dollars)

Total1 ................................................ 1,830 67 1,699 1,961

Big game ........................................... 1,100 43 1,017 1,184

Small game. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493 26 442 544

Migratory bird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 588 41 507 669

Other animals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 19 146 222

1 The total expenditures line includes ‘‘other’’ expenditures, such as membership dues, contributions, and licenses, while the type of hunting expenditure lines include triprelated and equipment expenditures only.
156 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-3. Approximate Standard Errors and 95-Percent Confidence Intervals for Selected Fishing and

Hunting Expenditure Estimates: 2006

(Thousands of dollars)

Expenditures Estimate Standard error Lower 95 percent Upper 95 percent

FISHING AND HUNTING EXPENDITURES

Total ................................................. 76,650,027 2,166,932 72,402,840 80,897,214

Trip-related .......................................... 24,557,174 714,964 23,155,846 25,958,502

Food and lodging ..................................... 9,093,769 279,376 8,546,191 9,641,347

Transportation........................................ 7,658,755 233,992 7,200,130 8,117,380

Other trip costs....................................... 7,804,650 252,636 7,309,484 8,299,816

Equipment

Fishing ............................................. 5,365,933 188,904 4,995,681 5,736,185

Hunting ............................................ 5,716,758 273,637 5,180,429 6,253,087

Auxiliary............................................ 2,969,992 143,901 2,687,945 3,252,039

Special ............................................. 26,910,442 2,260,113 22,480,620 31,340,264

Other

Books, magazine subscriptions .......................... 304,181 16,416 272,006 336,356

Membership dues and contributions ...................... 593,242 41,212 512,467 674,017

Land leasing and ownership ............................ 8,986,342 902,640 7,217,168 10,755,516

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits ...................... 1,245,963 39,478 1,168,586 1,323,340

Fishing Expenditures

Total ................................................. 42,011,124 1,257,135 39,547,139 44,475,109

Trip-related .......................................... 17,878,560 552,205 16,796,238 18,960,882

Food and lodging ..................................... 6,302,524 206,999 5,896,805 6,708,243

Transportation........................................ 4,961,830 163,180 4,641,996 5,281,664

Other trip costs....................................... 6,614,205 218,667 6,185,617 7,042,793

Equipment

Fishing ............................................. 5,332,401 188,871 4,962,214 5,702,588

Auxiliary............................................ 778,740 58,892 663,312 894,168

Special ............................................. 12,646,229 1,404,577 9,893,258 15,399,200

Other

Books, magazine subscriptions .......................... 115,019 9,174 97,038 133,000

Membership dues and contributions.... .................. 157,728 19,181 120,133 195,323

Land leasing and ownership ............................ 4,598,988 783,665 3,063,004 6,134,972

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits ...................... 503,460 16,857 470,420 536,500

Hunting Expenditures

Total ................................................. 22,893,156 1,097,899 20,741,273 25,045,039

Trip-related .......................................... 6,678,614 329,123 6,033,533 7,323,695

Food and lodging ..................................... 2,791,245 140,998 2,514,888 3,067,602

Transportation........................................ 2,696,924 133,733 2,434,807 2,959,041

Other trip costs....................................... 1,190,445 88,756 1,016,483 1,364,407

Equipment

Hunting............................................. 5,366,357 277,519 4,822,419 5,910,295

Auxiliary............................................ 1,330,216 90,892 1,152,068 1,508,364

Special ............................................. 4,034,928 749,373 2,566,157 5,503,699

Other

Books, magazine subscriptions .......................... 83,524 6,323 71,132 95,916

Membership dues and contributions ...................... 269,660 26,130 218,444 320,876

Land leasing and ownership ............................ 4,387,354 468,754 3,468,597 5,306,111

Licenses, stamps, tags, and permits ...................... 742,503 34,036 675,793 809,213
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 157

Table D-4. Approximate Standard Errors and 95-Percent Confidence Intervals for Selected

Wildlife-Watching Estimates: 2006

Participants and expenditures Estimate Standard error Lower 95 percent Upper 95 percent

WILDLIFE-WATCHING PARTICIPANTS (thousands)

Total ................................................. 71,132 808 69,548 72,716

Away from home ..................................... 22,977 525 21,949 24,005

Observe wildlife.................................... 21,546 510 20,547 22,545

Photograph wildlife ................................. 11,708 385 10,954 12,462

Feed wildlife ...................................... 7,084 302 6,491 7,677

Around the home ..................................... 67,756 797 66,193 69,319

Observe wildlife.................................... 44,467 691 43,113 45,821

Photograph wildlife ................................. 18,763 479 17,824 19,702

Feed wildlife ...................................... 55,512 749 54,045 56,979

Visit public parks................................... 13,271 408 12,471 14,071

Maintain natural areas or plantings..................... 14,508 425 13,674 15,342

DAYS OF PARTICIPATION IN AWAY-FROM-HOME

ACTIVITIES (thousands)

Total ................................................. 352,070 23,204 306,589 397,551

Observe wildlife...................................... 291,027 20,962 249,942 332,112

Photograph wildlife ................................... 103,872 12,238 79,886 127,858

Feed wildlife ........................................ 77,329 10,439 56,868 97,790

Average Days of Participation in Away-From-Home

Activities

Total ................................................. 15.3 0.8 13.7 16.9

Observe wildlife...................................... 13.5 0.8 12.0 15.0

Photograph wildlife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.9 0.9 7.2 10.6

Feed wildlife ........................................ 10.9 1.2 8.6 13.3

EXPENDITURES (thousands of dollars)

Total ................................................. 45,654,960 1,682,661 42,356,945 48,952,975

Trip-related .......................................... 12,875,152 766,956 11,371,918 14,378,386

Food and lodging ................................... 7,516,281 482,580 6,570,424 8,462,138

Transportation...................................... 4,456,013 267,023 3,932,647 4,979,379

Other trip costs..................................... 902,858 79,026 747,967 1,057,749

Equipment and other expenses .......................... 32,779,808 1,083,752 30,655,654 34,903,962

Wildlife-watching equipment.......................... 9,869,727 374,202 9,136,291 10,603,163

Auxiliary equipment ................................ 1,033,060 117,461 802,836 1,263,284

Special equipment .................................. 12,271,266 2,301,238 7,760,839 16,781,693

Magazines, books................................... 359,681 22,995 314,611 404,751

Land leasing and ownership .......................... 6,551,517 1,819,034 2,986,211 10,116,823

Membership dues and contributions .................... 1,052,496 91,539 873,080 1,231,912

Plantings.......................................... 1,642,061 162,142 1,324,262 1,959,860
158 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-5. Approximate Standard Errors and 95-Percent Confidence Intervals for Participants in

Wildlife-Related Recreation by Participant’s State of Residence: 2006

(Numbers in thousands)

Participant’s state of residence Total participants Standard error Lower 95 percent Upper 95 percent

United States, total................................... 87,465 864 85,772 89,158

Alabama .............................................. 1,417 83 1,253 1,581

Alaska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288 21 248 328

Arizona ............................................... 1,233 68 1,099 1,367

Arkansas.............................................. 1,082 71 943 1,221

California ............................................. 6,804 292 6,232 7,376

Colorado .............................................. 1,735 98 1,543 1,927

Connecticut............................................ 1,223 55 1,115 1,331

Delaware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256 15 227 285

Florida ............................................... 4,626 216 4,202 5,050

Georgia ............................................... 2,415 151 2,118 2,712

Hawaii . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 18 191 263

Idaho. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 564 45 475 653

Illinois................................................ 2,886 154 2,584 3,188

Indiana ............................................... 2,279 112 2,059 2,499

Iowa ................................................. 1,306 75 1,159 1,453

Kansas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 979 52 876 1,082

Kentucky ............................................. 1,667 96 1,479 1,855

Louisiana ............................................. 1,106 78 953 1,259

Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 717 40 639 795

Maryland ............................................. 1,549 81 1,391 1,707

Massachusetts.......................................... 1,931 80 1,775 2,087

Michigan.............................................. 3,651 213 3,233 4,069

Minnesota ............................................. 2,480 143 2,200 2,760

Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 896 69 760 1,032

Missouri .............................................. 2,496 125 2,251 2,741

Montana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 510 29 452 568

Nebraska. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 552 29 494 610

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 530 41 450 610

New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 527 25 479 575

New Jersey ............................................ 1,826 88 1,653 1,999

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 601 35 533 669

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,103 239 3,634 4,572

North Carolina ......................................... 2,816 127 2,566 3,066

North Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 18 198 266

Ohio ................................................. 4,022 192 3,647 4,397

Oklahoma ............................................. 1,372 87 1,201 1,543

Oregon ............................................... 1,531 93 1,349 1,713

Pennsylvania........................................... 4,165 210 3,754 4,576

Rhode Island . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355 16 324 386

South Carolina ......................................... 1,283 76 1,134 1,432

South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327 23 282 372

Tennessee ............................................. 2,287 118 2,055 2,519

Texas................................................. 5,481 374 4,748 6,214

Utah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 764 53 660 868

Vermont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 311 16 280 342

Virginia ............................................... 2,500 135 2,235 2,765

Washington............................................ 2,315 86 2,147 2,483

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 735 56 625 845

Wisconsin ............................................. 2,217 131 1,961 2,473

Wyoming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 18 194 264
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 159

Table D-6. Parameters a and b for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors of Sportspersons, Anglers,

Hunters, and Wildlife-Watching Participants

(These parameters are to be used only to calculate estimates of standard errors for characteristics developed from the screening sample)

State

6 years and older 6-to-15-year-olds only

aba b

United States, total................................... –0.000015 4,173 –0.000365 14,798

Alabama .............................................. –0.000523 2,173 –0.014402 8,642

Alaska................................................ –0.001157 697 –0.024644 2,566

Arizona ............................................... –0.000399 2,178 –0.008468 7,441

Arkansas.............................................. –0.001116 2,820 –0.026111 9,698

California ............................................. –0.000126 4,134 –0.003139 16,914

Colorado .............................................. –0.000573 2,435 –0.019382 12,522

Connecticut............................................ –0.000313 1,005 –0.008787 4,151

Delaware.............................................. –0.000510 396 –0.014882 1,597

Florida ............................................... –0.000266 4,389 –0.006122 13,852

Georgia ............................................... –0.000568 4,653 –0.012587 16,121

Hawaii ............................................... –0.000437 517 –0.009528 1,602

Idaho................................................. –0.001346 1,759 –0.042091 8,654

Illinois................................................ –0.000296 3,416 –0.007029 12,542

Indiana ............................................... –0.000488 2,782 –0.012165 10,911

Iowa ................................................. –0.000762 2,062 –0.020347 7,491

Kansas ............................................... –0.000537 1,329 –0.016690 6,138

Kentucky ............................................. –0.000772 2,935 –0.018308 9,902

Louisiana ............................................. –0.000775 3,143 –0.017795 11,036

Maine ................................................ –0.000924 1,135 –0.030300 4,683

Maryland ............................................. –0.000357 1,821 –0.008162 6,298

Massachusetts.......................................... –0.000261 1,521 –0.007130 5,692

Michigan.............................................. –0.000685 6,318 –0.018937 26,784

Minnesota ............................................. –0.001009 4,733 –0.029835 20,037

Mississippi ............................................ –0.000757 1,982 –0.016992 6,865

Missouri .............................................. –0.000670 3,534 –0.018329 13,847

Montana .............................................. –0.001418 1,227 –0.033110 3,719

Nebraska.............................................. –0.000567 902 –0.014086 3,277

Nevada ............................................... –0.000515 1,159 –0.011577 4,097

New Hampshire ........................................ –0.000535 650 –0.015945 2,744

New Jersey ............................................ –0.000209 1,655 –0.005070 6,099

New Mexico........................................... –0.000620 1,097 –0.016872 4,557

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.000320 5,582 –0.009275 22,967

North Carolina ......................................... –0.000416 3,286 –0.011916 14,068

North Dakota .......................................... –0.001096 637 –0.036240 2,677

Ohio ................................................. –0.000484 5,045 –0.011219 17,172

Oklahoma ............................................. –0.000744 2,389 –0.020948 9,767

Oregon ............................................... –0.000752 2,533 –0.024824 11,839

Pennsylvania........................................... –0.000544 6,176 –0.014615 22,903

Rhode Island .......................................... –0.000315 308 –0.008710 1,182

South Carolina ......................................... –0.000560 2,174 –0.016004 9,034

South Dakota .......................................... –0.001061 745 –0.025331 2,568

Tennessee ............................................. –0.000565 3,084 –0.015267 11,667

Texas................................................. –0.000466 9,557 –0.011141 38,300

Utah ................................................. –0.000700 1,541 –0.018090 7,116

Vermont .............................................. –0.001053 611 –0.032724 2,420

Virginia ............................................... –0.000450 3,102 –0.014313 14,311

Washington............................................ –0.000349 2,031 –0.010251 8,539

West Virginia .......................................... –0.001092 1,823 –0.042234 8,929

Wisconsin ............................................. –0.000820 4,156 –0.021060 15,086

Wyoming ............................................. –0.001268 592 –0.028116 1,742
160 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-7. Parameters a and b for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors for Levels for the Detailed

Sportspersons Sample

State

Sportspersons and anglers 16 years and older Hunters 16 years and older

aba b

United States, total............................. –0.000027 6,125 –0.000025 5,756

Alabama ........................................ –0.000936 3,324 –0.000921 3,268

Alaska.......................................... –0.002197 1,096 –0.002013 1,004

Arizona ......................................... –0.000641 2,941 –0.000403 1,849

Arkansas........................................ –0.001833 3,951 –0.001705 3,674

California ....................................... –0.000239 6,523 –0.000213 5,801

Colorado ........................................ –0.000960 3,459 –0.000735 2,650

Connecticut...................................... –0.000545 1,490 –0.000514 1,407

Delaware........................................ –0.000758 507 –0.000720 482

Florida ......................................... –0.000415 5,911 –0.000347 4,943

Georgia ......................................... –0.000965 6,668 –0.000752 5,199

Hawaii ......................................... –0.000763 774 –0.000751 761

Idaho........................................... –0.002486 2,738 –0.001888 2,080

Illinois.......................................... –0.000430 4,201 –0.000388 3,789

Indiana ......................................... –0.000821 3,939 –0.000777 3,729

Iowa ........................................... –0.001383 3,234 –0.001535 3,589

Kansas ......................................... –0.001097 2,315 –0.001433 3,024

Kentucky ....................................... –0.001222 3,983 –0.001048 3,415

Louisiana ....................................... –0.001300 4,464 –0.001271 4,365

Maine .......................................... –0.001560 1,675 –0.001469 1,578

Maryland ....................................... –0.000552 2,392 –0.000456 1,975

Massachusetts.................................... –0.000412 2,072 –0.000383 1,929

Michigan........................................ –0.001085 8,470 –0.001214 9,474

Minnesota ....................................... –0.001694 6,812 –0.001504 6,049

Mississippi ...................................... –0.001355 3,000 –0.001169 2,588

Missouri ........................................ –0.001031 4,662 –0.001067 4,825

Montana ........................................ –0.002523 1,899 –0.002383 1,793

Nebraska........................................ –0.001066 1,449 –0.001236 1,680

Nevada ......................................... –0.000898 1,703 –0.000823 1,561

New Hampshire .................................. –0.000801 836 –0.000774 808

New Jersey ...................................... –0.000327 2,200 –0.000251 1,690

New Mexico..................................... –0.001323 1,984 –0.001264 1,895

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.000456 6,842 –0.000378 5,671

North Carolina ................................... –0.000713 4,794 –0.000588 3,951

North Dakota .................................... –0.001558 791 –0.001754 890

Ohio ........................................... –0.000851 7,569 –0.000697 6,194

Oklahoma ....................................... –0.001278 3,504 –0.001303 3,574

Oregon ......................................... –0.001291 3,730 –0.001024 2,957

Pennsylvania..................................... –0.000867 8,490 –0.001030 10,089

Rhode Island .................................... –0.000487 410 –0.000425 358

South Carolina ................................... –0.000983 3,259 –0.000981 3,251

South Dakota .................................... –0.001728 1,038 –0.001532 920

Tennessee ....................................... –0.001019 4,790 –0.000929 4,367

Texas........................................... –0.000859 14,660 –0.000725 12,388

Utah ........................................... –0.001453 2,627 –0.001268 2,292

Vermont ........................................ –0.001514 766 –0.001403 710

Virginia ......................................... –0.000885 5,215 –0.001105 6,510

Washington...................................... –0.000626 3,116 –0.000676 3,368

West Virginia .................................... –0.001844 2,688 –0.001712 2,496

Wisconsin ....................................... –0.001281 5,572 –0.001144 4,978

Wyoming ....................................... –0.003226 1,306 –0.002251 911
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 161

Table D-8. Parameters a, b, and c for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors for Expenditures for the

Detailed Sportspersons Sample

State

Sportspersons and anglers 16 years and older Hunters 16 years and older

abcab c

United States, total....................... 0.000118 –150,479 22,234 0.000918 –401,912 17,005

Alabama .................................. 0.019700 –12,417 5,855 0.016799 –96,800 6,317

Alaska.................................... 0.030420 –2,004 1,057 0.031018 –14,867 1,091

Arizona ................................... 0.036222 –2,002 2,994 0.069395 –74,101 2,742

Arkansas.................................. 0.024408 –27,794 6,433 0.010107 –101,205 7,942

California ................................. 0.018462 –35,800 10,686 0.027550 –58,262 9,255

Colorado .................................. 0.008867 676 5,062 0.034102 –27,935 4,373

Connecticut................................ 0.036498 –11,421 2,841 0.096937 –60,991 2,564

Delaware.................................. 0.031385 –1,643 734 0.018489 –3,855 719

Florida ................................... 0.014951 –23,048 9,553 0.021932 –407,268 10,425

Georgia ................................... 0.022339 –47,820 8,031 0.051440 –143,590 7,061

Hawaii ................................... 0.065152 –5,771 830 0.123487 –5,097 588

Idaho..................................... 0.034640 9,981 3,224 0.023728 –69,369 3,841

Illinois.................................... 0.017187 6,704 5,219 0.024778 74,958 3,321

Indiana ................................... 0.027022 –16,160 4,558 0.042674 –61,618 4,557

Iowa ..................................... 0.033205 22,341 2,171 0.045665 –41,343 1,583

Kansas ................................... 0.034206 –23,245 3,454 0.042600 –116,049 4,343

Kentucky ................................. 0.051496 –17,125 5,942 0.025277 –89,098 6,822

Louisiana ................................. 0.023308 –66,118 7,237 0.027891 135,631 6,412

Maine .................................... 0.022050 –7,457 2,175 0.021630 –12,360 2,038

Maryland ................................. 0.015599 –14,663 3,208 0.018873 –30,982 2,820

Massachusetts.............................. 0.049013 –25,362 3,792 0.138120 –47,649 2,049

Michigan.................................. 0.035078 –148,672 13,535 0.039658 –147,585 12,587

Minnesota ................................. 0.028185 –92,976 11,279 0.027553 –263,285 12,919

Mississippi ................................ 0.026713 –53,218 5,433 0.014058 –97,282 6,390

Missouri .................................. 0.011821 –40,950 10,804 –0.005607 –190,726 17,070

Montana .................................. 0.024760 –9,845 2,520 0.020119 –99,543 3,580

Nebraska.................................. 0.018618 1,031 1,640 0.022265 –22,187 1,472

Nevada ................................... 0.048609 –9,688 1,387 0.102222 –32,513 1,074

New Hampshire ............................ 0.025253 –6,176 1,434 0.037780 –26,900 1,448

New Jersey ................................ 0.019672 –39,093 4,262 0.029909 –90,209 3,910

New Mexico............................... 0.084483 2,232 1,181 0.096226 20,132 683

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.039569 –84,193 13,133 0.069695 –128,553 12,761

North Carolina ............................. 0.029775 –35,783 6,154 0.035333 –15,128 5,717

North Dakota .............................. 0.033611 –586 751 0.032562 6,176 804

Ohio ..................................... 0.031480 –41,813 11,082 0.040646 –140,259 8,710

Oklahoma ................................. 0.023920 –27,206 4,719 0.020041 –31,920 5,066

Oregon ................................... 0.029208 –11,360 5,033 0.019440 –76,401 4,937

Pennsylvania............................... 0.011981 –92,207 15,295 0.014951 –17,951 14,434

Rhode Island .............................. 0.033545 –2,922 634 0.053976 –12,463 565

South Carolina ............................. 0.082716 –96,641 6,922 0.191600 –23,834 2,573

South Dakota .............................. 0.030933 682 1,071 0.018421 –25,518 1,356

Tennessee ................................. 0.027200 67,423 6,450 0.029272 –98,688 7,535

Texas..................................... 0.032817 –69,604 20,795 0.027826 –146,956 22,831

Utah ..................................... 0.033896 –13,369 2,671 0.024396 –195,230 4,439

Vermont .................................. 0.022379 –4,177 1,337 0.026395 –21,534 1,476

Virginia ................................... 0.035897 –28,532 5,705 0.032298 –68,680 6,293

Washington................................ 0.026464 –45,106 5,612 0.081551 81,860 1,611

West Virginia .............................. 0.086611 –39,384 2,945 0.103915 –184,675 4,610

Wisconsin ................................. 0.017762 –81,329 10,849 0.029543 –54,069 8,015

Wyoming ................................. 0.075474 –5,404 1,197 0.090886 12,235 847
162 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-9. Parameters a, b, and c for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors for Days or Trips for the

Detailed Sportspersons Sample

State

Sportspersons and anglers 16 years and older Hunters 16 years and older

abcab c

United States, total....................... 0.000211 –23,610 23,157 –0.000235 –85,241 22,698

Alabama .................................. 0.027360 –4,011 4,995 0.035544 –6,621 5,383

Alaska.................................... 0.016117 –432 1,681 0.027498 8 1,622

Arizona ................................... 0.065842 –511 1,775 0.053516 –8,367 2,773

Arkansas.................................. 0.013952 –12,325 8,675 0.024038 –5,931 6,861

California ................................. 0.010707 –16,022 13,917 0.028439 –23,877 12,350

Colorado .................................. 0.019267 4,638 3,198 0.017940 128 3,608

Connecticut................................ 0.034363 –781 1,504 0.024306 –1,047 1,829

Delaware.................................. 0.061308 –234 527 0.058226 –184 529

Florida ................................... 0.010264 –17,862 11,170 0.022310 21,695 5,794

Georgia ................................... 0.040208 –10,805 6,234 0.044845 16,702 1,853

Hawaii ................................... 0.034563 –1,603 1,552 0.212584 –1,169 945

Idaho..................................... 0.069064 –15,482 4,996 0.024568 –5,756 3,301

Illinois.................................... 0.005932 –8,487 9,365 0.001562 –38,372 13,100

Indiana ................................... 0.006553 –5,775 6,973 0.018011 –6,028 6,053

Iowa ..................................... 0.026962 –7,704 4,252 0.037766 –10,398 4,032

Kansas ................................... 0.015744 –2,510 4,078 0.046706 –21,946 6,195

Kentucky ................................. 0.015099 –6,026 7,313 –0.014871 –7,130 8,307

Louisiana ................................. 0.004012 –4,767 6,568 0.022152 –3,240 5,213

Maine .................................... 0.030520 –7,661 3,270 0.003096 –10,278 3,842

Maryland ................................. 0.017639 –6,240 3,697 0.011515 –6,512 3,608

Massachusetts.............................. 0.027491 –3,619 4,355 0.044116 –8,700 5,301

Michigan.................................. 0.011920 –23,905 20,643 0.025076 23,642 7,030

Minnesota ................................. 0.035500 –7,447 10,504 0.027723 –23,061 14,333

Mississippi ................................ 0.015625 –10,362 5,357 –0.000218 –2,695 4,394

Missouri .................................. 0.019454 –11,342 12,042 0.010034 –70,146 19,451

Montana .................................. 0.018290 –1,849 2,202 0.013948 –3,887 2,640

Nebraska.................................. 0.009103 –2,063 3,655 –0.005553 –28,329 7,091

Nevada ................................... 0.043203 –1,733 1,536 0.123560 535 425

New Hampshire ............................ 0.019444 –2,643 1,627 0.013722 400 1,313

New Jersey ................................ 0.026108 1,903 1,969 0.013215 –1,967 2,735

New Mexico. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.112638 –431 817 0.096905 807 610

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.029022 –22,367 14,881 0.008095 –27,096 17,017

North Carolina ............................. 0.021276 –6,354 5,499 0.012831 –28,563 9,265

North Dakota .............................. 0.019007 –3,002 1,621 0.008541 –5,760 2,617

Ohio ..................................... 0.022273 –21,768 15,604 0.044683 –9,949 10,955

Oklahoma ................................. 0.006405 –10,237 8,296 0.013165 –12,426 8,445

Oregon ................................... 0.073495 –1,650 3,786 0.042692 –10,309 6,182

Pennsylvania............................... 0.027085 –24,417 16,685 –0.014656 –134,270 41,466

Rhode Island .............................. 0.011732 –506 680 0.021282 –344 525

South Carolina ............................. 0.014487 –6,537 6,823 0.086503 1,677 2,737

South Dakota .............................. 0.012863 –1,152 1,751 0.019075 –2,901 1,859

Tennessee ................................. 0.005611 –9,561 11,404 –0.011681 –60,797 16,711

Texas..................................... 0.014288 –13,795 18,462 –0.003611 –31,876 25,228

Utah ..................................... 0.041500 –1,853 2,544 0.071790 3,964 792

Vermont .................................. 0.016042 –1,485 1,360 –0.006963 –2,952 1,792

Virginia ................................... 0.008112 –5,920 7,627 0.011922 165 6,590

Washington................................ 0.017168 –6,558 4,800 0.045009 3,663 1,723

West Virginia .............................. 0.006512 –2,872 4,433 0.001964 –2,897 4,911

Wisconsin ................................. 0.009197 –14,330 10,587 –0.002285 –35,565 15,098

Wyoming ................................. 0.025766 –1,835 1,823 0.034258 –3,738 1,705
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation 163

Table D-10. Parameters a and b for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors of Levels of

Wildlife-Watching Participants for the Detailed Wildlife-Watching Sample

State

Away-from-home participants Wildlife-watching participants1

aba b

United States, total................................... –0.000064 14,628 –0.000058 13,319

Alabama .............................................. –0.002522 8,955 –0.002252 7,994

Alaska................................................ –0.005091 2,539 –0.005744 2,864

Arizona ............................................... –0.001212 5,555 –0.001128 5,170

Arkansas.............................................. –0.003685 7,943 –0.003787 8,163

California ............................................. –0.000633 17,272 –0.000632 17,247

Colorado .............................................. –0.002818 10,157 –0.002773 9,995

Connecticut............................................ –0.001942 5,313 –0.001578 4,317

Delaware.............................................. –0.002431 1,625 –0.002061 1,378

Florida ............................................... –0.001067 15,191 –0.001082 15,396

Georgia ............................................... –0.002273 15,705 –0.002082 14,383

Hawaii ............................................... –0.002169 2,200 –0.002077 2,106

Idaho................................................. –0.005872 6,469 –0.006027 6,640

Illinois................................................ –0.001350 13,189 –0.001237 12,083

Indiana ............................................... –0.002090 10,031 –0.002026 9,722

Iowa ................................................. –0.003442 8,051 –0.003725 8,712

Kansas ............................................... –0.002087 4,403 –0.002245 4,737

Kentucky ............................................. –0.003921 12,780 –0.003130 10,201

Louisiana ............................................. –0.002878 9,878 –0.002325 7,980

Maine ................................................ –0.005383 5,779 –0.005003 5,372

Maryland ............................................. –0.001401 6,072 –0.001512 6,552

Massachusetts.......................................... –0.001153 5,803 –0.001045 5,260

Michigan.............................................. –0.003188 24,879 –0.002805 21,892

Minnesota ............................................. –0.004869 19,579 –0.004257 17,116

Mississippi ............................................ –0.004033 8,929 –0.004149 9,184

Missouri .............................................. –0.003241 14,653 –0.002731 12,349

Montana .............................................. –0.006536 4,919 –0.005006 3,768

Nebraska.............................................. –0.001913 2,600 –0.001770 2,406

Nevada ............................................... –0.003763 7,131 –0.002387 4,524

New Hampshire ........................................ –0.002265 2,364 –0.002070 2,160

New Jersey ............................................ –0.000942 6,346 –0.000899 6,057

New Mexico........................................... –0.002139 3,207 –0.002023 3,034

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.001498 22,454 –0.001320 19,791

North Carolina ......................................... –0.001307 8,785 –0.001368 9,194

North Dakota .......................................... –0.004745 2,408 –0.004900 2,486

Ohio ................................................. –0.001834 16,302 –0.001729 15,365

Oklahoma ............................................. –0.004720 12,946 –0.003724 10,214

Oregon ............................................... –0.004482 12,948 –0.003771 10,895

Pennsylvania........................................... –0.001862 18,235 –0.001779 17,426

Rhode Island .......................................... –0.001588 1,338 –0.001451 1,222

South Carolina ......................................... –0.002527 8,378 –0.002147 7,118

South Dakota .......................................... –0.005879 3,532 –0.005273 3,168

Tennessee ............................................. –0.002040 9,583 –0.002340 10,996

Texas................................................. –0.002981 50,906 –0.002276 38,865

Utah ................................................. –0.002948 5,329 –0.003322 6,007

Vermont .............................................. –0.003834 1,940 –0.003687 1,866

Virginia ............................................... –0.002142 12,625 –0.002049 12,078

Washington............................................ –0.001012 5,037 –0.001076 5,361

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . –0.005125 7,470 –0.005457 7,954

Wisconsin ............................................. –0.002461 10,707 –0.003232 14,058

Wyoming ............................................. –0.006998 2,833 –0.006562 2,657

1 Use these parameters for total wildlife-watching participants and around-the-home participants.
164 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Table D-11. Parameters a, b, and c for Calculating Approximate Standard Errors for Expenditures and Days or

Trips for Detailed Wildlife-Watching Sample

State

Expenditures Days or trips

abcab c

United States, total.......................... 0.000184 –1,140,662 67,137 0.000574 1,457,630 –8,497

Alabama ..................................... 0.045588 –11,994 16,603 0.188740 –119,343 614

Alaska....................................... 0.120206 –27,366 3,041 –0.124071 –135,739 22,893

Arizona ...................................... 0.030207 –53,304 10,729 –0.012992 48,146 15,350

Arkansas..................................... 0.099812 14,720 8,751 –0.017705 122,002 28,315

California .................................... 0.033850 –512,106 41,075 –0.045068 409,984 182,262

Colorado ..................................... 0.027999 –274,128 22,499 –0.048837 –38,813 65,367

Connecticut................................... 0.021634 –65,691 10,399 –0.024457 –95,765 25,345

Delaware..................................... 0.065106 –1,447 1,138 –0.008505 9,777 5,498

Florida ...................................... 0.023886 346,119 21,198 0.008852 367,813 29,038

Georgia ...................................... 0.074762 –1,010,585 34,617 –0.043108 –269,579 83,544

Hawaii ...................................... 0.083826 –21,578 2,574 –0.072050 –22,450 10,110

Idaho........................................ 0.062974 –42,113 7,740 –0.034736 –28,632 22,517

Illinois....................................... 0.036256 –247,805 22,614 –0.015710 –127,759 55,397

Indiana ...................................... 0.036663 –31,127 16,250 –0.011371 –60,979 38,357

Iowa ........................................ 0.079272 54,459 5,841 –0.010582 –64,612 23,312

Kansas ...................................... 0.065343 2,002 6,423 –0.009647 290,376 9,046

Kentucky .................................... 0.054215 7,733 10,118 –0.027046 –203,563 66,052

Louisiana .................................... 0.122208 –20,968 9,262 –0.027645 11,297 25,905

Maine ....................................... 0.023874 –51,089 9,384 –0.124695 –361,658 61,734

Maryland .................................... 0.014472 –4,594 10,674 0.003905 125,364 13,230

Massachusetts................................. 0.028723 –178,823 9,836 –0.028071 –151,233 43,446

Michigan..................................... 0.034044 –350,268 38,895 –0.189982 –1,478,372 355,858

Minnesota .................................... 0.074185 –156,337 26,053 –0.037135 –287,075 81,476

Mississippi ................................... 0.069734 –5,671 8,343 0.007734 –4,828 12,669

Missouri ..................................... 0.050350 –370,879 19,939 –0.072363 –297,324 107,372

Montana ..................................... 0.096467 –101,441 7,127 0.021739 75,970 2,590

Nebraska..................................... 0.057553 –29,126 3,150 –0.037603 –53,492 15,634

Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.114708 –32,736 5,704 0.007035 8,360 8,647

New Hampshire ............................... 0.014724 –17,918 4,039 –0.004938 74,043 4,376

New Jersey ................................... 0.022949 –169,333 13,969 –0.040442 238,149 40,992

New Mexico.................................. 0.036652 16,768 4,306 –0.023441 72,449 11,803

New York . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.042036 –450,788 32,575 –0.019285 –366,511 102,534

North Carolina ................................ 0.061423 –16,794 13,694 –0.012815 19,657 37,216

North Dakota ................................. 0.155007 –2,199 1,794 0.150664 6,024 376

Ohio ........................................ 0.035458 –205,570 28,049 –0.018753 –103,758 63,267

Oklahoma .................................... 0.036357 –21,977 15,171 –0.000564 1,344,926 16,961

Oregon ...................................... 0.062814 –65,011 9,965 –0.004734 831,881 37,513

Pennsylvania.................................. 0.054585 –176,791 24,331 –0.024636 –296,844 94,825

Rhode Island ................................. 0.037242 –31 2,537 –0.019391 234 7,490

South Carolina ................................ 0.017341 –52,304 14,141 –0.021836 –45,588 28,960

South Dakota ................................. 0.058011 –16,346 3,878 –0.063876 –12,873 14,245

Tennessee .................................... 0.058962 –19,581 19,197 –0.067979 539,487 98,190

Texas........................................ 0.107126 268,978 41,639 –0.115263 –2,660,430 425,213

Utah ........................................ 0.056246 –5,750 4,842 –0.002938 –77,345 25,347

Vermont ..................................... 0.005556 –22,018 4,065 –0.014449 33,588 6,073

Virginia ...................................... 0.043764 –51,970 12,817 –0.046070 –227,508 91,189

Washington................................... 0.030615 –16,210 11,199 –0.000250 36,174 12,719

West Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.118586 –4,653 8,819 –0.073404 38,459 30,640

Wisconsin .................................... 0.009997 –400,732 26,411 –0.015178 –125,383 46,927

Wyoming .................................... 0.083907 –31,350 3,012 –0.062286 –29,913 12,976
U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

http://federalaid.fws.gov 

October 2007