U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2006 Na 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation ational Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Associated Recreation 1

2006 National Survey of Fishing,

Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

Errata Sheet for National Report
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.
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%
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 
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