Although most birdfeeding, and therefore the demand for birdseed, is concentrated in the winter months, over 573,000 Hoosier birders feed wild birds every month of the year. Other important commodities purchased by birders are nest boxes, birdhouses, birdfeeders, and birdbaths. 1985 Age Levels of Indiana Birders Funding Potential from Birding Conservation organizations have long been notorious for funding education, research, and management on their topic areas of special interest through memberships and contributions from the public. This is largely because state and federal agencies cannot afford to fund many of these projects on a large scale. A somewhat surprising find from the 1985 National Survey is the lack of participation by Indiana birders in paying dues and contributions to environmental-associated organizations and agencies that practice and support wildlife management and conservation.
Birders give less per person than their sportsmen counterparts.
The higher number of birders who are giving results in about the same amount of voluntary contributions. However, sportsmen have other mechanisms by which they provide a far greater level of financial assistance for fish and wildlife. These programs obtain all of their funds from a tax on sporting goods, the revenue from which in turn goes back to benefit the species providing this source of recreation. This type of revenue structure is obviously lacking in the birding arena. Given the magnitude of the interest in nonconsumptive wildlife activity, management and funding are areas that must grow if people are to continue to enjoy birding, rich wildlife populations, and areas in which to pursue their recreational activity.