A new report highlights the major impact hunting has on America’s economy and conservation funding. It further reinforces the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s longtime declaration that Hunting Is Conservation.
Using data in part from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and GIS mapping software, the studies highlight how spending by hunters, target shooters and anglers supports jobs, wages and local economies across the country. Southwick Associates conducted the research on behalf of the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation for hunting and target shooting and the American Sportfishing Association for sportfishing.
“Recreational fishing, hunting and target shooting are an escape for many, but are the workday for many others, collectively supporting nearly 2.5 million jobs in the U.S.,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates. “Actions that impede Americans from enjoying these national pastimes or help to expand opportunity will be felt in all corners of the U.S. economy.”
Hunting = Significant Funding for Conservation
Since the passage of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson Act) of 1937, hunters and target shooters paid a special federal excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment. These funds are distributed to state fish and wildlife agencies annually to help fund wildlife restoration projects as well as hunter education programs and shooting range enhancements. In 2022 alone, the excise taxes paid by hunters and shooters amounted to more than $1.1 billion. Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates hunters spent more than $1 billion on hunting licenses in 2022 and contributed an additional $283 million in dues to conservation or wildlife-related organizations. That adds up to more than $2.5 billion in total funding contributed by hunters and shooters in a single year.
In totality since 1937, excise taxes paid by hunters and recreational shooters generated more than $17 billion for conservation.
Economic Impact: Hunting Facts
- The revenue generated by the hunting industry is higher than the Gross Domestic Product of 121 countries
- Hunters contributed nearly $38 million a day in state, local, and federal taxes that goes to support wildlife agencies and conservation
- Hunting generated more revenue ($45.2 billion) than Nationwide ($44 billion), United Airlines ($43 billion), Dow ($43 billion), and Tyson Foods ($42.4 billion).
- The hunting industry supports 540,923 jobs – that’s more than any US company except Walmart and Amazon
- The retail sales produced by hunting ($45.2 billion) is nearly equal to the combined system-wide sales of both Starbucks ($26.5 billion) and McDonald’s ($21.1 billion combined)
- The revenue generated by hunting is 10 times more than the revenue of the top 10 most valuable NFL teams combined ($4.5 billion)
- Hunting generated well over three times more revenue in 2020 ($45.2 billion) than the NFL ($12 billion)
- Hunting generates more revenue ($45.2 billion) than the worth of the Top 10 most valuable MLB teams combined ($33 billion)
- The revenue generated by migratory bird hunting ($5.9 billion) is more than the revenue of the top 10 most valuable NFL teams combined ($4.5 billion)
Read the entire report here.
Go here to view the economic impacts of recreational fishing.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)