Hunters, Anglers, Trappers & Shooters Making a Major Impact

Shooting, hunting, and fishing are a part of our great American heritage and as men and women of the outdoors, we make a difference beyond the personal connections and the rewards of our sports. According to the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, 53.4 million Americans take part in recreational fishing, hunting, and target shooting each year. That’s quite a number and with it comes significant economic impact.

Shooters, Outdoorsmen Generate $93 Billion in American Economy

Nearly $20 billion was also generated in state, local and federal taxes. These revenues generally go to conservation efforts and educational programs that improve the outdoor areas many of the sportsmen and women enjoy. According to Rob Southwick, the president of Southwick Associates, if hunting, fishing and target shooting were compared to a corporation, the business would rank 25th on the Fortune 500 list.

Read more at America’s First Freedom

Beyond business, our purchasing power also contributes to conservation in a major way. The Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts use taxes on the sale of sporting arms, ammunition, fishing gear and other outdoor equipment to fund conservation and wildlife management. That means every time you purchase a new firearm, fishing rod or a box of ammo, you’re contributing to the preservation of wildlife. The combined effort generates over a billion dollars yearly. You can learn more about the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation here, but no matter if your passion is casting a fly, busting a clay, quietly waiting in a blind or lining up the sights on your favorite firearm, you’re a part of ensuring American wildlife thrives.

August was National Shooting Sports Month and September 22, 2018 is National Hunting and Fishing Day. These days not only celebrate all the personal benefits of hunting, angling, and shooting, they also aid us in spreading the word about our passions and ultimately maintaining our freedom to enjoy them. Happy NHFD day, my friends! I hope you celebrate and share it with someone special.