Press Releases

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife today released the complete 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The report serves as the baseline for examining how Americans are spending their time and money outdoors.

The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation has been conducted every five years since 1955 and is one of the nation's most important wildlife-related recreation databases. It is considered to be the definitive source of information concerning participation and expenditures associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-related recreation nationwide.

The 2006 Survey shows that 87.5 million U.S. residents 16 years and older participated in wildlife-related recreation – a six percent increase from 2001. The number of hunters and anglers fell from 37.8 million in 2001 to 33.9 million in 2006. The most recent survey also showed an eight percent increase in the number of wildlife-watchers since 2001 but little change in total expenditures for that activity. This report provides a broader and more in-depth look at the data than the Preliminary Findings report issued in May 2007.

The full Survey – and additional reports and earlier Surveys – can be downloaded at:

http://federalasst.fws.gov/surveys/surveys.html

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving the nature of America. For more on the Service and its commitment to scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, cooperative conservation, and public service, visit http://www.fws.gov/

Nicholas Throckmorton 202-208-5636