BACKGROUND

The Survey has been conducted about every five years since 1955. The Survey provides information on participation and expenditures for fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching (wildlife observation) activities. The survey measures fishing, hunting activities and the wildlife watching(wildlife observation, feeding, photography) activities. Due to changes in methodology, the estimates from the 1991 and 1996 surveys cannot be compared with estimates from previous surveys.

The Survey is one of the Nation's most important wildlife-related recreation databases. It is the only source of comprehensive information on participation and expenditures that is comparable on a state-by-state basis. It is used for estimating the value of wildlife resources lost because of contaminations such as the Exxon Valdez oil spill; for use in critical habitat analysis of threatened species (e.g., the Piping Plover); and for preparing environmental impact Statements, budgets, and legislative proposals.

2001 SURVEY

It is the 10th survey sponsored by the Fish and Wildlife Service, and will be conducted by the Bureau of Census. The 2001 survey will be similar in content and methodology to the 1991 and 1996 surveys, so the data will be comparable. The Office of Management and Budget approved the survey and has given it the number 1018-0088. Census collect the information primarily by telephone with in-person interviews when necessary.

The survey is conducted in 3 interview waves. The first wave consists of screening 80,000 U.S. households for a sample of 30,000 anglers and hunters and 15,000 wildlife watchers (wildlife feeders, photographers, and observers). Persons who have participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2001 are asked questions about their activities and expenditures. The second detailed interview wave began in September 2001and the third and last interview wave was in January 2002. Information collection was completed in March 2002. The reports are available on the Internet. Go to: USFWS.

SURVEY CONTENT

The following are types of data presented in national tables and state tables:

•	Number of anglers, hunters, and wildlife-watching participants, by type of activity.
•	Trips and days spent on different types of activities.
•	Expenditures (trip, equipment, etc.), by type of fishing and hunting and wildlife-watching activity.
•	Number of persons and days of participation by animal sought
•	Socio-demographic characteristics of participants (including age, income, sex, race, education).

 

Wildlife Service: 2001 Survey

The survey is undertaken every five years and is paid for with funds from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) and Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration (Dingell-Johnson/Wallop-Breaux) programs. It provides the only comprehensive statistical data available related to participation and expenditures on hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related recreation. The survey is considered a critical resource for Federal and state wildlife agencies, journalists, outdoor and tourist industries, local governments, conservation groups and others with an interest in wildlife and outdoor recreation.

Information for the survey is collected by the Census Bureau, primarily through telephone interviews. Individuals are asked about their participation and expenditures in several categories of wildlife-associated recreation. Results are published in a national report and in 50 individual state reports. The survey has been conducted every five years since 1955.

In conducting the survey, the Census Bureau initially contacts 80,000 households. A sampling of individuals is compiled from the first round of calls, and those in the sampling are called again, later in the year. In 1996, the sampling included 28,200 anglers and hunters and 14,400 wildlife observers, feeders and photographers.

The 1996 survey revealed that 77 million Americans enjoyed some form of wildlife-related recreation and spent more than $100 billion pursuing their activities. "We are deeply appreciative of the anglers, hunters, birdwatchers and others throughout the United States who voluntarily participate in this survey," said Marshall Jones, the Service's acting director. Final 2001 reports were issued in the fall of 2002. Regular updates will be posted on the USFWS' Web site.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Survey Links

Various Survey Information on the USF&WS Web Site

2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, Utah (pdf)

Economic Contribution of Sportfishing in Utah — Chart

Freshwater Anglers — State by State Expenditures

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