Western Trends In Wildlife-Related Recreation
Provided By The Division Of Federal Aid, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

• Hunting decreased 6%. (-5% from 1990 to 1995.)
• Fishing increased 16%. (-5% from 1990 to 1995.)
• Nonresidential wildlife watching increased 63%. (0% from 1990 to 1995.)
• Residential observing increased 102%. (+4% from 1990 to 1995.)
• Residential feeding decreased 18% from 1985 to 1995. (-9% from 1990 to 1995.)

Fishing Demographic Highlights

• 21% of urbanites fished; 34% of ruralites fished in 1995.
• 23% of all residents fished in 1995, compared to 27% in 1980.
• Participation rate of 6-15 year olds increased slightly; 9-11 year olds had the highest participation rate, at  37%.
• Participation rate of 16-54 year olds decreased, with the participation rate of 18-34 year olds decreasing  the most, -6%.

Hunting Demographic Highlights

• 4% of urbanites hunted; 12% of ruralites hunted in 1995.
• 6% of 18-34 year olds hunted in 1995, compared to 11% in 1980.
• 7% of 45-54 year olds hunted in 1995, which is the same as in 1980.
• 7% of 55-64 year olds hunted in 1995, compared to 5% in 1980.

Nonresidential Wildlife Watching Demographic Highlights

• 16% of urbanites participated; 23% of ruralites participated.
• While 16% of all residents participated in 1995, compared to 11% in 1980, there was a decrease in the participation of 18-34 year olds. All other age cohorts increased their participation.

Residential Wildlife Observing Demographic Highlights

• 22% of urbanites observed; 39% of ruralites observed.
• 6-11 year olds have the highest participation rate; 18-24 year olds have the lowest.

Residential Wildlife Feeding Demographic Highlights

• 20% of urbanites feed; 30% of ruralites feed.
• The West has the lowest participation rate of any region, at 22%.
• 55-64 year olds have the highest rate (31%); 18-24 year olds the lowest (11%).

Compiled from the 1996 Survey/Data fron 2001 survey will be updated soon.

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