January ‘Getting Reel’ Award

     We know that outdoor sportsmen help generate revenue for our economy. What you probably didn’t know is how much. Enough to make a difference in the Nation’s economy? Read this, then you tell me.

     State by state records were compiled by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation (CSF) which took data from several categories to generate a national report, ‘Bright Stars of the American Economy’. The report is to highlight the impact outdoorsmen have at both the national and local level. The data copiled break the report down into several separate categories: # of hunters and anglers, spending by sportsmen, jobs supported, taxes generated, 3 of days spent hunting and fishing, and states most traveled to by hunters and anglers. The state of Texas top the overall list with Florida coming in 2nd Here are some of the results from the data:

# of Hunters & Anglers: Texas 2.6 million   Florida 2 million   California 1.7 million                Ohio 1.48 million   Pennsylvania 1.41 million

Spending Generated by Sportsmen: Texas $6.6 billion   Florida $4.8 billion                              California $3.6 billion   Pennsylvania $ 3.5 billion   Minnesota $3.46 billion

Jobs Supported: Texas 106,000   Florida 85,000   Wisconsin 57,000   Minnesota 55,000   California 53,000

# of day spent Hunting & Fishing: Hunting– Pennsylvania 16 million;  Texas 13.4 million                                                             

                                                            Fishing – Florida 41.5 million;  Texas 38.9 million

States Most traveled To: Hunting – Georgia;   Colorado                                            

                                              Fishing – Florida;   North Carolina    

     I think that the numbers show just what type of impact the outdoors and sportsmen have on our local and national economy. This type of data will hopefully help bring a higher level of awareness to our state and national governments. Possibly generating even more jobs and money through new conservation programs and continued support. So for the month of January, the ‘Getting Reel’ Award goes to all of our nations outdoor sportsmen, the state of Texas, and especially the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation for their work in keeping up outdoor awareness for us all. Thank You and continue to ‘Get Reel’!