National Survey Overview

The National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation is one of the oldest and most comprehensive continuing recreation surveys available. As a five year study, the 2001 numbers give a "snapshot" of wildlife user demographics, participation, and expenditure trends.

Participation for the Nation as a whole: 16% of the population went fishing. 6% of the population went hunting. 30% of the population participated in residential (around the home) wildlife watching activities (most of which was bird watching and feeding), and 10% of the population took trips (away from home) for the primary purpose of observing, photographing, or feeding wildlife.

Michigan Participant Numbers:

Fishing: 1.4 million
Hunting: 754,000 (of which 48,000 or 6% were from out-of-state)
Consumptive Use Total: 1.7 million

Wildlife Watching (Residential): 2.4 million
Wildlife Watching (Non-Residential): 884,000
Non-Consumptive Use Total: 2.7 million (of which 2 million were wild bird observers)

Expenditures for the Nation as a whole: 34 million anglers spent $35 billion. 13 million hunters spent $20.6 billion. Over 66 million people spent $38.4 billion observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Nearly 46 million of all wildlife watchers (69%) were wild bird observers. Feeding wildlife was the most popular activity, enjoyed by 54 million enthusiasts (82%).

Michigan Expenditure Numbers:

Fishing: $839 million
Hunting: $490 million
Wildlife Watching: $693 million

Comparison to Previous Surveys:

4% decline in anglers nationwide from 1991 to 2001.
7% drop in hunters nationwide from 1991 to 2001.

CFR Note: The decline in hunting as a sport has to do with simple changes in attitudes and recreational interests. Citizens are favoring watching wildlife over the "take" of wildlife. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources needs to respond to the trends and make the future of wildlife management more representative of the people - the majority of whom they are to serve.

To request a free copy of this survey, call 1-800-344-WILD.

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