Hunting in the USA increased dramatically from 2006 to 2011, according to a recent study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Associated Recreation Final National Report was released in December by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Final Report, which follows the August 2012 Preliminary Review and the September 2012 State Overview, provides extensive information on the types of activities and money spent for fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching.
Hunting Statistics
In 2011, 13.7 million hunters entered the field to hunt. During that period, 11.6 million hunted big game, 4.5 million hunted small game, 2.6 million hunted migratory birds, and 2.2 million other animals.
80% of all hunters were metropolitan residents.
89% (12.2 million) of all hunters were males and 11% (1.5 million) were females.
More than 90 million U.S. residents 16 years old and older participated in some form of wildlife-related recreation in 2011. The increase was primarily among those who fished and hunted.
Wildlife recreationists spent $144.7 billion in 2011 on their activities; $49.5 billion was trip-related, $70.4 billion was spent on equipment, and $24.8 billion was spent on other items such as licenses and land leasing and ownership.
The number of sportspersons rose from 33.9 million in 2006 to 37.4 million in 2011. Approximately 33.1 million people fished, 13.7 million hunted, and 71.8 million participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity such as observing, feeding and photographing wildlife.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Deer Hunting Gadgets
An incredible array of gadgets are available for deer hunters. Hunting equipment is used to improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety. Equipment for deer hunting includes navigational aids, optics, cameras, lights, processing equipment, and more.
Navigation
Navigational equipment is essential for hunters. The most common items are compasses, portable GPS units, tracking devices, maps, digital mapping software, and accessories.
Optics
Optical equipment is especially useful in many hunting situations. Optical devices include binoculars, night vision equipment, spotting scopes, rifle scopes, eyewear, and other items.
Cameras
A variety of digital equipment is used for hunting. Scouting cameras have revolutionized big game hunting. These discrete units are mounted along known deer trails. Triggered by movement, these specialized cameras capture images of deer and other wildlife.
Lighting
Lights are essential accessories for deer hunters. Battery powered headlamps are extremely popular among deer hunters. These simple devices strap on to the hunter's head, leaving both hands free. Flashlights in a variety of sizes are also useful when hunting.
Processing
A variety of equipment is available to help hunters process, store, and cook venison. For field processing, knives, racks, winches, and other items are useful.
Once deer carcasses have been field dressed and transported back home, final processing can begin. Some venison needs only to be cleaned, cut, and packaged for freezing.
In addition to freezing cut venison, many hunters elect to further process their kill. Useful equipment for venison processing include sausage grinders, meat slicers, jerky ovens, smokers, and other devices.
Monday, September 24, 2012
2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Hunting Survey
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation found that hunters nationwide increased by 9 percent.
In 2011, 13.7 million people, 6 percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, went hunting. They spent $34.0 billion on trips, equipment, licenses, and other items in 2011, an average of $2,484 per hunter.
Nearly 38 percent of all Americans participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2011, an increase of 2.6 million participants from the previous survey in 2006.
Overall, sportsmen spent $145 billion on related gear, trips and other purchases, such as licenses, tags and land leasing and ownership, representing 1 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.
The U.S. Census Bureau interviewed 48,627 households across the country to obtain samples of sportspersons and wildlife watchers for detailed interviews. Information was collected through computer-assisted telephone and in-person interviews.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
In 2011, 13.7 million people, 6 percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, went hunting. They spent $34.0 billion on trips, equipment, licenses, and other items in 2011, an average of $2,484 per hunter.
Nearly 38 percent of all Americans participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2011, an increase of 2.6 million participants from the previous survey in 2006.
Overall, sportsmen spent $145 billion on related gear, trips and other purchases, such as licenses, tags and land leasing and ownership, representing 1 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.
The U.S. Census Bureau interviewed 48,627 households across the country to obtain samples of sportspersons and wildlife watchers for detailed interviews. Information was collected through computer-assisted telephone and in-person interviews.
source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
National Wildlife Refuge Hunting Opportunities
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a proposal to open one new refuge to hunting and to expand hunting opportunities at 16 national wildlife refuges in 14 states.
If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.
Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2012; the public has until August 10, 2012, to comment on the proposed changes.
The proposal would open the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, MI, to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting for the first time since its establishment in 2001. The refuge is closed to sport fishing.
The proposal calls for closure of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, HI, to big game hunting. With this change, the refuge will be closed to all hunting activity. The refuge is also closed to sport fishing.
The proposal also calls for closure of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, SC, to migratory bird hunting. The refuge is open to sport fishing.
All but two of the refuges in the proposal are open to sport fishing and would remain so.
Other proposed changes include:
Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, MO: Expansion of areas for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, IN: Expansion of the refuge’s big game hunting area. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to the refuge’s big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, GA: Addition of migratory bird hunting and upland game hunting; expansion of area for big game hunting and addition of wild turkey to big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, ID: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, TX: Addition of turkey to species in big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Saddle Mountain (Hanford Reach) National Wildlife Refuge, WA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. Addition of chukar (a member of the pheasant family) to upland game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Julia Butler Hanson Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, OR: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to species for big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, MT: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, LA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is open to sport fishing.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, SC: Expansion of area for big game hunting. Add woodcock to species for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreational uses where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 national wildlife refuges.
Fishing is permitted on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife observation, photography, interpretation and education.
To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/huntFishRegs.html
If approved, the proposal would provide additional public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.
Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register on July 11, 2012; the public has until August 10, 2012, to comment on the proposed changes.
The proposal would open the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, MI, to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting for the first time since its establishment in 2001. The refuge is closed to sport fishing.
The proposal calls for closure of Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, HI, to big game hunting. With this change, the refuge will be closed to all hunting activity. The refuge is also closed to sport fishing.
The proposal also calls for closure of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge, SC, to migratory bird hunting. The refuge is open to sport fishing.
All but two of the refuges in the proposal are open to sport fishing and would remain so.
Other proposed changes include:
Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, MO: Expansion of areas for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, IN: Expansion of the refuge’s big game hunting area. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to the refuge’s big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, GA: Addition of migratory bird hunting and upland game hunting; expansion of area for big game hunting and addition of wild turkey to big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, ID: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, TX: Addition of turkey to species in big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
Saddle Mountain (Hanford Reach) National Wildlife Refuge, WA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. Addition of chukar (a member of the pheasant family) to upland game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Julia Butler Hanson Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, OR: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, MN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to species for big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, MT: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, LA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is open to sport fishing.
Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, SC: Expansion of area for big game hunting. Add woodcock to species for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.
Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreational uses where they are compatible with refuge purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 300 national wildlife refuges.
Fishing is permitted on more than 270 national wildlife refuges. Other wildlife-dependent recreation on national wildlife refuges includes wildlife observation, photography, interpretation and education.
To comment on the proposed hunting rule changes, visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/huntFishRegs.html
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Western Maryland Elk Reintroduction Update
In 2011, The Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation (MLSF), Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) announced the formation of a Partnership to determine the viability of elk reintroduction in Western Maryland.
A recent survey found three out of four Maryland residents support the reintroduction of this once-native species. In the next phase the Partnership plans to meet with interested individuals, groups and organizations.
If a consensus is reached, reintroduction efforts could move forward, assuming suitable habitat exists for elk as determined by the staff within DNR.
By October 31, 2012, the partnership envisions completion of the social, biological and economic feasibility assessment. With the statewide survey completed, the next phase will involve:
* MLSF will host meetings with interested stakeholders
* DNR will pursue a habitat suitability analysis
* a final report will be prepared by the Partnership that speaks to the 12-month assessment for purposes of presenting to the governing bodies of Western Maryland, et al.
source: MD DNR
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