Outdoors

Hunting and Fishing Have Major Economic Impact in Tar Heel State

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2008) – According to the organizers of National Hunting and Fishing Day, people in North Carolina spend more than $1.7 billion annually on their recreational hunting and fishing activities.

National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, recognizes that economic impact while celebrating – and encouraging – outdoor recreation. All four of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s education centers will host and participate in National Hunting and Fishing Day events:

• John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center in Fayetteville will hold a wildlife expo for youth. For more information, call Kris Smith at (910) 868-5003.
• Centennial Campus Center for Wildlife Education in Raleigh will also hold a wildlife expo. For more information, call Beth Gunn at (919) 707-0205.
• Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education in Corolla, will be a part of a Ducks Unlimited Greenwings youth event at Mackay Island Wildlife Refuge. For more information, call Sharon Meade at (252) 453-0221 ext. 8.
• Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education near Brevard will hold an introductory fly-fishing seminar, along with fly-fishing and fly-tying demonstrations. For more information, call Emilie Johnson at (828) 877-4423.

“Spending by sportsmen supports a wide range of businesses while benefiting wildlife conservation and habitat protection,” said Walter “Deet” James, North Carolina’s Hunting Heritage Biologist. “Those dollars generated by hunting and fishing have a ripple effect throughout the state, for rural areas, mom and pop businesses, the tourism and travel industry, manufacturing and retail, and much more.”

Hunting and fishing are popular recreational pursuits for residents and visitors, who are apparently quite willing to open their wallets to enjoy the North Carolina outdoors. The economic stimulus of hunting and fishing equates to $4.7 million a day for North Carolina, according to the report “Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy ~ A force as big as all outdoors.” It reports hunting and fishing directly supports 29,000 jobs and provides $818 million worth of paychecks around the state.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission recently published “The 2006 Economic Benefits of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in North Carolina,” which provides in detail the economic stimulus on market sectors, employment contributions and other factors of this important travel, tourism and recreational demographic.

According to its authors, Southwick Associates, economic data can help increase awareness of the importance of fish and wildlife, and, as a result, boost conservation efforts and public recreational opportunities.

For information on hunting and fishing opportunities in North Carolina and a free download version of “The Economic Benefits of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in North Carolina” click here. For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day, go to www.nhfd.org.

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© 2008 NE NC News.