Chuck Nelson-economic Impact Of Deer Hunting

Economic Impact of Deer Hunting Dr. Chuck Nelson ([email protected]) Dept. CARRS Michigan State University

Economic Impact  Important

to understand different perspectives  US FWS Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation – Regularly gathered data concerning expenditures by hunters at the state level – Latest data gathered in 2006-07 in cooperation with US Census Bureau – Published in March 2008

Findings for 2006 

713 K participate in MI deer hunting – 95% of all who hunted in MI age 16 or over hunted deer – 96% of big game hunters 16 and over who hunted in MI are residents – Average expenditure of $746 per big game hunter in MI Food/lodging - $ 196  Transportation - $ 139  Other trip costs - $ 98  Equipment $574 

– Total expenditures 

$509 million

– Expenditures appear to be declining over levels in 1996 Small sample sizes make data difficult to interpret  Certainly fewer people hunting deer in MI 

Implications  Spending

impact

not same as economic

– Lacks multiplier which varies considerably by expenditure  Some

dollars more beneficial than others to MI economy – Most gasoline refined outside of MI, corporations and most shareholders outside of MI – Locally owned restaurant serving locally produced food, labor intensive keeps more money in MI – Much equipment only provides dealer markup unless made in MI

Implications 

Very few non-residents hunting deer in MI – Non-residents  Spend

more money per trip  Bring new money to MI  Think balance of trade in tourism with other states 

Fairly steady decline in MI hunter numbers 1986-2005 – Recent hunter recruitment and retention efforts to reverse trend showing some success  Lower

hunting age  Apprentice license  On-line maps of public hunting opportunity in MI  Marketing MI hunting for species w/ competitive adv. – Not deer as much as grouse, woodcock

Implications  Economic

impact of deer hunting not “either or” when compared to many other impacts – Still have other industries  Agriculture  Forest

products  Real estate  Wildlife viewing  Insurance

Conclusion 

Deer hunting has been and remains an important economic force in MI – Key shifts  Increasing focus on archery hunting – Trip spending less concentrated in mid-November

 Less

northward travel to deer hunt

– Energy costs rise and reduce recreational travel – Deer are more numerous in populous Southern MI

 Technology – – – –

continues to alter deer hunting

Adaptive technology for the disabled Archery equipment “Primitive” firearms Tree stands, platforms, fortresses, who knows?

Conclusion  Deer

hunting has been and remains an important economic force in MI – Key challenges  On-going

changes in rules influence deer populations and hunting opportunity – Disease related, ORV related, seasons, QDM, etc.

 Deer

hunting license/equipment sales major source of conservation funding for DNR  Human population aging – How to accommodate older hunters, bring new ones in and keep them hunting?  Sprawl

limits hunting opportunity and increases people/deer conflicts