Report: Ohio hunters, anglers spend $1.9 billion

By Dave Golowenski
Columbus Dispatch

...Calling Ohio's 1.5 million hunters and anglers "among the most prominent and influential of all demographic groups," the report says these outdoor enthusiasts spend more than $1.9 billion a year on hunting and fishing. That dollar outlay puts Ohio ninth among the 50 states.

The report was issued by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that seeks to inform lawmakers and other governmental decision-makers about the impacts of hunting and fishing.

"Hunting and fishing represent much more than an outdoor tradition," foundation spokeswoman Melinda Gable said. "These activities generate real economic value to the states and to communities."

While Ohio stands eighth in population, the state ranks fourth in the number of hunting and fishing participants age 16 and older, with 1.14 million anglers and 467,000 hunters.

A total of 33,000 Ohio jobs -- 19,000 related to fishing and about 14,000 to hunting -- are linked to sportsmen's pursuits, the report says. The workers earn about $934 million annually. The report's job and payroll numbers are derived from surveys conducted and data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Dave Graham, chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said although he is happy to see reports beginning to draw public attention to the economic value of hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing, such findings have long been known among wildlife agencies.

..."The average angler and the average hunter will spend well over $1,000 a year just on equipment," Graham said.

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