Wildlife recreation Statistics

  • Bird hunters13 million Americans hunt, 34 million participate in recreational fishing, and 66 million participate in wildlife watching.
  • In 2001, 1 million people participated in wildlife-associated recreation in Mississippi (2001 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Survey)
    • 720,000 Sportspersons (anglers and hunters)
    • 631,000 Wildlife watchers
  • Wildlife associated recreation contributed nearly $1 billion to the Mississippi economy in 2001 (U.S. Dept. of Commerce)
  • Wildlife recreation increased land value in Mississippi by as much as $415/acre (2005 MSU study)
    • Bottomland and upland hardwood forests significantly increased land values due to wildlife recreation occurring on these properties
  • In a 1998 survey of Mississippi landowners, 8-14% charged a fee for access to their land, receiving $3-6/acre in revenues.
  • A 2003 survey of Mississippi landowners showed 18% charged a fee for access to their land
    • Profits averaged $3.40/acre; higher end operators earned up to $75/acre
 


Mississippi State University Extension Service • Extension Wildlife and Fisheries
Forest and Wildlife Research Center • Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station
Last modified: March 31, 2008 • Contact the webmaster • Site map