NORTHWEST TERRITORY:U.S. survey details economic heft of outdoorsmen

The contribution of fishing and hunting to the economy of our state and to conservation efforts is revealed in the results of a five-year survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation notes that Arkansas sportsmen spend more than $1.4 billion a year on hunting and fishing, while wildlife watchers contribute an additional $607 million.

The overall contribution of sportsmen includes about $100 million in state and local taxes and the direct support of 17,823 jobs in Arkansas.

The state's waterfowling fraternity alone contributes more than $29 million in state and local taxes and also represents a major pillar of the economy in rural areas of eastern Arkansas. The state's 113,280 migratory-bird hunters also rank tops in the country.

Hunters and fishermen spend more than $21.6 million annually in Arkansas on licenses, stamps, tags and permits to fund conservation programs of the state Game and Fish Commission.

Millions more dollars are contributed through the annual fundraising efforts of state and national conservation organizations devoted to fishing and hunting.

The importance of hunting and fishing in Arkansas, however, extends beyond its economic impact.

The state's 551,000 fishermen and hunters equate to 26 percent of its population and represent one of the "most prominent and influential demographic of all demographic groups," according to the commission.

Such influence hasn't been lost on a bipartisan group of state lawmakers who are members of the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus dedicated to supporting fishing and hunting and the interests of sportsmen. A similar caucus exists in Washington, in which Arkansas' entire delegation - U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln and U.S. Reps. John Boozman, Marion Berry, Mike Ross and Vic Snyder - belongs.

Perhaps the lawmakers are aware of what the Game and Fish Commission's news release on the federal survey points out: "A study by the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation estimates that 8 in 10 hunters always vote in a presidential election. It is clear that hunters and anglers are an active voting constituency. Hunters and anglers pay attention, and take those decisions into account when they vote."

While the commission's news release focuses on Arkansas, an Oct. 3 news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service describes the national economic heft of hunting and fishing as revealed by the five-year survey.

Overall, the nation's 34 million sportsmen spend more than $76 billion a year on hunting and fishing, generating $25 billion in federal, state and local taxes and supporting 1.6 million jobs that extend beyond the hunting and fishing industry to include jobs in gas stations, hotels and restaurants throughout the country.

Broken down to a daily spending figure, the economic stimulus of hunting and fishing adds up to a whopping $208 million a day, the survey found. If the spending was considered as the revenue of a corporation, fishing and hunting would rank in the top 20 among Fortune 500 firms.

Hunters spend about $23 billion a year, or nearly $2,000 per hunter.

The release didn't include a total amount spent on fishing, but more than $11 billion is spent annually on boats, boat fuel and related equipment.

Nor did the release mention the spending on wildlife watching, but it figures to be in the billions for one of the fastest-growing outdoor activities.

As it has in the past, the national survey indicated that fishermen and hunters tend to be more devoted to their sports than other outdoors enthusiasts such as campers, paddlers and hikers. The typical Arkansas hunter spends an average 22 days in the field each year.

One part of the commission's release referred to hunters and fishermen as a "nation" that would rank 57th among 181 countries if their spending was measured in terms of gross domestic product.

UPDATE ON TROUBLING TREES

The recent article in this section about attacking the invasive Trees of Heaven at Hobbs State Management Area caught the attention of Jeff Spencer with the Scotts Co. office in Bentonville, who called to recommend a couple of over-the-counter products that can be used to control undesirable trees and brush.

As noted in the article, the chemical used to kill Trees of Heaven at Hobbs with a precise hack-and-squirt method was a product named Remedy, with triclopyr as its key active ingredient.

However, because of the high concentration of triclopyr, Remedy can only be bought by holders of an applicator's license issued by the Arkansas Plant Board.

Spencer said two effective over-the-counter products containing triclopyr include Ortho Brush-B-Gon Poison Ivy Killer and Roundup Poison Ivy & Tough Brush Killer. The Roundup comes in concentrate or ready-to-use solutions, while Brush-B-Gon is available only in concentrate.

Both products are suitable for small-scale applications to control undesirable trees and brush around homes in urban and suburban areas.

Spencer also recommended the Master Gardener course for homeowners with problem trees and brush. The course is not only for growers of vegetable gardens, but also for those caring for flowers and extensive landscaping.

A Master Gardener course will be held in Benton County on Tuesdays and Fridays during January. Cost is $65. Class size is limited to 30 students and the application deadline is Nov. 1.

More information is available by calling (479) 271-1060.

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