Economics and Expenditures

Understanding the economic impacts of natural resource and outdoor recreation programs, as well as the expenditures of outdoor recreationists, is an increasingly important component of management and planning. Outdoor recreationists spend money on equipment, lodging, licenses, food, access permits, and other amenities, which ultimately have a positive impact on the local, state, and national economies. Survey research can quantify the economic impacts of outdoor recreation activities, with the results from these studies assisting in long-term planning and management strategies. Responsive Management has extensive experience with surveys measuring the expenditures of outdoor recreationists, which in turn are used to assess overall economic impacts.

In an economic analysis of the potential impacts of Sunday hunting in North Carolina, Responsive Management found that although hunters were more likely to support legalization of Sunday hunting than were non-hunters (48% of hunters supported and 46% opposed; 20% of non-hunters supported), hunters were not necessarily willing to pay for Sunday hunting: slightly more hunters were not willing than were willing to pay more for a hunting license to help pay for the costs of implementing Sunday hunting (40% said that they were willing and 53% said they were not willing).

In Wyoming, Responsive Management conducted several studies to estimate expenditures related to hunting and fishing. For example, a fishing study was directed at resident annual license holders, resident youth annual license holders, and nonresident annual license holders. These categories were further evaluated by contrasting those who did not take packaged fishing trips and those who took packaged fishing trips. Average individual expenditures were contrasted per day, per trip, and per season. Two separate hunting studies were conducted, including estimated expenditures related to antelope, deer, and elk hunting, as well as expenditures for small game and upland game bird hunting in Wyoming. Responsive Management calculated that resident deer hunters spent an estimated $60.7 million, while nonresident deer hunters spent approximately $29.5 million. Resident and nonresident elk hunters spent an estimated $56.3 million and $16.4 million, respectively. Small game/upland bird hunters spent over $52 million on hunting trips.

Economic analyses can also be performed on existing programs and services to help determine how successful they have been overall. In a programmatic evaluation of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), Responsive Management found that NAWCA has had a positive economic impact on the national economies of the United States and Canada. Economic analyses for this evaluation calculated that the $411 million in federal funds invested from the Standard Grants Program and the Small Grants Program had translated into nearly $3.5 billion in additional economic activity in the U.S. and Canada.

Responsive Management has also collected data for economic analyses of the bowhunting and shooting industries, as well as the economics of spring turkey hunting.

Recent examples of Responsive Management’s economic impact studies include the following:

New York Angler Efforts and Expenditures. This study was conducted for the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to obtain information on freshwater angler behavior, preferences, and attitudes, as well as the economic benefits of the state’s freshwater fisheries. The study entailed a multimodal survey (including an e-mail questionnaire and a supplementary mail questionnaire) of resident and non-resident anglers who had purchased a New York fishing license. The surveys entailed the collection of comprehensive information characterizing angler effort, patterns, preferences, opinions on management issues, and the economic benefits of New York’s fisheries.
Understanding Anglers’ Opinions on and the Economic Impact of the Tribal Fishing Program in Cherokee, North Carolina: This survey was conducted for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians to determine angler participation in tribal fishing activities, opinions on tribal fishing opportunities, and their contributions to the tribal economy. Ultimately, the goal of this study was to obtain quantitative data regarding fishing activities to assist in the development of a comprehensive trout management plan, help maximize revenue, improve marketing and outreach, and inform regulations and policies regarding tribal fishing and fisheries management.
Understanding the Economic Impact of Fishing in Arizona: This two-year comprehensive study was conducted to measure fishing participation trends and the current and future economic impacts of fishing activities in Arizona. The goal of the study was to obtain quantitative data regarding fishing activities to help prioritize Arizona Game and Fish Department programs and services, maximize funding, and inform regulations and policies regarding fisheries management.
Expenditures of British Columbia Resident Hunters: This study was conducted for the British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations to determine the locations in which hunters hunt various species, the number of days and trips they take, and the economic impact of their hunting activities. The study entailed a telephone survey of British Columbia hunters, 18 years old and older, who had purchased a basic license or a species license (i.e., tag) and had hunted the species or species category that was associated with that license.
The Economic Impact of Saltwater Fishing in the Florida Keys: Responsive Management collected 2,000 surveys of anglers who fished in Florida in 2012 as part of a larger study to identify critical fisheries habitats for bonefish, tarpon, grouper, and other species, and to document the economic importance of sport fishing in the Florida Keys. 500 surveys were collected among 4 strata; a completed survey was defined using criteria unique to each stratum.
The Economic Impact of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill in Alabama: This study was conducted for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to determine the effects on fishing participation caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (also known as the BP oil spill) in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. This study also looked at residents’ willingness to support a coastal protection program funded through a state tax on gasoline and diesel purchases.
An Analysis of the Economic Impact of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program on Local Economies in the Osceola National Forest Region in Florida: This economic impact analysis was conducted to determine the benefits to local economies of the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program providing local employment or training opportunities through contracts, grants, or agreements for restoration planning, design, implementation, or monitoring. The study was designed to identify expenditures and estimate economic returns for two categories: (1) vendors within the Osceola National Forest region and (2) all other Florida counties. The purpose of the economic impact analysis was to determine both direct and indirect benefits.
An Assessment of Public Opinion on Fishing and Hunting License Structures and Pricing in Minnesota: This study was conducted for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to assist the Department in developing legislative recommendations for modifying the Department’s license structure and fee schedule. This study was designed to determine public support for or opposition to possible license structures, to explore customers’ threshold for license fees, and to identify the elements of a successful license structure and fee schedule for satisfying consumers and increasing revenue. This study involved a two-phase, multi-modal approach, which coupled an internal assessment with an external assessment.
The Economic Impact of Mountain Trout Fishing in North Carolina: A telephone survey of North Carolina licensed anglers and an economic analysis of their spending on mountain trout fishing activities were conducted to determine mountain trout anglers’ contribution to North Carolina’s economy. The study examined multiple categories of trip and equipment expenditures and the multiplier effects and economic contributions of such expenditures. The study also examined fishing behaviors, such as avidity, locations, and types of waters.
An Assessment of Public and Hunter Opinions and the Cost and Benefits to North Carolina on Hunting on Sunday: In response to increasing legislative interest in changing North Carolina law to allow hunting on Sundays, Responsive Management and Virginia Tech cooperatively conducted this study to assess public opinion on the issue, including support for and opposition to the legalization of Sunday hunting and knowledge and awareness of the Sunday hunting issue. This study entailed a series of public stakeholder meetings with representatives from groups with an interest in the issue, such as churches, hunter groups, conservation groups, landowners, state and federal agencies, and non-governmental agencies; internal stakeholder meetings with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission; focus groups with the general public and with hunters; a survey administered by telephone and by mail; a web portal for public comments on the issue; and analyses of the potential impacts of Sunday hunting on hunting participation and the potential economic impacts of Sunday hunting in the state of North Carolina.
Economic Impact Analysis of Nonconsumptive Wildlife-Related Recreation in Arizona: This project measured the impact of watchable wildlife recreation expenditures on Arizona industries and individuals to produce estimates of the total economic benefits of watchable wildlife recreation in Arizona.
Opinions of the General Population, Hunters, and Anglers on Funding for Wildlife Management in Wyoming: The opinions of the general population, hunters, and anglers toward funding for wildlife management in Wyoming were assessed in a telephone survey with questions regarding opinions on block grants, line-item budgeting, and whether the Wyoming legislature should provide money for wildlife management.
Indiana Residents’ and Boaters’ Attitudes Toward Boating in Indiana: This study entailed telephone surveys and focus groups of Indiana registered boaters and Indiana’s general population to determine their participation in, behaviors regarding, opinions on, and attitudes toward boating access, boating safety and the boating programs and activities of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Boating expenditures were also measured.
Wyoming Resident and Nonresident Deer, Elk, and Antelope Expenditure Study: This study was conducted to estimate deer, elk, and antelope hunting expenditures by resident and nonresident hunters in Wyoming and to determine the impact that the expenditures had on the Wyoming economy.
A Programmatic Evaluation of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) in the United States and Canada—Evaluation of Economic Impacts: This report is Phase 6, the economic impacts of a programmatic evaluation of NAWCA in the U.S. and Canada. This report summarizes the findings of an economic impact analysis that determined the economic impact of NAWCA on the U.S. economy.
Bowhunting in the U.S.—A Market Study: This report includes information about bowhunting participation, trends, satisfactions and dissatisfactions, and suggests management and marketing options. In addition, the economic impacts of bowhunting on the U.S. economy are evaluated.
Hunting and Trapping Expenditures in Wyoming: This study was conducted to determine hunters’ and trappers’ expenditures and the impact that hunting and trapping has on the Wyoming economy.
Preferences of Wyoming Residents Toward Alternative Funding Mechanisms for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department: This study was conducted to better understand Wyoming residents’ attitudes toward alternative funding mechanisms for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
Preferences of Wyoming Hunters and Anglers Toward Alternative Mechanisms for Funding the Wyoming Game and Fish Department: This study was conducted to better understand the attitudes of Wyoming hunters and anglers toward potential funding methods the Wyoming Game and Fish Department could employ to cope with the effects of inflation.
Wyoming Small Game/Upland Game Bird Expenditure Survey: This study was conducted to estimate small game and upland game bird hunting expenditures. The information gathered in this study was used by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to develop long-term planning and management strategies and to document the economic importance of hunting to the state of Wyoming.
Wyoming Resident Hunter and Angler Attitudes Toward Resident Hunting and Fishing License Fees: This survey was conducted as a means to assess resident hunting and fishing license holders’ attitudes toward hunting and fishing license fee increases.