Hunters and anglers help the economy


For many years my sons have enjoyed a spring “cast and blast” with the goal of getting a gobbler early in the morning, then pursuing bass the rest of the day. It was chilly when my son shot this gobbler in Vernon County, Mo., south of Nevada, several years ago. We peeled off the heavy layers when the sun came up and had some terrific bass fishing the rest of the day.

 

Doug DeJong
Overland Park, Kan.
via e-mail


I wanted to share photos from last turkey season in Missouri. One is my gobbler, and the other two are pictures of my nephews and me with some catfish and a bass we caught. These were taken in the northeast corner of the state. I did not take any pictures of mushrooms but there where plenty to be found.

 

Eric Collop
Parkville, Mo.
via e-mail

 

These readers confirm what most hunters across the country already know. Turkey hunters are multi-faceted sportsmen and women, participate in many outdoor activities and support the communities where they recreate.

According to the National Hunting and Fishing Day Web site (www.nhfday.org), hunting and angling together are an economic force worth $76 billion a year. In 2010, America’s economic stimulus package will generate its highest level of federal spending at $236 billion — but hunters and anglers will spend almost a third of that amount all by themselves. A Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation report shows if hunters and anglers were a nation, their gross domestic product would rank 57th out of 181 countries. About 1.6 million jobs depend on hunters and anglers. Gas stations, stores, restaurants, hotels and other businesses benefit, especially in rural America. And these recreations are comparatively recession proof. In the first half of 2009, hunting and fishing license sales actually gained 7.6 and 5.4 percent, respectively, over 2008, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation and Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. — P.J. Perea

Have a question for Get in the Game's Sounding Board?

Send us your question in 300 words or less. We may run it in an upcoming issue. Photos are welcome, as well. Only questions from NWTF members will be published. We also reserve the right to publish submissions on this Web site.