For the first-time ever , economic analysis of how America ’ s hunters and sport shooters contribute to national and state economies is available for all 50 states down to every legislative district . A new report by the Sportsmen ’ s Alliance and Southwick Associates reveals that recreational hunters and sport shooters contributed $ 149 billion to the national economy , supported nearly 970,000 jobs and created more than $ 45 billion in wages and income in 2020 . “ The Sportsmen ’ s Alliance takes a three-prong strategy to protecting hunting , fishing and trapping nationwide ,” said Evan Heusinkveld , president and CEO of Sportsmen ’ s Alliance . “ Our advocacy is our most visible , but we also conduct research that guides our advocacy and supports our education efforts . This economic impact study makes it easy for
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sportsmen to educate friends , family and legislators on the importance of hunters and sport shooters to our national , state and local economies , as well as conservation funding at the state and federal level .”
The economic effects are immense when considered on a national level , but these sportsmen-related activities have crucial impacts on state and local economies , too . Never compiled and presented in this way before , the estimated economic impact of hunters and shooters has been quantified for each of the 435 U . S . congressional districts and is available as printable infographics at sportsmensalliance . org / reports .
“ The economic impact of hunting and sport shooting to local , state and the federal economy cannot be overstated ,” said Rob Southwick , president of Southwick Associates . “ If hunting and shooting were a company , the jobs it supports would
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Migratory bird and upland game hunters contributed more than $ 8 billion in purchases to federal , state and local economies in 2020 .
place it as the third-largest private-sector employer , and $ 65 billion , the retail sales it generates , would place it at fifty-second on the Fortune 500 list .”
The report contains the economic impact of hunters and sport shooters at the national , state and legislative-district level , and includes the total number of participants , how much they spend on related purchases , the total multiplier effect , number of jobs directly supported by those sportsmen , as well as the salaries and wages connected to those jobs . Additionally , contributions to the gross domestic product and state , local and federal taxes paid are available at the district , statewide and national level , as well as by popular hunting and firearm types .
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COURTESY OF HOWARD COMMUNICATIONS |