The economic impact of hunting in Utah surpassed that of fishing in 2011, despite the state’s anglers outnumbering hunters 2-1. Hunters also spend more than double what anglers spend on their sport annually. Since 2001, hunting throughout the West has put billions into state and local economies in taxes from outdoor sports.
Wildlife managers and other Utah leaders gathered at the State Capitol Wednesday to unveil the state chapter of Hunting Works for Utah, the seventh state added to the national organization.
Outdoor sports have fluctuated in the past few decades in numbers, while the amount people are spending has increased. In 2011, hunters spent close to $500 million on trips and equipment, an average of $2,334 per hunter, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Compare that to hunters in Utah spending about $886 per person. Still, the state ranks middle of the pack in most categories regarding outdoor sports and economic impact. Utah is 34th in the nation for hunting and angling participants with 493,000 in 2011, according to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Salt Lake Tribune
