News

Outdoors Sportmen have significant impact on economy, report states

December 27, 2007

Pennsylvania lands in top five in country for its hunting and fishing

By Tom Venesky tvenesky@timesleader.com
Sports Reporter
Tom Venesky on Facebook   |   TLTomVenesky on Twitter

Texas may have more hunters and anglers than Pennsylvania, and Texans may spend more money on their outdoor pursuits, but Keystone State hunters spend more days hunting than those in any other state.

A study released last week by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation ranks Pennsylvania among the top five states in all five hunting-related categories.

That includes first for days afield (16 million), second for number of resident hunters (933,000), spending ($1.7 billion) and hunting-related jobs (28,000), and fourth for number of out-of-state hunters (111,000).

When the state’s 830,000 anglers are added to the mix, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the country in total number of resident sportsmen with 1.4 million, following Texas (2.6 million), Florida (2 million), California (1.7 million) and Ohio (1.48 million).

The rankings surprised Pittston resident Ed Grasavage, who is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.

“I was overwhelmed we’re still up there,” he said. “These figures show how strong our hunting heritage is, and the fact we spend more time afield than any other state tells that our hunters are sincere about spending time outdoors.”

Only Texas hunters spent more on their sport ($2.3 billion) than those in Pennsylvania. Overall, Pennsylvania hunters and anglers spend a combined $3.5 billion, fourth in the country.

Paul Scavone, co-owner of JS Sporting Goods in Wilkes-Barre Township, said the sales of hunting and fishing equipment are equal in his shop, but hunting has a slight edge in terms of revenue.

“With hunters, they will buy a $500 rifle compared to $100 an angler will spend for a rod and reel,” Scavone said. “Still, statewide it’s a sizeable amount of money our hunters and anglers are spending, and our region is strong when it comes to demand for hunting and fishing products.”

That revenue and the jobs it maintains hinge on a delicate balance, according to Joe Lasecki, owner of Nimrod Haven Sporting Goods in Hanover Township.

The number of hunters will drop in the upcoming years, he said, if the Pennsylvania Game Commission doesn’t do something to increase the deer population.

“You lose hunters, you lose the spending,” Lasecki said.

Fishing isn’t as susceptible to a drop because the season is longer and anglers have more time to purchase equipment, he said.

Scavone said Pennsylvania’s ranking in any of the categories is dictated by the opportunity in the field.

“If they have an opportunity to go out, hunters and anglers aren’t afraid to spend the money on their sports,” Scavone said. “But with species like deer, I’m concerned hunters won’t spend the money, or the time, if it’s not worth their while.”

Tweet	Follow @TLnews