Outdoor recreation includes a wide variety of activities like fishing, hunting and camping.

Many department stores like Walmart have whole sections for outdoor recreation.

Outdoor recreation also helps state departments of natural resources with creation of jobs.

Fishing continues to be a favorite pastime in the United States. In 2001, 16% of the U.S. population 16 years old and older (34 million anglers) spent an average of 16 days fishing. Freshwater fishing was the most popular type of fishing with over 28 million anglers devoting nearly 467 million angler-days to the sport.

Fishing related spending

$1,578,000,000

Related spending can include licenses, boats, fishing poles, tackle, etc.

The purchase of fishing licenses has been increasing each year since the 1980’s

Big game, small game and bird hunting are available on America’s public lands depending on the site and season of your trip. Hunting fees, licensing and seasonal restrictions may vary from site to site.

Hunting related spending $593,000,000

Hunting helps contribute to the economy in purchasing of clothes, transportation, and guns.

Economic development-through job creation/expansion/retention, stimulating local economies, developing tourism opportunities.

Jobs:

There are over 384 parks in the United States.

Tourism to state and national parks stimulates the economy.

The travel cost model employs the assumption that the cost of traveling from the individual’s home to the recreation site can give an estimate for the price of the recreation trip.

The number of visits to a recreational site is due to the travel distance and emotional attachment to the site.

When the site is closer to people it increases repeat visits and emotional attachment.