An Update on Outdoor Participation

Photo by Angela Brakefield, proud Montana mom, of her daughter's mule deer this season.

Introduction

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recently unveiled its much-anticipated 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Conducted against the backdrop of a U.S. population of approximately 333.3 million, this exhaustive report serves as a cornerstone for understanding the evolving landscape of outdoor recreational activities in the United States. In this blog post, we'll delve into the key findings, dissect the numbers, and explore what this means for the outdoor community.

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Who's Going Outdoors? A Deep Dive

The Fishing Phenomenon

• Total Participants: The fishing community is thriving with 39.9 million people participating in both freshwater and saltwater fishing in 2022. (Approx. 12% of the U.S. population)
• Young Anglers: The younger generation is also showing keen interest. In 2021, 9,515,939 individuals aged between 6 to 15 years were active in fishing.

The Hunting Brigade

• Total Participants: The hunting community is also robust, boasting 14.3 million active hunters in 2022. (Approx. 4.3% of the U.S. population)

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Geographic Insights: Where Are They From?

Regional Breakdown for Fishing

• Pacific Division: 10% participation rate
• West North Central Division: 22% participation rate
• East South Central Division: Above national rate
• West South Central, East North Central, and South Atlantic Divisions: Above the national rate of 15%
• New England, Middle Atlantic Divisions: Below the national rate

Regional Breakdown for Hunting

• East South Central Division: 10% participation rate
• West North Central and East North Central Divisions: Above the national average of 6%
• New England, South Atlantic, Mountain, Middle Atlantic, and Pacific Divisions: Below the national rate

Note: The participation rates are calculated as a percentage of the U.S. population, which was approximately 333.3 million in 2022.

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Gender and Age of Hunters: A Closer Look

• Men in the Wild: 9% of males were active in hunting in 2022, showing a strong male presence in this outdoor activity.
• Women in the Wild: 2% of females also participated, indicating a growing interest among women in hunting.

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The Wildlife Watching Wave: A Growing Trend

Overview

• Total Participants: In 2022, a staggering 148.3 million U.S. residents participated in wildlife-watching activities, making up 57% of the U.S. population aged 16 or older. This includes activities such as closely observing, feeding, or photographing wildlife.
• Types of Wildlife Watchers: Those who watched wildlife around their homes numbered 146.5 million, while those who took trips away from their homes to wildlife watch numbered 73.3 million.
• Bird Watching: Birds were the most observed wildlife, with approximately 96.3 million people participating in bird watching.

Geographic Distribution

• Around-The-Home Wildlife Watchers: 56% of the U.S. population aged 16 or older engaged in wildlife watching around their homes. Participation rates ranged from 52% in the Mountain Division to 65% in the East South Central Division.
• Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers: 28% of the U.S. population aged 16 or older took trips to wildlife watch. Participation rates varied by division, ranging from 26% in the New England Division to 31% in the East South Central Division.

Survey Methodology: How Reliable is the Data?

The 2022 Survey stands out for its comprehensive methodology. It involved a two-phase approach, including screening interviews and detailed surveys. A total of 105,698 individuals completed the survey, making it one of the most robust data sets ever collected on this subject. However, it's worth noting that due to changes in methodology, the 2022 survey results should not be directly compared with previous surveys.

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The Big Picture: Key Takeaways

1. Diverse Outdoor Participation: The survey reveals a thriving community of outdoor enthusiasts across various activities—39.9 million anglers, 14.3 million hunters, and a staggering 148.3 million wildlife watchers.
2. Broad Demographic Appeal: Outdoor activities continue to attract a diverse range of participants across age groups, genders, and regions, making the outdoors more inclusive than ever.
3. Regional Trends: Certain regions have a stronger culture of specific outdoor activities, valuable information for outdoor brands, conservation agencies, and enthusiasts alike.
4. Wildlife Watching Surge: The significant number of wildlife watchers—especially those who engage in bird watching—indicates a growing interest in passive outdoor activities, which could be a focus for future conservation and marketing efforts.

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Conclusion

The 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation paints a vivid picture of a nation deeply engaged with the great outdoors. Whether it's the thrill of the catch, the pursuit in the hunt, or the serenity in wildlife watching, Americans are embracing outdoor activities in diverse and meaningful ways. As we look forward to another year of adventures, these insights serve as both a roadmap and an inspiration for all outdoor enthusiasts.

References:

• 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Footnote: States Included in Each Census Geographic Division

Fishing Regions:

• Pacific Division: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington
• West North Central Division: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
• East South Central Division: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
• West South Central Division: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
• East North Central Division: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
• South Atlantic Division: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
• New England Division: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• Middle Atlantic Division: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania

Hunting Regions:

• East South Central Division: Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
• West North Central Division: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
• East North Central Division: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
• New England Division: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• South Atlantic Division: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
• Mountain Division: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming
• Middle Atlantic Division: New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania
• Pacific Division: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington