Young anglers try their hands at fishing from a pier at Masonville Cove off the Patapsco River in Baltimore. (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
Even as our society increasingly depends on technology for everyday activities and recreation, our love of nature and connection with the outdoors remains an integral part of our identity as Americans. Whether we’re participating in a particular activity or merely observing, wildlife and nature evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for our world.
Tracking a white-tailed deer through a forest, hooking a smallmouth bass or rockfish, feeding ruby-throated hummingbirds in your backyard, or just watching a beautiful butterfly visit flower after flower in your garden — these are all activities that connect us not only to nature but to each other. And a growing body of research shows that we are healthier and happier when we spend more time outdoors.
This passion for wildlife and wild places is reflected in the preliminary findings of the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, coordinated by my employer, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. First conducted in 1955 — and every five or six years since — this survey is based on interviews with thousands of citizens from all walks of life.
Families enjoy a lakeside campground at Douthat State Park in Bath County, VA. (Virginia State Parks)
In 2022, more than 259 million Americans participated in some form of wildlife-associated recreation including fishing, hunting, birdwatching, photography and more. Watching wildlife was most popular (148 million), followed by fishing (almost 40 million) and hunting (14 million). This translates into 57% of Americans spending time observing wildlife. About 15% fished, and 6% hunted. The Mid-Atlantic region mimicked this trend with 17.8 million (54%) citizens engaged in wildlife watching, while 4 million fished (13%) and 1.5 million hunted (5%).
The survey defines wildlife watching primarily as taking a special interest in wildlife around homes or taking a trip for the primary purpose of seeing animals of one kind or another. But it also includes feeding animals (mainly birds), photographing them and maintaining or planting natural areas for the benefit of wildlife. Most people did these things around or near their homes (146 million). A comparison of results from the 2022 survey with those of the 2016 survey revealed there was a 72% increase in the number of Americans engaged in wildlife watching.
When it came to fishing, freshwater fishing was the most popular type, with 35 million anglers devoting 559 million days to the sport. Saltwater fishing attracted 12 million anglers and 123 million total days on the water. The two combined represent an 11% increase over the 2016 numbers. Comparing results from the 2022 with those from 2016 reveals that the total number of anglers increased 11%.
A kayaker paddles through the morning mist on the Potomac River. (Bureau of Land Management)
Hunters in the U.S. spent an average of 134 million days pursuing wild game. Big game like elk, deer and wild turkey attracted 11 million hunters. More than 5 million hunters pursued small game — squirrels, rabbits, quails and pheasants — accounting for 37 million days. Migratory birds, such as geese, ducks and doves, attracted 2.8 million hunters. Hunting for other animals such as coyotes, groundhogs and raccoons attracted 2.3 million hunters. Overall hunting participation increased by almost 22% from 2016 to 2022.
These kinds of pastimes — whether watching, fishing or hunting — are, of course, good for local economies. In 2022, Americans spent an estimated $394 billion on equipment, travel, licenses, and fees to enjoy some of their favorite outdoor activities. That money creates and maintains thousands of jobs, supporting families and communities. This is not only good for the economy; it’s good for the environment. Revenue from licenses, tags and excise taxes supports vital wildlife and habitat conservation efforts.
The final results of the survey had not been published as of this writing, but the results of the 2016 are available and offer detailed data on outdoor recreation and expenditures, as well as information about other newly included activities such as target shooting, archery and recreational boating. To see that data, visit fws.gov and search for “FHWAR survey.” On the resulting page, scroll down to the survey link.
Kathy Reshetiloff is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapolis.