Trends in Hunting on Public and Private Land: Analysis Paper Based on the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

摘要

This analysis identified trends in hunting participation on private and public land. With only 5% of the U.S. population engaging in the sport, wildlife managers need new and innovative ways to create hunting opportunities. Lack of access has long been deemed a reason some hunters give up the sport. To help reverse this trend states have created walk-in and similar public access programs. Currently twenty-six states have some form of public access program for hunting, fishing, and other wildlife-related recreation. More than 80% of hunters access private land, making it the most preferred hunting option. Overall hunting participation saw a 10% decline in participation from 1996 to 2006, yet hunting participation on private land was stable. Big game hunting was the most popular; there were no significant declines in the number of hunters on private land, while days spent on private land increased. Small game hunting saw dramatic decreases in both private and public land hunting. This was especially true for hunters who accessed both public and private land. The declines in the number of migratory bird hunters were similar for public and private land. Other animal hunters participation on public land remained stable between 1996 and 2006 while hunting on private land for other animals decreased. One noteworthy trend in other animal hunting was the number of days spent on public land. Between 1996 and 2006 the days other animal hunters spent on public land decreased by over 50%.