Although the number of anglers and hunters who bought licenses fell slightly from 1996 to 1997, their expenditures continued to rise, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today. Anglers bought 29.3 million fishing licenses in 1997 compared with 29.9 million in 1996. These anglers paid $498.4 million for their licenses, tags, permits, and stamps, compared with $447 million in 1996. Meanwhile, 14.9 million hunters bought licenses in 1997, down from 15.2 million in 1996. However, they spent $564.9 million on licenses, up from $542.8 million the year before.

Revenues raised through license sales support state wildlife agencies, their conservation projects, and their hunting and fishing safety and education programs. "Through license sales alone, hunters and anglers contribute nearly $1 billion a year to wildlife conservation," said Service Director Jamie Clark. "That is money that doesn't come from general tax revenue, yet it benefits every American by promoting both a healthy environment and healthy wildlife. This money doesn't even count the hundreds of millions of dollars sportsmen and women contribute through excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and donate to non-profit conservation organizations".

License sales figures are compiled annually by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from information submitted by state fish and wildlife agencies. The figures are part of a formula to determine the amount of funding each state receives through the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration programs, both administered by the Service. Under these programs, hunters and anglers pay an excise tax on hunting and fishing equipment such as firearms, ammunition, and tackle. Using these receipts, the Service provides grants to states to conserve wildlife; teach hunter safety; and provide fishing, hunting, and boating opportunities. Sales of hunting licenses peaked at 16.7 million in 1982. Sales of fishing licenses have been steady over the same time period.

Editor's Note: A state-by-state breakdown is available from the Office of Media Services, 202-208-5634. For additional information, contact Tom MacKenzie or Eric Eckl at (202) 208-5636. This news release and others can be viewed on either the Service's Southeast Regional home page on the Internet at http://www.fws.gov/-~r4eao/newspage.html or the National home page at http://www.fws.gov/~r9extaff/renews.html.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region 4 News Release #: N98-085