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Report says hunting, fishing big for Arkansas economy Friday, Oct 19, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Legislators on Thursday touted a study that showed hunting and fishing and related activities generate more than $1.4 billion annually for Arkansas' economy. "Hunting, fishing or both are an economic power driving our economy," Sen. Ruth Whitaker, R-Cedarville, said during an afternoon news conference held by the Arkansas Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus. "Hunting and fishing are part of our culture and tradition here in the natural state and, actually, it is an important component of our state's economy. Whitaker, co-chairman of the caucus, said 119 of the 135 legislators are caucus members. The report, based on a five-year study by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, found that 26 percent of Arkansas' population hunt or fish regularly, and that sportsmen contribute nearly $100 million in state and local taxes and directly support nearly 18,000 jobs in the state, Whitaker said. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Scott Henderson said hunting and fishing are particularly important to rural towns in the state, which often don't have much industry but sell items to those heading to the woods, rivers or creeks. He also said about 5.3 percent of the state's population are duck hunters, which ranks Arkansas first in the nation. Duck hunting is a major economic driver in the Grand Prairie and Delta regions of the state, he said. Hunters and anglers are the state's true conservationists, spending more than $21.6 million on licenses, stamps, tags and permits each year, Henderson said. All of those funds go to the conservation programs run by the commission, he said. Later Thursday, lawmakers and commission members attended a wild game tasting reception at Burns Park in North Little Rock. |
