Gas prices will impact fishing and hunting participation, according to a poll of 2,481 sportsmen and women conducted by AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com in June. More than half of all anglers and 40% of hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and boat use.
The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not hinder their outdoor activity, or were not sure of the impacts.
Rob Southwick, an economist and president of AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, said: “We’ve seen in past research that rising gasoline prices depress fishing license sales in many areas, but the recent increases in fuel prices are unprecedented. Many anglers and hunters gradually accept higher prices and they will return and participate as they have before.
"However, until the effects of higher fuel prices can be moderated via higher efficiency engines and other solutions, we may lose some hunters and anglers completely.”
Following is a list of the questions asked in the survey and the percentage of affirmative responses:
> Higher prices will not affect my fishing/hunting activities (anglers 35.5%, hunters 41.6%).
> I will probably fish/hunt the same amount this year, but not travel as far or use a boat as much (anglers 30%, hunters 25%).
> I am not sure how gasoline prices will affect my fishing/hunting this year (anglers 12%, hunters 17.1%).
HunterSurvey.com and AnglerSurvey.com is a monthly online survey of sportsmen that provides the industry and policymakers with information on fishing and hunting trends and activity. For more information, click here.
