Over the past seven years, Americans have shown a steady increase in hunting and fishing participation and a recent study initiated by the survey research team, Responsive Management, has revealed the top 10 reasons behind the growth. Responsive Management, a group specializing in survey research on natural resource and outdoor recreation, initiated a project in 2011 with the American Sportfishing Association, Southwick Associates, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify the factors related to the increase in hunting and fishing participation.
Through the use of a Multi-State Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the overall data revealed that hunting and fishing participation increased between 2006 and 2011 not because of a single major reason, but because of a combination of factors.
The project found that increased hunting and fishing participation are due to:
1) Economic recession
2) Higher incomes among some segments of the population
3) Hunting for meat and the locavore movement
4) Agency recruitment and retention programs