Economic Impact of Hunting Season

State officials say while hunting traditions will be observed in the next two weeks, Michigan’s economy will reaps the benefits. The most recent data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicate hunting in Michigan generates more than $2.3 billion in economic impact. This includes everything from trip expenses like food and lodging to equipment costs, which account for $1.3 billion of expenditures. While overall trends have seen the numbers of hunters decreasing in the past decade, expenditures have increased resulting in economic gains for the state. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates a per-hunter average expenditure of $885 on trips and equipment related to hunting. According to data from D.K. Shifflet, hunting and fishing combined for a nearly $734 million tourism-related economic impact in Michigan last year.