The Economics of Consumptive Use Who Pays the Bills? Gary J. San Julian Professor Emeritus Penn State University

Lets Talk About Recreational use of Wildlife and Fisheries Hunting Fishing Wildlife viewing

Hunter Spending 2011 to 2016 Expenditures Decreased 26% Participants Days a field Decreased 26% Lowest level in 25 years

Numbers of Hunters 2011 2016 14 million 11.5 million

Days of hunting 2011 2016 282 million 184 million

Total Expenses of hunters 2011 2016 36 billion 26 billion

Equipment for hunters 2011 2016 15 billion 13 billion

Trip related expenses for hunting 2011 2016 11 billion 9 billion

Hunting licenses, stamps and fees for hunters 2011 2016 986 million 825 million

Numbers of anglers 2011 2016 33 million 35.7 million

Days of angling 2011 2016 554 million 459 million

Total expenses for Anglers 2011 2016 2011 2016 44.7 billion 46.1 billion

Equipment for anglers 2011 2016 16.6 billion 21.1 billion

Trip Related expenses for anglers 2011 2016 23.3 billion 21.7 billion

Hunting licenses, stamps and fees for anglers 2011 2016 625 million 586 million

Numbers of Wildlife watchers 2011 2016 71.7 million 86.1 million

Days of wildlife watching 2011 2016 336 million 386 million

Total expenses of wildlife watchers 2011 2016 58.7 billion 75.9 billion

Equipment for wildlife watchers 2011 2016 29.1 billion 55.1 billion

Wildlife watchers licenses, stamps and fees to states 2016 2011 2016 2011 0000000 0000000

Consumptive Use vs Non Consumptive Consumptive- Harvest of plants or animals Non-Consumptive- Activities that enjoy nature without consuming the resources

How do Hunters and Anglers Pay for Their Recreation? And Our Conservation?

Pittman-Robertson Act Federal Aid 11% Federal excise tax on arms and ammunition Given back to the state on a formula based on land area and number of license sold 3 to 1 match on funds

Dingell-Johnson Act 11% Federal excise tax Federal Aid 11% Federal excise tax Formula based on 40% of land area and 60% on number of license sold 3 to 1 match for funds Wallop-Breaux Amendment Motor boats and motors Added education

Non-consumptive Users In most states, the majority of money for conservation comes from hunters and anglers dollars! Non-consumptive Users Generally speaking non-consumptive users do not: pay for conservation have a use tax on bird seed have a user fee on binoculars pay for land purchases pay for law enforcement

Hunting’s Role in Wildlife Management Majority of conservation funding is through hunting activities Hunting can be a viable tool for management The question then becomes….. If hunting goes away, who will pay for conservation and management of wildlife?????

So how do we pay for a major portion of conservation if money are at best not meeting inflation?

Do you have any ideas on how states have tried to support conservation funding?

Ideas to increase participation Hunter (adult) clinic for deer and then set up a hunt Family fishing days Mentored Youth hunts Youth turkey clinic and then a guided hunt Special hunts in state parks with a mentor Early turkey and duck day hunt for youth Free fishing on Mothers Day Reduce the age for getting hunting license

How would you do it? What about non-game conservation funding? How do we get a similar tax on wildlife watching equipment? What have we tried and why has it not worked? Tax on outdoor equipment Tax on gasoline for lawn equipment Tax check off for nongame species Teaming for wildlife

Three states are using this plan They use 1/8 of 1 percent of their sales tax revenues for conservation. Missouri started the process. Arkansas was next In Minnesota, they share it with the Art Foundation But it takes $$$ from other programs that tax revenues are used to support - - -

Questions?? ??