Information sought on participation in fishing, hunting, and other wildlife-based recreation

The U. S. Census Bureau has begun interviewing people for the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The survey is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) at the request of state fish and wildlife agencies. Interviews will be conducted primarily by telephone. People unreachable by phone will be interviewed in person.

In the past, some people selected to participate in the survey have contacted federal and state offices to confirm that the survey is legitimate. The survey is not only legitimate, it provides fish and wildlife agencies with data critical in determining the social and economic benefits of their programs and the numbers of people who participate in them. The following information should help participants prepare for the survey:

• The survey is conducted every five years to update information about fish and wildlife-related recreation. It is paid for with funds from the Multi-state Conservation Grant Program.
• Survey data are used by fish and wildlife agencies to analyze trends in participation and expenditures and to estimate demands for wildlife recreation.
• The survey provides the only comprehensive statistical data available related to participation and expenditures on hunting, fishing, bird watching, and other wildlife-related recreation.
• Participation is voluntary and all responses are confidential. Data collected will be used for statistical purposes only. No participant can be identified from information released in the reports.
• The first wave of interviewing (March 27 through May 31) starts with a screening of 85,000 households. Representative samples are chosen to include 31,500 anglers and hunters and 24,300 wildlife watchers for detailed interviews. The second wave of interviews will be conducted in September and October, and a third wave will be held in January and February of 2007.
• Preliminary survey findings will be available in the spring of 2007. Final reports will be issued in the fall of 2007.

-30-

Back to April 2006 News