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Hunters and anglers spend $1.3 billion annually in Arizona
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[size 1]Hunters and anglers spend $1.3 billion annually in Arizona

With 2008 just underway, Arizona's 418,000 hunters and anglers can feel a sense of renewed economic importance - this past year they spent around $1.3 billion in Arizona.<br />
And nationally? According to a recent report compiled by the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation working in conjunction with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, 34 million hunters and anglers are a major economic machine funneling $76 billion annually into the nation's economy by direct spending.<br />
That's $1.5 billion each and every week.<br />
"Hunting and fishing is not just big business, these outstanding outdoor sports are a key economic force fueling our state's economy and the economy of the nation as a whole," said Arizona Game and Fish Department Director Duane Shroufe.<br />
There is also an economic ripple effect from such spending, which is estimated to be a staggering $192 billion nationally.<br />
"In Arizona, we have watched an intriguing phenomenon as first Sportsman's Warehouse moved into the state, and then Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops. These major retail outlets all recognize an economic reality - the outdoor industry is huge, especially in our state with its diverse wildlife populations and associated habitats," Shroufe said.<br />
The recently-released report shows that hunting and fishing in Arizona has created 21,000 jobs, generated $708 million in salaries and wages, generated $124 million in state and local taxes and resulted in $155 million in federal taxes.<br />
And the economic ripple effect in Arizona? A whopping $2.2 billion.<br />
Here are some other facts to consider:<br />
"¢ Hunters support nearly twice as many jobs in Arizona as Raytheon, one of the state's largest employers (21,000 vs. 11,000).<br />
"¢ Annual spending by Arizona sportsmen is nearly three times the combined revenues of The Go Daddy Group, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Cold Stone Creamery - the state's fastest-growing companies ($1.3 billion vs. $481 million).<br />
"¢ Annual spending by Arizona sportsmen is nearly twice the cash receipts from cattle, the state's top agricultural commodity ($1.3 billion vs. $737 million).<br />
"¢ Arizona sportsmen could fill the stadiums of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Arizona Cardinals by 3½ times (418,000 vs. 112,000).<br />
Shroufe pointed out that the Arizona Game and Fish Department has had economic impact studies conducted in the past by independent economic analysts who have shown that spending by hunters and anglers provides a crucial component of most rural economies in the state.<br />
"If you add in all wildlife-related recreation, the economic impact from hunting, fishing and eco-tourism is absolutely astounding in Arizona. The state's wildlife are not just invaluable, they are an economic mainstay well worth conserving, enhancing, and protecting from an esthetic and an economic point of view," Shroufe said.<br />
Hunters and anglers also comprise a significant voting block. In fact, their voting potential was 31 percent of all votes cast in the 2004 presidential election. Here's something to consider: 80 percent of sportsmen are "likely voters," far more than the national average. Yes, they can change the tide [/size]
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