As hunters anticipate autumn’s first trips afield, a national effort to remove barriers for youth and novice hunters known as “Families Afield” has helped reverse a decade-long decline in hunting participation.

The U.S. Department of the Interior recently released findings from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife Recreation study. More than 90 million Americans participated in wildlife-related recreation, with a 9 percent overall increase in hunting participation from 12.5 million hunters in 2006 to 13.7 million in 2011 - welcome news to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and National Shooting Sports Foundation.

In 2004, the three organizations partnered to start Families Afield, after a Youth Hunting Report showed a downward trend in hunter recruitment and retention numbers. To date, the initiative has been instrumental in bringing positive legislative change to 33 states, resulting in more than 782,000 new hunters.

“We’re proud of Families Afield’s success thus far,” said George C. Thornton, NWTF CEO. “But we’re as committed as ever to introducing more youth to the outdoors and removing hunting restrictions in this country. America’s wildlife populations and rich hunting tradition depend upon it.”

NWTF’s dedicated volunteers work to bring new hunters and conservationists into the fold – about 100,000 every year – through its outdoor education events and Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin’ Sportsmen and JAKES youth outreach programs.

The FWS study also identified wildlife-related recreation as an important catalyst for economic growth, with outdoor enthusiasts spending $145 billion on wildlife recreation in 2011. Hunting-related expenditures alone increased 33 percent, as hunters spent $34 billion on trips, licenses and other associated expenses.

Hunting fees and excise taxes paid by hunters and shooters underwrite much of the country’s habitat and conservation programs.

“No other civilization or nation has lost their wildlife resources and then rebuilt them like we have. Federal excise taxes on the sale of firearms and ammunition, matched three-to-one by hunting license dollars, funded the comeback of wildlife in this country. The restoration was made possible by dedicated hunters,” said James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D., NWTF chief conservation officer.

For more information about the NWTF, visit www.nwtf.org or call 800-THE-NWTF (843-6983).

Highlighting the reversal of decades of declining numbers, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced on Aug. 15 the preliminary results of a comprehensive national survey of outdoor recreation, showing a significant increase in hunters and a double-digit increase in anglers over the past five years.

“Seeing more people fishing, hunting and getting outdoors is great news for America’s economy and conservation heritage,” said Salazar. “Outdoor recreation and tourism are huge economic engines for local communities and the country, so it is vital that we continue to support policies and investments that help Americans get outside, learn to fish or go hunting.”

The FWS 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation found hunters nationwide increased by 9 percent, while anglers grew by 11 percent. Nearly 38 percent of all Americans participated in wildlife-related recreation in 2011, an increase of 2.6 million participants from the previous survey in 2006.

They spent $145 billion on related gear, trips and other purchases, such as licenses, tags and land leasing and ownership, representing 1 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

“The Fish and Wildlife Service is dedicated,” said FWS Director Dan Ashe. “We look forward to continuing to work with the states, non-governmental organizations and additional partners to help keep recreational fishing, hunting and wildlife watching going strong for people across America’s great outdoors.”

Other key findings include:

•In 2011, 13.7 million people, 6 percent of the U.S. population 16 years old and older, went hunting. They spent $34 billion on trips, equipment, licenses and other items in 2011, for an average of $2,484 per hunter.

•More than 33 million people 16 and older fished in 2011, spending $41.8 billion on trips, equipment, licenses and other items, an average of $1,262 per angler.

•More than 71 million people engaged in wildlife watching in 2011, spending $55 billion on their activities.

At the request of state fish and wildlife agencies, the FWS has been conducting the national survey every five years since 1955. It is viewed as one of the nation’s most important wildlife-related recreation databases and the definitive source of information concerning participation and purchases associated with hunting, fishing and other forms of wildlife-related recreation nationwide.

“State agencies, hunters and anglers are the key funders of fish and wildlife conservation through their license and gear purchases,” said Dr. Jonathan Gassett, commissioner of the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources Commission and president of the Assoc. of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

“An increase in participation and expenditure rates means agencies can continue to restore and improve habitat and fish and wildlife species, bring more youth into the outdoors and provide even greater access to recreational activities.”

Indiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be offering put-and-take hunting for ring-necked pheasants from Nov. 17-25.

The hunts will take place at Atterbury, Glendale, J. E. Roush Lake, Pigeon River (west of State Road 3), Tri-County, Willow Slough and Winamac Fish and Wildlife Areas. Hunters may reserve put-and-take pheasant hunts online through Nov. 24 at www.Indiana Outdoor.IN.gov

The hunts are $25 per person and the bag limit is two birds, reflecting a slight increase from last year’s prices.

“Our goal has always been to have the put-and-take pheasant program pay for itself,” said Mitch Marcus, chief of wildlife for DNR’s Division of Fish & Wildlife. “The $25 fee allows the division to meet that goal.”

Hunters will be able to select the date, property and location for their hunts. Pheasant hunting season is extended at Atterbury and Glendale until Jan. 15, 2013. The bag limit is two birds of either sex.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Jack Spaulding may contact him by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.