“The 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation revealed that over 103 million U.S. residents 16 years and older participated in wildlife-related recreation. During that year, 35.8 million people fished, 11.5 million hunted, and 86.0 million participated in at least one type of wildlife-watching activity including observing, feeding, or photographing fish and other wildlife in the United States.

“The focus of the National Survey is to estimate participation and expenditures of persons 16 years and older in a single year. These estimates are based on data collected in the detailed phase of the 2016 Survey. They are comparable to the estimates of the 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, and 2011 Surveys but not to earlier Surveys because of changes in methodology. A complete explanation is in Appendix C.”

Key Stats

Source: National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR).

The survey, sponsored by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, has been conducted since 1955 and is one of the oldest and most comprehensive continuing recreation surveys.

Publication: 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation (Revised October 2018)

Expenditures for Wildlife-Related Recreation

Note: The charts above are from page 5 of the report. Online reports are available for the United States and each of the 50 states by years 1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, and 2016.

2006-2016 Wildlife-Watching Participants, Days, and Expenditures

Note: The image above is from page 55 of the report.

More Stats

Source: Monthly Retail Trade and Food Services (1992-2022).

45111: Sporting Goods Stores: U.S. Total Sales — Monthly

Source: Quarterly Services Survey (QSS) (2003-2022).

53212: Truck, Utility Trailer, and RV (Recreational Vehicle) Rental and Leasing: U.S. Total — Total Revenue

5615: Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services: U.S. Total — Total Revenue

7211: Traveler Accommodation: U.S. Total — Total Revenue

7212: RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Recreational Camps: U.S. Total — Total Revenue

Source: 2018 - 2020 Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM).

Table AM1831BASIC01, Annual Survey of Manufactures: Summary Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries in the U.S.: 2018 - 2020, showing these 2 Codes:

NAICS 336213, Motor Home Manufacturing
NAICS 336214, Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing

Source: 2020 County Business Patterns (CBP).

Table CB2000CBP, All Sectors: County Business Patterns, including ZIP Code Business Patterns, by Legal Form of Organization and Employment Size Class for U.S., States, and Selected Geographies: 2020, showing these 10 Codes:

NAICS 114, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping
NAICS 1141, Fishing
NAICS 1142, Hunting and Trapping
NAICS 336213, Motor Home Manufacturing
NAICS 336214, Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing
NAICS 44121, Recreational Vehicle Dealers
NAICS 44421, Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
NAICS 45111, Sporting Goods Stores
NAICS 721211, RV (Recreational Vehicle) Parks and Campgrounds
NAICS 721214, Recreational and Vacation Camps (Except Campgrounds)

Source: 2017 Annual Business Survey (ABS).

Table AB1700CSA01, Annual Business Survey: Statistics for Employer Firms by Industry, Sex, Ethnicity, Race, and Veteran Status for the U.S., States, Metro Areas, Counties, and Places: 2017, showing these 2 Codes:

NAICS 336213, Motor Home Manufacturing
NAICS 336214, Travel Trailer and Camper Manufacturing

Source: 2017 Economic Census.

Table EC1700BASIC, All Sectors: Summary Statistics for the U.S., States, and Selected Geographies: 2017, showing the 2 Codes listed above

Table EC1700NAPCSPRDIND, All Sectors: Products by Industry for the U.S.: 2017, showing the 2 Codes listed above

From Foreign Trade > U.S. International Trade Data:

USA Trade Online — The Official Source of Trade Statistics

Note: After you create an account, select options for Harmonized System (HS) or HS, select Exports or Imports, type “Bicycle,” “Tents,” “Camping,” “Fishing,” “Forest,” “Shotgun,” “Rifle” or other outdoor activity-related item in the COMMODITY search box, then select options for geography and time. Select “Report” for data. More information can be found in the Quick Start Guide.

From Census.gov > History: