New group hypes economic impact of hunting

Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal – by John Vomhof Jr.

Hunting in Minnesota has a total economic impact of $1.47 billion, according to a new organization launched to promote the economic benefits of hunting.

Hunting Works for Minnesota says 597,000 people hunt in Minnesota each year, spending $482.6 million on lodging, food, gas, and gear — an average of $783 per hunter — and generating $64 million in taxes revenue for the state. The group says hunters help support more than 14,000 Minnesota jobs with combined salaries and wages of $365 million.

Hunting Works for Minesota is a collaboration of local and regional hunting advocates, including about 90 sporting organizations, small businesses, lodging and retailers. It is co-chaired by “Minnesota Bound” host Ron Schara, Minnesota Retailers Association President Brian Steinhoff, Ace Hardware Redwood Falls owner Greg Larson, Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Executive Director Mark Johnson and Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cal Brink.

The initiative is backed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation Inc., a Newtown, Conn.-based trade association that represents the firearms industry. Minnesota is the third state to launch a Hunting Works chapter, joining North Dakota and Arizona.

Click here to learn more about the group and view a full list of the partners involved.

Despite Minnesota’s strong tradition of outdoor recreation, hunting participation in the state fell more than 10 percent between 1996 and 2006, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Star Tribune recently reported that duck hunting has been particularly hard hit with participation plunging 50 percent over the past three decades.