Key Takeaways

• A report by Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation notes that during the 2020 calendar, an estimated 54.1 million Americans fished at least once, with participants going for approximately 969 million fishing trips 
• Data published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that in 2019, the real outdoor recreation value added by hunting/shooting/trapping activities generated an estimated $8.024 billion.
• In 2019, an estimated 50.7% of the U.S. population (167,899,764 Americans) aged 6 and above took part in outdoor recreation at least once. The 2019 participation marked the highest participation since 2014.

Introduction

1. NUMBER OF FISHING TRIP PROVIDERS IN THE U.S.

• According to findings published by Profitable Venture, “Charter Fishing businesses take people on fishing trips that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to experience;” hence, the assumption that the number of businesses in this sector do offer fishing trip services.
• On that note, a 2021 IBIS World report states that the U.S. fishing boat charter industry market size is $357 million and has 3,081 businesses. In this regard, there are approximately 3,081 fishing trip providers in the U.S. in 2021.
• Another report by Statista indicates that in 2020, the U.S. had about 3,451 businesses in the fishing boat charter sector, a 2.4% increase from 3,371 businesses in 2019. A screenshot with the statistics is included in the attached document.
• The sector witnessed a -0.3% growth from 2020, while it witnessed a 0% annualized business growth from 2016-2021.
• A report by Outdoor Foundation and the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation notes that during the 2020 calendar, an estimated 54.1 million Americans fished at least once. Participants went for approximately 969 million fishing trips. Fresh water fishing attracted 42.6 million participants who went for an estimated 677 million trips.

2. DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF HUNTING TRIP PROVIDERS IN THE US.

• A recent IBIS World report indicates that there are 16,277 businesses in the hunting and trapping sector in the U.S. in 2021. The report also quotes the sector’s market size at $881 million. In this regard, it is assumed that there are approximately 16,277 hunting & trapping providers in the U.S.
• In 2020, there were approximately 15,680 hunting and trapping businesses in the U.S., according to Statista. The number has climbed from 12,610 businesses registered in 2010. A screenshot showing the number of businesses from 2010 to 2020 is included in the attached document.
• In 2019, the sector attracted an estimated 15.09 million participants (aged six years and older). 2018 participation of 15.69 million participants was the highest in a 13-year period, i.e., (2006 – 2019). A chart with the statistics is also included in the attached document.
• The annualized market size growth from 2016 to 2021 stands at 3.2%, while the sector is expected to grow by 1.3% in 2021.
• Overall, the two key factors driving the U.S. hunting equipment market growth include the “growing popularity of recreational activities and the growing prominence of hunters as conservationists.”

3. SIZE DISTRIBUTION OF OUTDOOR FISHING & HUNTING IN THE U.S.

• According to a report by Southwick Associates, sports fishing activities in the U.S. create employment for an estimated 800,000 individuals; however, more accurate data by. The American Sportfishing Association reports that in 2020, sport fishing supported 826,000 jobs.
• A Statista report shows that the number of employees in the hunting & trapping sector in the U.S. in 2020 was 17,640 employees. A screenshot showing the statistics is included in the attached document.
• Moreover, another IBIS World report estimates that the hunting & trapping industry employment in the U.S. is 17,540 individuals.
• A Technavio report on hunting equipment market in the U.S. reveals that the market is "moderately fragmented with several players occupying the market share."
• The IBIS World report also notes that no major players in the U.S. hunting & trapping sector occupy a market share of greater than 5%.

4. TOTAL CONSUMER SPENDING IN OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Fishing

• Based on the most recent data by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the 2019 real outdoor recreational value added by activity, boating/fishing generated a total of $19.929 billion, while fishing, excluding boating generated $8.04 billion. In this regard, boating generated an estimated ($19.929 — $8.04) = $11.889 billion — 2020 data will be released on November 9, 2021.
• Data released by Outside Business Journal shows that in 2020, boating/fishing added $23.6 billion to the economy. Further, boating/fishing was the “most valuable conventional outdoor activity" in terms of GDP value-add. Top states that benefited include Florida earning an estimated $3.3 billion, California ($2 billion), and Texas ($1.7 billion).
• The image below shows the nominal value of recreational fishing to the economy
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  Source
   
• Another report notes that American anglers generate approximately “$50 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy.
• Comprehensive data on recreational fishing consumer spending is provided by a 2016 Statista report, with a further breakdown of expenditure on food, fare, among other factors. According to the report, food ($4.76 billion), boating costs ($4.54 billion), private transportation ($4.51 billion), and lodging ($3.09 billion), accounted for the most money, while the least expenses included private land use fees ($493.95 million), equipment rental ($308.2 million), public land use fees ($305.4 million), and heating and cooking fuel ($158.8 million). A screenshot with the statistics is included in the attached document.

Hunting

• Data published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that in 2019, the real outdoor recreation value added by hunting/shooting/trapping activities generated an estimated $8.024 billion.
• On the other hand, hunting/trapping activities generated $4.051 billion.
• In total, both hunting/trapping and hunting/shooting/trapping activities generated a total of $12.075 billion ($8.024 billion + $4.051 billion).
• However, a report by Outside Business Journals quotes the 2019 nominal value added by conventional outdoor hunting/shooting/trapping activities in the U.S. at $9.4 billion. The figures are included in the image above.

5. NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IN OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

• In 2019, an estimated 50.7% of the U.S. population (167,899,764 Americans) aged 6 and above took part in outdoor recreation at least once. The 2019 participation marked the highest participation since 2014.
• The U.S. population on 31st December 2019 was estimated at 331,163,242 by the U.S. Census Bureau for the United States. Therefore, an estimated (50.7% of 331,163,242 Americans) = 167,899,764 Americans participated in indoor recreation at least once in 2019.
•  53.8% of outdoor participants in 2020 were male versus 46.2% female, marking “the smallest gender gap on record.”
• From a demographic perspective, 71.5% of outdoor participants were Caucasian, Hispanics accounted for 11.6%, Blacks (9.4%), and Asians (6%).

Participation Per Activity

•  20.2% of Americans or 61.0 million Americans participated in running, jogging and trail running in 2020.
•  16.6% of Americans or 50.2 million Americans participated in freshwater, saltwater and fly-fishing in 2020.
•  16.4% of Americans or 49.7 million Americans participated in hiking in 2020.
•  16.1% of Americans or 48.9 million Americans participated in road biking, mountain biking and BMX in 2020.
•  13.8% of Americans or 41.8 million Americans participated in car, backyard, backpacking and RV camping in 2020.

RESEARCH STRATEGY