According to a poll of 2,481 sportsmen and women conducted by AnglerSurvey.com in June, 2007, over half of all anglers indicated rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and boat use. The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not hinder their outdoor activity, or were not sure of the impacts.
Rob Southwick, an economist and President of AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, added "We've seen in past research that rising gasoline prices depress fishing license sales in many areas, but the recent increases in fuel prices are unprecedented. Many anglers and hunters gradually accept higher prices and they will return and participate as they have before. However, until the effects of higher fuel prices can be moderated via higher efficiency engines and other solutions, we may lose some hunters and anglers completely."
The specific results were:
· Higher prices will not affect my fishing/hunting activities: 35.5%
· Higher prices will cause me to fish/hunt less this year: 22.4%
· I will probably fish/hunt the same amount this year, but not travel as far or use a boat as much: 30.0%
· I am not sure how gasoline prices will affect my fishing/hunting this year: 12.0%
AnglerSurvey.com is a monthly online survey of sportsmen nationally providing industry and policymakers with information on fishing and hunting trends and activity.
