Notebook: New report highlights spending on hunting and shooting sports – Grand Forks Herald

Hunters in North Dakota spent $264 million on hunting-related purchases in 2022, and shooting sports participants spent $168 million on target shooting-related purchases, a new report shows.

The spending is part of a national report released this month by the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation highlighting the economic impact of America’s hunters and sport shooters on the national and state economies.

In North Dakota, 148,100 hunters and 153,990 sport shooting participants contributed to the state’s economy in 2022. In Minnesota, 754,750 shooting sports participants spent $1 billion on shooting-related purchases in 2022, and 542,090 hunters spent $1 billion on hunting-related purchases. The report shows.

Nationwide, hunters and sport shooters collectively contributed more than $106.2 billion in sales and contributed $133 billion in economic growth in 2022 by creating more than 1.3 million jobs, representing over $80.5 billion -Dollars in wages and income created. This economic stimulus in turn led to economic activity of $251 billion through the multiplier effect.

More than 39.5 million Americans participate in shooting sports, while more than 14.3 million people hunt, the report said.

“It is important that people – the general public and state and federal legislators – understand that America’s hunters and sport shooters are an incredibly important force in our national, state and local economies and provide an outsized share of conservation resources both nationally – as well as at the federal level,” Evan Heusinkveld, president and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, said in a statement. “This information allows athletes to inform friends, family and their representatives at all levels by clearly illustrating in dollars and cents what they are accomplishing and what they mean to the bottom line.”

The full report, which includes data for each state and legislative district, is available at sportsmensalliance.org/reports or Southwickassociates.com.

According to a news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe have each received nearly $200,000 in tribal grants to improve fish and wildlife resources on their lands help.

The FWS grants are part of a funding package that will support 35 tribes with conservation projects in 15 states, including Minnesota. The funds will benefit a broad range of wildlife and habitats, including species of cultural or traditional significance to Indigenous communities, the FWS said.

The Red Lake Band received $199,872 to create 350 acres of early successional forest habitat to support deer population recovery and increase habitat for golden-winged warblers during the breeding season. The Leech Lake Band received a $199,727 grant to collect data that will help develop an elk management plan to guide and support future decisions. The project will provide valuable information about elk density, habitat use and movement patterns in the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe Reservation, the FWS said.

The grants are awarded only to federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native governments and are made possible through the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program under the Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2002.

“Knowledge sharing, shared stewardship and strong relationships with federally recognized tribes are critical to conservation,” Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a statement. “This year, seven of the 35 funded tribes are first-time recipients under the Tribal Wildlife Grants program, expanding the reach of this important initiative. The Service respects and supports Tribal efforts to improve fish, wildlife, and natural and cultural resources for all.”

ST. PAUL – Occasionally, people report seeing moose in a larger geographic area outside of far northwestern Minnesota. Hunters need to make sure they understand the differences in practice. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website – mndnr.gov/hunting/deer-elk-id.html – lists drawings and characteristics to help distinguish elk from white-tailed deer. Additionally, people are encouraged to report moose sightings in Minnesota using the online moose sighting reporting tool at mndnr.gov/elk/elk-sightings.html.

ST. PAUL – The DNR is encouraging Minnesota deer hunters to use an online protocol to report wildlife they see while hunting. Data from observation logs helps the DNR estimate population trends for deer and track the wildlife distribution of other species throughout the state.

The log is available at mndnr.gov/mammals/deer/management/hunter-field-log.html. Using a mobile device or desktop computer, hunters can enter information into the log about wildlife they see each hunting day, including deer, turkey, bear, fisher and other species. They can also report specific information about any deer they harvest. Hunters are required to fill out a report after every hunt, even if they do not see a deer that day. The online questionnaire is available until January 15, 2025.

ST. PAUL – As 400,000 hunters prepare for firearms and deer hunting seasons in Minnesota, the DNR offers guidance on ways to be safe and successful.

“Know it before you go so you can focus on having a great season,” said Barb Keller, Minnesota DNR major games program manager. “Our website makes it easy to find out what you need to know.”

The Minnesota DNR’s online DPA search tool – mndnr.gov/deerhunt – provides a comprehensive step-by-step list of information hunters need to consider before heading to deer camp. Hunters can walk through the steps to consider, including knowing hunting regulations, planning deer processing, examining their deer for chronic wasting diseases, staying safe and getting the most out of their hunt. To use the online tool, hunters simply need to know the deer permit area number (DPA number) where they plan to hunt. You can find this on the interactive deer map at mndnr.gov/deermap.

In Minnesota, archery deer season began September 14th and runs through Tuesday, December 31st. The “A” firearms deer hunting season begins Saturday, November 9th, with varying closing dates depending on the hunter’s DPA. “Muzzleloader” begins Saturday, November 30th and runs through Sunday, December 15th.