Drizzt
March 28, 2008, 02:14 AM
Hunters foot bill for conservation
By Kevin Naze
Press-Gazette correspondent
Hunters and shooters, through license fees and federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, are among the primary financiers of conservation in America.
Forty million Americans are active in shooting sports and hunting. During their lifetimes, the National Shooting Sports Foundation — a nonprofit trade association for the firearm industry — projects the total retail value of their recreational activities will top $4 trillion.
The giant figure, based in NSSF-commissioned research on average lifetime spending by hunters and shooters, illustrates the economic incentive behind efforts to recruit and retain participants.
"Every hunter and sport shooter is a tremendous asset to the firearm industry, but also to the travel industry, conservation agencies, rural economies, even the agriculture industry, since fee-hunting now provides critical revenue for farmers and ranchers," said Doug Painter, president and CEO of NSSF.
The group's study looked at hunters and shooters' expenditures from age 16 to 75.
Researchers found the average lifetime outlay for firearms, ammunition and other gear totals $20,219 per person. When purchases for licenses and lodging, food and fuel, magazines and meat processing, dues and contributions, and other associated items are added, the average lifetime grand total rises to $109,568 per person.
"Multiply $109,568 by 20 million hunters and 20 million shooters, and the cumulative retail value assuming we maintain those participation levels could actually reach $4.3 trillion," said Painter, who last month requested a change of position to become senior advisor and trade liaison.
On Wednesday, the NSSF Board of Governors announced that Steve Sanetti has accepted the position of president and CEO, effective May 1.
Sanetti, who spent 28 years with Sturm, Ruger and Co. as an executive and general counsel, said he was thrilled to be taking the helm of the 47-year-old trade association.
For more on Sanetti and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, visit www.nssf.org
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/GPG0204/803270604/1233/GPGsports
By Kevin Naze
Press-Gazette correspondent
Hunters and shooters, through license fees and federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, are among the primary financiers of conservation in America.
Forty million Americans are active in shooting sports and hunting. During their lifetimes, the National Shooting Sports Foundation — a nonprofit trade association for the firearm industry — projects the total retail value of their recreational activities will top $4 trillion.
The giant figure, based in NSSF-commissioned research on average lifetime spending by hunters and shooters, illustrates the economic incentive behind efforts to recruit and retain participants.
"Every hunter and sport shooter is a tremendous asset to the firearm industry, but also to the travel industry, conservation agencies, rural economies, even the agriculture industry, since fee-hunting now provides critical revenue for farmers and ranchers," said Doug Painter, president and CEO of NSSF.
The group's study looked at hunters and shooters' expenditures from age 16 to 75.
Researchers found the average lifetime outlay for firearms, ammunition and other gear totals $20,219 per person. When purchases for licenses and lodging, food and fuel, magazines and meat processing, dues and contributions, and other associated items are added, the average lifetime grand total rises to $109,568 per person.
"Multiply $109,568 by 20 million hunters and 20 million shooters, and the cumulative retail value assuming we maintain those participation levels could actually reach $4.3 trillion," said Painter, who last month requested a change of position to become senior advisor and trade liaison.
On Wednesday, the NSSF Board of Governors announced that Steve Sanetti has accepted the position of president and CEO, effective May 1.
Sanetti, who spent 28 years with Sturm, Ruger and Co. as an executive and general counsel, said he was thrilled to be taking the helm of the 47-year-old trade association.
For more on Sanetti and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, visit www.nssf.org
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080327/GPG0204/803270604/1233/GPGsports
