Adding It Up: Fish and wildlife recreation provides major economic stimulus for state

Fish and wildlife recreation contributes nearly $2.2 billion a year to Washington's economy in spending by anglers, hunters and wildlife watchers.

A 2001 national survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service detailed the economic contribution by people pursuing fish- and wildlife-related activities here and elsewhere in the nation, using data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Adding It Up, a 16-page publication by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, examines what this annual financial infusion means to local communities from Colville, in the northeast corner of the state, to Ilwaco, on the Pacific coast.

In interviews with dozens of business owners, civic leaders and other citizens, Adding It Up demonstrates how local economies benefit from sales of items ranging from bait to new boats, and services that range from campground rentals to chartered bird-watching excursions.

The WDFW report also chronicles the steady growth of annual fish and wildlife-themed festivals, a number of which draw thousands of tourists.