National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)

Conducted since 1955, the surveys provide information on recent and long-term trends in participation. The wealth of information presented in each survey allows stakeholders, researchers, and agency partners to put current participation in perspective through data on recruitment and retention. Every survey contains an updated snapshot of fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and other recreational data and includes information that fulfills the needs of both those who want high-level numbers and engaging graphics and those who need to take deeper dives into the data. The surveys also provide information on participants’ gender, age, and other demographics.

Request for Proposals for the 2027 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies is soliciting proposals from survey research organizations to conduct the 2027 National Survey. This project will result in national-level survey results similar to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted in 2022 by NORC at the University of Chicago and coordinated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The project shall also include the opportunity for individual states to request and pay for state-level surveys using the same questions and study design as the national-level survey with the option to include additional state-level questions. Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 pm on August 1, 2024. Learn more www.fishwildlife.org/2027-National-Survey-RFP. 

2022 Survey Results

The most recently conducted survey publication is the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation. This survey features data on 2022 participation in fishing, hunting, and wildlife-watching. The survey also provides data on shooters, archers, and boaters. The 2022 estimates should not be directly compared with results from past surveys because of changes in methodology to improve accuracy.

Survey infographics for hunting, angling, wildlife watching, target shooting, and motorized boats are available at partnerwithapayer.org/2022-national-survey/. 

For survey specific questions and requests please contact Richard Aiken (Richard_Aiken@fws.gov).

Past Survey Resources

Select digital historic national surveys, state reports, and addendum resources are available to viewed and downloaded.

2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

• Addendum Report: 2022 Economic Contributions of Wildlife Watching in the United States

2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

• Addendum Report: 1991-2016 Trend in Participation Rates for Wildlife Watching, by Demographic Group
• Addendum Report: Recruitment and Retention of Hunters and Anglers: 2000-2015 
• Addendum Report: Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis 

2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

• Addendum Report: Participation and Expenditure Patterns of African American, Hispanic, and Female Hunters and Anglers  
• Addendum Report: The Relationship between Wildlife Watchers, Hunters, and Anglers
• Addendum Report: Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2011
• Addendum Report: Deer Hunting in the United States: Demographics and Trends
• Addendum Report: Net Economic Values for Wildlife-Related Recreation in 2011
• Addendum Report: Feral Swine Hunting in the United States: An Analysis of Demographics, Expenditures, and Proximity to Range
• Addendum Report: Target Shooting by Hunters and Their Use of Shooting Ranges: 1975, 1991, and 2011
• Addendum Report: Trout Fishing in 2011: A Demographic Description and Economic Analysis
• Addendum Report: Economic Impact of Waterfowl Hunting in the United States
• Addendum Report: Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis

• Addendum Report: Fishing and Hunting Recruitment and Retention in the U.S. from 1990 to 2010

2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation (FHWAR)

• Addendum Report: Trends in Fishing and Hunting 1991-2006: A Focus on Fishing and Hunting by Species
• Addendum Report: Wildlife Watching Trends: 1991-2006 A Reference Report
• Addendum Report: Participation and Expenditure Patterns of African-American, Hispanic, and Female Hunters and Anglers
• Addendum Report: Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
• Addendum Report: Casting Beyond the Bow: An Examination of Anglers Fishing From Boats
• Addendum Report: Net Economic Values for Wildlife-Related Recreation in 2006
• Addendum Report: Deer Hunting in the United States: Demographics and Trends
• Addendum Report: Economic Impact of Waterfowl Hunting in the United States
• Addendum Report: Wildlife Watching in the U.S.: The Economic Impacts on National and State Economies in 2006
• Addendum Report: Trends in Hunting on Public and Private Land
• Addendum Report: Trout Fishing in 2006: A Demographic Description and Economic Analysis
• Addendum Report: Turkey Hunting in 2006: An Analysis of Hunter Demographics, Trends, and Economic Impacts

2001 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

• Addendum Report: Participation and Expenditure Patterns of African American, Hispanic, and Female Hunters and Anglers
• Addendum Report: Fishing and Hunting Recruitment and Retention in the U.S. from 1990 to 2005
• Addendum Report: The Relationship between Wildlife Watchers, Hunters, and Anglers
• Addendum Report: Economic Impact of Waterfowl Hunting in the United States
• Addendum Report: Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
• Addendum Report: Deer Hunting in the United States: An Analysis of Hunter Demographics and Behavior
• Addendum Report: Net Economic Values for Wildlife-Related Recreation in 2001
• Addendum Report: Black Bass and Trout Fishing in the U.S.
• Addendum Report: Private and Public Land Use by Hunters
• Addendum Report: Fishing and Hunting 1991-2001: Avid, Casual, and Intermediate Participation Trends

• Addendum Report: National and State Economic Impacts of Wildlife Watching 

1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

• Addendum Report: Trout Fishing in the U.S. Addendum to the 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
• Addendum Report: Net Economic Values for Bass, Trout and Walleye Fishing, Deer, Elk and Moose Hunting, and Wildlife Watching Addendum to the 1996 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation
• Addendum Report: Black Bass Fishing in the U.S.

• Addendum Report: 1980-1995 Participation in Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife Watching National and Regional Demographic Trends Report

1991 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

1975 National Survey of Hunting, Fishing, & Wildlife-Associated Recreation

1970 National Survey of Fishing and Hunting

1960 National Survey of Fishing and Hunting

1955 National Survey of Fishing and Hunting: A Report on the First Nationwide Economic Survey of Sport Fishing and Hunting in the United States