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

50-State Survey 2016

The 50-State Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation was conducted by the Rockville Institute (RI) for the state fish and wildlife agencies, under the auspices and guidance of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA). This survey focused on the 2016 participation and expenditures of U.S. residents aged 16 and older. The survey questionnaire and the  structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure   of the reports drew heavily from previous surveys of wildlife-related recreation conducted by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The 50-State Survey was conducted entirely via mail. RI carried out data collection in two phases: (1) a screening survey, sent to sampled addresses across the United States in March 2016 and (2) detailed surveys on hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching sent in three waves from March 2016 to February 2017. The 50-State Survey produced state-level estimates, but these estimates were not directly comparable to those from previous surveys. RI therefore completed a project to create new state-level estimates that are calibrated to those of the 2016 National Survey. The purpose of these calibrated estimates is to maintain the fine level of granularity of the 50-State Survey and enable comparison to previous National Surveys. Through this bridging project, RI created state-level tables showing adjusted survey estimates by state of residency of the participants. The reports linked below show the estimated demographics, participation, days, trips, and expenditures for fishing, hunting, and wildlife-associated recreation activities for residents of states whose state fish and game agency approved public release of their state report. 

Access the 2016 state reports through the USFWS National Digital Library: Bridging the 50-State Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation with previous National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation Trends.