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New Study Shows Strength of Michigan Outdoors Industry

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We all know hunting and fishing are big time industries for the economy but a new study says they may even be bigger players in the economy.

“What more can we do if we had more funding?” asks Joy VanDrie, Co-Chair for Hunting Works for Michigan.

The Michigan United Conservation Council has a new study out putting Michigan as the number one state in the Great Lakes for the hunting and fishing industries.

“We should be,” says VanDrie, “We have lakes and rivers within 5 miles of any place that you are.”

Those close to the industry aren’t surprised by the results but excited they now have numbers to back up their beliefs.

“We are in an age of numbers and people want to qualify and quantify why we’re spending money in the return on investment,” says VanDrie.

These numbers show a couple things, people thought hunting and fishing were dying sports but maybe not so. What used to be thought of as a $5.6 billion industry is actually twice that, $11.2 billion. For every $1 million spent on the sport nearly, 20 jobs are created. When you can show that kind of return on investment, those who are in charge of the budget may be more willing to spend more money to make more money.

“Those are huge numbers so I would hope that everybody at all channels within the process would put their money where their mouth is,” says VanDrie

More state investment could buoy every aspect of the community where hunting and fishing are attractions.

“When folks come to the community, they’re going to stay at the hotels,” says Connie Koepke, Executive Director of the Mecosta County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, “They’re going to visit the gas stations, they’re going to go to the local restaurants and watering holes.”

It could bring more money to fight environmental attacks like chronic wasting disease and PFAs .and bolster the future of our outdoor sports.

“Those dollars are very relevant to the future of this industry,” says VanDrie.

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