2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated ...

Away-From-Home Wildlife-
Watching Highlights
In 2006, 23 million people 16 years
old and older took trips away from
home to feed, observe, or photograph
wildlife. They comprised 32 percent
of all wildlife watchers. Most popular
with away-from-home participants
was closely observing wildlife. About
21.5 million participants, 9 percent of
the U.S population, observed wildlife
an average of 14 days in 2006. Photographing
wildlife was enjoyed by 11.7
million people, 5 percent of the U.S.
population. They averaged 9 days
per photographer. Approximately 7.1
million people fed wildlife an average
of 11 days and comprised 3 percent of
the U.S. population.
About 83 percent of all away-fromhome
participants took trips within
their resident state to participate in
wildlife watching. Approximately 67
percent took trips only in their resident
state, 16 percent took trips both inside
and outside their resident state, and 17
percent took trips only to other states.
Altogether, 33 percent of all awayfrom-home
participants took at least
some of their trips to other states.
Percent of U.S. Population Who Participated by Type of Activity
(Total: 23 million participants)
Total 10%
Observe
9%
Away-From-Home Participants
(In millions)
Total participants . . . . . . 23.0
Observers . . . . . . . . . . . 21.5
Photographers . . . . . . . . 11.7
Feeders . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.1
Photograph
Feed
3%
5%
Total days . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Observing . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Photographing . . . . . . . 104
Feeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Percent of Away-From-Home Wildlife Watchers—
in State of Residence and in Other States
(Total participants: 23 million)
Source: Table 40.
In state of residence and
in other states
16%
In state of residence only
67%
In other states only
17%
44 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service