SUCCESS IN ANY BUSINESS REQUIRES an understanding of the demographics of the clientele. Who buys the product or service and how much they spend are essential bits of information. Since 1955, wildlife professionals at the state and national levels have depended upon a wildlife-based recreation survey that has been conducted every five years.

The recently published 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation (download at http: //federalasst.fws.gov/surveys/surveys.html) reports that 87.5 million Americans spent more than $122 billion in 2006 on wildlife-related recreation. The U.S. Census Bureau collected the data through an extensive series of personal and phone interviews. The sample included 21,938 anglers and hunters and 11,279 watchers. Prior to 1980 the Survey included information only on anglers and hunters; in 1980 information on watchers was added.

Here’s where we stand over the last 10 years:

In 2006, 113.6 million total participants consisted of 30.0 million anglers who spent $42.2 billion, 12.5 million hunters who spent $22.9 billion (another $11.6 billion was spent on unspecified hunting/fishing activities), and 71.1 million watchers who spent $45.7 billion.

In 2001, 113 million total participants consisted of 34 million anglers who spent $35.6 billion, 13 million hunters who spent $20.6 billion, and 66 million watchers who spent $40 billion.

In 1996, 112.1 million total participants consisted of 35.2 million anglers who spent $37.8 billion; 14.0 million hunters who spent $20.6 billion; and 62 million watchers who spent $29.2 billion.