Economic Impact of Deer and Wildlife Hunting Essay

Hunting is catching of animals in the bush either for meat and other animal products or as a recreational activity Hunting is a very old profession dating back to millions of years back when man solely depended on hunting and gathering for provision of and other animal products. Animals hunted in a particular region depended on several factors such as availability, purpose, size of the animal, technology, environment among others. Vast lands of Texas provide good habitat for different species of animal to survive. The most common animals are: deer, hare, kangaroo among others. Hunting is still a popular activity in most parts of the world attracting million of hunters who either venture in to it as an economic activity or as sportsmen and women. With advancement of technology hunting techniques have improved as hunters, together with using the old age skills, modern equipment such as binoculars come in handy making this activity more fun and productive. Dog as hunting tool is still much in use though not into greater extent as it was used in olden days due to restriction by laws in some states. American hunters just like their early counterparts us this animal in their quest to take home a trophy. Current American hunters spend on annual basis whooping 700 million dollars to buy hunting dogs showing that man’s best friend just as it was important in early day it is still a valuable companion to man in his quest to conquer the bush. Bows and arrow have been modified to suit the modern times becoming one of the best hunting equipment for those who would like to flex their muscles. Deer hunting is an old time activity which dates back to 7000B. C. when people in North Eastern America largely relied on deer meat nuts and grain for subsistence. Hunting was then a major economic activity a position it still occupies hitherto though its importance has been curtailed by modernization. There are several kinds of deer that are hunted in different parts of the world. They include: white-tailed deer, mule deer, reindeer also known as caribou which is very common in Alaska, chinesewater deer among others. Hunting is a big time business pumping billions of dollars in to United States of America economy. Its effect is felt in the central business district of New York to the small hamlet in Alabama. Its benefits enjoyed by a toddler who is crawling in the backstreets of Oklahoma City and a war veteran enjoying his sunset years looking after his herd of bulls in Texas. Hunting generated billions ripple effect is felt by the grocer in Mississippi to a chain hotel owner in Los Angeles. These billions are derived from various activities directly or indirectly related to hunting . From Texas to pennsylavania, Illnois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin, Newyork, Kentucky, Alabama, Minnesota among other states hunting is a household name which cut across races, ages and social classes. Million of hunters pound on animals in the bush in different parts of America taking home their catch and on the other hand spend a fortune helping in way to drive the United States economy. Hunting is a multi billion industry whose economic impact in state economies can not be under estimated. It has an immense impact that is almost comparable to soft drink manufacturers Pepsi and Coca cola companies’ contribution to the United State economy in terms of employment opportunities, tax generated among other benefits (Hammitt, W. E. ,et al,1990). This industry attracts people from all walks of lives; different cultures and races. People from all political social classes harmoniously pursue the same game in the bush . There are no limitations making hunting one of the most liked activity where business are pleasure share a sentence. Hunting is such a popular activity where people from the majority ages are involved allowing even the young to participate towards nation building. Children as young as 16 years are considered old enough to engage in this enjoyable activity. There are estimated 40 million hunters countrywide. These hunters are both sportsmen and hunters for the sake of hunting. These hunters spent a fortune, for example in 2006 hunter spent a whooping 75 billion dollars and supported close to 2 million jobs in the entire United States. These types of figures can only be ignored by any state at its own peril. They are types of figures that would make a state governor to urgently call for a stakeholders meeting to map up ways of improve hunting as industry. They are enough to finance annual budgets of many of third world countries, enough to pay thousands of soldiers currently serving in overseas mission and many other government expenses that go along in putting United States in the limelight. For hunter to successfully venture in the bush there are dozen of equipments required to help them accomplish their mission. These equipments include: boots, coumaflage jackets, hunting knives, binoculars, bows, arrows, rifles, spotting scopes e. t. c Going by the numbers in 2006 it means retailers stocking the above equipment made billions in terms of sales of hunters gear. Manufacturers and distributors of these hunting gears are ensured of interrupted growth of their business due to increasing demand of their merchandise. According to a report from the International Association of Fishing and wildlife agencies in 2001 total retail sales generated were in tune of over 10 billions dollars. From these figures it is evident that hunting as an industry not only guarantees income to manufacturers and distributors of these equipments but also puts bread and butter on the tables of their employees therefore putting million of Americans in the payroll ensuring household incomes are raised, increasing the purchasing power of millions of Americans whose spend on holidays, education, healthcare and many other needs distributing hunters loot to all sectors of the economy. Among the industries that benefit from hunting of deer and big game are tourism, manufacturing, agriculture, tansport, and the list is endless (http://woolleyshooting. com/Articles/economics. html). Hunting contributes enormously to the growth of tourism industry industry. Hotels in different parts of United States are at one time fully booked especially during hunting seasons. Since hunters travel to town which are far away from their areas of residence accommodation comes in hand. Hunting is an activity that can take days so the hunters leave prepared to spend some nights away, it’s like a get away experience. Those who take it as sporting activity take some days away from their busy schedules to replenish their energy and relax . They come back rejuvenated meaning they put more energy in their nation building after a get away enjoying their favorite sporting activity-hunting. During their hunting expeditions hunters spend several days in hotel, this signifies a boom for hoteliers, their revenue rise, as multiplier effect farmers supplying these hotels are ensured of a ready market of their produce, hotel employees are sure to receive their paychecks while other suppliers to these hotels are guaranteed of orders (Adams, J. 000). There are other hunters who chose to make their own arrangement, they rely on Travel Company utilizing the services of agents who organize their travel arrangement. Tour guide come in handy as hunters need all the nitty gritty on hunting Transport industry also takes a share from this bush activity. Its share comes from different activities. Million of hunters travel to different areas meaning fuel consumption rises. Gas stations benefit from hunters who pass by their business premises to refill their tanks on their way for a hunting expedition. Automobiles sales also shoot as hunters require specialized vehicles during their mission making vehicle dealers smile all the way to the bank (Brown, P. J et al,1982). Those who chose to use public means of transport and tour companies also oil the pockets of transporters as they purchase plane, bus and train tickets to enable them travel to various destination. Hunter’s dollars contributes towards growth of automobile industry. Those who can afford charter planes to various ranches in states like Nevada and New Hampshire Aeroplane owners charge some fees for hiring these aircrafts and use some of it to pay their employees who on the other hand spend their salaries and wages to buy food and other necessities creating a ripple effect in the economy. Federal and state tax agencies are other beneficiaries of hunting loot. For one to be allowed to hunt it’s a requirement to obtain a hunting license. Different states charge a fee to issue this document . Every year millions of hunters apply for this license paying a handsome amount to tax agencies. Manufactures of hunting gears pay excise duty and other forms of taxes to the agencies. Employees of these companies pay income taxes to state tax agencies as is mandatory to honor tax obligations. All other businesses and individuals who deal with merchandise or services which are directly indirectly related to hunting pay one or more form of tax to their governments. Governments use this revenue to finance their activities. It finances construction of highways, brigdes, railway lines airports and other type of infrastructure which not only benefit the hunters but all-Americans citizens at large (Adams, J. 2000). It is estimated that government collects on average 2. 5 billion dollars annually in form of taxes generated from hunting related activities.. Millions of jobs are created in this multi billion dollars industry either directly or indirectly. In the year 2006 alone hunting supported close to 2 million jobs in different economic sector. This industry capacity to put Americans in the payrolls of different companies can not be underestimated. It surpasses many other formal industries known for job creation in American economy. Almost all states in United States of America thousands of Americans receive their pay checks financed by hunting either directly or indirectly Personnel employed include: guides, accountants, hoteliers, sales people, agents, managers, coaches and many others This is an immense contribution coming from an industry that is not considered mainstream. It has a capacity to put many Americans in job just like manufacturing firms in Atlanta (Duffield, J. and C. Neher, 1990). Hunting as sporting activity provides a moment for people to exercise and flex their muscles. This ensures that this lot is physically fit . It provides a good moment to relax body and soul. This form of relaxation is vital for the nation. This may sound farfetched but on average people who engage in some body work up lead a healthy life which means they are highly productive in economics terms. On one side a healthy nation means government spends less to finance the healthcare, instead channeling the funds to other sectors such education and conservation of environment. On the other hand a healthy nation is highly productive meaning workers will spend maximum time generating income for their employers rather than spending time off duty either in hospital bed or at home recuperating from some ailment or conditions which can avoided if they engaged their body in exercises which hunting as a sport provide. Hunting also provides golden chance for the families to get away from their daily bustle and enjoy beautiful moments in ranches in far away places. This provides a good opportunity for family and friends to bond contributing to social cohesion . this creates harmony in a family and society at large minimizing conflict (http://www. sdgfp. info/wildlife/Economics/Huntingeconomics. htm ). This may not be quantified in monetary effect but it has a far reaching effect than any money can buy. Families which spend quality time together will have minimal conflict meaning children will be raised in an upright way contributing towards future progress of United States where on the other hand chances of divorce will be minimal meaning family will save for future investments instead of spending huge chunks of money filling for divorce and paying attorney fees. Hunting has stood the test of time it has survived for many years beating all the odds. As many sectors of economy are affected by various events hunting beats them it has survived recession wars and other calamities. This means that billions will still be made whether Americans are fighting in the Middle East or feeling the effects of September the 11th . Hunters will still venture in to the bush during these bad times to get away from hustle and bustle of life The ability of hunting to survive in all these years despite many problems that man has encountered shows that its future is still bright. It survived agrarian revolution and much later industrial revolution left it not bruised (Adams, J. 2000). Animal rights activists may argue that some species of animals are threatened with extinction but nature has a way of taking care of that in fact some types of deer are overpopulated making government look for ways to reduce their population. And what a better way than encouraging people who enjoying engaging in an activity that checks the population of the species. In mid western states deer and other game animals have been blame for most automobiles accidents along the highways so hunters do a good job when they take away an animal life ensuring the survival of that American who is over speeding on his way home. Since the population of deer and other animal is not in such big threat million of hunter will continue to venture in to the bush and doing what they know best ensuring that transport industry stays afloat ,children education will be financed and highways will be constructed. From the figures presented and statistics shown hunting benefits to the United States economy has just started, more is to on the way, advertising mogul would say ‘Americans watch this space! ’. Since hunting is a regulated activity, this means there are rules governing this activity to ensure there is discipline and order, more Americans who like engaging in legal activity will join in either to earn a livelihood from selling game meat and other animal products or to enjoy a sporting activity that has far reaching health benefits than one can ever imagine. The number of hunters will only rise to new high level leading to more manufacturers coming in to make hunting gear to meet the soaring demand ,more hotels come up to accommodate the higher number of hunters coming in to enjoy the loot Government has been the biggest beneficiary of the monies generated through the hunting activities. This is through the revenue collected, number of Americans supported by this industry and many other benefits. It truly realizes what can happen if hunting goes to the woods its revenue will be reduced, unemployment rates will rise some business will collapse and many other ugly effects that can lead to collapse of some of states economies. Through this backdrop it goes without saying that the government would do everything possible to ensure that the hunting industry boom is not curtailed. Though this industry does not need any government intervention, it is true to imagine that government can do everything possible to ensure that hunting industry is recognized as one of the sectors that drives the economy (Duffield, J. and C. Neher. 1990) All those people who benefit from the hunting dollars are advocates of this industry, their voices can drown the noises of the so called animal rights activist. Hunters are responsible people as they make sure they pay taxes which government uses to finance the conservation of environment and educating the masses on the importance of taking care of the environment to ensure man and animals live in a clean environment There are big ranches in different parts of American that entirely depends on hunting . Strict rules are observed to ensure the future of animals is guaranteed. For example different modes of protection of animals from illegal poaching are employed, this involves putting in place security measure that discourage poaching and other illegal activities. Closed hunting is employed restricting hunting of some animals at given period to allow breeding therefore ensuring survival of these species. Protection of deer and other animals from indiscriminate killing signifies that controlled or regulated hunting will survive many generation to come therefore future of hunting industry is not only bright but shining in the current generation and will illuminate the future economy of this great nation. Great leaders like George Washington embraced hunting as away of life therefore where our forefather have succeed nothing can pull us back (Duffield, J. and C. Neher. 1990)