According to a report from the Sportsman’s Alliance, we deer hunters spent more than $23 billion a year, producing $2.5 billion in state taxes and $3.8 billion in federal taxes.

“The economic impact of hunting and sport shooting to local, state and the federal economy cannot be overstated,” said Rob Southwick, president of Southwick Associates, which did the research for the report. “If hunting and shooting were a company, the jobs it supports would place it as the third largest private-sector employer, and $65 billion, the retail sales it generates, would place it at fifty-second on the Fortune 500 list.”

Economic stats at a glace:

  • Americans spend more than $23.7 billion on retail hunting-related purchases.
  • Over $16 billion is spent on hunting gear, accessories, and vehicles.
  • More than $11.3 billion goes to hunting trip-related expenses.
  • In 2022, American hunters spent $45.2 billion on equipment, licenses, trips, and other hunting-related expenses.
  • The average annual expenditure on hunting and fishing equipment per consumer unit in the United States reached just under 30.7 U.S. dollars.