Outdoor enthusiasts had a total economic impact of $5.77 billion on Oklahoma’s economy, according to a recent analysis based on the latest National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wild-life associated Recreation.
For this analysis, Southwick Associates – a market research and economics firm that specializes in the hunting, shooting, sportfishing, and outdoor recreation markets – “looked at how hunting, fishing, and target shooting affect different pieces of the economy in Oklahoma,” said Betsey York, human dimensions specialist with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
When purchasing a hunting or fishing license, “You’re not just gaining access to our beautiful landscapes and abundant wildlife, you’re also making a significant contribution to our state’s economy,’” she said.
Recent data highlights the substantial economic impact of these activities, underscoring their importance beyond recreation.
For example, hunting and fishing are not just hobbies; they are vital components of conservation and Oklahoma’s economic fabric:
• Fishing has $3.04 billion in total economic output, the study showed. This activity supports approximately 19,100 jobs and generates $894 million in labor income.
• Hunting also plays a crucial role, contributing about $1.25 billion to the economy, Southwick Associates reported. Hunting supports 8,640 jobs and results in $369 million in labor income, the study indicated. “Every license you purchase helps ensure that hunting remains a thriving activity in our state,” York said.
• Target shooting, another popular pastime, contributes $1.48 billion in total economic output, supporting 12,220 jobs and generating $488 million in labor income, the study showed. “This demonstrates the widespread economic benefits derived from shooting sports,” York said.
Investing in a hunting or fishing license has a ripple effect. “It fuels local businesses, from tackle shops to guiding services, and supports jobs that keep our communities thriving,” York said. “And hunters and anglers contribute approximately $4.7 billion in direct spending across the state,” she added.
“This money flows into our local economies, helping businesses, especially those in small towns, grow and succeed.”
The ODWC does not receive general state tax appropriations. License sales and federal Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration Program grants are the agency’s primary funding sources. Every license dollar spent by sportsmen in Oklahoma is used to fund ODWC's user pay/user benefit conservation efforts.
In Fiscal Year 2024, ODWC spent a little over $62 million across its five organizational divisions (administration, fisheries, communication and education, law enforcement, and wildlife) and for capital projects. Revenues for the year totaled $61,084,535, with approximately $21.3 million of that generated by license sales.
Although the ODWC does not receive general state tax appropriations, hunting and fishing does generate significant tax revenue, ledgers reflect: approximately $167 million in state and local taxes, and $195 million in federal taxes.
The ODWC has more than 360 full-time employees, including about 118 game wardens and more than 150 Fish and Wildlife personnel. The agency manages more than 100 public hunting and fishing areas, and more than 1.5 million acres of land available to hunters and anglers.
Oklahoma is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the nation, with more than 760 species of wildlife, the ODWC reports. Those include:
• More than 350 bird species.
• More than 100 mammal species.
• More than 170 fish species. Oklahoma also boasts:
• More than one million surface acres of water.
• Approximately 1,120 square miles of lakes and ponds.
• About 11,600 miles of shoreline, greater than the lengths of the continental United States’ Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coasts combined.
• Approximately 78,500 miles of rivers and streams.