North Dakota Businesses Join Forces on Hunting Economics Agenda

(Bismarck, N.D.) - A broad group of local and regional leaders representing North Dakota sporting organizations, small businesses, lodging, and retailers announce the launch of the Hunting Works for North Dakota partnership. Stressing the major impact hunting has on North Dakota's economy, the organization pointed to sportsmen and women as key drivers of in-state commerce.

Todd Jacobson, Co-Chairman of HWFND and owner of Sunlac Inn in Lakota, stated, "Hunting Works for North Dakota members are advocates for public policy which supports jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization we are going to help explain the key role that hunting plays in both the heritage and economic health of North Dakota."

According to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, each year 139,000 people hunt in North Dakota, spending over a hundred million dollars on lodging, food, gas, and gear while paying over $10.5 million in state taxes. To put this in perspective, the taxes paid by hunters could pay 360 North Dakota teachers' salaries or fund the annual education expenses for 1,358 North Dakota students.

John Arman, Host of Ultimate Outdoor Adventures TV, applauded Hunting Works for North Dakota for shining a spotlight on the economic benefits derived from hunting in North Dakota. "Ask any hunter, the guns and ammunition are probably the least expensive parts of hunting and the 11% excise taxes paid on them go right to the state fish and wildlife agency and are used for wildlife conservation," said Arman who passionately supports the heritage of hunting, "Before the hunt we start with purchasing a license and most of those proceeds go to fund wildlife in North Dakota. Then, we buy our hunting gear from local sporting goods retailers and parts of those proceeds go to fund wildlife in our state through the Pittman Robertson Act which is the key funding driver for conversation projects statewide. Then, we book our hotels. When the hunt nears we fill our coolers with food from the local supermarket and then buy gas, coffee and snacks at the local convenience store. And if we are lucky after the hunt we pay to have the game processed and head to local diners and watering holes to share our stories."

According to HWFND this pattern of spending happens all over the state, with each hunter spending on average $729 dollars per season to pursue their passion.

"Many people don't understand the cause and effect relationship hunting has on North Dakota's economy," said Rudie Martinson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Hospitality Association. "Hunters directly support more jobs in North Dakota than many of the state's biggest employers - over 3,000 jobs - and indirectly support thousands more!"

Martinson added, "According to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, the $103 million dollars spent by North Dakota hunters each year is one-third the cash receipts from soybeans, one of the state's top agricultural commodities. That's a really big deal."

The newly formed Hunting Works for North Dakota partnership has more than 40 partner organizations and will be adding dozens more in the weeks and months to come. The effort is being supported by sporting organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

"The HWFND partners have a story to tell about the important economic chain involving hunting," said Terri Thiel, Executive Director of the Dickinson Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Hunting specifically supports thousands of jobs, both rural and urban, across the state of North Dakota. Our goal is to provide a unified voice for all of these stakeholders."

The HWFND partnership will monitor public policy decisions and weigh in on hunting-related issues that impact North Dakota jobs. Hunting Works for North Dakota will serve as a vehicle to facilitate important public policy dialogue and to tell the story of how North Dakota's hunting heritage positively effects conservation and jobs throughout the state.

About the Hunting Works for North Dakota Partnership

Hunting Works for North Dakota is a local grassroots partnership of organizations focused on hunting and the economics derived from these activities. HWFND members are advocates for public policy who support jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization we explain the role that hunting and the shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of North Dakota.

Hunting Works for North Dakota was formed in part as a response to the growth of politically motivated, anti-hunting groups across America. Many anti-hunting groups would like to limit, make more expensive and even ban hunting altogether. The actions of these groups are eroding our heritage and damaging state economies and local businesses that depend on hunters for their livelihoods. All this is occurring at a time when hunter numbers are declining and we are facing tough economic times.

For more information on Hunting Works for North Dakota, please visit www.HUNTINGWORKSFORND.com