By: Jared Fisher
“I will do all I can as your Governor to ensure the Department of Wildlife has the resources they need to manage our treasured resources.”
– Jared Fisher, 2018 Candidate for Governor of Nevada
Nevadans love their great outdoors. We are fortunate to have the freedom to roam a wide variety of public lands and have a multitude of environments to pursue our personal interests and outdoor recreational activities—From hunting and fishing to wildlife viewing and pleasure boating, and everything in between. We are a state rich in wildlife and fish diversity.
Hunting, fishing, boating and wildlife viewing comprise a large part of our collective tradition and shared family experience. These activities also represent a sizable portion of the economic engine in our state’s economy. A 2011 economic analysis of these activities in Nevada, for instance, showed that they generated nearly $1.9 billion to our state’s economy. The following is a detailed breakdown of the numbers.
How Nevada’s Wildlife Helps the Economy
- Anglers (fisher-people) numbered 266,140 in Nevada and created $280 million in economic output for the state. Anglers also supported 2,267 jobs.
- Hunters numbered 43,423 and created nearly $336 million in economic benefits to the state and supported 3,058 jobs.
- Boating added an additional $578 million the state’s economy. Precise data on the number of jobs this supports is not available, but is thought to be substantial.
- BassPro Shops, a major outdoor fishing, hunting and camping business, chose Las Vegas as the location of one of its very few retail outlet stores in the West. The store alone attracts outdoor enthusiasts from hundreds of miles away. Many smaller sporting businesses throughout our state reap the benefits of these resources throughout the year.
- Wildlife-related activities support many less obvious businesses, such as food, fuel, restaurants, lodging, guiding, clothing, supplies, etc.
- Wildlife-watching added a substantial $776 million to our economy. This is a rapidly growing outdoor recreational activity and industry. Nevada has 55 officially designated “Watchable Wildlife Sites” scattered across every sector of our state.
I am Committed to Preserving Nevada’s Treasured Resources
Nevada has 2,760 miles of streams and 44,000 acres of reservoirs. We have topography from Boundary Peak at 13,140 feet, down to the 470-foot elevation Colorado River border, and every habitat in between: From wetlands and desert basins to rugged mountain peaks and pristine lakes. They are our heritage.
The great State of Nevada has an exceptional Wildlife Department, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), which helps to manage our wildlife and fish resources. As the population in Nevada continues to grow, the NDOW will face many challenges. For instance, Nevada currently manages over 680 species of fish and wildlife, yet 97 percent of the Department’s funding comes from user fees and grants. Only three percent comes from the state’s budget.
I will do all I can as your Governor to ensure the Department of Wildlife has the resources they need to manage our treasured resources.
About Fisher for Nevada: FisherforNevada.com is the official campaign website of Jared Fisher, 2018 candidate for governor of Nevada. Jared is running on a platform that emphasizes “The 3 Es:” Education, Energy and the Economy. He is committed to helping foster a #HealthyNevada. For more information, sign up for our mailing list or follow us Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.
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