| | Hunting and fishing represent one of the great attractions of rural Alberta with hunters and anglers supporting rural development through expenditures at small town cafes, motels, gas stations, and on other supplies and services. Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development provided a grant of $25,000 to the Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation to undertake a study to quantify this economic impact.
 In 2008, over $800 million was spent by hunter and anglers and related conservation organizations in Alberta. This included approximately $300 million on recurring direct hunting and fishing expenditures, and $501 million on capital equipment expenditures.
 That same year there were 105,057 licensed hunters in the province, and 211,666 licensed anglers. With the addition of unlicensed senior and youth anglers, the total number is estimated at 287,511 anglers.
The table below highlights the approximate economic impact of these activities including value added impact (increase in the Gross Provincial Product), wages and salaries, employment, and taxes.
| Direct Expenditures | Capital Expenditures |
| Value Added Impact | $307 million | $457 million |
| Wages and Salaries | $178 million | $276 million |
| Employment | 4,126 FTEs | 8,368 FTEs |
| Taxes | $135 million | $172 million |
Project partners also included the Alberta Conservation Association, Alberta Fish and Game Association, Alberta Professional Outfitters Society, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development (Fish and Wildlife Division), and Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation.
Link to the full report. |
|