Economic Impact of Duck Hunting in Arkansas

Its madness, Ive never seen otherwisewise well-informed frugal men throw so much m iodiney at so little opportunity (Unk nowa mean solar eldn) This was the statement do by an unnamed source referencing the malady and addiction of the wonderful caper of water bird Hunting. The economic bear upon of waterfowl lookup in atomic number 18 can outmatch be seen in the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Services 2006 scotch Impact of Waterfowl Hunting fib. This report states that in 2006 thither was 1. 3 gazillion waterfowl hunters nationwide, 100,000 of these waterfowl hunters were residents of argon who worn-out(a) 1. meg days pursuing the waterfowl of their choice. During these days, waterfowl hunters spend money on pursuit trips, search equipment, salaries and wages and state, local and federal taxes. Nationwide, waterfowl hunters spent $900 one thousand thousand during 2006 creating a positive economic disturb for the nations economy. When did either of this begin and why in eastern are? It is said that the graduation to welcome stepped foot in what is now know as modern day atomic number 18 were evade hunters. In an archaeological find near Big Lake in north eastern atomic number 18, studies found more bones from M tout ensembleard ducks than from any other bird present.Nature had set a perfective aspect table non scarcely for the Paleo Indians and for the future duck hunters in argon. Eastern argon borders the disseminated sclerosis River and is home of 8 million of the 24. 2 landed estate of the disseminated multiple sclerosis Alluvial plain. There are no other states in the continental united states that have more delta land than Arkansas. forrader the advent of dams and tree clearing clownish practices the delta was c everyplaceed primarily with hardwood trees, most(prenominal)ly oaks. These Hardwoods provided the secure food source (acorns) for the largest population of passing waterfowl (mainly the mallard duck) in the world.E arly settlers took advantage of the torrential fowl and consequently started some of the actually first duck hunting clubs in the linked States. In 1906 the first cognize crop of rice was grown in Arkansas County. Although it was a small crop, it changed the tantrum of agriculture in the delta and on the solemn Pr send outie region. Three old age later gradation Prairie rice acreage was up to 27,000 commonwealth by 1919 rice covered 143,000 nation of the Grand Prairie in the Mississippi Delta. forthwith Arkansas reapings 41 percent of the nations rice, to the highest degree twice as much as No. California (21 percent). Riceland Rice Corporation, hardened in Stuttgart Arkansas, alone is responsible for well-nigh terce of the U. S. crop. Local conjureers founded the Riceland cooperative in 1921 to get better prices. The average Riceland farm is nearly 750 to 1,000 acres, Reed says. About one-third to one-half is devoted to rice, with the rest expiration to soybeans, o ne of the other crops Riceland processes. The majorities of the Riceland Farms are all leased out to waterfowlers or have guide service ran on them.In the proto(prenominal) days of rice farming, the rice harvest and the migration of wintering waterfowl down the Mississippi migration route coincided. Massive groups of waterfowl could potential droply pass across out an entire rice written report in one night. At the clock time, farmers would leave as much as 5$ a gun per night and all of the shells the individual could shoot while tutelage the ducks away. As quicker maturing rice was substantial people started to realize that ducks were no yearlong a nuisance but had potential to be a great asset and compliment to the rice harvest. A bi- harvest-tide of the rice boom in Arkansas County was a drastic increase in douse Clubs.A put off Club is in camera owned business which charges the duck hunters by the day for guided hunts or requires members to stipend yearly dues f or their membership in the club. Duck clubs had been around the state for several years prior to the rice boom of the too soon 1900s, but these clubs were set primarily on flooded hardwood bottoms or sloughs along the Mississippi delta. When rice farmers realized the potential hard currency flow that hunting clubs could provide during the winter season, many started Duck Clubs on their privately owned farms.One such place was Wallace Claypools Wild Acres reservoir, which came to be known just as Claypools generator. In 1956 NBCs popular television computer programme Wide Wide earth approached the Arkansas Game and Fish boot about filming the first ever nationwide broadcast live duck hunt. During the time the segment was filmed Claypools Reservoir was holding approximately 300,000 mallard ducks. At 314 the NBC director touch a button and 4 million viewers looked on. Shortly after 315 a TNT dilute rocket was fired over the ducks to rebuke them up off the water.With ducks in the air Wallace Claypool began to call ducks in for Lynn Parsons, a 12 year old local with a raw shotgun. Six shots later Claypools lab was retrieving 6 mallard ducks and Arkansas was officially on the map as the Duck Hunting Capital of the World. In 1936, 20 years prior to the aerate of Claypools duck hunt on subject television Thad McCollum of Stuttgart Arkansas held the first yearbook Worlds Duck craft Championship on Main roadway in downtown Stuttgart, Arkansas. It was known hence as the National Duck calling contest.There were 17 entries in the business district Stuttgart event and the winner was promised a new hunting jacket valued at $6. 60. This contest has helped form what is now the go over The Prairie Festival. Wings Over the Prairie is one of the oldest and most visited festivals in Arkansas, and has grown to an annual attending of over 60,000. Besides the World Championship Duck Calling Contest there is in like manner a nationally renowned Gumbo Cook Off, as well as many crafts, split of hunting gear for sale, dances, live bands, mercantile exhibits and collectibles.With such a large attendance containing people from all over the United States, the Festival brings in millions of dollars of revenue to Stuttgarts economy each year. According to Stephen Bell, executive director of the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce, It is estimated that the economic impact on Stuttgart is $1 million a day during duck season. The town is withal home to more than 70 commercial message Guide Services that cater not only to Duck Hunters but excessively to deer hunters as well as a few that cater to turkey hunting.In addition to the private guide services and the Membership Exclusive Hunting Clubs, Duck hunters are drawn from all over the state as well as the land to hunt the hundreds of thousands of acres of worldly concern hunting area managed specifically for waterfowl. In 1948, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission purchased Bayou Meto Flat which provided 34,000 acres of public reverse lightning timber duck hunting. Bayou Meto is one of the most renowned public hunting places in the United States. common woodland duck hunting is somewhat specific to Arkansas and with 34,000 acres available to the public hunters come from all over the United States to get the iron heel of a true Arkansas Green Timer Hunt. Bayou Meto however is far from organism the only public Green Timber hunting the state has to offer. As a whole the eastern side of Arkansas is loaded with hundreds of thousands of acres of flooded, acorn producing trees that are typically loaded with ducks. Where there are ducks, there are bound to be duck hunters.The state of Arkansas had 100,000 waterfowl hunters, 16 years old or older, in 2006. These 100,000 participants who enjoy hunting waterfowl in Arkansas are responsible for the states be of 2nd in the nation only to Louisana in participation. Waterfowl hunters in Arkansas spent $91 million dollars on waterfowl h unting trips and equipment, which includes but is not limited to food, lodging, transportation, firearms and ammunition, fees, hunting dogs and related expenses. Arkansas waterfowl hunters also spent $9. 6 million in state taxes and $9. 4 million in federal taxes. These hunters also helped support 2,505 jobs that are waterfowl hunting related with $47. 9 million in salaries and wages. All this hunting and spending creates a ripple effect of $124 million dollars. Arkansas attracts 53,000 non-resident hunters every year, from all over the country who spend a combined 662,000 days in the state. The out-of-staters spend $167,811,000 on the sport in Arkansas, meaning each non-resident hunter spends about $3,184 during a typical season.