ECONOMICS OF HUNTING IN TEXAS, 1: Hunting bolsters the 
Texas economy ... Details ahead on Passport to Texas
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PTT from TPWD and the SFWR Program

Hunting not only feeds the one point one million Texas 
hunters who harvest game, it also feeds the Texas 
economy.

And that impact in Texas is over three and a half billion dollars 
each year. :04

Mike Berger is Director of Wildlife at Texas Parks and 
Wildlife. Rural communities, says Berger, are the primary 
beneficiaries of this economic boon. He quotes from a 
2001 survey by the federal government which highlights 
hunting's overall economic impact in Texas.

Retail sales from residents are one point six billion dollars. The 
number of jobs, twenty-eight thousand, six hundred jobs is 
what is determined. State sales tax - revenues generated from 
hunting - over eighty-seven million dollars. And a hundred and 
thirty-three million dollars in Federal income Tax. So, those are 
the kinds of things that go to make up this. Then that money 
turns over in the communities and makes it worth more in total 
economic activity. :26

These surveys are conducted every five years, and one is 
in progress for the current season; we can expect new 
numbers in 2007. 

Interesting to note is how hunting is growing in 
acceptance among even non-hunters.

Up around eighty percent of all Americans support the activity 
of hunting. :06

More on that tomorrow ... . That's our show ... supported by 
the Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program ... funded 
by your purchase of fishing and hunting equipment and 
motor boat fuels. 

For Texas Parks and Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti

Total sound bite time:		0:36.0
 Maximum Script time:		0:50.0 Suggested show time: 86.0 = 1:26