Hunting And Fishing License Sales Down In 2021 From 2020

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2021 remained a good year for hunting and fishing in Michigan. Michigan Wildlife Council Chair Nick Buggia tells WSJM News sales of hunting and fishing licenses shot way up in 2020 when the pandemic started. And 2021?

“It didn’t compare to 2020 numbers,” Buggia said. “However, what the numbers are showing is that some of those who participated in 2020 are continuing to participate, and the numbers are up from 2019.”

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 641,000 people purchased hunting licenses and 1.13 million purchased fishing licenses in 2021 through November 30. Buggia says southwest Michigan had plenty of guests this year.

“Being closer to the border there in Berrien County, this year we’ve seen a pretty big increase in out of state participating over 2019, a 10% increase in out of state hunting and an 11% increase in out of state fishing.”

During the pandemic, Buggia says many older people reported fishing and hunting more. There was also an increase among those who work, but had more time. Fishing and hunting have an $11.2 billion impact on Michigan’s economy each year, generating 171,000 jobs.