A nationwide survey conducted by Responsive Management of Harrisonburg, Virginia, found that support for hunting and fishing has remained strong over the past decade, with approximately every 3 of 4 Americans approving of legal hunting and more than 9 of 10 approving of recreational fishing, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Based on a telephone survey of 813 Americans conducted from August 31 to September 9, 2006, the results reflect the opinions of randomly selected U.S. adult residents. The sampling error is 3.44 percentage points.

Mark Duda, executive director of Responsive Management, observed: "This is the first nationwide study that verifies an increase of public support over the past decade. In 1995, 73 percent of Americans approved of hunting; in 2006, 78 percent approved." Although approval of fishing decreased slightly?from 95 percent in 1995 to 93.3 percent in 2006?an overwhelming majority of Americans approve of recreational fishing.

Conservation interests are encouraged by the survey's evidence of strong public support. Said Matt Hogan, executive vice president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies: "Public support for hunting and fishing is crucial for conservation efforts. State fish and wildlife agencies have been and continue to be funded in large part by the contributions of sportsmen and women through license sales and excise tax payments on hunting and fishing equipment. To put it simply, without hunters and anglers, state fish and wildlife agencies would not be able to do their job conserving and managing wildlife for all Americans to enjoy."

Steve Williams, president of the Wildlife Management Institute, noted: "It is good to have verification that most citizens understand the importance of hunting to wildlife management and hunting's economic, social, recreational and other values." Similarly, Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sport Fishing Association, stated, "It is gratifying to know that the American public supports these activities [hunting and fishing] with such strong cultural heritage."

For more information about the survey, contact Mark Duda at 540-432-1888 or mark@responsivemanagement.com