Mike Denny hit the nail on the head. Only the squeaking wheel gets the
grease. You've got to let the Wildlife Commission know of your concerns
at their meetings.

I've got a number of reports which are based on the 2001 National Survey
of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, a scientific
survey of fishing, hunting and wildlife watching conducted by the Census
Bureau, Departments of Interior and Commerce and the Economics and
Statistics Administration. All 166 pages full of statistics. Three
reports based on the 2001 National Survey include that for the varioius
states, in the case of this Tweeters Email, that for our state of
Washington (75 pages): Net Economic Values for Wildlife Related
Recreation in 2001 (24 pages); Birding in the United States; A
Demographic and Economic Analysis (20 pages).

The reports reveal that 66.1 million Americans over the age of 15
engaged in wildlife watching, 13 million hunted and 34.1 million fished.
Wildlife watchers (mostly birds) spent $38 billion in 2001. their
overall economic input was $95.8 billion resulting in 1,027,833 jobs
(full and Part time) and total wages and salaries were $27.8 billion.
Total sales tax revenues were $71.2 and federal income taxes were $3.3
billion.

46 million Americans 16 years of age and over watched birds around their
homes or took trips, throughout this country or to foreign nations
specifically to observe birds. Not included were casual observations
doing household chores like mowing lawns, enjoying parks, going to zoos
and the like. $32 BILLION was spent by serious birders for equipment,
travel, food and lodging, bird houses and baths, bird seed, etc..Overall
industrial output was $85 BILLION, $13 billion in state and federal
income taxes, 863, 000 JOBS were supported and created.resulting in
$24.3 in wages and salaries.

Another report for the state of Washington disclosed that in this state
there were 1,827,000 birders. Almost 41.6% of our population. About 4
out of 10 residents. .Expenditures by them totaled $979 million.
Included were costs for optical equipment like scopes and binoculars,
cameras and film, bird houses and bird baths, bird seed, outdoor
clothing and gear, travel related expenses like transportation, hotels
and motels, food (both in restaurants and grocery stores) and
miscellaneous. Communities near wildlife areas and refuges benefitted
economically considerably, especially those
near where birding festivals were held.

Also, in our state there were 938,000 anglers, about 20% of total state
population, who spent $853.8 million of which $342.4 million was for
trip related expenses such as transportation, food and lodging, boating
costs, while $117 million was spent for fishing equipment, bait, tags
and permits and other costs. Of the 231,000 hunters, about 5% of our
population, total expenditures were $349.8 million of which $102.6
million was for trip related expenses. $94.4 million for equipment which
included arms and ammunition, vlothing, land leasing and ownership,
membership dues, licenses and stamps.

So birders constitute a majrity and not a minority, and they are
nonconsumptiveof wildlife, not consumptive.

Not included in all these figures is the great economic value of birds
which ANNUALLY consume billions of harmful insects and arthropods which
destroy agricultural crops and orchards, defoliate landscape plants and
trees, including timber trees, home gardens and also transmit serious
diseases which affect humans. Think about it. Mike Denny is so right.

Eugene Kridler
Decrepit Broken Down.84-year Old Wildlife Biologist/Endangered Species
Coordinator
Squirm (er-Sequim0, WA