A report into the economic contribution of recreational hunting and sports shooting in Tasmania has been released.
The report was promised as part of the Rockliff Liberal Government's 2021 Protecting the Tasmanian Way of Life of Recreational Hunting Policy.
It found the total economic contribution of the sector was estimated to be more than $88 million, including $48 million directly, and more than $40 million in flow on contributions.
It also identified that recreational hunting and sports shooting contributed to 438 direct full time equivalent jobs and a further 238 flow-on FTE jobs.
Primary Industries Minister Jo Palmer said the Government's $50,000 investment to undertake the study demonstrated its commitment to recreational hunting.
"This study has been driven by our recreational hunting and sport shooting sector, and we thank everyone who completed the survey and those representatives who participated on the steering committee," Minister Palmer said.
"Hunting and game management activities generate a range of economic benefits, and our Government is committed to providing for a sustainable and regulated recreational hunting sector."
The information provided in this report will be considered to guide future policy.
The study was commissioned by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE Tas) and was undertaken by BDO EconSearch in collaboration with Action Market Research (AMR).
The scope of the study for the report was limited to the expenditure on recreational hunting and sport shooting activities by recreational hunters and sport shooters that occurred in Tasmania during the 12 months prior to the survey (conducted 22 February - 15 March 2023).
This report presents a snapshot at a particular point in time using self-reported spending from those surveyed to model expenditure and estimate economic contribution of the sector.
