Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Should You Start A Cop Shop? — page 16 Sportsmen Impact Every State’s Economy H Melinda Gable unting and fishing have a major economic impact on every state in the nation, according to a report produced by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF). The report, “Hunting and Fishing: Bright Stars of the American Economy — A force as big as all outdoors,” analyzes the amount of money spent on hunting and fishing, as well as the jobs and taxes created. “The economic impact that sportsmen have on state economies should be a wake-up call to state governments to welcome and encourage hunting and fishing in their state,” said Jeff Crane, CSF president. “The evidence is clear: states that encourage hunting and fishing by providing access and maintaining healthy habitats and fisheries benefit many times over through jobs and taxes, as well as enjoying a boost to travel and tourism.” According to CFC, when spending by hunters and anglers is compared to other sectors, the impact on the economy becomes more tangible. Here are a few highlights: • Sportsmen support more than twice the jobs in Texas than Dell Computer Corp., Lockheed Martin, Electronic Data Systems and Dow Chemical Co. combined (106,000 jobs vs. 49,000). • Sportsmen support more jobs in Florida than Disney World (85,000 jobs vs. 61,000). • Michigan sportsmen annually spend more than the combined cash receipts for dairy, greenhouse/nursery, corn, soybeans and cattle — the state’s top five agricultural commodities ($3.4 billion vs. $2.9 billion). • Annual spending by California sportsmen is greater than the cash receipts of the state’s grape crop ($3.6 billion vs. $3 billion). “The economic impact that sportsmen have on state economies should be a wake-up call to state governments.” “Spending by sportsmen benefits not only the manufacturers of hunting- and fishing-related products, but everything from local mom-and-pop businesses to wildlife conservation,” said Doug Painter, president of National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). “And because most hunting and fishing takes place in rural areas, much of the spending benefits less affluent parts of the state.” On the national level, 34 million sportsmen age 16 and older spent more than $76 billion in 2006, supporting 1.6 million jobs. CFC points out that if a single corporation grossed as much money as hunters and anglers spend, it would be among America’s 20 largest, ahead of Target, Costco and AT&T. The CFC also ranks states by total number of hunters and anglers, spending by sportsmen, jobs supported, taxes generated, number of days spent hunting and fishing and the most traveled-to states by hunters and anglers. Nationally, Texas ranked number one in total hunters and anglers (2.6 million), money spent ($6.6 billion), jobs supported (106,000) and tax revenue generated ($1.3 billion). The CFC report was produced with support from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, National Marine Manufacturers Association, NSSF and SCI-First For Hunters. The report and state rankings use results from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and statistics provided by the American Sportfishing Association and Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. The report is available at www.sportsmenslink.org and www.nssf.org. Remington Acquires Marlin Firearms R emington Arms announced in late December it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Marlin Firearms Co. The transaction was expected to close by the end of January. Marlin, headquartered in North Haven, Conn., also owns Harrington and Richardson (H&R), New England Firearms (NEF) and LC Smith. “The opportunity to combine two historic U.S.-based companies with such storied and proud histories is both challenging and exhilarating,” said Tommy Millner, Remington CEO. “We look forward to working with Bob Behn, a well-respected member of our industry. He will remain president of Marlin, charting a course of further growth and operational improvement.” Closing of the transaction was subject to certain customary conditions, including regulatory approvals. “We knew it was time to find the right partner for Marlin to ensure our brands maintain their leadership positions and move into the next century,” said Frank Kenna III, Marlin chairman. “We believe Remington’s commitment to the industry, shooters and hunters alike, combined with their resources from a manufacturing and sales and marketing position, will reinforce the confidence, hard work and dedication that our employees and management have put into our brands.” We’re Calling You Out: Gun Valley Showdown! Page 44. 8 FEBRUARY 2008 WWW.SHOOTINGINDUSTRY.COM