Missouri sportsmen, retailers and business leaders join forces to promote hunting

Missouri partnership to highlight economics of hunting

LIBERTY, Mo., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A broad group of local and regional leaders representing Missouri chambers of commerce, sporting organizations, small businesses and retailers today announced the launch of the Hunting Works For Missouri partnership. Stressing the major impact hunting has on Missouri's economy, the organization pointed to sportsmen and sportswomen as key drivers of instate commerce.

"The Missouri Chamber of Commerce is excited to be a part of Hunting Works For Missouri. Industries that help Missouri grow and prosper are important to us, and this certainly includes hunting," said Dan Mehan, Hunting Works For Missouri co-chairman and president and CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The Chamber's mission is to protect and advance business and, make no mistake; hunting contributes a lot to the advancement of so many businesses in Missouri. Hunting has become an economic engine to our state and local economies. We're glad that this group has formed to highlight the positive impact hunting plays in the state."

According to the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, 609,000 people hunt in Missouri each year. Missouri hunters spend over $1.1 billion each year and the resulting economic impact translates to $96.8 million in state and local taxes, 24,500 jobs and a $1.48 billion ripple effect on the state economy.

Shannon Peisert, Hunting Works For Missouri co-chair and general manager of Rogers Sporting Goods applauded Hunting Works For Missouri for bringing the economic impact of hunting to the forefront. "Rogers Sporting Goods was started by my parents in 1980. Growing up, I had a front row seat to watch the growth of the hunting industry and how that impacted our family's business. As the industry grew, so did Rogers. Our first store was a mere 1,500 square feet. Today we have 52,000 square feet and employ over 45 people. This isn't unique to Rogers; countless businesses – convenience stores, restaurants and diners, hotels and motels, hardware stores, and clothing stores – benefit from hunter dollars each year," said Peisert.

This pattern of spending happens all over the state, with each hunter spending on average $1,848 per season on trip related expenses such as lodging, food and gas.

"We joined this effort because we know firsthand how important hunting is to the state and local economies of Missouri," said Cecil Huff, owner and operator of Bucks and Spurs Ranch near Ava. "We sell hunting packages at our ranch each year. We know that we're not the only business that benefits when we sell a hunt; all businesses in the area benefit when hunting season comes along. Hunters bring a lot of money to our town and many others that results directly in jobs and more tax revenue at the local level."

The newly formed Hunting Works For Missouri partnership has over 50 partner organizations and will be adding dozens more in the weeks and months to come. The effort is being supported by organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

"The Hunting Works For Missouri partners have joined this effort because they understand that hunting plays an important role in our economy and our heritage," said Brandon Butler, Hunting Works For Missouri co-chair and owner of the publication Driftwood Outdoors. "Through the Pittman-Robertson Act, hunters pay an 11 percent excise tax on equipment. This money is used to conserve and restore habitat which benefits game and non-game species as well as anyone who loves the outdoors. But many people don't always understand that the bulk of the money that pays for wildlife areas comes from hunters. Hunters are just as deeply concerned with conservation as anyone else, which is why I am so pleased to be a co-chair of this organization and help educate and spread the word that everyone sees a benefit from a robust hunting and shooting industry in Missouri."

The Hunting Works For Missouri partnership will monitor public policy decisions and weigh in on hunting-related issues that impact Missouri jobs. Hunting Works For Missouri will serve as a vehicle to facilitate important public policy dialogue and to tell the story of how Missouri's hunting heritage positively effects conservation and jobs throughout the state.

About the Hunting Works for Missouri Partnership
Hunting Works For Missouri is a local grassroots partnership of organizations focused on hunting and the economics derived from these activities. Hunting Works For Missouri members are advocates for public policy that supports jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization we explain the role that hunting and the shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of Missouri.

For more information on Hunting Works for Missouri, please visit www.HUNTINGWORKSFORMO.com

SOURCE Hunting Works for Missouri