CLEARFIELD – Hunting season is in full swing. Hundreds of thousands of hunters have already taken to the field in search of small game and, of course, white-tailed deer.
“Each year, [the Visit Clearfield County staff] sees pictures of people with their trophies and reads stories about the hunt,” said VCC Executive Director Holly Komonczi. “But we are seldom told what hunting means to the state and how it impacts the millions of people who do not hunt.”
These things, Komonczi said, are important for people to be aware of.
- Each year, Pennsylvania hunters spend $173 million on trip-related expenditures, such as hotels, restaurants and gas.
- Each year, hunters spend $564 million on gear, such as firearms, archery equipment, clothing, camping supplies and more.
- Each year, as a result of hunting, sportsmen pay $121 million in state and local taxes.
- Hunting supports 15,000 jobs in Pennsylvania and many of them in suburban and rural communities where employment can be heard to find.
“Every year, people spend millions of dollars in their hometowns preparing for hunting season,” said Komonczi. “Then, they spend millions more in the small towns near their hunting camps. The bottom line is this: Hunting is big business in Pennsylvania, and it’s a big deal in Clearfield County.”
Komonczi added, “That’s the reason why back in the spring, Visit Clearfield County joined ‘Hunting Work$ for Pennsylvania,’ a new coalition of businesses dedicated to educating the public about the economic engine that hunting is to communities across the commonwealth.
“We need to protect and enhance the business of hunting,” Komonczi said. She added that the Hunting Work$ coalition now has 117 member organizations in 41 counties across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Clearfield County, she said, is the most hunter-friendly county.
“We greatly value the time and money sportsmen and women spend here each year,” said Komonczi. “That’s why I’m even more proud to report that 23 of those businesses and organizations that belong to Hunting Work$ for Pennsylvania are from right here in Clearfield County.”
More information can be found at huntingworksforpa.com.