Fuel Costs Hurt Fishing, Hunting

Just recently I got a press re lease from Winnebago saying the Iowa-based company will lay off 40 percent of its workforce due to high fuel prices and consumer worries over the economy.

"Wholesale and retail markets for motor homes industry-wide have been depressed because of the economic factors going on right now," spokeswoman Sheila Davis said. "Two major economic factors are interest rates and consumer confidence and both of them have been negative for us for awhile." The company employs about 3,300 workers at facilities in Iowa's Forest City, Charles City and Hampton.

Likewise, I have gotten similar reports from boat manufacturers and in general retail sales of other big-ticket items involving the outdoor industry also are down. Not only is the price of fuel to run recreational vehicles, boats, four-wheel drives and other vehicles in the outdoors having a direct impact, the price of oil-based products used in the outdoors and the cost of transporting them from the factory to the store also is having an effect.

This past year, $3 a gallon of gasoline was often found in our area, and pumps at marinas down the shore were spinning at better than $4 a gallon in many places. Last year, it was refinery problems being blamed for the increases at the pump. Seems like every year the oil companies have a different reason for jacking up the prices, and already the companies are blaming the production of an additive used in gas for an increase that may take gas prices to the $3.50 per gallon mark this summer. Let's face it, the summer is when Americans use more gas than any other time of the year and have no choice but to pay the inflated prices at the pump; that's why oil companies continue to see record incomes each year.

In that light, another recent press release said Exxon saw a record profit of $40 billion -- that's with a B -- this past year. This proves that all the excuses oil companies have been offering are just that, excuses, and while they are getting richer, other industries such as the outdoor industry are paying the price.

When it comes to the average American, he has no choice but to pay the price at the pump. Sure, if you are well off, the price of gas might not affect you, but the average citizen has to find the money somewhere. That somewhere for many people is in their outdoor recreation.

Here is a small glimpse at what the inflated gas prices are doing to the industry:

First let's take a look at some of the gas prices at marinas around the country. A recent survey conducted by a public relations firm sampled marina gas prices prior to the 2007 Memorial Day holiday (the most recent survey available) in Long Island, Hawaii, Maryland, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Florida, Minnesota Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Arizona, Indiana, Connecticut and Virginia.

Among those reporting, the highest price per gallon at marinas was $4.32 in coastal Alabama, with ethanol fuel costing about 10 cents less. Next highest were Long Island at $4.20 and southwest Florida at $4.25. The lowest reporting cost was Virginia at $2.93. With the exception of Virginia, all those reporting put the price in the $3 range with a minority over $4. The average price per gallon among those who reported was $3.75 at marinas. A check at several marinas along the Jersey shore showed gas prices ranging from $3.75 to $4.25 per gal lon, with diesel an average of 50 cents per gallon more. This increase in diesel fuel is a result of regulations mandating the use of low sulphur diesel fuel. Those prices were up some 20 percent during the summer and fall.

This year, gas prices will impact fishing and hunting participation. According to a poll of 2,481 sportsmen and women conducted by AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com in June, over half of all anglers and 40 percent of hunters indicated rising gas prices will cause them to reduce their outdoor activities or reduce their travel distance and boat use. The rest indicated that rising fuel prices would not hinder their outdoor activity, or were not sure of the impacts.

The specific results were: 35.5 percent said higher prices will not affect their fishing/hunting activities while 41.6 percent said it will. Another 22.4 percent said higher prices will cause them to fish/hunt less this year, while 15.8 percent said it won't.

Thirty percent said they will probably fish/hunt the same amount this year, but not travel as far or use a boat as much, while 25 percent said they will more than likely hunt and fish the same as last year.

Twelve percent said they were not sure how gasoline prices will affect their fishing/hunting this year.

Many anglers and hunters I know have told me they are fishing with friends and sharing the cost of beach buggy fees, launch fees and fuel as a means of dealing with the increased price of fuel. Several people I spoke with that annually have boats down at the Jersey shore said that if the price of gas hits $4 and more at the marinas, they won't be putting their boat in the water this summer. Many said they also will be fishing on party and charters boats to deal with their fishing addiction, but harsh regulations on fluke and other fish will impact on those venues.

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