ALASKA TRENDS

Summer might be on its way out, but Alaskans can take solace in the fact that a different kind of fun is on its way in.

Perhaps second only to fishing (depending on who you ask), the Last Frontier’s hunting scene attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world. Serving these enthusiasts are a number of local guides and other hunting industry professionals to ensure a safe and unforgettable experience. Per a report by the McDowell group prepared for the Alaska Professional Hunters Association, the guided hunting industry employed 1,380 direct jobs and contributed $62.4 million in total state revenue.

This month’s installment of Alaska Trends charges headfirst into some other impressive numbers that underline this storied industry. Not just big game—Alaska’s hunting industry means big money for the state and its recreationally spoiled residents.

SOURCE: The Economic Impact of Guided Hunting in Alaska, McDowell Group for Alaska Professional Hunters Association; January 2021

1,380 DIRECTLY EMPLOYED

The Guiding Operations industry employed 1,380 people, including registered guides, assistant guides, packers, pilots, and camp/office support staff. Registered 400 Assistant 500 Packers 200 Support 280

70% LIVE IN RURAL AREAS

85% of the registered guides reside in Alaska, 70% of those guides lived outside large urban areas.

Anchorage 56 Fairbanks/North Pole 27 Juneau/Douglas 10 Other 296

$35.3M IN NON-PAYROLL SPENDING

Non-payroll spending totaled $35.5M. 79% ($28M) was spent with Alaska vendors.

Transportation $8.4M Food/Beverage $4.6M Equipment $4.8M Other $10.3M

$62.4M TOTAL REVENUE

Industy revenues totaled $62.4M; $57.4M was spent in-state by guides, hunters, and companions.

3,090

$25.5M IN LABOR SPENDING

Guides’ in-state costs for labor (payroll and business-owner net income) totaled $25.5M.

9 OUT OF 10

Contracting guides hired at least 1 person in 2019. These jobs are seasonal with guides hunting for four to six weeks in spring and six to eight weeks in fall. 3,090 nonresident hunters spent an estimated $18,400 each on hunting packages for a total of $56.9M.

BROWN BEARS

Brown bear outnumberd tags black bear tags approx 2 to 1.

$3.2M IN GAME TAGS

Guided hunters purchased 4,464 game tags (4,137 out-ofstate hunters and 327 non-citizen hunters) totaling $3.2M. Brown bear tags accounted for 44% of tag revenue.

Brown 1,414 Moose Black 572 Dall Caribou 396 Wolf 658 484 347

Deer 277 Mt. Goat 268 Wolverine 31 Musk 8 Elk 6 Bison 3

7 MONTHS

Registered/Contracting guides reported working 7 months.

3 MONTHS

Assistant guides worked less than 3 months.

2.5 MONTHS

Support staff worked 2.5 months with a small number reporting year around employment.

2 MONTHS

Packers averaged less than 2 months of employment in 2019.

2.5 NIGHTS

Hunters and companions spent 2.5 nights in Alaska before and after their hunts.

505 COMPANIONS

505 companions spent an estimated average of $3,170 per hunt for a total of $1.6M.

Southcentral $10.4K Central/Southeast $7.3K Interior/Northwest $4.8K Southwest $4.2K Northwest/Western $1.4K

59% OF TOTAL INDUSTRY SPENDING

$31.5M (59%) of the $53.5M was spent outside Alaska’s largest communities.