Data available in the four national surveys of fishing and hunting (1955, 1960, 1965, 1970) were used to identify how participation in fishing and hunting has changed during the recent environmental movement. Participation in fishing has increased in nearly all segments of the population while participation in hunting has remained the same or may have decreased slightly. Participation in small game hunting decreased while participation in big game and waterfowl hunting increased. A decrease in participation in hunting was most notable in rural areas among farmers and farm laborers. The data in the national surveys did not indicate that an increased environmental awareness has influenced participation in fishing or hunting any substantial degree.
