New numbers show outdoor rec is economic force in Wyoming

Hunting, fishing, hiking, climbing, mountain biking or kayaking — they’re more than just a way of life for most Wyomingites. They’re also big money.

A new study released by the Outdoor Industry Association shows outdoor recreation of all kinds generated $5.6 billion for Wyoming’s economy in 2016. It also supported 50,000 jobs.

Even more significant is the increase from 2012, said Domenic Bravo, administrator for Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails. Money raised from outdoor recreation jumped from $4.5 billion to $5.6 billion.

“We already have a very strong outdoor recreation economy,” Bravo said. “If we put the optics on it, we can enhance it and support it even more than we have now.”

The study results came out shortly before Wyoming’s first Outdoor Recreation Task Force is set to release its final recommendations. Gov. Matt Mead formed the task force in late 2015 as a way to expand Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy. The roughly 30-member panel worked throughout the year to come up with formal ideas to be presented at the end of September.

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