Measuring the Impact: Arkansas Duck Hunting Take Estimated to be $4M Daily

For decades, those in and around the Arkansas duck hunting industry have heard or quipped that duck season has a $1 million-a-day impact on the state’s economy. The origin of that impact is beyond dated as it’s never been adjusted for inflation. On top of that, the growth of goose hunting hasn’t been included nor has the rising prices of land, leases, gear and the like.

However, a recent economic analysis has assessed how proposed rules for migratory bird hunting may impact the 2024-25 season.

The latest studies indicate the economic impact statewide is now triple the previous estimate.

According to a study released in January 2024 by the Economics Branch of Policy, Economics, Risk Management and Analytics with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, daily consumer spending in the Mississippi Flyway now ranges between $58 and $75, totaling around $293 million — and representing the most spending among the four recognized flyways in the country.

In the state of Arkansas, according to the study, the estimated expenditures of migratory bird hunters in 2022 totaled $306.39 million, which breaks down to $4.25 million per day over a 72-day Arkansas waterfowl season.

“The previous model [of the economic study] is based upon a 1990 study that analyzed the tradeoff between season length and bag limit assuming a desired total harvest of ducks. Around the turn of the 21st century, that 1990 study was modified to estimate the impacts of the migratory bird framework alternatives.”

The analysis stated that the Migratory Bird Treaty Act permits states to set their own hunting restrictions provided they stay within the federal maximum bag limit.

“We are collecting information from the [Prairie Pothole Region] to set a limit as to how many birds you can hunt … just to maintain the population,” said Ranjitsinh Mane, a regional economist with the Arkansas Economic Development Institute, who played a pivotal role in the study’s collection.

“Based on the results that we provided, there is considerable impact on small towns in the state of Arkansas. The sector that has the most impact is … retail,” Mane said, referring to the $242 million spent on equipment statewide.

The study additionally showed that with the preferred regulations similar to those of the 2023-24 season, total consumer surplus spending in the U.S. would be around $701 million. Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bethany Hildebrand agreed, stating small towns like Stuttgart are greatly impacted by the tourism brought on by duck season.

“It’s certainly the busiest 60 days of the year for us. Our restaurants are always full. Of course, Mack’s [Prairie Wings] is always full,” Hildebrand said. “Any day of duck season is important to our local economy. We have tons of hunting clubs around here that directly benefit from hunting season so certainly, that season would be the largest economic booster for our community of the year.”

Hildebrand said that with the influx of visitors during hunting season, local stores see increased traffic, giving the town’s tax revenue a boost as well.