Hunting season has positive impact on economy

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- Hunting is a wildly popular sport in Ohio with many hunters taking time off of work to hunt their game. Hunting is also great on the economy especially here in Muskingum County.

Hunting season brings in loads of revenue for hunting areas. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says “hunting has a more than 853-million-dollar economic impact” on the state. Some of that revenue is generated through the sale of equipment for hunters. Kelly Ashby, Vice-President of the Chamber, says Muskingum County is a top destination for hunting which is another way the revenue is generated.

“While they’re here they’re staying in our cabins and in our hotels. Bed and breakfast. They’re camping. They’re eating. They’re buying supplies. So it’s a wonderful economic impact on the County.”

Ashby says this also has an economic affect on churches and organizations because they play a big part in feeding hunters while they’re in the area. Another thing the county does to help generate revenue during the season is preparing ahead of time by attending trade shows.

“Through the Convention of Visitors Bureau we go to several trade shows every year to talk about Muskingum County as an outdoor destination. And in that marketing material we talk about the area as a great place for hunters. So we’ve been able to market Muskingum County to those potential hunters to say ‘when you’re thinking about where you want to go hunt, think about Muskingum County’.

Gun hunting season will end December 3rd, but hunters will have another opportunity to hunt December 16th and 17th.