Ten years ago, Jeff Goodrich was a hard working fishing guide struggling to get by in a business that doesn’t foster getting rich. After returning late one night from yet another hard day working on the water, he popped open a beer and flicked on the TV before dozing off to sleep. Little did he expect what he was about to see would change his life.

“I was sitting there on my couch, not really paying attention, when all of a sudden on the screen I see a picture of the marsh on the lake I guide on every day. I turn up the volume and hear the commentator talking about how this marsh is one of the last known nesting habitats for a specific species of song birds. This gives me an idea and I decided to add ‘bird watching’ to one of my advertisements. A few weeks later the phone rings and I book my first birding trip,” he said.

In 2001, wildlife watchers contributed an estimated $203.7 million to Vermont’s economy. Bird watching and feeding alone was responsible for $50 million. Photo courtesy USFWD.

“It was an older couple, and on the morning of the trip I was pretty nervous because I had never guided bird watchers before. They specifically wanted to see that one species and as we walked down to the dock they stopped to adjust some equipment. I was about to start the boat and when I looked up there was one of those birds playing on the end of the dock. I pointed it out to them and they took out their binoculars and looked at it for a few minutes, then took out their books and checked it off. The man handed me $200 in cash and they left.”

It is estimated that bird viewing, photography, and the maintenance of bird feeders alone contributes an estimated $50 million annually to Vermont’s economy.

While birding is one of the most basic forms of wildlife viewing in Vermont, it is by no means the only one. From moose safaris in the Northeast Kingdom, to eagle outings on Dead Creek, and buffalo or red stag photography in Fairlee, Vermont is a literal Mecca for wildlife viewers and passionate guides. The locals know this, and for many it is one of the things that attracted them to the state. There are also the tertiary effects that wildlife provides, which helps Vermont compete for the all important tourism dollar.

Like it or not, the world of wildlife has become big business in Vermont.

Dollars And Cents

Every five years the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does a national survey measuring participation in wildlife-related activities. Hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing are three areas that are investigated. In 2001, Vermont ranked second nationwide in saying they enjoyed these activities, with 67 percent of the population in agreement. This was only slightly behind Alaska, which led all states with 70 percent.

In general, Vermonters like to hunt, with 15 percent of the population participating. This is the highest ratio in New England. Fishing is also popular, about 21 percent of residents wet a line each year. While these numbers are respectable, when it specifically comes to wildlife viewing they pale in comparison. Vermont leads the nation with over 60 percent of it’s residents participating in this activity. In other polls, this number was as high as 80 percent.

According to the Vermont Natural Resources Council, wildlife watching brings in more revenue to Vermont than hunting and fishing combined. In 2001, wildlife watchers contributed an estimated $203.7 million to the state economy. Hunters and anglers spent about $181.9 million. (There is some debate about these numbers, UVM Resource Economist Dr. Alphonse Gilbert has estimated that hunting contributes $112 million and fishing $120 million annually to Vermont’s economy.)

In terms of state funding, the Nongame and Natural Heritage programs for that same year received about three percent of the overall Fish and Wildlife Department’s budget, in comparison with the Fisheries Division which received about 29 percent, and the Wildlife Division, which oversees hunting and fishing, which received ten percent. Additional Nongame funding comes from the sale of conservation license plates and the Vermont state income tax check-off. These two sources make up a little less than half of the program’s budget.

While there is much crossover in these areas, the bottom line is that wildlife viewing in Vermont is getting a significant “bang for the buck” in terms of dollars invested and dollars returned.

This also does not include the tertiary benefits which accompany wildlife which can not be viewed in dollars and cents.

Fringe Benefits

Vermont tourism studies indicate that the average tourist in Vermont will make at least five visits to the state, and that “smallness” is one of the primary factors which people cite as their reason for coming. They also enjoy the complete package that Vermont offers. Nature and wildlife are a big part of that package.

“Wildlife is so important to Vermont and tourism because of the mixed opportunities it presents,” said Graydon Stevens, Executive Director of the Vermont Outdoor Guide’s Association.

“The nature of the business is that it is a part of the guiding industry, whether it be in conjunction with biking, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, fishing…even hot air ballooning,” he said.

Other industry professionals share this view.

“Wildlife viewing is getting bigger,” said Jeremy Brooks of Brooks To Bays Nature Tours in Ferrisburgh, “that’s why we started the company. Outdoor recreation in general is big,” he said.

“Wildlife is usually our primary focus, but we use other means to do it such as kayaking and hiking,” he said. “People love it. When we hear a bird call and put the face of a bird with a particular sound it is really special to them.”

“The state has also invested a lot of money in advertising out of state, which highlights wildlife,” said Stevens, “Even look at all the health and wellness programs. Their new marketing is incorporating nature at unprecedented levels.”

A Focus

In the Northeast Kingdom, a handful of moose safaris are currently being offered to tourists, and that is growing every year. There are also several other wildlife-related opportunities which sometimes fly below the radar.

In Fairlee, you can enjoy photographing exotic species including red deer, Corsican ram, and bison on a private preserve. If that is not your cup of tea, than perhaps you would prefer a day of falconry in Putney, caving in Wells, wildlife journaling in Woodstock, dog sledding in Moretown or llama treks in Huntington.

These are all on top of the growing number of “more traditional” programs which include wildlife tracking, whitewater rafting, climbing, backcountry skiing, ballooning, eco tours, ATV’ing, winter survival, snowshoeing, hang gliding, and much more.

While the state as a whole is benefiting from wildlife, few guides who are working in Vermont full time are getting rich doing it. Their draw stems more from the passion they have for nature and teaching than their desire to line their pockets.

Many of the other benefactors are also small stores, inns, and motels in remote locations who are happy to have the business, especially in the traditional “off-season.”

“Because Vermont is so rural it is hard to go outside without seeing wildlife,” said Stevens. “I don’t know where you would go in the state not to see it.”

The reality is that the current competition for tourist dollars is fierce. To compete you must take full advantage of any assets you might possess. In many cases, the ability to recognize these assets is no simple matter. Fortunately, Vermonters have always been good at finding song birds—especially when someone is willing to pay $200 to see one.

Christopher Clark is a frequent contributor to Livin’ The Vermont Way magazine.