Hey, we should pat ourselves on the back after this report from the Outdoor Industry Association.

Louisiana residents who love the outdoors, like we do in the Sportsman’s Paradise, are responsible for pumping billions of dollars into the economy each and every year. The OIA report demonstrates the powerful impact outdoor recreation has on the state.

According to the report released Thursday, the outdoor recreation economy in Louisiana directly contributes 103,000 jobs and annually generates $12.2 billion in consumer spending and $893 million in state and local tax revenues.

The report also noted that 57 percent of the state’s 4.7 million residents participate in outdoor recreation each year. It’d be a safe bet that percentage is much, much higher here in the Teche Area, the heart of Acadiana, where we have such a passion for fishing and hunting.

“The outdoor recreation economy is a powerful economic engine across the country. Today’s report reminds us all that no matter where we come from or our political affiliation, we all thrive outside,” Amy Roberts said last week.

Robert’s, OIA’s executive director, also said, “We see that in every state, the outdoor recreation economy is contributing to healthier economies and healthier communities, and we’re calling on our elected officials to continue supporting and advocating policies that invest in outdoor recreation.”

OIA, she said, urges state policymakers to do the following:

• Adequately fund state and local parks and trails to make them attractive and accessible to families and friends seeking to get outside.

• Take steps to raise awareness of the importance of the outdoor recreation economy.

• Develop and plan urban areas in a way that allows every resident to get outside and recreate within 30 minutes of their home.

• Support policies that encourage outdoor innovators to start businesses in Louisiana.

The Boulder, Colorado-based OIA reported the outdoor recreation economy generates $887 billion in consumer spending and sustains 7.6 million American jobs.

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The area’s many hunters can go online to see hunting rules, regulations and season dates for the 2017-18 season. 

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries released the pamphlet online at the LDWF website www.wlf.louisiana.gov/regulations.

Printed copies of the pamphlet will be available in early August at LDWF offices across the state and at vendors where hunting and fishing licenses are sold.

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.