If you went hunting, fishing, boating, crawfishing, shrimping, bird watching, crabbing or enjoyed some other activity outdoors in 2006 you contributed to an economic impact of nearly $7 billion in Louisiana, according to a report released last week by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Impressive, huh? The total underscores the importance and value of the state’s woods and waters inland and along the coast.

The report said hunting, fishing, boating, etc., generated $4.61 billion and the total economic effect of those expenditures reached $6.75 billion, DW&F spokesman David Lavergne said. The outdoors also supported 76,700 jobs and generated an estimated $446.2 million in state and local government tax revenues.

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“The wide reach of this agency’s responsibilities, additional to recreational hunting and fishing licensing and regulation enforcement, is seen in the value of all facets of the fish and game management oversight,” said department secretary Robert Barham.

Hunting, recreational fishing, wildlife watching, feeding and photography outdoors combined to generate about $2 billion in retail sales, supporting more than 37,000 jobs. Retail sales for recreational boating -- more than $980 million in 2006 -- accounted for nearly 15,000 jobs.

Commercial fishing produced retail sales of $1.8 billion while providing nearly 27,000 jobs. Wildlife-based commercial activities, including alligator trapping, fur harvesting and reptile and amphibian collecting, generated $62 million in retail sales and supported nearly 800 jobs.

The report was prepared by Southwick and Associates Inc., a firm experienced in the economic analysis of wildlife and fisheries activities around the country. Copies may be obtained by calling (225) 765-2864 or by going to www.wlf.louisiana.gov/pdfs/education/Southwick_2006_final_final_report_5-27-08.pdf.

The shortest ever red snapper season for recreational fishermen is scheduled to end at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. The recreational harvest will resume on June 1, 2009.

Unlike the tasty fish, this red snapper season really was hard to swallow. By the time the season ends, hundreds of saltwater fishermen along the coast of Louisiana will have had just 66 days to probe the depths of the Gulf of Mexico.

The daily creel limit is laughable at two red snapper per person. The minimum length limit is 13 inches.

Teche Area anglers who ventured offshore before, during and after the 55th annual Iberia Rod & Gun Club Saltwater Fishing Rodeo reported good fishing for red snapper. It’s a shame it has to end so soon.

As a free customer service, Bass Pro Shops will have a Boone and Crockett Club associate measurer on staff at 50 stores, including the new one in Denham Springs, the chain announced last week.

“This partnership provides millions of hunters with easy access to a certified measurer. It’s a new convenience spawned by demand �” we’re seeing all-time high interest in our records program, which speaks to the success of modern conservation, said Boone and Crockett Club’s Keith Balfourd.

DON SHOOPMAN is outdoors editor of The Daily Iberian.