Missouri hunting and fishing licenses on the decline

Could hunting and fishing be losing its popularity? 

The number of hunting and fishing licenses sold in Missouri is on the decline. 

A Jefferson City newspaper reports there are more than 654-thousand hunters and anglers in Missouri. 

That’s about five-thousand fewer licenses than the state gave out in 2022. 

The department’s Eric Edwards says he expects the 2023 number to see steady participation from 2022. 

He says during the past five years, the number of Missouri hunters and anglers has declined by about four-thousand people.