ATLANTA - Georgia Department of Natural Resources officials say those who spend money on outdoor recreation in the state have added more than $5.5 billion to its economy.
Department spokeswoman Melissa Cummings said in a statement Wednesday that results of a survey showed the number of people participating in Georgia's outdoor recreational activities has increased by more than 400,000 since 2006.
Cummings says Georgia's figures were included in the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, which is conducted every five years by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
Cummings says state and federal organizations use the survey to plan and manage outdoor and wildlife-related recreation programs.
The department released the findings ahead of National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is Saturday.