Feds Grant $1 Billion to Wildlife Agencies from Gun, Equipment Sales

By Chris Eger

A pair of long-standing federal excise taxes on hunting and fishing gear has produced over $21 billion in funds for conservation efforts at the state and territory level over the years. (Photo: USF&WS)
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on Monday announced over $1 billion in funding collected from the long-standing excise tax on the sale of guns, ammo, archery, and fishing equipment.
The funds were collected included $673 million from the Pittman-Robertson and $365 million from the Dingell-Johnson programs, which have levied taxes against manufacturers of hunting and fishing equipment since 1937 and 1950, respectively. The initiative makes America’s sportsmen conservationists as they have contributed $21 billion over the years for the benefit of public recreation, wildlife restoration, and hunter’s education through their everyday purchases.
“For many decades funds generated by these programs have consistently supported millions of acres and miles of outdoor recreation access and wildlife habitat in this country,” said Margaret Everson, F&WS’s principal deputy director. “Thanks to industry, states and hunters, shooters, anglers and boaters, America’s wildlife and natural resources and the opportunities they provide will be available for generations to come.”
Enacted during the Great Depression, Pittman-Robertson is credited with saving the sport of hunting in large part and

Source: Guns.com