A record $882.4 million will be disbursed to state wildlife agencies this year through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced last week.
Revenues for both programs are comprised of excise taxes generated from the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment and tackle, electric outboard motors, and fuel taxes attributable to motorboats and small engines.
Due in large part to increased firearm and ammunition sales, this year’s Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration apportionment totals a record $522.5 million, up from $371.2 in 2012. The previous high was $472.7 million in 2010. These funds are made available to all 50 states for a wide range of qualifying projects, including wildlife population surveys, species research, hunter education, acquisition of wildlife habitat, and the development of shooting ranges, among others.
