Hunters, Fishers Pony Up $478 Million For State Wildlife Agencies
Environment News Services
May 6, 2003


WASHINGTON, DC - Some $478 million in excise taxes paid by America's hunters, anglers and boaters will be divvied up among state fish and wildlife agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Steve Williams announced Monday.
The two laws that allow for the taxes - the Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937, and the Dingell-Johnson Act, enacted in 1950 - collectively have raised more than $8.5 billion.

"Anglers and hunters have been the leading force for conservation in America," said Williams. "By supporting these excise taxes, they are contributing critical funds for maintaining and restoring our fish and wildlife resources."

The agencies will use the money for fish and wildlife conservation by acquiring land, improving habitat, and conducting research, education, and other programs, Williams said, and to help pay for hunter safety, aquatic education and fish and wildlife-related recreation projects.

The wildlife restoration apportionment for 2003 totals $213 million, with $39 million apportioned for hunter education. The apportionment for sport fish restoration for 2003 totals more than $265 million.

The Pittmans Robertson Act of 1937 authorizes an 11 percent excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition, a 10 percent tax on pistols and revolvers and an 11 percent tax on certain archery equipment. Half of the tax on handguns and archery equipment is made available for state hunter education and safety programs.

This money is put into the Wildlife Restoration Program - these funds are made available based on land area and inland waters such as lakes and large rivers, and the number of hunting license holders in each state. Distribution of hunter education funds is based on the relative population of each state.

States use Wildlife Restoration Program funds to manage wildlife populations, habitat, research, surveys and inventories and to fund hunter education.

Enacted in 1950, the Dingell-Johnson Act collects funds for the Sport Fish Restoration program through a 10 percent excise tax on fishing equipment and a three percent tax on electric trolling motors and sonar fish finders.

This money is distributed based land and water area and the number of fishing license holders in each state.

It is used for a range of efforts to ensure there are places for people to catch sport fish - and fish for them to catch.

Funds from both wildlife and sporting fishing pay for up to 75 percent of the cost of each project while the states contribute at least 25 percent.

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