Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Hunting

The Pittman-Robertson Act’s Support to Wildlife

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

The Pittman-Robertson Act’s Support to Wildlife

It may be hard to believe today, but in the 1930s the sighting of even one whitetail deer was a notable event. Expansion of the U.S. population into game habitat areas and unregulated hunting led many populations of game species to plummet. Today, however, the nationwide deer population is nearly 32 million strong. Similar increases have taken place among many species, including ducks, wild turkeys, and other game birds and furbearers.  These wildlife successes, enjoyed by all Americans, are the direct result of decades of hard work and funding provided by the nation’s hunters and shooters.

 

 

 

 

The multitude of conservation programs that helped restore game populations are largely funded by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937,commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, which derives its revenues from sportsmen through excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and hunting equipment. In 1950, following the amazing successes of Pittman-Robertson,Congress passed the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, commonly known as Dingell-Johnson  or Wallop-Breaux. Under this program, revenue generated from excise taxes on fishing equipment goes toward restoring and improving America’s fishery resources.  Since its establishment, Pittman-Robertson has collected nearly $7.2 billion to fund conservation efforts across the country.1 

Pittman-Robertson imposes an 11% excise tax on long guns, ammunition and archery equipment, and a 10% excise tax on handguns. Revenue is deposited in a special trust fund under the management of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be used for state wildlife restoration projects. One-half of the tax revenue collected on handguns and archery equipment may be used by state fish and wildlife agencies for hunter safety training and range development. Since its establishment, Pittman-Robertson has collected nearly $7.2 billion to fund conservation efforts across the country.1 

Sportsmen are the primary supporters of efforts to protect game species. Conservation efforts, fueled by Pittman-Robertson funds, such as the acquisition and improvement of wildlife habitat,  research, public access  facilities, and hunter education programs, along with state wildlife agencies that carefully regulate hunting, have helped restore and now conserve America’s abundant wildlife populations.  

1 See the FY2016 fund apportionment at http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/WR/WRFinalApportionment2016.pdf

 

IN THIS ARTICLE
Pittman-Robertson Act
TRENDING NOW
U.S. Senate Forced to Remove Pro-Gun Language from Reconciliation Bill

News  

Friday, June 27, 2025

U.S. Senate Forced to Remove Pro-Gun Language from Reconciliation Bill

Today, the U.S. Senate was forced to remove the pro-gun language that had been previously included in the Reconciliation Bill currently making its way through the chamber. We explained in a previous article that this language would, ...

U.S. Senate Adds Pro-Gun Tax Relief Language Back into Reconciliation Bill

News  

Saturday, June 28, 2025

U.S. Senate Adds Pro-Gun Tax Relief Language Back into Reconciliation Bill

Overnight, the U.S. Senate added pro-gun tax relief language back into the Reconciliation bill after the Senate Parliamentarian struck out an earlier provision.  While this new provision is not as expansive as the language we advocated for which ...

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

U.S. Court of Appeals Backtracks on Adverse Suppressor Ruling

News  

Monday, June 23, 2025

U.S. Court of Appeals Backtracks on Adverse Suppressor Ruling

In a single sentence, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit added to the high-profile and consequential national conversation on firearm suppressors.

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

North Carolina: Update on Gun Bills Moving through the General Assembly

Recently, House Bill 193 (H193) was reported favorably out of both the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Rules Committee, with amendments.

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down CA’s One-Gun-A-Month Law

Friday, June 20, 2025

Ninth Circuit Strikes Down CA’s One-Gun-A-Month Law

Today, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that California’s law prohibiting people from buying more than one firearm in a 30-day period violates the Second Amendment.

News  

Second Amendment  

Friday, June 27, 2025

Joint Statement from Pro-Gun Groups on the Senate Reconciliation Bill

On behalf of millions of NRA members and gun owners, we stand united in calling on Congress to uphold Americans' Second Amendment rights and zero out the NFA's excise tax on suppressors and short-barreled firearms.

Minnesota: Shotgun-Only Hunting Zones Repealed

Friday, June 20, 2025

Minnesota: Shotgun-Only Hunting Zones Repealed

On Monday, June 9th, outside of regular session, the Senate passed the Environment Omnibus bill, removing shotgun-only hunting zones in the state. 

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance released its portion of the Senate version of the Reconciliation Bill. Late last month, the U.S. House passed a version of the Reconciliation Bill which included Section 2 of the ...

California: Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled for Hearings Next Week

Thursday, June 26, 2025

California: Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled for Hearings Next Week

On Tuesday, July 1st, the Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees will hold hearings on several anti-gun bills aimed at further restricting the rights of law-abiding Californians. Please use the Take Action button below to contact ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.