Pittman-Robertson Contributions Now Top $15 Billion for Wildlife Conservation

Most people involved with hunting know that hunters and sport shooters fund the vast majority of wildlife conservation in the United States through license fees and taxes on guns, ammo and other equipment. Yet it’s likely that few realize just how much that tax levied on guns and gear at the manufacturer level actually contributes to the states for conservation projects.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearm industry trade association, the gun industry recently surpassed the $15 billion mark in contributions to the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund (Pittman-Robertson) since its inception in 1937.

“This is an achievement for which all in the firearm and ammunition industry are proud,” Joe Bartozzi, NSSF’s President and CEO, said in a news release. “This historic milestone is indicative of the value this industry places on the conservation of wildlife and the habitats in which they thrive. The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, which is mainly funded by taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers, has been responsible for the restoration and recovery of America’s iconic game species, including the Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkey and a variety of waterfowl. These funds have also contributed to the recovery of non-game species that are not hunted, including the American bald eagle.”

Click here to read the entire article at NRAHLF.org.