http://www.fws.gov/news/ShowNe...A35-DD249638905B977D



Press Release
Service Provides $1.1 Billion to State Wildlife Agencies Benefiting Outdoor Recreationists, Conservation, Regional Economies
April 28, 2015

Contact(s):
Christina Meister, christina_meister@fws.gov, (703) 358-2284


WASHINGTON – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it will distribute $1.1 billion in revenues generated by the hunting and angling industry to state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies throughout the nation. The funds support critical fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects that benefit all Americans.

The Service apportions the funds to all 50 states and U.S. territories through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration programs. Revenues come from excise taxes generated by the sale of sporting firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, electric boat motors, and from taxes on the purchase of motorboat fuel.

“These funds are the cornerstone of state-based efforts that are critical to the preservation of America’s wildlife and natural resources,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “But they are also the fuel for a massive financial engine that benefits outdoor recreationists, hunters, boaters and anglers, equipment manufacturers and retailers, and local and regional economies. Their value cannot be overstated in providing opportunities for the next generation of Americans to get outdoors, experience our wild places and learn the importance of conserving our natural heritage.”

Pittman Robertson-Dingell Johnson funds are distributed by the Service’s Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program. Since their inception, the programs have generated more than $15 billion to conserve fish and wildlife resources and support outdoor recreation opportunities for the American public. The recipient State fish and wildlife agencies have matched these funds with more than $5 billion over the years, mostly through hunting and fishing license revenues.

“The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program provides critical funding for conservation projects and outdoor recreation activities across this great nation,” said Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton of the Service’s WSFR program. “I can’t stress enough that the key to the program’s success is through our dedicated partnerships with State agencies, non-government organizations and many others.”

“It is thanks to this significant financial investment made by America’s sportsmen and women and the hunting, shooting sports, angling and boating industries that state and territorial fish and wildlife agencies can deliver science-based conservation on the ground,” said Larry Voyles, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies President and Arizona Game and Fish Department Director. “The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program has made the difference between the survival and abundance of some species and it helps agencies, like mine, manage a vast estate of lands and waters and connect more people to wildlife-related recreation.”

Below is a state-by-state listing of the Service’s final apportionment of Wildlife Restoration Funds and Sport Fish Restoration funds for Fiscal Year 2015. To learn more about the Service’s WSFR program visit: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/.




STATE


ALABAMA


$25,562,321


ALASKA


$51,951,630


AMERICAN SAMOA

$2,502,516


ARIZONA


$27,219,443


ARKANSAS


$19,403,525


CALIFORNIA


$44,134,573


COLORADO


$28,516,034


CONNECTICUT


$9,242,606


DELAWARE


$8,232,316


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

$1,155,056


FLORIDA


$25,607,039


GEORGIA


$25,236,594


GUAM


$2,502,516


HAWAII


$8,232,316


IDAHO


$21,670,126


ILLINOIS


$23,783,360


INDIANA


$18,386,530


IOWA


$16,502,569


KANSAS


$19,984,814


KENTUCKY


$19,623,501


LOUISIANA


$22,570,941


MAINE


$11,872,265


MARYLAND


$11,140,015


MASSACHUSETTS

$11,131,347


MICHIGAN


$37,569,842


MINNESOTA


$37,850,616


MISSISSIPPI


$15,109,447


MISSOURI


$29,783,609


MONTANA


$29,781,997


N. MARIANA ISLANDS

$2,502,516


NEBRASKA


$17,608,725


NEVADA


$19,340,531


NEW HAMPSHIRE

$8,232,316


NEW JERSEY


$11,131,347


NEW MEXICO


$22,125,164


NEW YORK


$28,927,341


NORTH CAROLINA

$31,320,942


NORTH DAKOTA

$16,004,762


OHIO


$24,084,830


OKLAHOMA


$25,729,133


OREGON


$26,047,277


PENNSYLVANIA


$37,974,470


PUERTO RICO


$7,024,381


RHODE ISLAND


$8,232,316


SOUTH CAROLINA

$15,674,905


SOUTH DAKOTA


$19,016,379


TENNESSEE


$31,366,355


TEXAS


$54,850,661


UTAH


$20,944,045


VERMONT


$8,232,316


VIRGIN ISLANDS

$2,502,516


VIRGINIA


$19,431,901


WASHINGTON


$22,215,325


WEST VIRGINIA


$12,088,070


WISCONSIN


$36,479,149


WYOMING $19,662,264


The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel and download photos from our Flickr page.

The Fish and Wildlife distributes money from a self imposed tax on Sportsman.Every time you buy a new firearm 11% goes into this fund.The Federal Government give you nothing.Its your money being used for Conservation,shooting ranges ,hiking trails etc.OB

What he said ^

I agree it is a self imposed tax. If it was not there, would we as sportsmen and women be diciplined enough to collect the money ourselves? How would we hand it out? I realize we have more government than we need/want, but in this case I think they are doing a pretty good job for us.

This is one tax I do not mind paying, I was not surprised to see that Texas will receive the most money but I was surprised at the amount California will receive. Good for the hunters and fishermen of California! I know Texas Parks and Wildlife will use the funds properly and I hope all of the other states will do the same.

I just have to ask, why are you so surprised about California?
The state is not LA and San Fran from border to border.
The state is enormous and full of mountains and coastline and fishing and hunting. People outside the crazy cities that get all the press are normal hunting, fishing, logging, ranching, farming people.

Guam ?

Grizz

Great news!

Someone should show this to the bunny huggers!

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I just have to ask, why are you so surprised about California?
The state is not LA and San Fran from border to border.
The state is enormous and full of mountains and coastline and fishing and hunting. People outside the crazy cities that get all the press are normal hunting, fishing, logging, ranching, farming people.

What! I don't need to wear Birkenstocks, drive a Prius, Vote for Feinstein and Boxer?

I can hunt and fish? Now you guys tell me

quote:

Originally posted by Snellstrom:
I just have to ask, why are you so surprised about California?
The state is not LA and San Fran from border to border.
The state is enormous and full of mountains and coastline and fishing and hunting. People outside the crazy cities that get all the press are normal hunting, fishing, logging, ranching, farming people.

Ignorance on my part, I had just never thought of California as having that many hunters. 30 minutes research says I was wrong, as I said, Good for the hunters and fishermen in California!

Was this some surprise or something? My understanding is this distribution is SOP and not unexpected.

Why do the islands get anything?

quote:

Originally posted by Ole Miss Guy:
Why do the islands get anything?

"Because" of a couple reasons, they sold licenses, firearms, ammo and equipment that generated tax monies and they have lands and wildlife that require management or improvements to sustain said wildlife.

As long as the money is used to support the hunting community.

During the Clinton years millions of dollars were stolen and used to support the anti gun/hunting agenda.

I wonder how much of that $44,134,573 for California
will be devoted to "critical fish and wildlife
conservation" of the delta smelt.