Pittman-Robertson: $14 Billion Taxes for Conservation
Back in 1937, in the heart of the Depression and the Dust Bowl, America looked around itself and realized that our wild spaces were in serious trouble. Nobody had much money back then, but everyone agreed that we needed to do a better job of conserving America’s natural resources. The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, which you know as the Pittman-Robertson fund, is one tax that even a “Tea Partier” like yours truly doesn’t mind. Today, it’s topped a staggering $14.1 billion in contributions.
The Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund is a tax paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers on the products they produce. The excise tax is set at 11 percent of the wholesale price for long guns and ammunition and 10 percent of the wholesale price for handguns. The excise tax, paid by manufacturers and importers, applies basically to all firearms produced or imported for commercial sales, whether their purpose is for recreational shooting, hunting or personal defense. The tax is currently administered by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the Department of the Treasury, which turns the funds over to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
USFWS then deposits the Pittman-Robertson revenue into a special account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund, which is administered by the USFWS. These funds are made available to states and territories the year following their collection.
These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars collected since 1937 under the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation. Collectively, purchasers of firearms and ammunition, hunters and the industry are the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.
“This is truly a remarkable win for wildlife conservation,” said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF’s President and CEO. “This fund has been responsible for the restoration and recovery of America’s iconic game species, including the Rocky Mountain elk, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, wild turkeys and a variety of waterfowl. It is also responsible for funding the recovery and conservation of nongame species, including the American bald eagle, reptiles, fauna and conservation lands that allow them to thrive. The firearm industry is proud to perform such an important and vital function to ensure America’s wildlife remains abundant for future generations.”
Of course, not all gun owners are thrilled about Pittman-Robertson. Many point out (correctly) that it places a disproportionate burden on those of us who only wish to exercise our Second Amendment rights. After all, our wild spaces are a public good–why isn’t the whole public on the hook, too? What are your thoughts? Sound off in the comments!
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From tag to table — official season dates for all 50 states, plus safe doneness temps for your harvest.
| Species | Archery | Firearm |
|---|---|---|
| Deer | Sep–Oct | Nov |
| Elk | Sep | Oct–Nov |
| Turkey | — | Apr–May |
All 50 state wildlife agencies, plus how seasons, tags and licenses work.
Find your state → Network| Doneness | Target |
|---|---|
| Rare | 125–130°F |
| Medium-rare | 130–135°F |
| Well-done | 160°F+ |
Safe pull temps for venison and steak, from Popular BBQ.
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This act has been serving since it was formed and is still serving it’s purpose.
As shooters / hunters and second amendment followers—we are proud to be a part of the contributions to this fund.
If this program had been proposed or newly implemented today (as opposed to during the great depression), I would say it’s another act of slowly smothering away our right of self-defense.
I am grateful that our country has established some conservation programs. I’ve personally lived in another country that hardly rationed it’s resources at all. It’s sad to hear it’s folks say they haven’t even seen any deer in 20 years whereas they had been plentiful prior. I don’t always agree with certain rules and management that have been established by our national parks, state parks, state lands, etc, but overall I’m glad we haven’t destroyed all our land and wildlife.
Government at it’s best when they show up and say “We are here to HELP” No scarier words are ever spoken.
I’m curious as to the oversight on these funds. We’ve all seen that the BATF is not exactly a reputable group of people.
Is there a way to see how the fund has been divvied up over the years?
(The GoogleFu is weak in this one)
I think it is a great thing for all firearm owner to be proud of, our monies are going to help in so many ways.
As long as the politicians can’t or don’t get their hands on it, it should be around to continue helping in the future.
I may never go to a national park to benefit from the money, it is nice to know others will benefit.
Why is the tax only on guns? Seems to me that it should be on outdoor recreation equipment. Things like tents, camping gear, kayaks, powerboats, even camp trailers. After all those items are actually used in the areas that need assistance.
Pittman Robertson has been the backbone funding for conserving and preserving America’s wild ghame species as well as wild game habitat. It is true the firearms and hunting sports have made a disproportionate contribution considering the number of sportsman that hunt in relation to the general public population. But that is fine by my standards since I believe that gives the Hunting community a valuable trump card when conservation funds are to be spent.. The issue may be who is in charge of the BATF under any admin. The current choice, David Chipman would be disastrous for sportsman as well as conservation of wildlife as he could “divert” or restrict the spigot of funds. Write your Senators to let them know your concerns.
If sportsman did not pay the tax to support wildlife ,etc. The govt would use that for some other usess item
Sounds misleading to me, a so-called conservation development next to me violated every aspect of protecting the environment, not just on the effected property but all adjoining properties as well!