Do you know who funds your state's fish and wildlife agencies?

Most state governments offer little or no financial support to their fish and wildlife agencies. Instead, agencies rely on revenue provided by anglers, target shooters, hunters and boaters through the purchase of licenses and special federal excise taxes on their equipment and fuel taxes on motorboats.

Do you know how much target shooters, hunters, anglers and boaters contribute to conservation?

Target shooters, hunters, anglers and boaters contribute to conservation both financially and actively. From a financial standpoint, they contribute $550 million annually through federal excise taxes on their equipment and more than $1 billion annually through licenses, tags, permits and stamps. As individuals, and through their organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Izaak Walton League, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Trout Unlimited and numerous other organizations, hunters and anglers raise millions of dollars for conservation on an annual basis.

Fishing and Boating Specifics:

Anglers and boaters contribute 420 million dollars annually through an excise tax on fishing equipment and boats. This excise tax is divided among all the states and is used for fish management, outreach and education, and fishing and boating access.

Anglers contribute an additional $481 million dollars through the purchase of fishing licenses and permits. Licenses are sold by each state and the dollars generated are used to enhance the fishery.

The economic impact of fishing is $37.7 billion dollars supporting 1.2 million jobs.

Hunting and Shooting Specifics:

Hunters and shooters contribute 150 million dollars annually through an excise tax that is placed on firearms and ammunition. This excise tax is divided among all the states and used for wildlife management and hunter education.

Hunters contribute another 560 million dollars annually through the purchase of hunting licenses. Licenses are sold by each state and the dollars generated are used toward wildlife management in that state.

The economic impact of hunting and shooting is 30 billion dollars annually supporting more than 986,000 jobs.

Conservation Organizations:

National organizations and local sports clubs made up primarily and hunters and anglers raise significant funds for conservation, primarily wildlife and fishery habitat improvement and education. The following figures represent the amount of funds raised and spent on conservation and education by some of the national organizations:

Ducks Unlimited - $1.4 billion

National Wild Turkey Federation - $130 million

Pheasants Forever $100 million

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation - $150 million

Do you know how many people fish and hunt in the U.S.?

Anglers:

• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are 50 million active anglers in the U.S.
• There are more anglers in the U.S. than golfers and tennis players combined.
• Between 60 and 79 percent of boaters use their boats to fish.

Hunters and Target Shooters:

• The National Shooting Sports Foundation estimates that there are 28 million target shooters and hunters.
• The Archery and Merchants Manufacturers Organization estimates that there are 2,914,300 bow hunters.

Do you know what Americans' attitudes are about traditional outdoor activities?

• The majority of Americans (77%) agree that firearms have a place in society (Roper Starch Worldwide survey).
• The majority of Americans (87%) believe shooting sports are acceptable (Roper Starch Worldwide survey).
• Nearly nine in ten Americans say outdoor recreation benefits the environment because it gives people a reason to care about natural resources.
• Many Americans see outdoor recreation as one of the main reasons to protect the environment.
• According to a Roper Starch Worldwide survey, nearly two in three Americans say that overall, outdoor recreation has a ‘good effect' on the environment.