Assimilated and Written by
John Cox, M.A. C/M et al.
“We are seeing, and continue to see, misinformation from the Hunting and Trapping community. Disinformation within their advertising campaigns, as well, in the matters of who contributes to State F&W Services, in all 50 States. Fiscally, as we review State Budgets, and money obtained — We see $3.3 Billion annually, from marked-up products having to do with outdoor sports, all, and the Hunters and Trappers want us to suppose all of those merchandise taxes paid, from them — Even though it is from non-hunters as well. They also have a $-Amount of $111 Billion dollars, trying to say that is what they pay annually — it is not so. That covers a twenty year time periods and within all 50 States, of merchandise-tax we all pay
We also find, at State F&W levels, the costs of license and permits covers, most often 30% to 60% in some states, the Administrative Expenses to sell and regulate Laws. The other 40% to 70% is obtained through Taxpayer Money, both State and Federal, and Conservation of Lands and Waterways not included. Now Let’s discuss the actual Conservation Funded — as larger problems exist here — For example Washingyon and Oregon, only w.4% of all money received to them, goes to Conservation Efforts. But let’s explore this further.
U.S. fish and wildlife conservation is funded by a mix of federal, state, and private money totaling billions annually, primarily supported by excise taxes on gear and license fees paid by hunters, anglers, and boaters, alongside significant federal general tax revenue. While state agencies rely heavily on hunting/fishing revenue (roughly $3.3 billion annually Nation Wide i.e. 50 States, et al.), the overall, larger scope of federal and general conservation is increasingly funded by the general public.
Who Pays for Wildlife Conservation?
Hunters and Anglers (“Users”): Through the Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Program, hunters, anglers, and shooters pay federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and fishing equipment, which are distributed to states. They also pay for state hunting/fishing licenses, tags, and stamps.
Boaters: A portion of the federal gas tax attributed to motorboat fuel use funds aquatic conservation.
General Public (Taxpayers): A significant portion of federal agency funding (e.g., US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service) comes from general federal income taxes, not user fees.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) & Private Sector: Conservation groups, NGOs, and private landowners contribute to habitat protection and conservation initiatives.
Breakdown of Funding Sources (State Level)
State wildlife agency budgets, totaling roughly $5.6 billion, are driven by (Budget Money assimilated via all 50 States — Over all, so there is no confusion that each state receives that amount, because they do not):
~40% to 60% Hunting/Fishing Licenses & Federal Excise Taxes: User-fee based funding, making up the bulk of state budgets.
~40% to 70% Other Sources: State general funds, dedicated sales taxes (e.g., Missouri), federal grants, and donations.
Breakdown of Federal Wildlife Spending (USFWS)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has a budget of over $4 billion, including over $2 billion in direct appropriations and $2 billion in permanent, primarily state-directed funding.
The USFWS Resource Management account covers endangered species, migratory birds, and habitat management.
Non-hunting Contribution: Some studies estimate that 94% of total (state + federal) wildlife conservation funding comes from the non-hunting public, while hunters, through specific taxes, fund about 5-6% of the total, though this is heavily debated by user-centric funding studies.
Key Funding Trends
Declining Hunter Numbers: The decline in hunting participation is creating a “funding gap” for state agencies reliant on license fees.
The “User Pays” System: The Pittman-Robertson Act (hunting) and Dingell-Johnson Act (fishing) create a consistent, reliable revenue stream for state agencies, often referred to as “user fees”.
Increased Need for General Funding: With the decrease in hunters, there is growing pressure to diversify funding sources beyond license sales and excise taxes, in the matters of Administration Only.
Not included here is the Bureau of Lands Management, The USDA Forestry, the National Park Service, The Department of the Interior (and subsidizes), as well as other agencies within the Federal and State levels, receive only Tax Payer money for Conservation Efforts and Lands and Wildlife Management.
So we see the fabrication, from Hunting and Trapping people and Non-Profits, that take the information they do have, and make it appear, via the Disinformation Process, as if they pay everything related to Hunting and Trapping, in this discussion, for example. We are being polite about the situation here, as it is the lies they are Conservationists, to begin with, and pay for everything. . .
Also not included here is the Budgets and outright financing received from Taxpayers, that continue to correct, to repair, to re-establish Wildlife, as well as common bullet-ridden Highway Signs (e,g, $415 Million per year+, Restroom Repairs & Maintenance in or near Wilderness areas, among many other costly situations i.e. RV or Quad damages in Wilderness areas, et al., among others.
Change is required, actually needed.” — by Preservation of America’s Wildlife — Toni Davis, PhD Research Biologist, Mike Schultz, M.F.A. Large Mammal Biologist, John Cox, M.A. C/M, et al.
Photojournalist - Journalist 