In a record year, hunters, anglers, target shooters, scary black gun purchasers, zombie slayers, and boaters, contributed
$1,100,000,000 to conservation via a special tax on equipment, and mostly guns.
Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewel in making the announcement said,
“People who enjoy hunting, fishing, boating and recreational shooting provide a strong foundation for conservation funding in this country. The taxes they pay on equipment and boating fuel support critical fish and wildlife management and conservation efforts, create access for recreational boating, and underpin education programs that help get kids outdoors.”
Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell and David Allen President Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation yucking it up at RMEF headquarters in Montana a couple weeks ago.
This 1.1 Billion with a B dollar distribution is by far the largest yearly distribution of what are known as Pittman Roberson (PR) funds, ever. Partially because of the sequester last year and the delayed funds from that time and partially because a heck of a lot of people like buying and shooting guns.
“Anyone who enjoys our nation’s outdoor heritage should thank hunters, anglers, recreational boaters and target shooters,” said Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program, these individuals have created a 75-year legacy for conservation of critical wildlife habitat and improved access to the outdoors for everyone.”
Looking at this huge amount of money, that will be spent not only on species and not only on habitat but on places for all people to recreate in, money to teach kids about the outdoors, places for all people have fun in, I just have to ask...... how much have anti hunters contributed to conservation this year?
Update: This link explains how exactly PR funds are used for conservation. Conservation is not large pretty advertisements or half million dollar salaries for public relations people or suing any and every body. People get confused and think suing is conservation, it's not. http://www.fws.gov/...