Firearms & Ammunition

Conservation Fosters Hunting and the Shooting Sports

For almost a century, America’s firearms and ammunition manufacturers have shared a partnership with state and federal biologists through the Pittman-Robertson Act — a partnership that funds remarkable conservation success stories across America and fosters hunting and the shooting sports at the same time.

This partnership would be impossible without you, the craftspeople and business owners who help fund the Wildlife Restoration grants. Our Partner with a Payer initiative invites you to join us and see how your success keeps our country’s wild landscape open for all and sustains our robust tradition of outdoor stewardship.

Wildlife Restoration funding benefits hunters and the public

In 1937, a coalition of firearms and ammunition manufacturers, seeing the crisis facing American wildlife, helped pass the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Since then, federal excise taxes on firearms and ammunition have been one of America’s most effective tools for conservation.

Restoring wildlife

Biologists study, monitor and manage 500 species of mammals and birds using federal excise taxes, like the many grants used to study and restore black bears — including more than 87 bear projects in 17 states since 2017.

Supporting shooting facilities

Today, over 800 shooting ranges have been designed, constructed, renovated or opened to the public using federal excise taxes, like Arizona’s Ben Avery shooting complex, the largest of its kind in the United States.

Welcoming new shooters

Every year, over 1 million people receive hunter education supported by federal excise taxes, like at Vermont’s Green Mountain Conservation Camp, where children learn to shoot alongside many other outdoor skills.

Conserving public land

More than 36 million acres are maintained for public access or habitat management with federal excise taxes, like Kentucky’s 2,900 acre Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area, acquired in 2016 and now open to the public.

Did You Know?

Wildlife Restoration grants use federal excise taxes to ensure abundant wildlife, increase hunter access to millions of acres of wildlife habitat, and welcome new people into the shooting sports through education — a productive trifecta that ultimately benefits manufacturers.

Bighorn Sheep Population

Federal excise taxes provide the opportunity to observe population management

This important work is done for the health and preservation of the Bighorn sheep population, as well as many other species – in return providing enjoyment for both hunters and non-hunters alike.

Partner with a Payer: Hunting

Wildlife Restoration Successes

Partner with a Payer strengthens the ties between the people who make a successful conservation partnership work — the manufacturers that pay federal excise tax through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Acts, the state agencies that conserve wildlife and habitat across the country, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment.

Funding for Partner With A Payer

Your tax dollars at work

The Wildlife Restoration Act authorizes an 11 percent federal excise tax on sporting arms, ammunition and archery equipment, and a 10 percent tax on handguns. The tax is paid by the manufacturer of these goods. These funds are made available to states each year and disbursed through grants that are reviewed by federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration biologists. State fish and wildlife agencies must provide at least 25 percent of the grant project’s costs.

In The News

Angling, Archery, Firearms & Ammunition, R3

Plato, Madonna, and National Hunting and Fishing Day

September 20, 2024

September 28 marks the 52nd National Hunting and Fishing Day, an annual event first proclaimed by President Nixon in 1972. Hunting and fishing and target shooting were then, and remain, lifestyle choices enjoyed by millions of Americans from all walks of life on every rung of the economic ladder.

Firearms & Ammunition, R3

Academics Afield Program Build Hunting Communities and Increases Outdoors Access at HBCUs

August 15, 2024

College is often a time of self-discovery, and many students seek out new experiences through campus clubs, studying abroad, and trying new activities.

Archery, Education, Firearms & Ammunition, R3

Manufacturer Excise Tax Supports Target Shooting Sports Education, Outreach, and Access

August 2, 2024

For decades, American firearm, ammunition, and archery equipment manufacturers have shared a partnership with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies to support conservation as well as access to outdoor pursuits including shooting sports.

Agencies and industry working together for conservation