Firearms & Ammunition

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, excise taxes on firearms and ammunition have been one of America’s most effective tools for conservation.
Biologist with a bear cub

Restoring wildlife

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

Three people aiming rifles under supervision of an instructor at a target range

Supporting shooting facilities

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

A child firing a shotgun under supervision from a Vermont game warden

Welcoming new shooters

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

A stream in Kentucky

Conserving public land

More than 36 million acres are maintained for public access or habitat management with 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 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.

Upcoming Events

Interested in taking a tour?​

As part of this initiative, two types of events are held to support this important partnership: field tours and facility tours.

Field tours invite industry representatives to unforgettable in-the-field experiences that illustrate the importance of the conservation funds that make fish and wildlife research, habitat conservation, shooting facilities, fish hatcheries and stocking, hunter and aquatic education, and public access to lands and waters possible.

Facility tours invite state fish and wildlife agency representatives to industry facilities to learn about the processes that manufacturers use to make the products that are taxed and result in a critical funding source for state fish and wildlife agency conservation work.

Featured Video

Bighorn Sheep Population

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.

Featured Story

Bringing Bighorns Back

An interactive Storymap about restoring an iconic species

Bighorn sheep are rebounding across the American West thanks to strong conservation partnerships. This ArcGIS Storymap shows how funding from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment has helped restore bighorn in Nevada and beyond.

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

News

Tracking America’s Outdoor Pursuits

Fishing and hunting and wildlife-watching remain significant activities in the U.S. In only a few weeks, the fifteenth National Survey of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Associated Recreation will be published.

Read More »