The Pittman-Robertson Act of 1937 established Federal Aid in Wildlife Resoration Program (WRP) by levying a manufacturer's excise tax of 11 percent on sporting rifles, shotguns, and ammunition used in hunting. In 1970 the act was amended to give the 10 percent manufacturer's excise tax on handguns to the WRP. The act was amended again in 1972, due to the involvement of Fred Bear, to include an 11 percent manufacturer's excise tax on archery equipment.

Pittman-Roberson (PR) money is available to the states to buy, develop, maintain, and operate wildlife management areas. PR money is available to the states to conduct surveys and research necessary to restore wildlife. PR money is available to the states to finance Hunter Education. These programs reach in excess of 650,000 people each year.
People who never hunt also benefit from PR money. Wildlife management areas and wetlands are useful to all nature lovers and watchers. Funds go towards management of all species, game and nongame alike.

*Pittman-Roberson are: Senator Key Pittman (Nevada) and Representative A. Willis Roberson (Virginia). President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed it into law in 1937.






Who funds hunters? YOU DO! First and foremost hunter's fund theirselves with the purchasing of firearms, ammo, archery equipment, hunting/fishing/boating license.
1. Hunters/Fishermen
2. Firearms and ammo sales
3. U.S. or Canadian Fish and Wildlife Agencies
4. State/Provincial Wildlife Agencies
5. Non-governmental Organizations (N.W.T.F., NRA, Ducks Unlimited, etc)
6. Local sportsmen and civic clubs
7. Local businesses
8. International Hunter Education Association