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You must know the facts to preserve our sport. Preserving the Heritage with Steve Scott.
Signed into law by President Franklin Roosevelt more than 75 years ago, the single most important
piece of wildlife legislation ever continues to pay dividends for all Americans who enjoy
the outdoors; even more so today. Benefiting state wildlife agencies the Pittman-Robertson
Act was originally an 11 percent excise tax on firearms and ammunition. But the benefits
of the legislation were so impressive, handgun and archery equipment sales were added in
the 1970's. On the fishing side, Congress passed the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration
Act (known as the Dingell-Johnson Act in 1950. The law created a tax on boats, boating fuel
and fishing equipment that has had similar results to the Pittman Robertson legislation.
And with strong demand in the fishing industry and the frantic pace of firearm and ammunition
sales, the two pieces of legislation are producing record-level benefits for fish and wildlife
throughout this country. In fiscal year 2013, the Dingell Johnson funds generated nearly
$360 million dollars to benefit the nation's fisheries, which is impressive enough. But
the Pittman Robertson tax shattered all records, creating over $500,000,000 dollars for the
nation's wildlife and habitat. Think about that for a minute. American sportsmen and
women funded nearly a BILLION dollars; all for the conservation and perpetuation of fish
and wildlife in this country. A billion dollars! Kind of puts things in perspective when groups
like the Humane Society of the United States bash hunters and fishermen, while they spend
less than one half of one percent of their budget on animal shelters they claim but don't
even run. No, it is unlikely the anti-hunters and cruelty to worms zealots even have a clue
who pays for wildlife. The smart ones do, but it will be a cold day when they admit
it. Hunters pay for wildlife and anglers pay for fish, and both are doing incredibly well.
It's a pay as you go system that has worked like a charm for over 75 years. It's a program
that has worked so well, even our current Congress might have agreed on the legislation
as well, but I'm glad we don't have to take that chance. If you would like more information
on this or other issues that are important to hunters, follow me on Twitter at SteveScottTV
or at Facebook.com slash Safari Hunter's Journal, an Until next time, know the facts, and keep
preserving the heritage.