Seventy-five years ago, history was made when the Congress of the United States passed a bill known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act. Known better by its two chief sponsors, Senator Key Pittman of Nevada, and Representative A. Willis Robertson of Virginia, the Pittman-Robertson Act has provided funds to the restoration of fish and wildlife species, ranging from wild turkey, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, wood duck, beaver, black bear, giant Canada goose, American elk, desert bighorn sheep, bobcat, mountain lion, and several species of predatory birds. Many of these species we take for granted today, but in 1937, even white-tailed deer were rare in many areas.
In the 1930s, a group of concerned American sportsmen, fishermen, and conservationists, along with the firearms industry urged congress to create a funding apparatus to preserve what was left of the diverse wildlife and fish of the nation, and work to restore them to their former range. This was to be achieved by placing a 10% excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and other hunting-related items to provide funding for such endeavors. In the subsequent years, taxable items have expanded to include other items related these pursuits.
This money is sent directly to the states, and is matched by the states at a rate of 1 dollar to every 3 of federal funds. For Texas, that comes out by about $9 million annually. These funds support various projects and efforts in a variety of ways, from habitat acquisition, restoration efforts, wildlife research, and even hunter education. Although hunters and fishermen ultimately fund the projects, non-consumptive users benefit by utilizing lands and resources acquired, to say nothing for the rich wildlife diversity present. Many non-game species benefit from restoring native habitats.
As wildlife and fish enthusiasts of all stripes look forward to the future, we must look back and admire what those forward thinking individuals set in motion back in 1937. Consider where we might be without it.