Most outdoor sports enthusiasts never realize it, but they help maintain the wildlife resources in their state through the excise taxes on fishing tackle, firearms, ammo, motor boat fuel, and associated outdoor equipment.
Known as the Pittman Robertson Act, officially called Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration, this act was the first tax imposed on outdoor sporting equipment. That was back in 1937, and its effect is seen today on burgeoning populations of whitetail deer, turkeys, and elk.
Then in 1950, the Sportfish Restoration Act was passed, and it had a bit of a different effect. The money that was passed to the individual states was used to improve facilities, gain access to previously closed lakes and rivers, and fund angler education programs.
Colorado’s portion of these funds comes to roughly eleven million dollars every year. The distribution of these funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is based on the land area and number of licensed hunters in each state. Sportfish Restoration Dollars returned to the states are based on the land and water area and number of license holders.
