In 2020, the outdoors remained open despite business closures related to COVID-19. Nationwide sales in hunting and fishing supplies helped to fuel an $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and increased license revenues boosted conservation programs.
It will take a couple of years for those resources to be reapportioned back to state wildlife management programs. The fiscal pipeline follows two general routes.
Among the world’s most successful long-term wildlife management conservation programs are the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, commonly called the Pittman-Robertson Act, and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act, more popularly known as the Dingell-Johnson Act. The laws were initiated after hunter and angler groups lobbied for taxes to be applied to their purchases for the funding of wildlife management. Since 1939, the programs have generated more than $20 billion for conservation.
Pittman-Robertson applies an 11% excise tax to sales of sporting arms and ammunition, and was amended to include handguns, archery gear and some hunting accessories. The tax revenues are returned to their states of origin based on hunting license sales and may not be used for any purpose other than to fund up to three-quarters of the cost of habitat improvement, wildlife research and population surveys, species introduction and management, hunter education, the building and maintenance of public shooting ranges and related purposes.
Modeled after Pittman-Robertson, the Dingell-Johnson Act passed in 1950 adds a 10% tax on fishing gear, boats and boating fuel, and applies a 3% tax to the cost of electric motors. Following a formula based on state fishing license sales, the funds are used to support the management of fish populations and programs connected with freshwater marine sports or recreation including wetlands restoration, boating safety and facilities, vessel sanitation and public education related to freshwater management.
Increases in user-funded wildlife management revenue generated through pandemic-related outdoor usage have not yet been calculated for Pennsylvania or other states. But wildlife agencies are expecting a pandemic-related bump in two years.
Fishing passion
In 1,700 fishing columns written for the Tribune Chronicle and Vindicator newspapers in Ohio, Jack Wollitz has shown his readers how to catch fish. In his new book, he explains why he fishes.
“The Common Angler: A Celebration of Fishing” (Fayetteville Mafia Press, $13.99) is a wide-view memoir of his 33 years on the water. Colorful, humorous and occasionally poignant, the book motors up and down the Ohio River and wades into Lake Erie as Wollitz and friends set the hook — or not — on walleye, muskies, steelhead and surprises pulled from the water. His passionate fishing stories intersect into one continuous celebration of fishing told by one uncommon angler. The book is also available at Amazon.com for $8.99 on Kindle.
