Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus Leaders Introduce Bill to Educate Hunters, Promote Recreational Opportunities

Press Release

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), leaders of the Senate Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), have introduced the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act of 2017. The bipartisan legislation will improve and preserve the continued user-pay funding of wildlife conservation by extending financial and technical support to states for promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.

"Whether for the purpose of putting food on the table, for game management, or for passing a tradition down to other generations, hunting and shooting sports are important for many reasons," said Senator Risch, Co-Chair of CSC. "This update to the Pittman-Robertson Fund will promote the legacy of hunting while protecting the value the industry adds to wildlife conservation. Further, it will strengthen efforts to educate and recruit hunters and recreational shooters in our country."

"One of the aspects of the West Virginia spirit is being able to provide for your family the necessary food to thrive," said Senator Manchin. "Hunting, whether for recreation or to put dinner on the table, is important to so many people across our country, and updating this fund will give people the opportunity to continue to hunt safely in the lands we appreciate and protect. Promoting recreational opportunities for hunting will get young hunters into the woods, help to conserve wildlife, and promote hunters safety."

"With this bipartisan legislation, Nebraska sportsmen and sportswomen will have more opportunities to hunt, fish, and take part in other outdoor recreation activities. It will improve access to recreation facilities across our nation without increasing taxes," said Senator Fischer.

"Enjoying the outdoors through hunting and shooting sports is part of who we are in North Dakota," said Senator Heitkamp, a vice-chair of the Senate Sportsmen's Caucus. "As a leader of the U.S. Senate Sportsmen's Caucus, I'm proud to help reintroduce our bipartisan bill to help promote hunting and recreational shooting. This bill would free up federal funds for use in hunter and recreational shooter recruitment, making it easier for state wildlife agencies to promote opportunities for sportsmen in North Dakota and beyond. That will make sure folks can enjoy the great outdoors in our state for generations."

Under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, tax-revenue from the sale of shooting and archery equipment generates funding for hunter education and wildlife conservation. This "pay to play" system has provided a mutually beneficial relationship between sportsmen and the resources they use for hunting and recreational shooting.

The Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow's Needs Act will update the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 to ensure continued successful funding for wildlife conservation that benefits all Americans. The updates include an extension of financial and technical support to the states for the promotion of hunting and recreational shooting.