Conservation efforts in the United States received an $838 million shot in the arm in 2016 thanks to hunters and recreational shooters.
A report compiled by the National Shooting Sports Foundation shows the total impact of the firearms and ammunition industry in the United States increased 168 percent from $19.1 billion in 2008 to $51.3 billion in 2016.
That booming growth signifies increased dollars that are specifically directed toward coast-to-coast conservation work in the form of Pittman-Robertson funding. Since passing in 1937, the 11 percent excise tax on guns and ammunition generated more than $11 billion which is apportioned to state wildlife agencies for conservation efforts, hunter education and shooting projects and programs.
Pittman-Robertson excise taxes rose from $352 million in 2008 to $838,059,600 in 2016, marking a 138 percent increase.
The report also indicates the total number of full-time equivalent jobs increased from 166,000 to more than 300,000, an 81 percent increase from 2008 to 2016.