Hunters, the True Conservationist

2020 was one heck of a year. In that year, as a nation, we witnessed a mass of great and terrible things happen. For a short time, we were united as a nation. Sadly, we were divided amongst one another on a slew of issues. One of the things many of my fellow Americans did, including myself was, getting outside and enjoying our natural resources. Whether it be our local parks, state parks and forests, national forests and parks, or just a pleasant walk in the neighborhood, we got outside. No matter where we were, I doubt there was much or any thought on “How do we pay to maintain all of this?” If you’re a hunter, angler or gun nut, you may be aware of how we as a nation pay for and maintain all the great beauties this country holds. However, if you are new to this, like many Americans are, you may never even think about the American Conservation Fund, or more commonly known as the Pittman-Robertson Act.

In my home state, Ohio, our Metro Parks are mostly funded by local taxes, along with some state and federal aid. The federal aid typically is allocated to assist with the cleaning and restoring of our watersheds, marshes, and swamps for the migratory birds that fill our skies with birds and ears with the cacophony of music they produce as they stop off in North West Ohio in early spring. Where does that federal money come from? The Pittman-Roberston act makes sure that money is allocated to the departments that need it. The bigger question is, “Where does the federal money come from?” so that the Pittman-Robertson Act can continue the job it started when Franklin Deleanor Roosevelt signed it into act in 1937. The answer is simple, something I like to call, a ghost tax.

The Pittman-Robertson Act was created under the pressure from hunters, anglers, and organizations to help preserve the animals that were on the verge of being extinct from over hunting, commercial hunting, poor hunting practices and ethics, encroachment on their habitat and a slew of other man made issues. The act was designed to tax hunters and anglers on the necessary items they used for hunting and sport, in short, guns and ammo. There is an excised 11% tax on the manufacturers of firearms (shotguns and rifles)  and ammunition. In the 1970s a 10% tax would be added on handguns, the ammunition used for said guns, and all handgun accessories. As well an 11% tax on archery equipment. 75% of the money raised would go to the states that require the money, the states would then cover the other 25%. The 25% the state has to cover comes from fishing and hunting licenses. Each state within the union has had no issue raising these funds. After two years, any money that was left over would then be reallocated to the Migratory Bird Conservation Act. This aids in the restoration of the wetlands the birds use as a stop off in North West Ohio every Spring season.  The money is split up between states and agencies for numerous issues, Wildlife Restoration, Basic Hunter Safety and Education, Enhanced Hunter and Safety Education, and Multistate Conservation Grants. As of 2018,  the Pittman-Robertson Act has generated $18.8 billion dollars for conservation and to fund biologists in the field. 

Fast forward, or rewind to 2020. While the world seemed to spiral into chaos and uncertainty on account of Covid-19, social unrest, and some Americans attempting to learn to be self-sufficient, they bought millions upon millions of guns, even more ammunition, along with archery equipment, and hunting and fishing licenses. In 2020, the FBI reported that they processed a record of 39.7 million background checks. That doesn't account for all gun sales. Some background checks were rejected, some were sales. A rough estimate of 8.5 million Americans bought their first firearm amongst the chaos and uncertainty of 2020. FBI statistics and Gallup polls put American gun ownership in the area of 40-44%. Those being, legal gun owners. 

Not all of the guns purchased in 2020 were for self defense, some were purchased in hopes of bagging a White Tail Deer, a Pronghorn Antelope, or even a Wild Turkey. Hunting license sales increased an average of 5% over the United States. Oddly enough, fishing licenses across the country dropped from 41.4 million in 2019 to 38.49 million in 2020 and as of now in 2021 39.32 million. With the increased sales in firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, and licenses, the Pittman-Robertson Act raised $1 billion dollars in 2020, $121 million higher than 2019. The money raised via the Pittman-Robertson Act does not include the money raised by the Duck Stamp Act, The Duck Stamp Act requires all waterfowl hunters 16 years or older to buy a stamp annually. The revenue generated from the sale of the stamp is used to buy or lease waterfowl habitat. Today, some 1.5 million stamps are sold each year and, as of 2017, Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $1 billion for the preservation of approximately 6 million acres of waterfowl habitat in the United States. Nor does it include money raised by private organizations like the Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or the Mule Deer Foundation, among many more foundations and organizations. 

All of the outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen that raise the money via the Pittman-Robertson Act are more than happy to donate their money to the cause of conservation. This doesn't include all of the time they spend volunteering to help raise money, raise awareness, educate, and to clean and maintain the wildlife area they spend so much time in. Now this poses a problem, a question, and a possible solution. Hikers, campers, backpackers and others do not really contribute to the cause of conservation. Sure, they may donate time or money. They may also vote yes on a local or state levy or tax. That's all a drop in the bucket compared to the firearm, ammo, and license sales. 

In 2020 I visited 5 National Parks, 2 National Forests, 3 State Parks/Forests, and countless local Metro Parks. All were overrun with visitors. All the workers at the parks were overworked. Every dumpster was full, as was every campground and campsite. In 2021 as of now, I visited 8 National Parks, 4 National Forests, 4 State Parks, and the Red Desert, along with countless local parks. Again, they were overrun with visitors. Again all the workers were overworked. Every dumpster was full as was every campground and campsite. There was trash on the ground, masks, adorned the beach of Glacier National Park, the bra of a well endowed lady left on the bench at my favorite local park and so on. You can imagine my disgust and frustration. Recently, the National Parks System released their numbers for 2020, they had a 50% increase from 2019, and have yet to release their numbers for 2021. The NPS was so overrun last year, they started to implement a Reservation System. The system is similar to setting a reservation at a fancy restaurant. When I set my reservation for Glacier National Park, I felt like Patrick Batemen in “American Psycho” setting my reservation at Dorsia. To be clear, I actually felt more like Bateman as I attempted to set my reservation at Rocky Mountain National Park. Denied. I feel as though Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir would be quite upset to hear that we would have to set reservations to visit one of the few public trusts Americans share, our National Parks. 

Clearly the problem is, people are  overrunning the system and not paying into the system. Sure they pay the entrance fee, and other fees, but so do the sportsmen/women when they go to visit the parks. They also pay local and state taxes. A possible solution would be what is known as the “Backpack Tax.” A tax similar to the Pittman-Robertson Act, or an amendment to the act would go into preserving the areas they visit, and protect the areas they visit from themselves. This bill was introduced in the late 1990s and has faced opposition from hikers, campers, but more importantly, the billion dollar a year industry that profits from the aforementioned. If the bill were to pass today, it would generate a whopping $125 billion per year. 

The Pittman-Robertson Act did not have hikers, campers, and Social Media Influencers in mind. In honesty, the influx of newcomers is damaging trails, roads, and placing a massive strain on our natural resources and those that maintain them. Too often do I see the “newbs” disrespecting the flora, and placing themselves in danger from wildlife or putting themselves at risk for that Social Media post. Rescuing, saving, replacing and maintaining costs money, lots of money. Maybe it's time the hikers and campers chip in to the collective too. Since the areas are remote and difficult to get to, maintenance is not only difficult and time consuming, it is financially draining and places a massive burden on the natural resources.

The idea of preserving land and wildlife is part of the American idea and part of the dream that John Muir, Teddy Roosevelt, and many others shared when they fought to protect our natural resources. The idea of having a collective that all Americans can enjoy is the American way. I feel as though we can learn alot from the Pittman-Robertson Act. This is where corporations, manufacturers and the people work together to preserve and to better our natural resources. A small percentage of Americans pay in on a yearly basis for all to enjoy and they don't do it for the dopamine rush we get from social media. They do it because they enjoy it and appreciate it. Because of all of this, we now have more White Tail Deer in America than we did when Christopher Columbus landed here. We have more Wild Turkey than we did during the time of Daniel Boone. Elk have now returned to Northern Michigan and even Kentucky. We can learn from this and potentially apply this sort of ghost tax to hiking and camping gear or even other commodities and apply that money to other issues this country faces. Perhaps tax Big Pharma to help pay for our medical expenses. I mean, the three companies that provided the COVID-19 vaccination have profited $55 billion in 2021. Food for thought. 

We all have a stance on guns and hunting. Some are pro gun, some are anti gun. We may never reach a unified stance on these issues. What we can do is recognize that when Americans purchase guns and ammo legally, they help preserve one of the nation's greatest resources, wildlife. When they purchase a hunting license, they are preserving that land you love oh so much to go watch your birds in the morning with your loved one while you sip your coffee. 2020 may have been a dumper of a year, but there were some beautiful things that came out of it. We may be divided on many issues, but I think we can agree that our fear and our paranoia enabled us to spend $1 billion dollars on the one of the many things that makes this country and land so unique, wildlife.