Most Pittman-Robertson Act funds are generated by non-hunters

It is often said that hunters pay for wildlife conservation in part through their purchase of items that are taxable under the Pittman-Robertson Act. In fact, although excise taxes paid on guns and ammunition account for the bulk of Pittman-Robertson Act revenues (93 – 94 percent of the total), most guns and ammunition in the U.S. are not purchased for use in hunting.

A 2021 study by Southwick Associates estimated that only about one-quarter (25.8 percent) of all firearms and ammunition sold in 2020 were purchased for hunting. A 2012 survey by the Archery Trade Association found that about 44 percent of archery equipment was purchased for hunting. Taken together, this means that about 73 percent of Pittman-Robertson funds are generated by non-hunters.

One implication of this fact is that while the number of hunters in the U.S. has been on the decline both in absolute and relative numbers for decades, Pittman-Robertson Act revenues have generally increased over the years, with some notable year-to-year fluctuations. They tend to spike after a mass shooting or presidential election when fears rise about restrictions on gun ownership. Through their purchase of guns and ammunition, non-hunters are already making a substantial contribution to state wildlife agency budgets.