Should hunters be able to use National Wildlife Refuges because they help pay for the lands?
Funds generated through the sale of hunting licenses and the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition (Pittman-Robertson funds) go back to the 50 state wildlife agencies, not to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Although money from the sale of federal Duck Stamps is used to acquire National Wildlife Refuges, acquisition funds also come from non-hunting sources such as Refuge entrance fees and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The administration and maintenance of the National Wildlife Refuge System is funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s general budget appropriated by Congress and through additional federal legislation such as the Transportation Equity Act—i.e., Refuges are funded by all American taxpayers.
