Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- On August 16, Iowa’s Governor Terry Branstad, Vice-Chair of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus (GSC), was the 7th governor to sign a proclamation highlighting the significant contributions of hunters, recreational anglers and shooters, trappers and boaters to fish and wildlife management.
2012 marks the 75th anniversary of the Wildlife Restoration Act, also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act, which dedicated an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to wildlife conservation and restoration.
Without this historic act, we wouldn’t have the wildlife populations that we do today.
The wildlife model worked so well that in 1950, the Sport Fish Restoration (also known as Dingell-Johnson) Act was passed, imposing a 10% excise tax on fishing equipment to benefit state fisheries’ conservation efforts. Combined with license revenue, these programs constitute the “user pays – public benefits” model of the American System of Conservation Funding. It’s a model that is unique to the rest of the world and is funded entirely by the nation’s sportsmen and women and the associated industries they support.
“Governor Branstad truly has been a champion for Iowa’s sportsmen and women during his time as governor. We are very grateful for his support of our outdoor heritage, and for his recognition of the important role that we, as sportsmen and women, play in the conservation of our nation’s fish and wildlife resources,” said Chris Horton, Midwestern States Director for the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF).
Governor Branstad, along with Lieutenant Governor Reynolds, read and signed the proclamation in the formal Governor’s Reception Office. Joining the Governor for the formal signing were members of the Iowa Outdoor Partnership, Safari Club International, the CSF, and several staff from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, including Director Chuck Gipp.
About Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2009. Throughout this time, CSF has maintained a singleness of purpose that has guided the organization to become the most respected and trusted hunting and fishing organization in the political arena. Visit: www.sportsmenslink.org
