Wildlife Restoration Program
About
The Wildlife Restoration Program (WR) provides grant funds to the states and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitat. Projects also include providing public use and access to wildlife resources, hunter education and development and management of shooting ranges. The Program is authorized by the Wildlife Restoration Act (Pittman-Robertson PR) of 1937.
The WR Program is the nation's oldest and most successful wildlife restoration program. Through the purchases of firearms, ammunitions and archery equipment the WR Program is a successful user pay, user benefit program.
The WR Program symbol may be downloaded and displayed by authorized users.
Learn more about Wildlife Restoration Program accomplishments.
Preview or download 2011 information brochures for the WSFR Program and Items Taxed to Support Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration in America.
Source of Funds
Excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and arrow components are collected and appropriated from the Wildlife Restoration Account. These funds are apportioned to states, the District of Columbia and insular areas based on a formula. The formula for apportioning WR Funds is based on land area, number of paid license holders, minimums and maximums. The formula for apportioning Hunter Education funds is based on population and also includes minimums and maximums. Learn about the economic benefits of the use of these funds.
50 CFR § 80.50 Activities eligible for funding under the Wildlife Restoration Act
The following activities are eligible for funding under the Wildlife Restoration Program:
Restoration, conservation, management, and enhancement of wild birds and wild mammals, and providing for public use and benefit from these resources.
- Restore and manage wildlife for the benefit of the public.
- Conduct research on the problems of managing wildlife and its habitat if necessary to administer wildlife resources efficiently.
- Obtain data to guide and direct the regulation of hunting.
- Acquire real property suitable or capable of being made suitable for:
- Wildlife habitat, or
- Public access for hunting or other wildlife-oriented recreation.
- Restore, rehabilitate, improve, or manage areas of lands or waters as wildlife habitat.
- Build structures or acquire equipment, goods, and services to:
- Restore, rehabilitate, or improve lands or waters as wildlife habitat; or
- Provide public access for hunting or other wildlife oriented recreation.
- Operate or maintain:
- Projects that the State fish and wildlife agency completed under the Wildlife Restoration and related programs and subprograms.
Availability of funds for obligation:
- Two Federal fiscal years.
Additional eligible activities are provided through the Basic and Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety subprograms of the Wildlife Restoration Act
Basic and Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety subprograms
Frequently Asked Questions
May an activity be eligible for funding if it is not explicitly eligible in this part?
An activity may be eligible for funding even if this part does not explicitly designate it as an eligible activity if the State fish and wildlife agency justifies in the project statement how the activity will help carry out the purposes of the Wildlife Restoration Act and the USFWS Regional Director concurs with the justification. (50 CFR 80.52)
Are costs of State central services eligible for funding?
Administrative costs in the form of overhead or indirect costs for State central services outside of the State fish and wildlife agency are eligible for funding under the Acts and
must follow an approved cost allocation plan. These expenses must not exceed 3 percent of the funds apportioned annually to the State under the Acts. (50 CFR 80.53)
What activities are ineligible for funding?
The following activities are ineligible for funding under the Acts, except when necessary to carry out project purposes approved by the Regional Director:
- Law enforcement activities.
- Public relations activities to promote the State fish and wildlife agency, other State administrative units, or the State.
- Activities conducted for the primary purpose of producing income.
- Activities, projects, or programs that promote or encourage opposition to the regulated taking of fish, hunting, or the trapping of wildlife. (50 CFR 80.54)
