Does the money from hunting go back

[d. ward]

I was just wondering if the funds from your hunting and fishing tags go back into a hunting fund for the state ? Ours here in Washington go into a general fund and can sometimes be used for other state projects besides fish and game.Just wondering how many sates have general funds like Wa. ? bd

[MYSTIKBOW]

I believe that here in NY, the governor and state legislators cannot get there grubby little hands on any of the monies generated from fishing and hunting tags,stamps and etc. All that money goes into a seperate fund.  
 Once many years ago then, Gov. Como, tried to have both the fish and game fund and the general fund combined. BOY, did we raise hell over that!
Needless to say he lost that CRAP shoot!!  LOL

[vermonster13]

You lose Federal Funds if you divert the money to anything else.

[Al Dente]

What bothers me about the excise taxes levied and the hunting/fishing/trapping license fee usage is that is also goes to maintain boat launches, ATV trails, hiking trails, bird watching areas, etc...  Most of the people who use these areas are not hunters, fishermen, or trappers.  Here in NY, most despise hunting and firearm ownership., and most support the liberal-democratic agenda of banning firerms and hunting.  So these folks who utilize what our monies fund actully don't like us, get a free ride, and try to push legislation to end our lifestyle.  This is why eveyone needs to get involved, to get a politicians ear, and let them know who you are and where you stand.  Remind them that YOU vote also, and that their job is because of getting elected.

[d. ward]

Thats the problem with ours we did lose some federal funding for the Mt.StHelens elk heard over our general funding.I can see where when we do not get involed as mentioned above BOY did we raise hell over that ? we here did not raise hell over that and man oh man did we ever lose the crap shoot as hunters.I guess to some point it all kind of washes so to speak.Also as mentioned above our funds also go to maintain trails and lake shores things everyone uses.Maybe it works out sometimes.This would help answer the question about some states do have general funding and some don't.Interesting to say the least.bd

[mwmwmb]

i believe in AR ours go back to the game and fish. some maybe used in education projects of the game and fish (not the schools). while i believe they get it all i dont think it all goes to habitat or surveys.

[d. ward]

It seems that about 90% of ours is returned to the F&W department.A certin amount also goes toward the schools and programs to teach about wildlife..bd

[Jeremy]

Originally posted by Al Dente:
Here in NY, most despise hunting and firearm ownership.

You must be from downstate  

[d. ward]

A few programs are good however you are correct about some getting thier fingers in the pie to use againest us,via our own programs on fish&wildlife.Some of the little fellows we teach about fish and wildlife will not grow up to be hunters or fishermen.But the money to fund the little fellows classes came from fishing and hunting lic...bd

[LKH]

I think there are two seperate issues here.  

1.  Funding from Federal excise tax

2.  Funding from state license and tag sales

I believe 1. has restrictions, but 2.  is purely up to the state.

[vermonster13]

If the money from two isn't used properly the money from one is cut back.

[d. ward]

Yes they cut several local programs already from F&W or DNR (fed money)and are now looking at cutting park funding as well.bd