State Wildlife Program Funding

The majority of funding for Maryland’s state wildlife programs comes from hunting licenses and fees and from a special federal excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition. About 77 percent of Maryland’s state budget for wildlife programs for the fiscal year 2008 comes from these two sources. The federal aid funds are derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sport hunting devices and ammunition through the Pittman-Robertson Fund.

Since 1937, sportsmen and women have been contributing to this fund through the excise tax mechanism. Each state receives a share of the funds, which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Less than one percent of funding for Maryland’s wildlife programs comes from the state of Maryland’s general fund.

Hunters' dollars are used for hunter education programs, enforcement of wildlife regulations, wildlife-related education programs and conservation programs. Other sources of funds include federal grants and the Chesapeake Bay and Endangered Species Fund, to which donations are made through the Maryland Income Tax Form. If you would like more information about state program funding or programs, contact the DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service at 410-260-8540.