Two great things about Montana are our fish and wildlife. Whether you are a hunter, angler, or bird watcher this all is being threatened by legislation proposed by Matt Rosendale. He and Andrew Clyde (R_GA) propose to repeal laws that partially fund state fish and wildlife agencies, such as Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks.
Montana and the rest of the nation did not always have viable populations of big game. In the 1930s wildlife populations were at an all-time low due to over harvest and habitat loss. The Pittman-Robinson Act of 1937 used a self-imposed 10% excise tax on firearms and ammunition to fund state wildlife agencies for wildlife management and research. The Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950 uses an excise tax on sport fishing equipment to fund state sport fishery programs.
The acts have been hugely successful in restoring wildlife and fish populations and their habitat and providing recreational opportunities for a wide variety of citizens: hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and archers, bird watchers and the list goes on. Montana’s vibrant outdoor industry owes much of its success to the opportunity for visitors, clients, and the general public to pursue or view fish and wildlife.
