February 19, 2026
The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (Association) applauds the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announcement releasing $1.2 billion in Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration apportionments to support states, commonwealths and territories in their efforts to fund conservation and outdoor opportunities. This funding supports critical state fish and wildlife conservation and recreation projects throughout the nation and comes from excise taxes paid by the hunting, shooting, boating and angling industries on firearms, bows and ammunition, and sportfishing tackle, some boat engines and small engine fuel.
“The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program provides funding to states to protect and conserve our nation’s fish and wildlife heritage today and for generations to come,” said Paul Johansen, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and President of the Association. “This funding mechanism serves as the foundation for fish and wildlife conservation in our country.”
The Wildlife Restoration Program, authorized by the 1937 Pittman-Robertson Act, provides federal grant funds to state fish and wildlife agencies for conserving, managing, and restoring wild birds, mammals, and their habitats. Funds from manufacturer taxes on ammunition, firearms, and archery equipment go toward projects to restore, conserve, manage and enhance wild birds and mammals and their habitats. States and territories also use these funds to support access for wildlife-related recreation, hunter education and development, and the construction and operations of shooting ranges.
The Sport Fish Restoration Program, authorized under the Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (Dingell-Johnson Act), is a "user-pays, public-benefits" system supporting aquatic conservation and boating infrastructure. Funded by federal excise taxes on fishing equipment, motorboat fuels, and import duties, the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund (SFRBTF) provides grants to state fish and wildlife agencies for habitat, access, and education. Unlike the Wildlife Restoration Program, SFRBTF requires reauthorization every five years. The current authorization expires at the end of fiscal year 2026. The Association strongly urges Congress to reauthorize SFRBTF so states can continue to provide of on-the-ground, state-driven fisheries conservation program, recreational boating access, aquatic resources education, and boating safety.
Together, the Sport Fish Restoration Program and the Wildlife Restoration Program work together under the umbrella of the Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration program. To view the Service’s final apportionment of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration grant funds for Fiscal Year 2026 and historic funding amounts visit www.partnerwithapayer.org/funding-sources.
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The Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies represents North America’s fish and wildlife agencies to advance sound, science-based management and conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats in the public interest. The Association represents its state agency members on Capitol Hill and before the Administration to advance favorable fish and wildlife conservation policy and funding and works to ensure that all entities work collaboratively on the most important issues. The Association also provides member agencies with coordination services on cross-cutting as well as species-based programs that range from birds, fish habitat and energy development to climate change, wildlife action plans, conservation education, leadership training and international relations. Working together, the Association’s member agencies are ensuring that North American fish and wildlife management has a clear and collective voice.