An initiative of the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program with state and industry partners

Partner with a Payer is an initiative developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Office of Conservation Investment with state and industry partners. It was initiated with the goal of strengthening ties between the people who make this very successful conservation partnership work so well – manufacturers that pay excise taxes through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Acts, and State agencies that conserve wildlife and habitat and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Funded by the Wildlife Restoration Act (also known as the Pittman-Robertson Act), excise taxes are collected from manufacturers in the hunting, shooting, and archery industries. Funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Act (also known as the Dingell-Johnson Act), marine manufacturers pay excise taxes on fishing gear and motorboat fuel. State agencies use funding from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration program to research and manage fish and wildlife, restore habitat, ensure public access to land and water, provide education to new hunters, anglers and boaters — and much more. This funding is derived from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, fishing and boating equipment, and motorboat fuel, and is a critical component of state agency budgets.