Back from the Brink: How Hunters Sustain Montana's Wildlife

Abstract

Beginning with the gold rush era of the 1860s and culminating with the devastating droughts of the 1910s and 1930s, Montana's wildlife, and that of the entire nation, was in a perilous state and in need of a boost. This boost came from the introduction of the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, or as it is commonly known, the Pittman–Robertson Act, in 1937. The program is based on a self-imposed and hunter-supported manufacturers excise tax. These funds, in conjunction with funds generated through Montana hunting permits, have brought Montana's wildlife back from the brink of destruction. The objective of this study was to determine if a relationship between hunter-supported expenditures by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks existed with hunter participation numbers and harvest numbers. It was hypothesized that there existed a positive relationship between the amount of hunter-related expenditures and the amount of hunter participation and harvest rates.