EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The NWTF and the sporting community throughout Pennsylvania rallied to oppose House Bill 1300, which sought to divert $150 million from the Pennsylvania Game Commission Game Fund to other uses, thus vastly reducing the agency’s ability to manage the commonwealth’s wildlife and wildlife habitat. Through the NWTF’s advocacy actions and the Pennsylvania sporting community’s unification, the provision has officially been removed from the bill.
“It was outstanding to see sportsmen and women rally across Pennsylvania to oppose the provision that would take $150 million away from the PGC Game Fund,” said Mitchell Blake, NWTF district biologist for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland. “Hunters play a critical role in not only contributing to the fund, but also safeguarding those hunter-generated dollars from outside pressures and illegitimate uses. It was a great win for Pennsylvania’s wildlife and hunting heritage and hopefully sets a precedent for any future attempts to transfer or divert portions of the Game Fund.”
The PGC and the Game Fund are funded through the sale of hunting licenses, income produced from the state game lands system such as timber sales, and by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, which is derived from an excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Diverting money from the PGC Game Fund is in direct violation of the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and Pennsylvania Title 34 Game Code. Moreover, HB 1300 would have put the PGC at risk of losing eligibility to attain Pittman-Robertson funding (nearly $42 million in 2023). The attempt to divert funding violates the nearly 100-year-old agreement between the commonwealth and its 840,000 hunters that generate critical funding to manage state wildlife and wildlife habitat.
NWTF staff work with the organization’s volunteers, partners and policymakers to identify and engage on issues that impact wildlife management, lands conservation and hunting rights.
The NWTF’s engagement at the policy and rule-making levels is vital to delivering its mission. Working alongside state- and federal-level legislators and agencies, the NWTF can encourage laws and regulations that protect and bolster our rights as hunters and ensure our ability to deliver conservation effectively and efficiently on the landscape.
Learn more about the NWTF’s policy and advocacy work.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.
2023 is the NWTF’s 50th anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.
