The Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program (WSFR) of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)  served as one of hundreds exhibitors at the 37^th annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).   The world's largest gun show opened in January with 60 thousand industry professionals at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. With a beautiful banner display of wildlife and wilderness, the WSFR exhibit engaged a steady flow of convention goers eager to learn more about the 78 year old program. WSFR staffers and volunteers from partnering agency Nevada Department of Wildlife shared key information about the Pittman Robertson Act of 1937 and its cycle of success utilizing excise taxes on the sales of firearms and ammunition to support wildlife and their habitats.

Employees working at WSFR Booth at 2015 SHOT Show

"It's great to be here and talk about the excise tax to manufactures, and help them understand that without them we wouldn't have great conservation programs," said Ivy Santee, who served as a WSFR exhibit volunteer from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. "Partnerships are so valuable. Being able to work with the Fish and Wildlife Service is so important for many conservation programs and services," she said.

Roger Ayscue, manager and lead instructor at a North Carolina gun shop said his 8 year old son has passed the hunter's education course - and it's a great way of continuing a hunting tradition in his family.  "It's essential for people to realize that Pittman Robertson is a federal program that actually works," Ayscue said while visiting the WSFR exhibit. "Every dime of that money comes back to us so that we can restore habitat for wildlife and help support hunting safety programs and facilities."

"It's the best money I spend every year," said WSFR booth visitor Brendan Walsh who's been attending the SHOT Show for 20 years. "It's the greatest feeling to know that WSFR gives that money back to the community to support conservation."   

Booth visitor speaking with employees from WSFR and Nevada Dept.of Wildlife

Hunting has become more popular in recent years. According to the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 90.1 million Americans enjoyed some form of wildlife-related recreation. That is an increase from 87.5 million mentioned in the previous survey published in 2006. The 2011 survey also shows Americans spent more than $144.7 billion pursing their wildlife activities - that's another increase from $122 billion. One such reason those statics have increased is due to more women engaging hunting. In fact the subject was one of several popular seminar topics at this year's SHOT Show. A group of female hunters DIVAS Women Outdoors Worldwide headquartered in Dallas, Texas introduces women to the outdoors and helps them find their passion. DIVAS also paid a visit to the WSFR exhibit and found significant resources

to take back home and share with their communities.

DIVAS Women OutdoorsWorldwide at 2015 SHOT Show

"It makes me feel really proud to contribute to conservation through the WSFR program," said DIVAS founder Judy Rhodes who has been attending the SHOT Show for 10 years. "One thing I really like about the SHOT Show is that it's embracing women this year. It's really exciting to us to see how women have involved in the industry."

WSFR Assistant Director Hannibal Bolton greeted booth visitors and worked with WSFR staffers during the conference.  He appreciates the tremendous support from States, partners, and the people. "Last year alone, WSFR provided $1.1 billion through the sale of hunting and fishing equipment to support habitat conservation and outdoor recreation," said Bolton. "The SHOT Show is a great opportunity to inform attendees how their financial contributions are supporting wildlife and the great natural resources of this country," he said.  

FWS employees talking with WSFR AD Hannibal Bolton (Right)  at WSFR Booth 2015 SHOT Show

"The SHOT Show is a genuine economic driver that contributes billions of dollars to the economy," said NSSF President Steve Sanetti. "And ofcourse this event supports conservation efforts that the Fish and Wildlife Service and the State fish and wildlife agencies benefit from due to the voluntarily imposed excise taxes through the purchase of firearms and ammunition under the Pittman Robertson Act." 

The WSFR exhibit travels to additional  industry conventions including the North American Natural Wildlife and Resources Conference, International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), and the Archery Trade Association (ATA), in an effort to help educate communities about its national footprint on wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. For more information on the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program click here.