Georgia DNR Receives $32M for Wildlife Restoration, Hunter Education

Georgia has been allocated $32.3 million for Wildlife Restoration and Hunter Education for 2024 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A recent announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service shared that over $1.3 billion in apportionments will be disbursed to U.S. states through the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) Program to support fish and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreational access.

This program, established in 1937, is one of the most effective tools for conservation in the world and relies on the partnership between the federal program, state fish and wildlife agencies, and industries like manufacturers of firearms and fishing equipment.

Walter Rabon, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program is vital to the work that the Georgia DNR can do in our state, and it is thanks to hunters, anglers and shooting enthusiasts that purchase their recreational licenses and related equipment.

Rabon noted that 86 percent of hunters and anglers care about wildlife conservation and support the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

The Georgia DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division averages approximately $35 million in federal WSFR funds each year.

Funds come from a federal tax on ammunition, guns, fishing equipment and motorboat fuel.

To receive federal funds, Georgia must spend 100% of state revenue collected from hunting and fishing licenses on sport fish and wildlife management to benefit hunters and anglers.

In addition to research, surveys and other conservation efforts, the WSFR program supports the maintenance and operation of shooting ranges, wildlife management efforts on more than 1.1 million acres of Georgia waterways, producing and stocking millions of fish from state fish hatcheries, maintenance and operation of 11 public fishing areas, and facilitating and seeking to increase boating and land access for outdoor recreation purposes.

For more information about the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com.