Congressman Fulcher Doubles Down on Attack on Wildlife, Sportsman
As original sponsors continue to drop off, one Idaho representative continues to attack the cornerstone of the North American Model of Conservation
By Daniel Ritz/ IWF Staff
As original cosponsors of the RETURN Act continue to drop off-four have rescinded their support just days after receiving backlash from thousands of sportsmen and women across the country-Idaho Rep. Russ Fulcher continues to double down on his support of this bill.
IWF sees the RETURN Act-which would repeal the excise taxes placed on firearms, ammunition, hunting and fishing equipment through the Pittman-Robertson Act (PR) and Dingell-Johnson Act (DJ)-for what it is: an attack on Idaho’s wildlife, sportsmen and women’s hunting & fishing opportunity that would cripple state wildlife agencies.
The bill, which Rep. Fulcher, recently called “counter legislation” in a video on his website, is a misguided attack on what is universally understood to be the most successful conservation program in the history of the world.
Counter to what?
Fulcher and the bill’s sponsor claim the bill is counter to “...emerging attacks from democratic leadership on second amendment rights.”
The 85-year old PR is hardly emerging - it is 85-year old legislation. Legislation creating a nearly exponentially growing funding source constituents are proud to pay.
Not only constituents, but gun manufacturers and 2A advocates like the NRA and National Shooting Sports foundation are united in their opposition to the RETURN Act.
“We are united in our shared support for the current ‘user pays-public benefits’ system of wildlife funding,” reads a letter recently published in Outdor Life Magazine signed by 43 hunting, conservation, and gun rights groups opposing changes to excise taxes on guns and ammunition. “Without the financial contributions of sportsmen and women and sporting manufacturers, the seat held at the decision-making table for hunters and recreational shooters may be lost.”
Just this past year, PR and DJ contributed more than $1.5 billion dollars to wildlife agencies across the United States. As hunting and fishing continue to see all-time highs in popularity, the trend in gun, ammunition, fishing and overall equipment sales continue to grow at a nearly exponential rate.
Rep. Fulcher states that the RETURN Act will “replace” PR funding for wildlife by directing $800 million in unallocated lease revenue generated by energy development in an effort to cover up for loss of revenue. Capping funding at $800 million is not replacement, that is cutting wildlife conservation funding by nearly 50 percent Rep. Fulcher’s claim that funding will be “consistent with past years” is false.
Again: What could be a more consistent funding mechanism than an 85-year old, growing source that constituents are proud to pay?
As for the claims of protection of the 2nd Amendment, this ideological appeal is quickly refuted by the bill’s limitation on excise taxes imposed on things like fishing equipment, trolling motors and more by the Dingell-Johnson Act. If this act was truly a 2A issue, there is no need for infringement on DJ, which can contribute as much as 10 percent to some states wildlife agencies annual budgets. In 2020, PR and DJ combined for more than $24 million dollars (20-percent) of IDFGs budget.
“If I was opposed to hunting, my strategy would be to tear down the foundations that allow it to thrive…,” said David Willms of the National Wildlife Foundation,”... and it thrives through conservation.”
Tell Rep. Fulcher you see the RETURN Act for what it is, an attack on wildlife, hunters & anglers and Idaho’s sporting heritage and that you want him to rescind his support immediately.