[7] Prior to the creation of the Pittman–Robertson Act, many species of wildlife were driven to or near extinction by commercial/market hunting pressure and/or habitat degradation from humans.
Notable species that have come back from the brink since the implementation of this act include white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and wood ducks.
Critics of the legislation claim that state Fish and Wildlife agencies allocate funds primarily towards the creation of new hunting opportunities.
[12][9] The habitat improvement may also stimulate the ecotourism sector of the economy by creating jobs in areas where people tend to visit for hunting or aesthetic reasons.
[9] Another source estimated that hunters contribute about $3.5 million a day to conservation by purchasing taxable items and hunting licenses.
[4][11] In 2000, alleging that the Pittman-Robertson Act sportsman's conservation trust funds were being mismanaged,[citation needed] U.S. Representative Don Young (R-Alaska), a National Rifle Association of America board member and sportsman, introduced the Wildlife and Sports Fish Restoration Programs Improvement Act.
In particular, it earmarked funds to be spent on hunter education programmes, the construction of shooting ranges and sport fish restoration projects.
[13] On November 21, 2013, U.S. Representative Robert E. Latta (R, OH-5) introduced an omnibus bill called the Sportsmen’s Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013 (H.R.