Triggering a Windfall

The huge volume of gun, ammunition and archery sales in 2012 should mean record funding levels for many fish and game agencies, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Nearly all state game and fish agencies get their funding from two sources: license and permit sales, and the so-called Federal Aid program, which collects excise taxes on hunting, shooting and fishing gear and sends it back to the states. This program, administered by the USFWS, is hugely important for states, and this year could be even more so.

Steve Barton, chief of the USFWS Federal Aid division, told OutdoorChannel.com that this year his agency will "apportion" (meaning give away to the...