Reminder: the refuge will be closed Friday (12/8) and Saturday (12/9) for the annual deer hunt. Only permitted hunters are allowed on the refuge to ensure visitor safety. Normal hours will resume on Sunday (12/10).
Hunting provides an important means of wildlife management to ensure herds and habitat remain healthy. Although it comes as a surprise to many, hunting is actually one of the "Big 6" priority public uses provided by national wildlife refuges due to its importance both to conservation and communities. You can learn more about hunting as a wildlife management tool, as well as why the Parker River deer hunt takes place each year, by visiting us online: https://www.fws.gov/story/hunting-tool-wildlife-management
What We Do
Our Services
Every year, over 1 million people receive hunter education that is supported by excise taxes administered through the Hunter Education Program. The goal of these hunter education efforts is to teach students to be safe, responsible, conservation-minded hunters. Most states require completion of a hunter education course prior to purchasing a hunting license. Program funds may also be used for the development, operation, and enhancement of target range facilities. Over 800 shooting ranges have been designed, constructed, renovated, or opened to the public using excise taxes, like Arizona’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility, the largest of its kind in the United States.
Our Laws and Regulations
The Hunter Education Program is authorized by the Wildlife Restoration Act and is supported through revenues from manufacturers' excise taxes collected on pistols, revolvers, bows, arrows, archer accessories and bows. For current and historic Hunter Education Program apportionment data visit the Wildlife Restoration Apportionments QuickSight data dashboard.
States and U.S. territories are apportioned funds for Hunter Education - Section 4 (c) (traditional funds) and Hunter Education - Section 10 (enhanced funds). Each state receives an annual apportionment for Section 4 (c) and Section 10 funds based on their population compared to the total U. S. population with no State receiving more than 3 percent or less than 1 percent. Territories receive 1/6 of 1 percent. Revenues from manufacturers' excise taxes collected on pistols, revolvers, bows, arrows, archer accessories, and ammunition are deposited to the Wildlife Restoration Account. Learn more about hunter education projects and target range facilities supported by the manufacturer excise tax through the Partner with Payer initiative.