FY17 Region 7 Wildlife Restoration Grant Program - Open to State Fish and Game Agency Only

I. Description of Funding Opportunity:The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, 50 Stat. 917 as amended; 16 U.S.C. 669-669b, 669-669k, now known as the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, was approved by Congress on September 2, 1937, and began functioning July 1, 1938. The purpose of this Act has been to provide funding for the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat, wildlife management research, and the distribution of information produced by the projects. The Act was amended on October 23, 1970, to include funding for hunter safety programs and the development or the operation and maintenance of firearm and archery ranges. Additional information about the Wildlife Restoration Grant Program (WR) is available at: http://wsfrprograms.fws.gov/Subpages/GrantPrograms/WR/WR.htm. II. Award Information:WR provides Federal grant funding to the 50 States, Commonwealths, and territories (not the District of Columbia) for the selection, restoration, rehabilitation, and improvement of wildlife habitat; wildlife management research; wildlife population surveys and inventories; land acquisition; hunter education and safety programs; coordination; development of facilities; facilities and services for conducting a hunter education and safety programs; and provisions for public use of wildlife resources. The Hunter Education and Safety Program (Section 4(c)) includes training in the safe handling and use of firearms and archery equipment; hunter responsibilities and ethics; survival; construction, operation, and maintenance of public shooting ranges; and basic wildlife management and identification. Hunter Education and Safety Programs include the development and implementation of a programmed course of instruction leading toward the achievement of the hunter safety training goals and objectives. In general, the course is to train students to be safe and responsible hunters and assist the agency in accomplishing its mission and goals.