Where the $$$ Goes

Nearly 1/3 of TPWD's annual budgeted funds comes from the Game, Fish and Water Safety Account (Fund 9). A significant portion of the revenue comprising Fund 9 is provided by hunters and anglers because of license and stamp sales and boat registration and titling fees. Federal funds generated through excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment are also a part of Fund 9.

Sources of Revenue for the Game, Fish and Water Safety (Fund 9) 2008 Estimated Revenues – $157.2 Million

Source: State Comptroller’s Biennial Revenue Estimate

These funds can only be used for fisheries and wildlife management and conservation activities. This includes research, habitat management and acquisition, private lands initiatives, fish hatcheries and enforcement of game & fish laws.

An example of the agency’s "user pay, user benefit" philosophy is the sale of certain stamps (such as migratory game bird, upland game bird, freshwater and saltwater sport fishing), which can only be spent for specific purposes as set forth in statute. Revenue from the upland game bird stamp, for instance, can only be used for research and management of upland species, such as turkey and quail. Migratory game bird stamp monies can only be used on programs affecting waterfowl and dove.