January 13, 2026

The river otter revival over the past two decades in more than two dozen states is proof of what’s possible when sportsmen collaborate with conservation – not only physically, but also financially.
“This restoration success would not have happened without Pittman-Robertson funds,” said Chris Dwyer, a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “These federal excise tax dollars, matched with state trapping and hunting license funds, supported agency staff time, research, and relocation work making otter recovery possible nationwide.”