The truth is non-partisan

In Missouri each time someone buys a a fishing license the state gets
back $11 in federal aid. If a person buys a hunting license, it's
$17. Apparently the federal aid comes from federal excise taxes on
firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing gear, and motorboat
fuel.

Firstly, why do we pay federal excise taxes on these things? Control
of these items is not within the Constitutional powers of the federal
government. (See Amendment 9 and 10 at
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rights1.asp#9)

And then secondly, why is the state on the federal dole? The lesson I
have learned from working for government and government agencies is
that whenever government gives something they want something in
return. For now it may only be reporting the number of licenses
purchased. Tomorrow it will be something else. We lose our
self-determination and independence whenever we take from government.

So what can Missouri do (and other states as well)? Opt out of
receiving federal aid and stop sending the federal government
information or being involved in federal programs. I'm sure this like
No Child Left Behind is just the tip of the federal ice berg.

This section from the Missouri Department of Conservation website is
very interesting. Read more at
http://www.mdc.mo.gov/regs/permitfaq.htm

3. Q. What can Missouri do to maximize the amount of federal aid we receive?

A. Every time anyone purchases (anywhere in the U.S.) a firearm,
ammunition, archery equipment, fishing gear, or motorboat fuel that
person pays a federal excise tax on that purchase.

An elaborate formula—based in part on hunting and fishing permit
sales—is used to determine how much each state gets back. When hunters
or anglers are exempt from purchasing permits, they are not counted in
the formula.

These funds accumulate in two programs: the Wildlife Restoration
Program (Pittman-Robertson Act) and the Sport Fish Restoration Program
(Dingell-Johnson / Wallop-Breau Act).

Every person who purchases a Missouri hunting or fishing permit is
counted as a paid permit holder, and we report the total number to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The FWS then calculates how much of the
federal tax can be returned to Missouri, which is then used for
habitat restoration, wildlife management, boat ramp construction, and
other good works. In 2007, for each person who purchased a fishing
permit, Missouri received $11 in federal aid. For each person who
purchased a hunting permit, $17 in federal aid was returned to
Missouri.

Consequently, the more paid license holders Missouri can report, the
greater our potential return of federal funds. Landowners, lessees,
people over age 65 and others who receive no-cost permits or are
exempt cannot be counted.