With all the negativity regarding guns nowadays, it pleases me to put a positive spin on the subject. This year, owing to a unique industry-supported tax on sporting firearms and ammunition, Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will receive more than $2 million for conservation and wildlife-management programs.

According to figures released by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the nationwide tax yielded a record $191.7 million, a $26 million increase over 1993. The money is apportioned to states under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act that funds thousands of wildlife management, conservation, and hunter-education programs throughout the country.

Each state’s share is determined by a formula based on land area and the number of hunting licenses sold. Maine, you may know, has more than 220,000 licensed hunters, hence the state will receive $2,045,713.

To draw a finer bead on the matter, the funds are derived from an 11 percent excise tax on sporting firearms and ammunition that was imposed in 1937 at the request of the industry. Also, a 10 percent tax on handguns and archery equipment was added in 1970. The result is that many once-threatened wildlife species have been restored and hunting accidents have decreased significantly.

But wouldn’t you know, the likes of U.S. Senators Patrick Moynihan of New York, Bill Bradley of New Jersey, and Patty Murray of Washington, among others, would propose legislation that would eliminate this tremendously important program. You probably know their proposals are to increase the guns-and-ammo taxes and earmark them for health care. In other words, responsible and law-abiding gun owners would pay hospital and medical bills for gun-wielding criminals.

Obviously, if such legislation were passed, it would destroy one of the most successful industry-government partnerships ever established in this country and seriously reduce funding for wildlife and land conservation in all 50 states. Just what the country needs, right? But take a look at Moynihan and the rest of his ilk and you know immediately how much time they spend off the main road. They care as much about wildlife and wildlands as you’d care about having brain surgery.

A lot of people don’t like to admit it, but the fact of the matter is that, for the past 60 years, taxes paid by the sporting firearms and ammunition industries were the financial backbone of wildlife-conservation programs. Since 1939, the excise taxes have amounted to more than $2.6 billion. To date, Maine can be credited with contributing more than $30.1 million.

In accordance with that, next time you want to bring a discussion with anti-hunters or animal-rights activist to an abrupt end, ask them how much money they contribute annually to the cause of wildlife conservation.

Speaking of firearms, you should know that, on Aug. 14, gun owners from across the country will participate in the National Pro-Gun Rights Rally in Washington D.C. The event sponsored by the Committee of 1776 and Gun Owners of America will be held at the Lincoln Memorial, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., damp or dry.

If you want to take part in that important event, you can board a chartered bus bound for the nation’s capital on Aug. 13, arriving the morning of the rally. The buses will depart immediately following the rally, arriving in Maine on Aug. 15. There will be no overnight expenses. The non-refundable – the charters must be paid for in advance – round-trip fee is $85, payable by July 30.

Following are the departure points and times: Bus No. 1 – Smitty’s Trading Post, Kennebec Road, Machias, 7 a.m.; Willey’s Sporting Goods, High St., Ellsworth, 8:30 a.m.; Van Raymond Outfitters, South Main Street, Brewer, 9:30 a.m.; The Outpost, 208 Main St., Waterville, 11:30 a.m.

Bus No. 2 – Old Town Trading Post, Bennoch Road, Old Town, 8:30 a.m.; Van Raymond Outfitters, South Main Street, Brewer, 9:30 a.m.; The Outpost, 208 Main St., Waterville, 11:30 a.m. Reservations may be made at any of the aforementioned locations. For more information on the Pro Gun-Rights Rally phone: 1-803-269-6704 or 1-803-269-7055.

Word is that the smiles of Atlantic salmon anglers fishing Canada’s Restigouche, Matapedia, and Upsalquitch rivers are as bright as an Orange Blossom fly. Among the satisfied Sports are Dr. Robert Clough and his wife Jo Ann of Bangor.

While fishing at the Tobique Club on the Matapedia recently, Mrs. Clough coaxed a salmon occupying Cheuters Pool into taking a Muddler Minnow. The fresh-run fish, a 12-pounder, was the woman’s first tug of war with an Atlantic salmon, which means her husband now has a life-long fishing partner. Dr. Clough also entered his name in the club’s book after landing a 16-pounder at Home Pool. Not too shabby for two days’ fishing.