10 



sources of funds, but they can be used to match a fund such as 

 this. 



State fish and wildhfe agencies will be making the decisions on 

 how the money is spent for conservation and with our partners in- 

 volved in conservation education and outdoor recreation, and our 

 constituents will be dealing with State programs. 



This will provide an opportunity of equity between all the out- 

 door enthusiasts to contribute back to conservation just like the 

 sportsman has for decades. I think the most important point of this 

 is the preventative nature. It is nonregulatory. It will keep species 

 from becoming endangered, and it will enhance recreational oppor- 

 tunities. Hiking, canoeing, wildlife viewing — all very important. 



Lastly, I think "Teaming with Wildlife" funds can stimulate the 

 local economy by supporting nature-based tourism programs, which 

 everybody is coming on line with. A good example of this is the fall 

 migration in New Jersey's County of Cape May. Thousands of birds 

 migrate — hawks, owls, songbirds. They stop over in Cape May, and 

 lots of people come there to view these. They spend an estimated 

 $6 million in local businesses, and these opportunities exist in 

 every State. And "Teaming with Wildlife" could make it a reality 

 and a benefit to both wildlife and people. 



[Statement of Mr. McDowell may be found at end of hearing.] 



Mr. Saxton. Thank you very much, Bob. Mr. Mac Donald. 



STATEMENT OF MARTIN G. MAC DONALD, DIRECTOR OF COR- 

 PORATE PUBLIC RELATIONS, CONSERVATION AND YOUTH 

 DEVELOPMENT, BASS PRO SHOPS 



Mr. Mac Donald. Mr. Chairman, the first statement that I 

 would like to make is that Bass Pro Shops, the corporate family of 

 Bass Pro Shops, is enthusiastically and wholeheartedly behind and 

 support this initiative. We think this initiative is doable, and it is 

 the right thing to do. And you will hear me repeat that again, but 

 I want to state to you that we enthusiastically and wholeheartedly 

 support this initiative. 



This endorsement comes from John L. Morris, our President and 

 founder, our affiliated companies, our associates, and our numerous 

 customers. For your information, from those customers who know 

 we are supporting this initiative, the letters have come to us 100 

 for, one against, and we have had several hundred letters. 



What I also want to relate to you is that I am on the spot as I 

 testify to you because we have sent out a notice to our 4,000 associ- 

 ates that I was going to be here, and I got numerous phone calls 

 before I came to Washington, DC, and they are outdoor enthu- 

 siasts. All I want you to know is if I don't do a good job on this 

 testimony, I can't go back to Missouri. 



I do want to relate to you that Bass Pro Shops is a leading mer- 

 chant of outdoor recreational products. There is Bass Pro Shops 

 catalog — 36 million catalogs. We are the world's leading supplier of 

 fishing tackle around the world. And to tell you how dedicated I am 

 to this particular initiative, this day would be perfect for fishing. 



Outdoor World Retail, Missouri's number 1 tourist attraction, 

 with 4 million visitors; Tracker Marine, the largest manufacturer 

 of freshwater fishing boats in the world; American Rod & Gun 

 wholesale division serving more than 7,000 independent dealers; 



