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WASHINGTON - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service doles out $740 million across the U.S. last year to help preserve resources, and this year they'll distribute even more money.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced that this year's amount is $862 million. "Americans have few higher callings than to conserve our treasured landscapes and bountiful wildlife and connect our children and grandchildren to the great outdoors.

"For more than half a century, boaters, hunters, anglers, and recreational shooters, and the hunting and fishing industries have supported some of our nation's most successful programs to conserve fish and wildlife and its habitat and make it possible for Americans to enjoy them" Salazar added.

Each state will receive different amounts based on land area and the number of licensed hunters. This year Montana will receive almost $22 million, split between two programs. The Wildlife Restoration Program will receive $12.8 million and the Sports Fish Restoration Program will receive $9.2 million.

The money comes from excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing equipment, and fuel taxes on motorboats. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Spokesman Joshua Winchell says the money is crucial to help manage state resources.

"This is a very predictable, very solid source of revenue for state fish and wildlife agencies that they can and do depend on every single year," said Winchell.

Out of the $22 million that Montana will receive, $860,000 will go towards hunter education. Winchell says it's important to educate hunters in each state to keep them safe. And to insure that they understand their role in modern wildlife management.

"Not only does this federal program provide very critical financial support for the State Fist and Wildlife agencies but it also prevents it's money from being diverted outside away from those very agencies."

You can view the program on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program web site by clicking here.