Kansas Wildlife and Parks will receive a hefty share of the more than $530 million in federal excise taxes paid by America’s recreational shooters, hunters, anglers and boaters.

The apportionment to Kansas is $8,393,497.

Of that total, nearly $4.3 million will be used for fisheries programs, while about $4.13 will be allocated for wildlife programs, including approximately $463,000 for hunter education.

The money also will help pay for aquatic education and fish and wildlife-related recreation projects.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service distributes wildlife funds to states based on land area (land plus inland waters, such as lakes and large rivers) and the number of hunting license holders in each state.

Distribution of hunter-education funds is based on the relative population of each state.

Sport fish restoration funds to the states are based on the land and water area (land plus inland water, plus the Great Lakes and marine coastal areas) and the number of fishing license holders in each state.

States use Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to stock fish, acquire and improve sport fish habitat, provide aquatic resource education opportunities, conduct fisheries research and build boat ramps, fishing piers and other facilities necessary to provide recreational boating access.