Announcement proposes opening access on over 200,000 acres nationwide
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today announced the future expansion of recreational opportunities, including hunting, at a number of National Wildlife Refuges across the country. The announcement provides consumptive users across the nation with thousands of acres of new access, including opportunities for upland hunting.
“We’re thrilled to see an increase in public access of this size from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Ariel Wiegard, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s vice president of government affairs. “Bird hunters all over the upland range rely on public lands, and increasing these opportunities is a core tenant of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.”
The announcement proposes 53 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on 12 refuges — totaling approximately 211,000 acres. The refuges are located in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. View the complete list of new opportunities here.
Public land access is a vital component of the Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever mission. In 2024 alone, the organization opened public access or helped administer access programs on 446,000 acres of habitat. Together with partners like the USFWS, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever can build on this already outstanding record of providing more access to hunters all over the United States.
“Hunting and fishing are traditional recreational activities deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Today, nearly 80 percent of service stations offer hunting and fishing access that helps boost local economies and connect people with nature,” said USFWS director Martha Williams. “We are pleased to expand access and offer new opportunities that are compatible with National Wildlife Refuge System purposes and are committed to responsibly manage these areas for the benefit of future generations.”
About Pheasants Forever
Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever make up the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. This community of more than 420,000 members, supporters and partners is dedicated to the protection of our uplands through habitat improvement, public access, education, and advocacy. A network of 754 local chapters spread across North America determine how 100 percent of their locally raised funds are spent — the only national conservation organization that operates through this grassroots structure. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has dedicated more than $1 billion to 580,000 habitat projects benefiting 26.5 million acres.
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