Your #1 source for blades and firearms news and updates…

  • Home
  • Knives
  • News
  • Hunting
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Subscribe
Font ResizerAa
Blade ShopperBlade Shopper
  • News
  • Knives
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Tactical
  • Hunting
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • Knives
  • News
  • Hunting
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
banner
Create an Amazing Newspaper
Discover thousands of options, easy to customize layouts, one-click to import demo and much more.
Learn More

Stay Updated

Get the latest headlines, discounts for the military community, and guides to maximizing your benefits
Subscribe

Explore

  • Photo of The Day
  • Opinion
  • Today's Epaper
  • Trending News
  • Weekly Newsletter
  • Special Deals
Home » U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Promotes Public Access to Hunting and Fishing

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Promotes Public Access to Hunting and Fishing

Adam Green By Adam Green August 3, 2024 5 Min Read
Share
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Promotes Public Access to Hunting and Fishing

New Opportunities at Twelve National Wildlife Refuges

Continuing the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today 53 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres nationwide in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Twelve national wildlife refuges, managed by the Service, are proposing to open and expand opportunities for hunting and fishing. These refuges are in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. These include first ever hunting opportunities on Green River National Wildlife Refuge, expanded waterfowl and archery deer hunting on newly acquired acres at Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and expanded fishing on Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois is proposing to close 111 acres to hunting for other visitor uses, including camping.

“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 connects people with nature,” said Service 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 wildlife health and these areas for the benefit of future generations.”

Increasing access to public lands and waters is a central component of the administration’s approach to conservation, including locally led and voluntary efforts to conserve and protect U.S. lands and waters under the America the Beautiful initiative.

The Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 571 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. More than 68 million Americans visit refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education.

Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $394 billion in economic expenditures in communities across the United States in 2022, with hunters and anglers accounting for over $144 billion in expenditures, according to the Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The survey also found that, in 2021, an estimated 39.9 million Americans over the age of 16 fished and 14.4 million hunted.

The best available science, analyzed as part of this proposed rulemaking, indicates that lead ammunition and tackle can have negative impacts on wildlife, and that exposure to lead has negative impacts to human health. The Service is engaged in a deliberate, transparent process of evaluating the future of lead use on Service lands and waters, working with our state partners, and seeking input from other stakeholders and the public. In the interim, we will not allow for any increase in lead use on Service lands and waters, and this proposed rulemaking would not increase the new use of lead on refuges.

The Service seeks comments from the public on the proposed rule for 30 days, beginning with publication in the Federal Register on August 2, 2024. The notice will be available at http://www.regulations.gov,  Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2024-0034, and will include complete details on the proposals on the national wildlife refuges and how to submit your comments.

A complete list of all refuges opening or expanding opportunities is available in the proposed rule. View an online list.

The Service intends to finalize the proposed changes in time for the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting seasons.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, when they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is currently permitted on 400 wildlife refuges and 36 wetland management districts. Fishing is currently permitted on 343 wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts. The Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while also offering other wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram,  X (formerly known as Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.



Read the full article here

Share This Article
Facebook X Copy Link Print
Previous Article Roman Bloodbath at Battle of Carrhae | Decisive Battles (S1, E7) | Full Episode Roman Bloodbath at Battle of Carrhae | Decisive Battles (S1, E7) | Full Episode
Next Article GiantMouse Nazca & Brand Overview | Knife Banter GiantMouse Nazca & Brand Overview | Knife Banter
Leave a Comment Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wake up with our popular morning roundup of the day's top blades, firearms and survavial news and updates.

NWTF and USDA Forest Service Expand Restoration Work in Klamath River WUI with Seiad Thin Project

May 31, 2025

Texas Set to Recognize All Valid Out-of-State Handgun Licenses Starting September, Pending Governor's Signature

May 31, 2025

Georgia 4-Year-Old Fatally Shoots Himself With Unattended Firearm

May 31, 2025

Flambeau™ ZERUST®

May 31, 2025

Mother Shoots Convicted Child Molester During Attack on Daughter in Indianapolis Hotel

May 31, 2025

You Might Also Like

AFSP Launches Toolkit for Firearms Instructors Aimed at Suicide Prevention

AFSP Launches Toolkit for Firearms Instructors Aimed at Suicide Prevention

Hunting
Save Big on the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 at Bass Pro Shop

Save Big on the Sea to Summit Alto TR2 at Bass Pro Shop

Hunting
Huckleberry Picker Shoots Charging Grizzly Bear in Montana

Huckleberry Picker Shoots Charging Grizzly Bear in Montana

Hunting
TrueTimber® Announces Partnership with LWRCI on All-New Straight Walled AR-Platform Rifle

TrueTimber® Announces Partnership with LWRCI on All-New Straight Walled AR-Platform Rifle

Hunting

2025 © Blade Shopper. All rights reserved.

Helpful Links

  • News
  • Knives
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Tactical
  • Hunting
  • Videos

Resources

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Press Release
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Popuplar

NWTF and USDA Forest Service Expand Restoration Work in Klamath River WUI with Seiad Thin Project
Everything You Need to Know About Joining the Air Force
Bournemouth Air Festival: The UK’s Largest Air Festival
We provide daily defense news, benefits information, veteran employment resources, spouse and family resources.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?