Continuing the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced 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.
