The Department of Interior (DOI) announced plans to open or expand opportunities to hunt and fish on 10 national wildlife refuges.
“As the steward of our public lands, one of my top priorities is to open up access wherever possible for hunting and fishing so that more families have the opportunity to pass down the heritage. The last thing I want to see is hunting and fishing become elite sports,” said Ryan Zinke, DOI secretary. “These ten refuges will provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and anglers across the country to access the land and connect with the wildlife.”
“We appreciate Secretary Zinke and others for recognizing the importance of public access and expanding these opportunities for Americans to hunt and fish on their land,” said David Allen, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation president and CEO. “Increasing public access in this manner speaks volumes for continuing wildlife management, ensuring the future of our shared outdoor heritage and highlighting the vital link between hunting, fishing and the revenue that those activities provide for nationwide conservation efforts.”
Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed more than $144.7 billion in economic activity across the United States according to the USFWS National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years.
Affected Refuges:
Georgia and South Carolina: Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge
Indiana: Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
Minnesota: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
North Dakota: Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge &Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge
Oklahoma: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge
Oregon: Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge & Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Wisconsin: Horicon National Wildlife Refuge & Fox River National Wildlife Refuge
Find more info here.
(Photo source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)