The U.S. Department of the Interior has expanded hunting and fishing access by adding 42 new opportunities across 87,000 acres at national wildlife refuges and hatcheries, enhancing public recreation while supporting conservation and local economies.
The Interior has expanded access within the National Wildlife Refuge system and the National Fish Hatchery system, according to a statement released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Hunting and fishing are more than just traditional pastimes, as they are also vital to the conservation of our lands and waters, our outdoor recreation economy, and our American way of life,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum in the release.
This will be the first time hunting opportunities will be available at Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge and hunting opportunities will formally open at Grasslands Wildlife Management Area in California. Additionally, this will be the first time sport fishing will occur at the North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery in Massachusetts.
This initiative triples the number of recreational opportunities and quintuples the number of units opened or expanded. The locations span 16 units within the refuge system and one in the hatchery system, including sites in Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas and Washington.
“Hunting and fishing significantly benefit the outdoors by helping manage wildlife populations, promote outdoor stewardship and contribute to local economies,” said Brian Nesvik, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “These refuges and hatcheries provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and sportswomen and their families across the country to pass on a fishing and hunting heritage to future generations.”
Read more at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Article by The Wildlife Society
