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The Interior Department announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) will open over two million acres to expanded hunting and fishing opportunities. The FWS finalized these changes in time for the upcoming 2021-2022 hunting seasons, providing a complete list of all refuges and hatcheries that allow hunting and fishing opportunities.
The announcement is consistent with the Biden administration's America the Beautiful initiative, a locally led, voluntary, nationwide effort to conserve, connect, and restore 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030. Interior Secretary Haaland Deb Haaland said, "Increasing access to outdoor recreation opportunities is essential to advancing the administration’s commitment to the conservation stewardship of our public lands."
The expansion will cover increased access to 88 National Wildlife Refuges and one National Fish Hatchery. In addition, the final rule continues efforts to ensure compatibility with state hunting and fishing regulations where refuges are located. "Responsible hunting and fishing helps to promote healthy wildlife habitats while boosting local recreation economies," said Secretary Haaland.
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There’s a bias in the law over the last 100 years toward creating lots of liability for people who try to create fires on their lands, and no liability for people who keep their land as a tinderbox."
