Trump Administration Increasing Public Access to Hunting and Fishing on 1.4 Million Acres Nationwide
OutdoorHub Reporters 06.18.19
If you’re an outdoorsman – which we’ll go ahead and assume you are since you’re reading this – this news will certainly put a smile on your face. President Trump has approved a proposal that’s being touted a massive win for hunters and anglers.
“He’s basically said, ‘Git-R-Done,'” Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said. “The president fundamentally gets that hunters and anglers are the true conservationists in our society. He understands that history and that we need to act in efforts to expand hunting and fishing while at the same time being respectful of private land rights, respectful of state law.”
It’s great to be in #Ohio today announcing our plans to significantly expand access and opportunities for #hunting and #fishing in this country! I had a fantastic time with scouts from Perrysburg Troop 167 at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge to kick things off! @USFWS @boyscouts pic.twitter.com/95CQByILMu
— Secretary David Bernhardt (@SecBernhardt) June 5, 2019
The proposal would increase the number of units in the Service’s National Wildlife Refuge System where the public may hunt from 377 to 382, and the number where fishing would be permitted would be increased from 312 to 316. The proposal would also formally open lands on 15 hatcheries of the National Fish Hatchery System to hunting or sport fishing for the first time.
“President Trump is committed to expanding public access on public lands, and this proposal is executing on that directive by opening and increasing more access to hunting and fishing by the Fish and Wildlife Service at more stations and across more acres than ever before,” said Secretary Bernhardt. “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. These refuges and hatcheries provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and women and their families across the country to pass on a fishing and hunting heritage to future generations and connect with wildlife.”
The Service intends to finalize the proposed changes in time for the upcoming 2019-2020 hunting seasons.
A complete list of all refuges and hatcheries in the proposal is available in the proposed rule and online.
