Continuing the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to improve access to public lands for recreation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced 53 new hunting and sportfishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres in the National Wildlife Refuge System across the country.

Twelve national wildlife refuges managed by the Service propose opening and expanding hunting and fishing opportunities. These refuges are located in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. They include the first-ever hunting opportunities at Green River National Wildlife Refuge, expanded waterfowl and bowhunting for deer on newly acquired lands at Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and expanded fishing opportunities at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois proposes closing 111 acres to hunting and using them instead for other visitor activities, including camping.

“Hunting and fishing are traditional recreational activities deeply rooted in American culture. Today, nearly 80 percent of service stations provide access to hunting and fishing opportunities, boosting local economies and connecting people with nature,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “We are excited to expand access and offer new opportunities consistent with the goals of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and we are committed to responsibly managing wildlife health and these areas for the benefit of future generations.”

Improving access to public lands and waters is a central component of the administration’s approach to conservation, including locally led and volunteer efforts to conserve and protect America’s lands and waters through the America the Beautiful initiative.

The protected areas system is an unparalleled network of 571 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. A national wildlife refuge is within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. More than 68 million Americans visit protected areas each year. National wildlife refuges provide critical habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature viewing, photography and environmental education.

Hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities contributed to more than $394 billion in economic spending in communities across the United States in 2022, with hunters and anglers accounting for over $144 billion of the spending, according to the service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. The survey also found that an estimated 39.9 million Americans over the age of 16 fished and 14.4 million hunted in 2021.

The best available science, analyzed as part of this proposed rule, indicates that lead ammunition and equipment can have adverse impacts on wildlife and that lead exposures have adverse impacts on human health. The Service is engaged in a deliberate, transparent process to evaluate 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 meantime, we will not allow an increase in lead use on Service lands and waters, and this proposed rule would not increase lead use in protected areas.

The Service is seeking public comment 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 contain complete details of the national wildlife refuge proposals and information on how to submit your comments.

For a full list of all refuges whose options will be opened or expanded, see the proposed rule. View an online list.

The Service intends to complete the proposed changes in time for the upcoming 2024–2025 hunting season.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing, as well as four other types of wildlife-dependent recreational activities including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation, and interpretation, as long as they are consistent with the purpose and mission of an individual refuge. Hunting is currently permitted in 400 wildlife refuges and 36 wetland management districts within certain limits. Fishing is currently permitted in 343 wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts. The Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while also providing other wildlife-dependent recreational activities on public lands.