Public Hunting and Fishing Access Expanded on National Wildlife Refuges

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced the expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities at twelve national wildlife refuges, increasing access by approximately 211,000 acres. As the “voice for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife,” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) is encouraged by the continued expansion of opportunities for sportsmen and women on federally managed public lands and waters. 

“It isn’t every day that new and expanded opportunities are created for hunters and anglers on our public lands and waters,” said Patrick Berry, BHA president and CEO. “Access is cited as the foremost issue why hunters stop taking part in our outdoor heritage. We appreciate the continued engagement of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the hunting and angling community and the recognition that these are traditional recreational activities at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and a priority use for these public lands and waters.” 

The USFWS will open 53 new distinct hunting and fishing opportunities on these refuges, including expanding opportunities for hunting and fishing in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. A list of the new opportunities can be found here. 

In addition to commending the benefits of this decision for hunters and anglers, BHA also offered measured criticism of the USFWS’s decision to require the use of non-lead ammunition and fishing tackle in the expanded areas. In 2019, BHA’s board of directors adopted a policy statement encouraging hunters and anglers to consider the voluntary use of non-lead ammunition and tackle.  

“BHA advocates for decisions about the use of non-lead ammunition and fishing tackle to be voluntary and incentive-based in the absence of a scientific determination that demonstrates direct and significant impacts to fish and wildlife populations,” continued Berry. “Blanket prohibitions on the use of lead should be imposed only when circumstances clearly demand them, as alternatives can be considerably more costly for hunters and anglers.” 

On July 24, the USFWS, in collaboration with the federal Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council, announced a new pilot program to incentivize the voluntary use of non-lead ammunition for hunting within the wildlife refuge system. This rebate program to reimburse hunters for the cost of non-lead ammunition will be rolled out this fall on seven national wildlife refuges. BHA applauds this non-regulatory effort to encourage the use of non-lead alternatives. 

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers seeks to ensure North America’s outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands, waters, and wildlife. 

https://www.backcountryhunters.org