U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Finalizes New Public Access to Hunting and Fishing in National Wildlife Refuge System

New Opportunities at Twelve National Wildlife Refuges

Continuing the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to increase recreational access on public lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today the finalization of 52 new distinct hunting and sport fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres nationwide in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Twelve national wildlife refuges, managed by the Service, are opening and expanding the opportunities for hunting and fishing. These refuges are in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin. These include first ever hunting opportunities on Green River National Wildlife Refuge, expanded waterfowl and archery deer hunting on newly acquired acres at Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and expanded fishing on Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.

“Hunting and fishing opportunities within the National Wildlife Refuge System connect people with nature,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “We are pleased to expand access and offer new opportunities on national wildlife refuges that are compatible with the refuge’s purpose and are committed to responsibly managing wildlife health and these areas for the benefit of future generations.”

Increasing access to public lands and waters is a central component of the administration’s approach to conservation, including locally led and voluntary efforts to conserve and protect U.S. lands and waters under the America the Beautiful initiative.

The Refuge System is an unparalleled network of 572 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts. There is a national wildlife refuge within an hour’s drive of most major metropolitan areas. More than 69 million Americans visit refuges every year. National wildlife refuges provide vital habitat for thousands of species and access to world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting and boating to nature watching, photography and environmental education.

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

Following consultations with states and local stakeholders, the final ruleincludes requirements to use lead-free ammunition for elk hunting at four individual refuges in North Dakota and for all hunting on the Big Cove Unit of Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in West Virginia. The best available science, analyzed as part of this proposed rulemaking, indicates that lead ammunition and tackle can have negative impacts on wildlife, and that exposure to lead has negative impacts to human health. The Service is engaged in a deliberate, transparent process of evaluating 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 interim, we will not allow for any increase in lead use on Service lands and waters, and this final rulemaking does not increase the new use of lead on refuges.

A complete list of all refuges opening or expanding opportunities is in the final rule, which will be effective upon availability in the Federal Register on November 6, 2024, and publish in the Federal Register on November 7, 2024. View an online list.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service permits hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation, including wildlife photography, environmental education, wildlife observation and interpretation, when they are compatible with an individual refuge’s purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is currently permitted on 401 wildlife refuges and 36 wetland management districts. Fishing is currently permitted on 343 wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts. The Service manages hunting and fishing programs to ensure sustainable wildlife populations while also offering other wildlife-dependent recreation on public lands.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram,  X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.