West Virginia Wildlife Federation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a proposal to provide additional hunting opportunities on 10 National Wildlife Refuges.  Included in the proposal are expanded hunting opportunities at the following Refuges:

Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (CO) – would allow elk hunting

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (LA) – would allow migratory bird hunting of waterfowl and coot

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge (MS) – would allow migratory bird hunting of ducks and geese; upland game hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and raccoon; and big game hunting of deer and hogs

Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would allow deer and turkey hunting

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would open new areas to migratory bird, upland game, and big game hunting

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (MN/IA) – would open new areas to migratory bird, upland game, and big game hunting and allow additional species of migratory birds and upland game to be hunted

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (MN) – would allow turkey and deer hunting and would open new areas to migratory bird hunting

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge (NC) – would allow deer and hog hunting

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge (TX) – would open new areas to deer, feral hogs, rabbit, and squirrel hunting

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge (UT) – would allow turkey and elk hunting

In 1997, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance pushed for changes in law ensuring that hunting and fishing were priority public uses on compatible Refuge lands.  Through USSA's leadership, the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act was signed into law.  The language of the Refuge Improvement Act has been essential in opening new Refuge lands to sportsmen.

More than 300 National Wildlife Refuges allow hunting.

Recently, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, along with the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and other defendants, won an important court victory protecting hunting on Refuge lands.  The case, filed by anti-hunting groups, sought to stop hunting on a number of Refuges.  Click here to read more about the recent Refuge lawsuit victory.

"The proposed expanded hunting opportunities on these Refuges are a testament to the long term work of the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance and the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation and shows how both organizations fill a vital need for sportsmen," said Bud Pidgeon, USSA and USSAF's President and CEO.  "USSA's work before Congress on the Refuge Improvement Act in 1997 and USSAF's hard fought win in the courts in the Refuge lawsuit have helped clear the way for allowing these new hunting opportunities on our public lands. "

Take Action!  Sportsmen can submit comments supporting these expanded hunting opportunities electronically by clicking here and then clicking on the "Submit a Comment" tab.  Comments must be submitted by August 4, 2011.

Comments can also be mailed to:

Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R9-NSR-2011-0038
Division of Policy and Directives Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM
Arlington, VA 22203