Doug Howlett Photo

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that they are opening up 53 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities on approximately 211,000 acres nationwide in the National Wildlife Refuge System, a move heralded by pro-gun and pro-hunting organizations.

Twelve national wildlife refuges, managed by the service, are proposing to open and expand 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 in Kentucky, expanded waterfowl and archery deer hunting on newly acquired acres at Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana and expanded fishing on Horicon National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin. Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge in Illinois is proposing to close 111 acres to hunting for other visitor uses, including camping.

“Hunting and fishing are traditional recreational activities deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Today, nearly 80 percent of service stations offer hunting and fishing access that helps boost local economies and connects people with nature,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “We are pleased to expand access and offer new opportunities that are compatible with National Wildlife Refuge System purposes and are committed to responsibly manage wildlife health and these areas for the benefit of future generations.”

The refuge system is made up of a network of 571 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 68 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.

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service 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, with gun or bow within specified limits, is currently permitted on 400 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.

Currently, the refuge system does not support any shooting ranges, nor do most, if not all, permit recreational shooting unless conducted in conjunction with hunting. National and state forests as well as some state wildlife management areas, however, do often offer some public ranges and permit target shooting in certain areas. Always look up the specific refuge or public land on which you want to recreate to see what and when certain activities are permitted.

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79 COMMENTS

  1. Is this another instance where miner49er will use this as ‘proof’ that the fascist left are pro gun?

    • “Is this another instance where miner49er will use… “

      Yep, the Biden/Harris administration opening up hundreds of thousands of acres of taxpayer land to hunting and fishing is direct evidence of their support of these traditional sports.

      This follows the Obama/Biden administration opening up millions of acres of taxpayer lands to the lawful carrying of firearms under state law.

      “In 2024, USFWS apportioned over $1.6 billion to the states for wildlife conservation projects, of which $944 million was sourced from Pittman-Robertson excise taxes paid by firearm and ammunition manufacturers.“

      That’s great, almost $1 billion from the Pittman – Robertson legislation, who’s responsible for establishing that hunting and fishing funding stream?

      Oh, of course, the legislation was written by two Democratic congressmen and signed into law by Democratic President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

      “The Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, most often referred to as the Pittman–Robertson Act for its sponsors, Nevada Senator Key Pittman and Virginia Congressman Absalom Willis Robertson, is an act that imposes an 11% tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment and distributes the proceeds to state governments for wildlife projects.[1]
      The act was signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 2, 1937, and became effective on July 1 of the following year“

      Yep, the Democratic Party has a long tradition of supporting actual hunters and environmentalists who care about supporting the wild areas in the United States. You know, lifetime hunters like Tim Walz…

      Aren’t the facts of history just so entertaining!

      • Well, golly gee miner. You’ve convinced me. I will support the fascist coup that installed biden and now harris in the white house because of their unwavering support of our rights.

        Do I really need the sarcasm thingy?

        • “fascist coup that installed… “

          If you have evidence of a fascist coup, it’s your patriotic duty to provide that evidence to the authorities post haste.

          And be prepared to explain why you have concealed this evidence, I’m sure there will be many questions regarding obstruction of justice, withholding and spoliation of evidence.

            • You’re making all these claims about a ‘fascist coup’ yet you are unwilling to provide specifics.

              Either you are a co-conspirator who is having second thoughts, or it’s all just bullshit.

              • miner/goebels. Just because you get paid to bolster a false cause does not mean you get to claim ‘bullshit’. Can you prove your claim?

              • “Can you prove your claim?“

                I made no claim, I merely pointed out that you provided no evidence to support your claim.

                You spoke of a “fascist coup”, the burden of proof is upon you.

              • Miner49er;

                “I made no claim…”

                That’s a lie.

                You posted this:

                “Either you are a co-conspirator who is having second thoughts, or it’s all just bullshit.”

                That is what is called an ‘accusation’ which is a claim.

                And since you are being all stupid like a typical radical extremist left winger and demanding ‘proof’ … The burden of proof is upon you to substantiate your claim that … “Either you are a co-conspirator who is having second thoughts, or it’s all just bullshit.”

                So what proof do you have for this ‘either or condition’ accusation claim you made?

            • J-bird first made the claim:

              “I will support the fascist coup that installed biden and now harris“

              That is an unsupported assertion, as I pointed out.

              I offered a couple alternatives in the absence of any supporting citation from J-bird.

              You guys report fake bullshit claims, but you have zero evidence to support your delusions.

              Meanwhile, in other news…

              “Jan. 6 rioter who attacked numerous officers sentenced to 20 years
              David Dempsey got the second-longest sentence of any convicted Jan. 6 rioter.
              ByAlexander Mallin
              August 9, 2024, 3:23 PM

              A California man convicted of carrying out some of the most extended and brutal assaults against police during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday.

              The 20-year prison term for David Dempsey, handed down by senior D.C. District Judge Royce Lamberth, marks the second longest sentence yet for a defendant convicted in connection with the Capitol assault.“

              https://abcnews.go.com/US/jan-6-rioter-attacked-numerous-officers-sentenced-20/story?id=112722004

              • Proof? A crime cartel owns the white house and the doj. How does an average citizen get proof? We know. Anybody that is not brain dead knows, miner.

                Like true fascists you guys are using the courts to trample your opposition.

                But don’t worry. At your trial you can say you where just following orders.

              • “A crime cartel owns the white house and the doj“

                So you make another claim without offering any evidence or source.

                You’re as bad as Donald Trump, full of vague bullshit claims but no evidence or documentation to back up your mouth.

                Here in hillbilly land, that’s what we call a blowhard.

                And the courts have proven who the criminals are, and Donald Trump is now wearing 34 felonies.

                In addition, Peter Navarro and Steve Bannon are both doing Fed time, along with several members of the oath keepers.

                Donald Trump’s fake elector co-conspirators are turning states evidence, including his attorneys.

                And you are just a random guy rattling on the Internet, weak and impotent and incapable of affecting the wheels of justice as they grind the criminal conservatives into dust.

              • hillbilly land? A professor at MU claiming to be all country and shit?

                If your cause is so just why lie? You fascists are a fascinating bunch. Make the same mistakes over and over and still think you’re all that and a bag of chips.

                Yes, I’m just one guy. As are you. And since you fascist’s once again commit crimes against humanity before you’ve won the war you will face justice as your buddies did 80 years ago.

                Never learn.

              • “A professor at MU claiming to be all country and shit?“

                Your ham handed amateur detective work is laughable.

                And we are rolling up your corrupt conservative conspirators one after another.

                Isn’t it interesting, not one member of the Obama/Biden or Biden/Harris administrations is languishing in prison, but I have lost count of trump’s conspirators who are now watching black-and-white TV in the day room.

                You folks are beyond pitiful, your authoritarian ‘project 2025’ roadmap is just a 21st-century Mein Kampf, and will come to the same sad end.

              • When the corrupt fascist .gov puts its opposition in prison for existing and then you cheerlead for the corruption, miner, that just proves to all that those folks in the day rooms are victims.

                None of your fascist buddies are in prison because they control the organs of the state.

                Not to worry, though. That will change, professor.

              • “the corrupt fascist .gov puts its opposition in prison for existing“

                Yet another bullshit claim with no evidence or documentation to support your claim.

                The American jurisprudence system works, convictions by jury of their peers under the constitution is what we like to call due process.

                You Trump cult members are anti-American, you should have denounced Trump for calling for the termination of the constitution but you double down on your authoritarian dictatorship dreams.

                And now we’re learning both Donald Trump and JP Mandel wear ladies make up, that’s just weird.

              • Weird? Now you’re anti trans or homophobic. Or is it not ok for Trump?

                You were just defending a man for beating a woman in womens boxing. You are flip flopping so much you must be dizzy.

                Did you ever denounce biden when it was obvious even to a child that he was not mentally fit to hold the office? Have you yet said anything against him when the whole world knows he’s got dementia and the nuclear codes?

              • Miner is the most disingenuous person I’ve ever seen in my life. He would twist and turn and lie as much as necessary to serve his masters who don’t even care about his existence. He lacks this thing most men have called dignity.

              • Miner is the most disingenuous person I’ve ever seen in my life. He would twist and turn and lie as much as necessary to serve his masters who don’t even care about his existence. He lacks this thing most men have called dignity.

          • minor49iq…I hate to rain on your parade of utter stupidity but biden-cackles is to all things related to firearms what the Jim Crow Gun Control democRat Party was and still is to Black Americans.

            I don’t know about you but my costs have gone up on everything. I believe the biden-harris inflation is all by design to pay for millions iof illegals. Since the 2020 election was stolen from Trump I’ve paid so much extra it would cover a couple of illegals’ living expenses, have you ran your numbers to see how many you are paying for?

            Perhaps your time would be better spent maintaining the Tampon Dispensers that democRat Tampon Tim Walz installed in the boy’s schoolhouse restrooms?

            TRUMP/VANCE 2024

            • “TRUMP/VANCE 2024“

              “Former Minnesota governor and US Navy veteran Jesse Ventura slammed Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s attacks on opponent Tim Walz’s military record as “despicable.”

              “I think that Vance is doing a disservice to himself, and a disservice to the United States Marine Corps…Marines show respect, and Vance is not showing respect,” Ventura told CNN’s Laura Coates Friday of the Ohio senator, who is also a Marine Corps veteran.

              Ventura – who endorsed Kamala Harris for president – also expressed dismay at Vance’s support for Donald Trump, whom he accused of being “the biggest draft dodger of the Vietnam War.”

              Trump, 78, was medically exempt from the draft at the height of conflict in Vietnam due to bone spurs.“

              https://nypost.com/2024/08/10/us-news/jesse-ventura-slams-jd-vance-for-accusing-tim-walz-of-stolen-favor/

              • Jessie was just as wrong as you are Miner49er. Tampon Tim did indeed ‘steal valor’ by taking credit for a part of his service that never happened. Several of the people who served with him have basically accused him of the same thing, they were there serving too and Jessie wasn’t there with them and doesn’t know Jack about it.

                Tampon Tim, never once, carried a firearm in combat and never served in combat and when it got to the point where he could no longer wiggle out of a deployment he instead retired. But now he’s basically saying he did go into combat with a firearm and thats not true. Plus he further lied about it and implied he went into combat with a civilian commercial market ‘weapon of war’ (implying such is the civilian commercial market MSR, AKA ‘AR-15). The US military has never fielded a civilian commercial market MSR in issue or combat to serving or reserve or National Guard for use in combat and it is not a ‘weapon of war’.

              • Contrary to his false claims, Tampon Tim has never served in Iraq (he has repeatedly claimed to have seen combat in Iraq – that is a lie). Once again, his false claims, are ‘stolen valor’.

                But! He did turn downtown Minneapolis into a basic version of a combat zone in Iraq with him facilitating and encouraging the ‘mostly peaceful’ protestors crime of arson, theft, and violence. You know, the ‘Insurgents, acts of terrorism, mobs of people screaming’ that was the ‘mostly peaceful’ BLM protestors he facilitated and encouraged and cheered on for downtown Minneapolis.

              • “he has repeatedly claimed to have seen combat in Iraq“

                So specifically when did Tim Walz claim to be in combat in Iraq?

          • evidence? really?… ok, just about every post you have made praising your masturbation fantasy Joe Biden.

            • “praising your masturbation fantasy“

              You just can’t stop yourself from thinking and posting about same sex erotic fantasies.

              That’s just weird. And creepy.

              • as usual you left out the context, this time by cherry picking to create something that does not exist.

                This is the context…

                “…just about every post you have made praising your masturbation fantasy Joe Biden.”

                Learn what context means Miner49er.

              • Booger, when you suggest one male has a “masturbation fantasy” about another male, that is the very essence of a same-sex erotic insult.

                And it reveals which subject is top of mind with you.

                Whatever floats your boat…

              • your the one with the violent left wing extremism masturbation fantasy of Joe Biden. Stop trying to put it off on others for pointing out the obvious you have expressed through your posts praising Joe.

              • “your the one with the violent left wing extremism masturbation fantasy“

                Now you’ve gone full unhinged conservative, while it is entertaining it’s also very sad.

              • Miner49er, you being outed as a extremist left wing idiot supporting the overthrow of our country by your types os enough to show you are simply plain delusional. And you did it all in your own words glorifying Joe Biden in obediently repeating his lies and praising his tyranny.

      • I’m just gonna jump on in here……. the second amendment is about shooting tyrants in their face not ducks, just saying.

  2. That’s a very good thing to happen. Now if all Hunters would reciprocate on the behalf of firearms the demonic Gun Control democRats want to confiscate we could all gather around the campfire and sing Kumbaya.

    Unfortunately too many hunters are in camp with the likes of the democRat Tampon Tim Walz who believe such stupidity as, “If you cannot get it done with 10 rounds then you can’t get it done.” And love to regurgitate such crap as, “Weapons of War.” What far too many of these seasonal Rambos do not understand is once those so called Weapons of War are gone then their Weapons of War Sniper Rifles and Riot Shotguns are next to go.

    TRUMP/VANCE 2024.

  3. OT, nice to see expanded hunting – but they are apparently expanding hunting in the UK, and the quarry is you and me. See comments by the London LE dude regarding “extradition” of American citizens “violating” UK speech laws online.

    It seems laughable, but during ww2 the slimey limeys were crying because they had no guns. So guns donated by American citizens were gathered up and sent to England. When the war was won, the slimey limeys DUMPED THOSE VINTAGE DONATED GUNS IN THE OCEAN. “We don’t believe civilians should own such powerful weapons,” is what they said.

    My point being, if the pompous ingrates will do that, they will do ANYTHING.

    Back to real hunting – ain’t seen a mallard or pintail on the local
    fish pond in 50 years, and the wood ducks dwindle steadily. Overhunting, mostly of the market variety, is the reason for local conditions….

    • “ain’t seen a mallard or pintail on the local
      fish pond in 50 years, and the wood ducks dwindle steadily“

      Alex, what is climate change and habitat disruption for $500…

      “Here’s a closer look at how climate change affects nesting ducks:

      Shifts in Timing
      Warming temperatures can lead to earlier springs, which may cause a shift in the timing of nesting for some duck species. This earlier nesting could potentially lead to mismatches between the timing of duckling hatching and the availability of their food sources, which can in turn affect survival rates.

      Habitat Changes
      Climate change can significantly alter waterfowl habitats. Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation can lead to droughts, floods, or the drying up of wetlands, which ducks rely on for nesting. In addition, sea level rise can lead to the loss of coastal habitats used by some duck species.

      Increased Predation
      Changes in climate can also affect predator populations. For example, milder winters could lead to increased survival and reproduction of predators like foxes and raccoons, which can have a negative impact on duck nest survival.

      Changes in Food Availability
      Changes in weather patterns can affect the timing and abundance of food sources that ducks rely on. For instance, a late frost could kill off insects that ducklings feed on, and changes in precipitation can affect the availability of aquatic plants that adult ducks eat.

      Increased Disease Risk
      Warmer temperatures can also contribute to the spread of diseases that affect waterfowl, such as avian influenza and botulism.

      Migration Disruption
      Changes in temperature and weather patterns can disrupt traditional migration routes and timings for ducks. This can lead to ducks arriving at their breeding grounds either too early or too late, which can impact their ability to successfully nest and raise offspring.

      https://www.earth.com/news/early-nesting-ducks-are-at-risk-from-climate-and-land-use-changes/#:~:text=affect%20survival%20rates.-,Habitat%20Changes,used%20by%20some%20duck%20species.

      • If you think habitat loss or climate change explains the local wood duck dearth, you would be wrong. Baiting, ignoring bag limits, and outright poaching are the problems.

        • XZX, global warming is the fall back boogie man for everything for the left. Too hot? Global warming. Too cold? Global warming. Flooding? Global warming. Drought? Global warming. Overslept and late for work? Global warming. Joe can’t remember what state he’s in? Global warming. Camel Hair cackling at something no one else in the room thinks is funny? Global warming. I could go on.

          • There is no doubt CO2 and associated warming are gamed by cynical people, Gore being the classic example. And it gets thoroughly ridiculous.

            It is real, though. It is just physics. It is only a natural variation in the sense that CO2 just naturally causes warming. Sad maybe, but true. Limbaugh had lots of good stuff to say, but on climate he was unfortunately completely full of shit. Sounded good, though.

            • XZX, 60 million years ago there were no polar ice caps. There was an inland sea covering what we call the Great Plains. There were no humans around to create greenhouse gases. It must have been the dinosaurs farting. We’re on top now, but we’ll be gone one day. Maybe the cockroaches will get the keys to the place next. Why worry about it? As an aside, my sister has a master’s degree and worships at the alter of global warming. She makes Miner look like Regan. After she retired she bought a place on the beach in South Walton on 30A. Go figure.

      • quacking minor49iq…It’s attributed the consumption of Chinese Peking Duck…Makes more sense than blowing smoke about the weather which has been unpredicatable for billions and billions of years. I. E. Global Cooling…never mind. Global Warming…never mind…Climate Change…never mind. Let me fix it once and for all…Climate Hoax.

        • Bullshit. CO2 traps heat. When you wear wool all summer in Houston, and live without AC, I will give you credit for walking the talk. But please don’t try it, you could easily die.

    • XZX, not all the lend lease weapons were dumped in the ocean. Some came home. I have a friend who has a S&W triple lock that went over there during that bail out. It was rechambered in a Webley caliber, .455 I think, and has British proof marks.

        • Meant to include that l didn’t know that the SWs were part of LendLease, but it is not surprising – sounds like a rare bird.

          • S&W were part of ww2 lendlease. But the ww2 pistols were in a American based british .38 caliber. They put a heavier bullet in a .38 S&W. I believe Colt also sent their version as well.

            WW1 Colts and Smiths were sent in .455. I don’t think they called it lendlease then.

            • The facet of LendLease I was referring to was driven by private donations of individually owned weapons – I suppose a bringback from ww1 could have found its way back through that event. Don’t how it would have escaped bring dumped by the self righteous pigs it was loaned to, but am not privy to details. Trust, but verify :)…

              Probably not wise economically to rechamber those ww1 455s to 45 LC – although that would make one fine pistol.

        • Thanks for the link. I recently acquired both a 6 1/2″ 2nd model target HE in .44 SPL. and a 4″ 3rd model HE .44 SPL. Beautiful revolvers. I own lots of drastic plastic, but there is no comparison to these revolvers, or my SAAs.

          • Having seen good pictures of the gold inlaid given to the Eussian Czar by Sam Colt, they get my vote for all time pretty. Just saying.

            Plastic will grow in you, but it just ain’t the same.

            • XZX, like I said, I have plenty of plastic. Been to Glock LE armorer school three times. Most of that stuff is reliable, durable and accurate, but… they have no personality.

    • Confiscation requires compliance, what works in Australia and New Zealand in the way of a “buy back” will not work here. When one’s firearms ownership is a privilege and not a right these things are possible this is simply not the case here in the good ole US of A.

  9. “Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced a proposal”. Just a “PROPOSAL”. show the rule or regulation with an effective date.

    Oh there is an election pending??? Might this be all BS that will never happen from the fascists?

  10. XZX, like I said, I have plenty of plastic. Been to Glock LE armorer school three times. Most of that stuff is reliable, durable and accurate, but… they have no personality.

    • I hate the way they sound when dry-fired. Drives me nuts. But as you say they shoot good, and don’t rust much.

      “After she retired she bought a place on the beach in South Walton on 30A.”

      There is some data to suggest sealevel rise can occur in pulses (3-5m). The old coast lines can be seen on the Gulf bottom in some places. *Highly* unlikely to occur in our lifetimes, though. Long as she is clear of storm surge, she’s making a good play.

      That said, it has for sure come up ~100m in 19.5 kyrs. About a half centimeter per year if my math is correct. Most calculations say if all the terrestrial ice melts, the ocean will rise another 77m, give or take. So that’s the upper bound.

      N FL was an interesting place to live in those days.

    • How sad for you, all you can do is post fake satirical articles from the Babylon bee and hope some other right wing moron will believe it as fact.

      And I would not be surprised if you actually believed that article was factual and are posting it to show your snowflake outrage.

    • If you knew anything about Russia, you would see this article for the bullshit it is.
      But you are a Putin sucker, as a member of Donald Trump’s cult you must revere Vladimir Putin, who has resurrected the Chekist KGB:

      “Last week news broke that their resurgence is soon to be topped off with a final triumph — the resurrection of the old KGB itself. According to the Russian daily Kommersant, a major new reshuffle of Russia’s security agencies is under way that will unite the FSB (the main successor agency to the KGB) with Russia’s foreign intelligence service into a new super-agency called the Ministry of State Security — a report that, significantly, wasn’t denied by the Kremlin or the FSB itself.
      Advertisement

      The new agency, which revives the name of Stalin’s secret police between 1943 and 1953, will be as large and powerful as the old Soviet KGB, employing as many as 250,000 people.
      The creation of the new Ministry of State Security represents a “victory for the party of the Chekists,” said Moscow security analyst Tatyana Stanovaya, referring to the first Bolshevik secret police. The important difference is that, at its core, the reshuffle marks Putin’s asserting his own personal authority over Russia’s security apparatus.“

      https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-resurrects-the-kgb-moscow-security/

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