Feds propose to expand hunting, fishing in 30 national wildlife refuges

By Chris Eger

In all some 248,000 acres of federal land could be see expanded opportunities to sportsmen (Photo: USFWS)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Monday announced a proposal to expand hunting and fishing at national wildlife refuges in 22 states.
Among the changes, which would increase access to 248,000 acres of federal lands for sportsmen, would be to open Montana’s Swan River National Wildlife Refuge to big game hunting for the first time and Pennsylvania’s John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge to white-tailed deer hunting for the first time. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke made the announcement this week, stressing the country’s hunting and fishing heritage.
“As stewards of our public lands, Interior is committed to opening access wherever possible for hunting and fishing so that more families have the opportunity to pass down this American heritage,” said Zinke. “These 30 refuges will provide incredible opportunities for American sportsmen and women across the country to access the land and connect with wildlife.”
Refuge systems that may be opened for the first time for hunters besides Heinz and Swan River would include Florida’s Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge which could see wild turkey hunts as could New Jersey’s Edwin B. Forsythe refuge. The Umbagog National

Source: Guns.com