Sacramento, Calif. — Since day one, the Trump administration has prioritized recreational access to public lands, particularly for hunting and fishing. These two great American pastimes have formed the bedrock of the nation’s wildlife conservation efforts, generating more dollars for habitat protection and restoration than any other outdoor pursuit. Today, the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helped grow that legacy by finalizing a rule to open additional hunting and fishing opportunities in California and across the country. This brings the total expansion to over 4 million acres nationally since President Trump took office.
“On the heels of President Trump signing the most significant conservation and recreation funding in US history, providing nearly $20 billion over the next 10 years to fix and conserve the American people’s public lands, the Trump Administration has now made an additional 2.3 million acres accessible to new hunting and fishing opportunities,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. “We continue to take significant actions to further conservation initiatives and support sportsmen and women who are America’s true conservationists.”
“The Trump Administration and Secretary Bernhardt have made access to public lands for hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation a priority beginning day one. Hunting and fishing are a part of our American history, and we continue to ensure we provide opportunities for these activities which epitomize our American heritage,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “Furthermore, we have maintained our commitment to promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden by working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities.”
In California, three national wildlife refuges are adding hunting and/or fishing opportunities. For complete details of the final rule in California see below.
- Merced National Wildlife Refuge: Open snipe hunting on acres already open to other hunting.
- San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Open sport fishing for the first time.
- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge: Expand season dates for existing pheasant hunting.
"We welcome the expansion of sporting opportunities in California and across the country," said Ducks Unlimited CEO Adam Putnam. "Hunters are the most dedicated conservationists. Their licenses, fees and stamp purchases provide for the maintenance of wildlife habitat, especially wetland habitat, which help fish, game species, human recreation and a host of environmental benefits, including carbon sequestration and better water quality.”
Since the creation of the very first national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge by President Theodore Roosevelt, refuges have been places where wildlife is managed to ensure healthy populations for future generations of Americans to enjoy. Responsible hunting has always been a part of that management equation. Refuge managers complete rigorous environmental studies to ensure each hunting opportunity is consistent with their conservation goals. Hunting and fishing are not allowed on all refuges, but the Service makes every effort to permit them where possible and compatible
Hunting and fishing generate millions of dollars in revenue for states each year from the sale of licenses and tags. Additionally, excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, as well as sport fishing equipment and boating fuel, generate more revenue for states for wildlife management and public recreation; in 2020 alone the Service will distribute nearly $1 billion to states under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
For more information, view interactive maps of hunting and fishing opportunities, and a web page of all environmental documents related to openings and closings at all 147 affected stations.
The final rule will publish in the Federal Register and will be available at https://www.regulations.gov/, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-0013.
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 about our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/cno/ or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
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