"We are committed to providing recreational opportunities such as hunting and fishing on national wildlife refuges whenever they are compatible with our wildlife conservation mission," said Service Director Jamie Rappaport Clark. "In recent years, the number of refuges offering hunting and fishing opportunities, and the numbers of hunters and anglers visiting refuges have both grown substantially.
In 1994, there were just over 1.4 million hunting visits to national wildlife refuges, and just over 5 million fishing visits each year. By 1999, those numbers had grown to more than 2 million hunting visits and more than5 million fishing visits. By law, hunting and fishing are two of the "priority uses" of the refuge system, and individual refuges are encouraged to provide opportunities to hunt and fish whenever they are compatible with the refuges conservation responsibilities. The Service annually reviews hunting and fishing programs on national wildlife refuges to determine whether to add, modify, or remove them. Aside from new programs, there are only a handful of substantive changes this year.
The National Wildlife Refuge Systems vision for the 21st Century, known as Fulfilling the Promise, calls for national wildlife refuges to provide a "variety of opportunities to enjoy and appreciate Americas fish, wildlife, and plants," and recommends several steps to improve and expand services for hunters, anglers, and other refuge visitors.
Since President Theodore Roosevelt created the first refuge in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has grown to include more than 520 refuges and thousands of waterfowl production areas. At least one refuge is located in each of the 50 states and U.S. territories and insular areas. National wildlife refuges provide stopovers and destinations for millions of migratory birds, provide sanctuary for hundreds of endangered species, and support important recreational and commercial fisheries.
The full text of the proposed Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations can be found in the July 10, 2000 Federal Register (65FR 42318), on the Internet at http://refuges.fws.gov">, or is available from the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Refuges, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, 22203; telephone 703-358-2397.
Written comments can be provided to the Chief, Branch of Planning and Policy, at the same address, via fax on 703-358-2248, or via the Internet to Refuge_Specific_Comments@fws.gov.
Reporters: An "online almanac" of refuge information most frequently requested by journalists, including the history of the system, a timeline of recent events, and a wide variety of background information, is available at http://refuges100.fws.gov.
Proposed New Refuge Hunting and Fishing Programs for 2000-2001
Migratory Game Birds
Grand Bay NWR, Alabama
Lake Umbagog NWR, New Hampshire & Maine
McNary NWR, Oregon
Balcones Canyonlands NWR, Texas
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Texas
Arid Lands NWR Complex, Washington
Big Game
Grand Bay NWR, Alabama
Mandalay NWR, Louisiana
Lake Umbagog NWR, Maine & New Hampshire
San Andres NWR, New Mexico
McNary NWR, Oregon
Lower Rio Grande Valley NWR, Texas
Mackay NWR, Virginia
Arid Lands NWR Complex, Washington
Upland Game
Grand Bay NWR, Alabama
Cameron Prairie NWR, Louisiana
Lake Umbagog NWR, Maine & New Hampshire
McNary NWR, Oregon
Arid Lands NWR Complex, Washington
Sport Fishing
Atchafalaya NWR, Louisiana
Bayou Cocodrie NWR, Louisiana
Rachel Carson NWR, Maine
Sand Lake NWR, South Dakota
Trinity River NWR, Texas
Mackay NWR, Virginia
Arid Lands NWR Complex, Washington
Hunting and Fishing Visits to National Wildlife Refuges 1994-1999
Waterfowl
1994: 476,010
1995: 603,897
1996: 602,680
1997: 743,413
1998: 825,043
1999: 876,219
Upland Game
1994: 441,092
1995: 449,685
1996: 432,521
1997: 453,509
1998: 497,890
1999: 596, 960
Big Game
1994: 520,212
1995: 538,469
1996: 461,463
1997: 546,296
1998: 542,721
1999: 627,253
Freshwater
1994: 4,011,381
1995: 4,065,600
1996: 4,078,930
1997: 4,011,071
1998: 3,942,244
1999: 4,565,054
Saltwater
1994: 1,078,010
1995: 1,246,328
1996: 1,158,496
1997: 1,589,292
1998: 1,868,280
1999: 2,189,716
Questions and Answers Hunting and Fishing on National Wildlife Refuges
How much hunting and fishing occurs on National Wildlife Refuges?
A lot, and more every year. In 1994, there were just over 1.4 million hunting visits, and just over 5 million fishing visits each year. By 1999, those numbers had grown to more than 2 million hunting visits and more than5 million fishing visits each year. Once the final rule is published, 297 refuges will be open for hunting, and 258 refuges will be open for fishing.
What about waterfowl production areas?
The Services 3,000 waterfowl production areas -- small wetland units managed as part of the refuge system -- are all open to hunting and fishing. Nearly 800,000 people visit WPAs each year.
How can I learn which refuges offer hunting and fishing?
Point your browser to http://www.recreation.gov"> to learn about many types of recreational activities, including hunting and fishing, that are available on National Wildlife Refuges and other Federal lands.
Why isnt every refuge open to hunting and fishing?
Hunting and fishing, or any other use, will not be allowed if they are not compatible with the purpose(s) of each refuge and the conservation mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System, such as on refuges established to protect certain endangered species.
In many cases, refuges simply dont have the appropriate habitat. For example, the appropriately-named Desert National Wildlife Refuge in Nevada does not offer public fishing. A number of refuges have been established on former military lands, and the presence of unexploded ordnance makes public recreation in some areas unsafe. Finally, some refuges simply dont have the personnel or financial resources to offer hunting and fishing programs is a safe and responsible way.
What does the law say about hunting and fishing on refuges?
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the organic legislation of the System, designates hunting and fishing as two of the six "priority public uses" that receive preferential treatment on national wildlife refuges. The other priority uses are wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education and interpretation. National refuge policy encourages refuges to offer these opportunities and to seek out additional resources if needed to do so. With some exceptions, most refuge hunting and fishing is conducted in accordance with regulations set by the state wildlife management agencies.
How can hunters and anglers participate in the management of their local refuge?
Refuges across the country are actively seeking the opinions of hunters, anglers, and other members of the public as they embark on developing Comprehensive Conservation Plans that guide all aspects of refuge management, and will also begin making "Compatibility Determinations" reviews of hunting, fishing, and other public uses. Hunters and anglers with a particularly strong interest in their local refuge should consider joining its support group. Often going by names such as "Friends of ... National Wildlife Refuge," these groups play an increasingly integral role in refuge management.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 520 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes over 500 million dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state wildlife agencies annually. - FWS -
Links">http://refuges100.fws.gov">
