Refuge Improvement Act of 1997 Continues To Benefit Sportsmen
The Refuge Improvement Act stipulates that hunting is a legitimate and priority general public use of a refuge and should be facilitated.
Columbus, OH –-(Ammoland.com)- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released their updated hunting and fishing regulations which includes expanded hunting opportunities on a number of National Wildlife Refuge lands.
Published on January 21st, the rule ensures hunting and fishing remains open on numerous refuges.
In addition, the rule will open new hunting opportunities on the Caddo Lake Refuge (LA, TX). Also, expanded hunting opportunities will be available on the following:
- Modoc Refuge (CA);
- Cape May Refuge (NJ);
- Ft. Niobrara Refuge (NE);
- Deep Fork Refuge (OK);
- Bosque del Apache Refuge (NM); and
- Minnesota Valley Refuge (MN).
In 1997, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) 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.
In opening the current set of new Refuge lands to hunting, the Service relied on this language to combat anti-hunting comments.
One commenter, opposed to hunting on the Refuges, claimed that allowing hunters onto the Refuge lands prevents non-hunters from using them when “the wildlife murderers are there shooting.”
In response, the Service noted that the Refuge Improvement Act stipulates that hunting is a “legitimate and priority general public use of a refuge and should be facilitated.”
“This new set of hunting opportunities on Refuge lands is a testament to the success of USSA’s work on the Refuge Improvement Act,” said Bud Pidgeon, USSA President and CEO. “The Act continues to expand hunting opportunities for sportsmen across the country.”
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers, and trappers. For more information about the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or visit its website, www.ussportsmen.org.
About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.