The Fish and Wildlife Service’s hunting and fishing expansion benefits everyone

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under Director Brian Nesvik, recently made history. The agency’s new proposal would result in the most sweeping expansion of hunting and sport fishing access in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

The proposed expansions would open over 95 percent of the entire National Wildlife Refuge System (more than 92 million acres) to hunters and anglers. The proposal identifies over 1,450 new opportunities spanning 32 states, opening and expanding access to public lands for anglers and hunters across the country, including 14 refuges and hatcheries where hunting and fishing will be opened for the first time.

Even more, the proposal slashes more than 500 outdated or redundant regulations, clearing the bureaucratic underbrush that makes it harder for hunters and anglers to know where they can go and what they can do. The proposal better aligns federal rules with state wildlife management frameworks by implementing Secretary’s Order 3447, Expanding Hunting and Fishing Access, Removing Unnecessary Barriers, and Ensuring Consistency Across Department of the Interior Lands and Waters. This will help put decision-making back where it........

© The Hill