The US opens 87,000 acres of wildlife refuges to hunting and fishing

The US Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to open or expand hunting and fishing on 17 national wildlife and fish stations. This will add 42 new opportunities across more than 87,000 acres of federal land and water.

The US government manages millions of acres of land and water for conservation. These lands are often restricted to protect wildlife. This proposal opens up a significant amount of previously restricted land for public use, shifting the balance between strict conservation and recreational access. It also includes the newest national wildlife refuge, Southern Maryland Woodlands, which will have hunting opportunities from its inception.