Every year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviews hunting and fishing programs on National Wildlife Refuges to determine whether it should add new opportunities and modify existing opportunities. This year, the Service has proposed to open or expand hunting on nine Refuges:
- Savannah River National Wildlife Refuge – Georgia and South Carolina. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge – Indiana. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge – Minnesota. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge – North Dakota. Open moose hunting for the first time. Already open to upland game and other big game hunting.
- Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge – North Dakota. Open moose and turkey hunting for the first time. Already open to upland game and other big game hunting.
- Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge – Oklahoma. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge – Oregon. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Horicon National Wildlife Refuge – Wisconsin. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
- Fox River National Wildlife Refuge – Wisconsin. Expand existing hunting opportunities.
SCI encourages its members who live near or hunt on any of the Refuges to submit comments in support of the Service’s proposals. The Service will accept comments on the proposals until September 11, 2017. You can read a detailed explanation about each of the proposals and how to comment here.