The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expanding hunting and fishing across more than 2 million acres of federal land.
It’s part of the Biden administration’s large-scale land and water restoration effort called the America the Beautiful initiative and will boost access to 88 national wildlife refuges and a national fish hatchery.
According to the U.S. Interior Department, it’s the largest expansion of outdoor recreation on public lands in recent history. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland says responsible hunting and fishing helps promote healthy wildlife habitats and boosts local recreation economies.
“Increasing access to outdoor recreation opportunities is essential to advancing the Administration’s commitment to the conservation stewardship of our public lands,” said Haaland in a press release.
Under the plan, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge will open for hunting coyote, fox, feral swine, bobcat, jack rabbit, rabbit, quail, and certain dove species in areas already open to other hunting for the 2021-2022 seasons.
The Interior Department's final rule expands hunting to 434 national wildlife refuges and fishing to 378.
