Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced it was extending the waiver of entrance fees for the National Wildlife Refuge System and federal fish hatcheries.
This extension builds off of an earlier announcement on March 19 that temporarily suspended entrance fees for the nearly 500 National Wildlife Refuges. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) is excited that Interior Secretary David Bernhardt is maintaining the openness of public lands and waters to provide hunting and fishing opportunities, while following the recommendations of public health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Recently, CSF sent a letter to more than 2,000 state legislators who are members of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses (NASC), encouraging them to help maintain the openness of public land in their respective states during this time of uncertainty. Similarly, CSF sent a letter to the nation’s governors as well as each state fish and wildlife agency urging the openness of public lands and waters for hunting and fishing activities, which recommended:
“Keeping turkey season open as scheduled; continuing to allow access to state wildlife management areas and other public lands; temporarily waiving fishing license requirements; withholding trout stocking announcements to prevent crowds from congregating at popular fishing locations; considering fishing tackle retailers and manufacturers as essential businesses; and, allowing shooting ranges to remain open while implementing social distancing practices.”
Hunting and fishing activities are critically important to rural communities during this time of economic and social uncertainty. Access to public lands and waters are critical for the nation’s economy, as well as for the financial, physical and mental well-being of our nation’s outdoor enthusiasts and the businesses that support these needs.
The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation will continue to work at both the federal and state level to ensure that hunting and fishing opportunities are available while maintaining safe social distancing practices.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
