FWS Proposes To Expand Hunting at 10 Wildlife Refuges

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing an expansion of hunting activities at 10 wildlife refuges in 8 states. Hunting, under certain conditions, is already allowed at more than 300 of these multi-use sites. There are 553 units in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The proposed moves would allow additional species to be killed at the 10 refuges, which include:

• CO, Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge: add elk hunting
• LA, Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge: add waterfowl and coot hunting
• IA and MN, Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge: increase acreage and expand species for migratory bird hunting and upland game hunting, and increase acreage for big game hunting
• MN, Crane Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: add deer and turkey hunting
• MN, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge: increase acreage for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting, and big game hunting
• MN, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge: add deer and turkey hunting, and open new areas to migratory bird hunting
• MS, Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge: add hunting for ducks, geese, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, deer, and hogs
• NC, Currituck National Wildlife Refuge: add hunting for deer and hogs
• TX, Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge: add hunting for feral hogs, white-tailed deer, rabbits, and squirrels
• UT, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge: add turkey and elk hunting

Local environmental, animal rights, and hunting groups likely will be the best sources of opinions for or against these proposals. The public comment period ends Aug. 4, 2011. For more information:

• "Service Proposes to Expand Hunting Opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges in Eight States" (includes a link to the Federal Register notice); Claire Cassel, 703-358-2357.