Hunting  |  04/01/2014

Upland Hunting Opportunities Expand at 15 National Wildlife Refuges


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Finding a place to hunt – access – continues to be a primary concern of many upland hunters, as well as an obstacle for potential newbies. If you’re in that category, you’ll be happy to know U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe announced the agency will expand hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the National Wildlife Refuge System, including new or expanded upland hunting opportunities at 15 refuges in 12 states.

Open to upland hunting for the first time:

Pennsylvania – Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Wyoming – Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Additionally, the Service expands hunting and sport fishing on the following refuges:

California – Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Florida – St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Idaho – Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

Illinois – Cypress Creek National Wildlife RefugeMiddle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge

Indiana – Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area

Iowa – Neal Smith National Wildlife RefugeNorthern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife RefugePort Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Maine – Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge
Missouri – Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

Texas – Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Vermont – Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

“For more than a century, hunters and anglers have been the backbone of conservation in this country and a driving force behind the expansion of the National Wildlife Refuge System,” said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. “By providing more hunting and fishing opportunities on refuges, we are supporting a great recreational heritage passed down from generation to generation, creating economic growth in local communities and helping to ensure that conservation stays strong in America.”

To read the entire release and see a list of new and expanded outdoor opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges, click here.

-Anthony Hauck is Pheasants Forever’s Online Editor. Email Anthony at AHauck@pheasantsforever.org and follow him on Twitter @AnthonyHauckPF.