Fairfax, Va.— The National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA)  applauds U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke for his effort to give America’s outdoorsmen and women greater opportunities to hunt and fish on public lands.

Sec. Zinke announced  a proposal to open more than 248,000 acres to new hunting and fishing opportunities in 30 national wildlife refuges. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal would take steps to simplify regulations to more closely match state hunting and fishing regulations. If finalized, the proposed changes would be implemented in time for the upcoming 2018-2019 hunting season.

 “Sec. Zinke and I both grew up hunting and fishing and want to ensure that our children and grandchildren have those same outdoor opportunities,” said Chris W. Cox, NRA-ILA executive director. “Our young people need to get out in nature more and unplug from the digital world. Sec. Zinke’s effort to open up more of our public lands for outdoor recreation will benefit not only our youth, but all Americans for generations to come.”

The Department of the Interior’s proposal outlines expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at 136 national wildlife refuges. If finalized, it would bring the number of units of the National Wildlife Refuge System where the public can hunt to 377, and the number where fishing is permitted to 312.

Note:  The Service will seek comments from the public on the proposed rule for 30 days, beginning with publication in the Federal Register in coming days. The notice will be available at www.regulations.gov, docket no. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2018-0020, and will include details on how to submit your comments. An interim copy of the proposed rule is now available at https://www.fws.gov/home/pdfs/Proposed_2018-2019_Hunt_Fish_Rule_signed.pdf.