Since day one, the Trump administration has prioritized recreational access to public lands, particularly for hunting and fishing. These two great American pastimes have formed the bedrock of the nation’s wildlife conservation efforts, generating more dollars for habitat protection and restoration than any other outdoor pursuit. Today, the Department of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) helped grow that legacy by finalizing a rule to open additional hunting and fishing opportunities in Idaho and across the country. This brings the total expansion to over 4 million acres nationally since President Trump took office.
“On the heels of President Trump signing the most significant conservation and recreation funding in US history, providing nearly $20 billion over the next 10 years to fix and conserve the American people’s public lands, the Trump Administration has now made an additional 2.3 million acres accessible to new hunting and fishing opportunities,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt. “We continue to take significant actions to further conservation initiatives and support sportsmen and women who are America’s true conservationists.”
“The Trump Administration and Secretary Bernhardt have made access to public lands for hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation a priority beginning day one. Hunting and fishing are a part of our American history, and we continue to ensure we provide opportunities for these activities which epitomize our American heritage,” said Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “Furthermore, we have maintained our commitment to promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden by working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities.”
In Idaho, three national wildlife refuges are adding hunting and/or fishing opportunities. This includes expanded hunting opportunities at Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, and additional fishing access at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. For complete details of the final rule in Idaho see below.
“Hunting and fishing are treasured traditions that have been passed down through generations of Idahoans. I applaud the Administration’s work to increase recreational access and further the opportunity for sportsmen and women across Idaho to share this legacy with their own children,” said U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (ID).
“Idaho Fish and Game and the citizens of Idaho welcome more opportunities for hunting and fishing, and we appreciate that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was receptive to proposals for more recreation put forth by Idahoans,” Idaho Fish and Game Director Ed Schriever said. “We also look forward to continuing these efforts to provide more hunting and fishing opportunities in the future that benefit people who visit national wildlife refuges in Idaho."
Since the creation of the very first national wildlife refuge by President Theodore Roosevelt, refuges have been places where wildlife is managed to ensure healthy populations for future generations of Americans to enjoy. Responsible hunting has always been a part of that management equation. Refuge managers complete rigorous environmental studies to ensure each hunting opportunity is consistent with their conservation goals. Hunting and fishing are not allowed on all refuges, but the Service makes every effort to permit them where possible and compatible.
Hunting and fishing generate millions of dollars in revenue for states each year from the sale of licenses and tags. Additionally, excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, as well as sport fishing equipment and boating fuel, generate more revenue for states for wildlife management and public recreation; in 2020 alone theService will distribute nearly $1 billion to states under the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.
For more information, view interactive maps of hunting and fishing opportunities, and a web page of all environmental documents related to openings and closings at all 147 affected stations.
- Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge: Expand sport fishing to new acres.
- Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge: Open snipe hunting for the first time and expand sport fishing to new acres.
- Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge: Open crow, bobcat and deer hunting on new acres and expand existing migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting to new acres, and expand method of take for elk hunting to align with state regulations.
The final rule will publish in the Federal Register and will be available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-0013.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/pacific, or connect with us through facebook.com/USFWSPacific, twitter.com/USFWSPacific/,tumblr.com/blog/usfwspacific, flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/ and youtube.com/user/USFWS
Contacts: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov
Vanessa Kauffman, 703-358-2138, vanessa_kauffman@fws.gov