NWRs/Fed Lands open for hunting?

[Steven Alexander]

Interior Department Plans to Open All Its Public Land to Hunting and Fishing — Unless Specifically Closed by Site Managers

Secretarial Order 3447 will require that most public lands managed by the Department of the Interior are open to hunting and fishing access unless specifically closed by site managers and agency directors.

www.outdoorlife.com

Lets go bang some pintails at Wheeler NWR, Eric!

 

[Eric Patterson]

It's the "Unless Specifically Closed by Site Managers" and "resource protection" that will prevent duck hunting on Wheeler NWR. They allowed it over 50 years ago on a very limited basis, similar to Swan Creek but far fewer days. I don't see it ever returning and to be honest my personal feeling is ducks need refuges now more than ever. Urban sprawl and wetland drainage has eliminated so much habitat and these days it feels like any place that might have a duck on it has been sold/leased to duck hunters.

I sincerely hope our state and federal refuges are getting funded and up to the task of providing habitat. Without that, what's a duck to do?

 

[Steven Alexander]

My guess is that it will remain permanently closed for the sake of Whooping Cranes. I have no objection to them opening it to limited hunting, since they are restricting so much hunting elsewhere (Swan Creek, particularly). I doubt they will ever fully open it to waterfowl hunting.