(Aug. 1, 2024) – Expanded hunting and fishing opportunities, including some ruffed grouse hunting, have been announced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on 12 national wildlife refuges located across the country.
Altogether, 53 new distinct hunting and fishing opportunities are comprised within the USFWS proposal, affecting approximately 211,000 acres in the National Wildlife Refuge System. Public comments are being sought for 30 days on the draft rule, which will be posted Aug. 2 to the Federal Register.
In light of the USFWS’s continued evaluation of the future of lead use on lands and waters within the refuge system, the new opportunities outlined in the proposal are lead free.
Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society President and CEO Ben Jones commented on the USFWS proposal, including the measures addressing lead ammunition.
“Our nation’s wildlife refuges have historically provided wildlife-rich, accessible opportunities to hunt and fish,” said Jones, “and, since the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, they have played a critical role in conserving important lands and waters. We are therefore gratified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposal to expand hunting and fishing within the refuge system, and we look forward to celebrating these increases in the grouse woods this fall.
“At RGS & AWS, our mission is guided by sound science that benefits our forests and our wildlife, and we therefore support the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to limit the use of lead ammunition and tackle in these expansions,” Jones continued. “RGS & AWS supports the voluntary use of non-lead ammunition by hunters. We stand behind the Service as it continues to evaluate the role of lead on refuge system lands and waters, and we commend the implementation of incentive-based rebate programs to give hunters the opportunity to explore lead-free ammunition options.”
Last week, the USFWS announced the launch of a pilot program at seven national wildlife refuges during the fall 2024 hunting season to test voluntary, incentive-based efforts to increase the use of lead-free ammunition by hunters on Service-administered lands.
The proposed changes should be finalized in time for the 2024-25 hunting season. For complete details on the USFWS proposal and to comment, visit the Federal Register and enter docket number FWS-HQ-NWRS-2024-0034.
About the Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society
RGS & AWS unites conservationists to improve wildlife habitat and forest health for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and ALL forest wildlife. We promote forest stewardship for our forests, our wildlife and our future. Backed by our community of passionate conservationist members, RGS & AWS employs a network of forestry management professionals to work alongside public and private stakeholders. The tenets of sound science in wildlife and forestry have guided RGS & AWS for over 60 years and onward.
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Media Contact:
Katie McKalip
406-240-9262
KatieM@RuffedGrouseSociety.org
