Trump regime to slash barriers to hunting and fishing on federal land

Newsweek -  The Interior Department has announced what officials describe as “the largest proposed expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” (FWS), adding or broadening over 1,450 opportunities across 111 stations in 32 states.

The proposed changes would result in over 92 million acres of National Wildlife Refuge System lands, or 95 percent, becoming available for hunting, according to a service press release issued Tuesday.

The FWS said the move advances the priorities of the Trump administration to expand access to public lands and reduce what it called “unnecessary regulatory burdens,” as well as implementing Secretary’s Order 3447, issued by the Interior Department earlier this year, which directed its bureaus and offices to “identify and remove unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers to hunting and fishing on Department-managed lands and waters.”

Such proposals have been welcomed by hunting groups, while conservation organizations have expressed concerns about wildlife management and visitor safety.