All Public Land Access

[Maxhunter]

You all see this?

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

 

[CMF]

Is there any way to determine which lands are actually affected? Seems like the all of the ones I know about are already open, although maybe this aligns their regulations with the state.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Sounds wonderful but it seems like an initiative to allow what's basically already in place.

I can't think of one piece of BLM, NWR, or National Park near me that this will change for hunting/fishing access or opportunities based on what that article describes. Maybe other States I'm less familiar with will benefit more from this.

 

[theavgjoe]

From what I read and correct me if I’m wrong. They are trying to make the rules and regs more universal for hunting and fishing on BLM, state lands, and wildlife refuges instead of having different rule books for all of the above. I just hope they don’t use this to change rules on BLM and state public lands to restrict hunters and anglers. It does not read that way but under the wrong administration that can change. I pray this is a step forward and not backwards.

 

[spur60]

One of the national wildlife refuges here will likely open up a limited draw whitetail hunt and a limited draw turkey hunt thanks to this initiative. I believe that it's the only NWR in the state that currently doesn't have a deer hunt.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Lots of closed areas in wildlife refuges, this kinda sounds like it would open those up to access for hunting and fishing.


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[CMF]

Lots of closed areas in wildlife refuges, this kinda sounds like it would open those up to access for hunting and fishing.


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You think the waterfowl and other closed sanctuary areas within already open refuges will open up due to this? I'm thinking no, but idk.

 

[Andrew12gauge]

You think the waterfowl and other closed sanctuary areas within already open refuges will open up due to this? I'm thinking no, but idk.

I mean they say they are trying to get rid of confusing regulations by opening up all lands under the purview of the DOI. Obviously nothing confusing on BLM but a guy could easily get tripped up on some of these refuges


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[CMF]

I mean they say they are trying to get rid of confusing regulations by opening up all lands under the purview of the DOI. Obviously nothing confusing on BLM but a guy could easily get tripped up on some of these refuges

I guess we'll see. We had a refuge that backtracked antler regs once to match state areas. Then the state lowered them again for public and private, but most of the state are special wma and have increased restrictions over general public/private. So now, depending on where you are in the state, the regs might be min spread/beam -10/13, 12/15, 15/18, or 16/20