U.S. Sens. John Barrasso and Mike Enzi have both praised a recent announcement that hunting and fishing opportunities across 2.3 million acres of land at 157 national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries will be expanded, including in some areas of Wyoming.
“This announcement to expand hunting and fishing opportunities on public lands is good news for sportsmen and for our state,” Enzi said in a news release regarding the change in U.S. Interior Department rules. “Wyoming is home to one-of-a-kind beauty and natural treasures. It’s important to ensure that our public lands and recreational areas are accessible to the public for multiple use so those unique areas can be enjoyed by more people.”
The changes in Wyoming include:
- Bamforth National Wildlife Refuge: Open upland game and big game hunting for the first time.
- Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: Open light goose hunting and sport fishing on acres already open to other hunting.
- Hutton Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Open upland game and big game hunting for the first time on acres already open to other hunting.
- Pathfinder National Wildlife Refuge: Open mourning dove hunting on acres already open to other hunting.
“Today’s final rule is welcome news to hunters and fishermen in Wyoming and across the country,” Barrasso said. “In Wyoming, hunting and fishing are a huge part of our way of life. I’m pleased we will now have expanded recreation access at a time where socially distant outdoor activities like hunting and fishing are more important than ever.”
