U.S. Fish and Wildlife could expand public hunting, fishing access in Kentucky

KENTUCKY ( FOX 56 ) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a proposal to open 211,000 acres of land for hunting and sport fishing opportunities across the nation.

The proposal introduced on Thursday, according to fish and wildlife, consists of 53 national wildlife refuges in Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

“Hunting and fishing are traditional recreational activities deeply rooted in America’s heritage. Today, nearly 80 percent of service stations offer hunting and fishing access that helps boost local economies and connects people with nature,” said Service Director Martha Williams. “We are pleased to expand access and offer new opportunities that are compatible with National Wildlife Refuge System purposes and are committed to responsibly manage wildlife health and these areas for the benefit of future generations.”

Kentucky’s expansion of public access would be in Henderson at the Green River National Wildlife Refuge , marking the first-ever hunting opportunity at the refuge.

According to the Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation , 39.9 million Americans over the age of 16 were estimated to fish and 14.4 million hunted in 2021. Furthermore, the nation’s hunters and anglers contributed more than $144 billion in expenditures.

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The wildlife refuges are home to vital habitats for thousands of species and opening this land would provide access to “world-class recreation, from fishing, hunting, and boating to nature watching, photography, and environmental education,” fish and wildlife said.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife hopes to finalize the proposed changes by the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting seasons.

But first, the service requests the public’s input on the proposal. Instructions on how to do so will be available here under docket FWS-HQ-NWRS-2024-0034.

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