Public Lands Archives

3 National Wildlife Refuges Propose Expanded Hunting Opportunities

On the heels of a similar proposal last year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to pair increased hunting and fishing opportunities on National Wildlife Refuges with a reduction in the use of lead tackle and ammo.

Sport Hawk | 6.22.2023

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) looks to to increase recreational access to public lands with the announcement of 48 new hunting opportunities spanning approximately 3,000 acres across the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Three national wildlife refuges managed by USFW are proposing expanded hunting opportunities. These public lands include Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama, Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, and Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota.

Additionally, the effort includes a rule to phase out lead ammunition and tackle at eight national wildlife refuges. The USFW says that the decision is based on scientific evidence demonstrating the negative impacts of lead on both human health and wildlife. The newly proposed hunting and fishing opportunities also ban the use of lead ammunition or tackle.

The Service welcomes public comments on the proposed rule for 60 days, starting from the publication in the Federal Register on June 23, 2023. Those interested can find more information and submit comments here, using Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2023-0038.

Hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities have a significant impact on the U.S. economy, contributing more than $156 billion in 2016, according to the Service’s most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. More than 101 million Americans participate in wildlife-related recreation, including hunting and fishing.

Read more about the proposal:

Related proposal from 2022:

Wyoming Corner Crossing Case Favors Public-Land Hunters

A recent civil case in Wyoming provides a crucial benchmark for ongoing conflicts surrounding access to corner-locked public lands.

Sport Hawk | 6.29.2023

A federal judge last month ruled in favor of four Missouri hunters charged with trespassing for using a step ladder to cross over a corner boundary between public and private lands in Wyoming. The private lands are part of sprawling Elk Mountain Ranch, which is owned by pharmaceuticals executive Fred Eshelman of North Carolina. His ranch encompasses 27 parcels of state and federal lands totaling more than 11,000 landlocked acres.

Wyoming statute prohibited hunters from crossing private-land corners without the consent of adjacent landowners. In the recent civil trespassing case, the ranch owner sought a jaw-dropping $7 million in damages.

According to the non-profit news service WyoFile, attorneys for the out-of-state hunters argued that preventing access across common corners violates the 1885 Unlawful Inclosures Act, which prohibits private landowners from blocking access to public lands.

This ruling has implications for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts in other states where a checkerboard pattern of land ownership exists. Colorado, Montana, and numerous other states have interlocked public and private lands that call similar rights into question.

In many cases, the “airspace” at the intersection of these checkerboard corners has been the focal point of conflict. While some argue that this airspace is part of the public domain and should be accessible to hunters, others contend that it falls within the realm of private property rights.

The Wyoming decision in favor of corner-crossing hunters could be a significant step toward resolving these conflicts. However, the issue of airspace remains ambiguous. Further clarification will be required to strike a fair balance between public land users and private landowners.

For further reading:

WyoFile
“Judge Rules in Favor of Corner-Crossing Hunters”

Outdoor Life
“Public Land Hunters Win Corner Crossing Case in Wyoming”

The Colorado Sun
“Colorado Corner-Crossing Property Legislation Poised for Comeback Following Wyoming Ruling”

The New York Times
“It’s Public Land. But the Public Can’t Reach It.”

Field & Stream
“Wyoming Judge Rules in Favor of Corner Crossing Hunters”

Photo | A screen shot from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department’s Hunt Planner map shows the awkward checkerboard pattern of private and public land.