White House begins review of plan to expand hunting and fishing in wildlife refuges

A proposal to expand hunting and fishing access within wildlife refuges advanced this week to the White House review stage.

Put forward in May, the proposal would open or expand hunting and fishing in 32 states, including by opening 14 national wildlife refuges to new hunting or sport fishing access.

The proposal from the Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday entered a review by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget.

If finalized, upward of 95 percent of lands in the wildlife refuge system will be open to hunting.