1996-97 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) amends certain regulations that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting and sport fishing on individual national wildlife refuges for the 1996-97 seasons. Refuge hunting and fishing programs are reviewed annually to determine whether the individual refuge regulations governing these programs should be modified, deleted or have additions made to them. Changing environmental conditions, State and Federal regulations, and other factors affecting wildlife populations and habitat may warrant modifications ensuring continued compatibility of hunting and fishing with the purposes for which individual refuges were established. The Service determines that such use is compatible with the purposes for which these refuges were established. The Service further determines that this action is in accordance with the provisions of all applicable laws, is consistent with principles of sound fish and wildlife management, and is otherwise in the public interest by providing additional recreational opportunities at national wildlife refuges.