The Subcommittee on Federal Lands held a field hearing in Hayward, Wisconsin, underscoring the significance of federal land access for outdoor enthusiasts. The hearing was chaired by Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.), who emphasized the cultural importance of outdoor sports such as hunting, fishing, trapping, and shooting in Wisconsin's heritage.
"Unfortunately, access barriers, such as road decommissioning and closures, preservationist land lockups, and a lack of active management limit sportsmen and women’s ability to experience our public lands," Tiffany stated. "Committee Republicans are committed to hearing directly from folks on the ground and advancing solutions that increase access and improve management."
Outdoor sporting activities are integral to American culture. Wisconsin is among the top 10 states offering both fishing and hunting opportunities. However, several barriers limit access to these activities on public lands. These include road decommissioning and closures, preservationist land lockups, lack of active management, and weaponization of environmental laws.
Loss of access to recreation sites poses a significant threat to hunting and fishing. Since 1991, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has decommissioned an average of 2,000 miles of roads annually.
On June 22, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed banning lead ammunition and tackle by 2026 in seven national wildlife refuges. On April 30, 2024, H.R. 615 - Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2023 was passed by the House which bars prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal lands or waters.
Proper species management is also crucial for promoting access for sportsmen and women. The Great Lakes region houses the largest concentration of gray wolves in the lower 48 states with an estimated population of around 4,200 wolves inhabiting Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
On April 30th this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 764, the Trust the Science Act, which would delist the recovered gray wolf from the endangered species list.
The hearing allowed members to hear from local witnesses on these access issues and many others.
