U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)’s Post

Orange isn’t just a fall color! Don’t go frolicking around in nature this spring without wearing your fluorescent orange attire! With spring turkey season starting April 15th with youth turkey season, all visitors at State Management Areas are required to wear at least 200 square inches of fluorescent orange (hat OR vest) beginning the third Saturday in April. 200 square inches is required from the second Saturday in September through February and from the third Saturday in April through May annually. In December, that requirement increases to 500 square inches (hat AND vest) for shotgun deer season. 🏹 Why do we allow hunting on Management Areas? Because hunters fund A LOT of the land that we conserve through their license and tag purchases each year. Additionally, Rhode Island receives Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) funding through the US Fish and Wildlife Service. These monies are generated through an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment. There is an equivalent program for fisheries. 🎣 These resources are used for land acquisition, wildlife monitoring and research, and education. The non-hunting community benefits from this program by having beautiful and wild places to hike, bike, horseback ride, and enjoy nature! Not to mention, all wildlife species, from dragonflies to deer, benefit from habitat conservation!

A survey conducted by Responsive Management, in partnership with the SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA), found that 86 percent of gun owners and recreational target marksmen and women who don’t hunt support the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. That’s an incredible level of support for non-hunters to support a tax that’s been investing over $25 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937, when adjusted for inflation. The notion of a “conservationist” needs an update. It started with hunters dedicated to ensuring that abundant wildlife and public land access was available to future generations of hunters. Today, that’s not confined to men and women with blaze orange caps and camouflage waders. Today’s conservationists proudly include those at indoor ranges, sporting clays courses and next-door neighbors who own a firearm for self-defense. It’s a moniker we’re proud to share. https://lnkd.in/dt7wSBbe #conservation #research #wildlifeconservation

A survey conducted by Responsive Management, in partnership with the SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA), found that 86 percent of gun owners and recreational target marksmen and women who don’t hunt support the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. That’s an incredible level of support for non-hunters to support a tax that’s been investing over $25 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937, when adjusted for inflation. The notion of a “conservationist” needs an update. It started with hunters dedicated to ensuring that abundant wildlife and public land access was available to future generations of hunters. Today, that’s not confined to men and women with blaze orange caps and camouflage waders. Today’s conservationists proudly include those at indoor ranges, sporting clays courses and next-door neighbors who own a firearm for self-defense. It’s a moniker we’re proud to share. https://lnkd.in/dt7wSBbe #conservation #research #wildlifeconservation

A survey conducted by Responsive Management, in partnership with the SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA), found that 86 percent of gun owners and recreational target marksmen and women who don’t hunt support the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. That’s an incredible level of support for non-hunters to support a tax that’s been investing over $25 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937, when adjusted for inflation. The notion of a “conservationist” needs an update. It started with hunters dedicated to ensuring that abundant wildlife and public land access was available to future generations of hunters. Today, that’s not confined to men and women with blaze orange caps and camouflage waders. Today’s conservationists proudly include those at indoor ranges, sporting clays courses and next-door neighbors who own a firearm for self-defense. It’s a moniker we’re proud to share. https://lnkd.in/dt7wSBbe #conservation #research #wildlifeconservation

A survey conducted by Responsive Management, in partnership with the SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA), found that 86 percent of gun owners and recreational target marksmen and women who don’t hunt support the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. That’s an incredible level of support for non-hunters to support a tax that’s been investing over $25 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937, when adjusted for inflation. The notion of a “conservationist” needs an update. It started with hunters dedicated to ensuring that abundant wildlife and public land access was available to future generations of hunters. Today, that’s not confined to men and women with blaze orange caps and camouflage waders. Today’s conservationists proudly include those at indoor ranges, sporting clays courses and next-door neighbors who own a firearm for self-defense. It’s a moniker we’re proud to share. https://lnkd.in/dt7wSBbe #conservation #research #wildlifeconservation

Target: Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Orissa, India Goal: Ensure individuals allegedly involved in poaching activities face stringent legal consequences for their actions. A significant breakthrough in the fight against wildlife poaching occurred recently in the Similipal South Wildlife Division in India’s Orissa, where five individuals were reportedly caught in the act of preparing for illegal hunting. Acting on confidential intelligence and photographic evidence captured by IR trap cameras, a dedicated team from the Forest Department arrested the accused, who were identified as Karunakar Mallik, Kartika Bhakta, Bhola Bhakta, Gunu Bhakta, and Rabi Bhakta, from Besarpani village. These individuals are accused of engaging in illegal poaching activities within the Pithabata South Wildlife Range. The arrests led to the seizure of numerous items reportedly intended for hunting, including three unloaded guns, one loaded gun, 100 grams of gunpowder, various snares, and other equipment typically used for trapping and killing wildlife. Such equipment, allegedly found during raids on their residences, indicates a planned and deliberate attempt to harm protected wildlife species. These actions appear to represent a severe violation of wildlife protection laws and reflect a blatant disregard for the conservation efforts within the region. The alleged actions of these individuals are a direct threat to the rich biodiversity and ecological balance of Similipal. It is imperative that the accused poachers are held accountable under the full extent of the law, including provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Arms Act, 1959. Deter future poaching activities and to protect the invaluable wildlife and natural heritage of India.

A survey conducted by Responsive Management, in partnership with the SOUTHEASTERN ASSOCIATION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCIES (SEAFWA), found that 86 percent of gun owners and recreational target marksmen and women who don’t hunt support the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program. That’s an incredible level of support for non-hunters to support a tax that’s been investing over $25 billion in wildlife conservation since 1937, when adjusted for inflation. The notion of a “conservationist” needs an update. It started with hunters dedicated to ensuring that abundant wildlife and public land access was available to future generations of hunters. Today, that’s not confined to men and women with blaze orange caps and camouflage waders. Today’s conservationists proudly include those at indoor ranges, sporting clays courses and next-door neighbors who own a firearm for self-defense. It’s a moniker we’re proud to share. https://lnkd.in/dt7wSBbe #conservation #research #wildlifeconservation

Florida voters will see Amendment 2 on the ballot this November. It states as follows: RIGHT TO FISH AND HUNT.—Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to preserve forever fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife. Specifies that the amendment does not limit the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission under Section 9 of Article IV of the State Constitution. Floridians already have the right to fish and hunt. It's statutorily protected in the state of Florida under § 379.104, and there have been no threats to this protection. The danger of Amendment 2 is that it would qualify hunting and fishing as the "preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife." This ballot initiative may seem innocent at first glance, but its impacts on Florida wildlife could be more sinister. Check out this article I co-authored with Macie J.H. Codina to learn more. Thank you to the Florida Bar Journal for publishing our article. https://lnkd.in/eNnKs6dZ

Floridians, vote NO on Amendment 2 in Florida. Floridians already have a right to hunt and fish. This is not what this amendment is all about. Amendment 2 threatens the safety and well-being of Florida's diverse wildlife. By prioritizing hunting as the primary method of wildlife management, this amendment could overturn important protections, allowing cruel practices such as steel-jawed leghold traps, hounding and baiting. It could also lead to the trophy hunting of black bears and jeopardize the safety of our cherished land and marine wildlife. Additionally, it could potentially overturn protections like the state’s ban on gill nets — putting dolphins, manatees and other marine animals at risk of deadly entanglements, further endangering Florida’s delicate ecosystems. This amendment isn't about protecting an activity under threat but about privileging a tiny group of special interests at the expense of humane, science-based solutions. While less than 1% of Floridians hunt, their “right to hunt” is already guaranteed by Florida law. Elevating hunting to a constitutional right would strip communities of their power to choose more compassionate approaches to wildlife management. Moreover, the removal of private property protections in this amendment could potentially allow hunters to trespass on private land without consent, putting residents and their property at risk. We need to take action now to protect Florida's wildlife and ensure that our state prioritizes humane and responsible wildlife management. By voting NO on Amendment 2, we can stand up for the well-being of our environment, our communities, and the animals who call Florida home. Make your pledge today! And follow through on voting NO so that humane, science-based solutions remain at the forefront of our state's wildlife management practices. https://lnkd.in/eHaFtrB5

If you're a Floridian, please protect Florida's wildlife and vote NO on Amendment 2. It's simply common sense. "By prioritizing hunting as the primary method of wildlife management, this amendment could overturn important protections, allowing cruel practices such as steel-jawed leghold traps, hounding and baiting. It could also lead to the trophy hunting of black bears and jeopardize the safety of our cherished land and marine wildlife. Additionally, it could potentially overturn protections like the state’s ban on gill nets — putting dolphins, manatees and other marine animals at risk of deadly entanglements, further endangering Florida’s delicate ecosystems. This amendment isn't about protecting an activity under threat but about privileging a tiny group of special interests at the expense of humane, science-based solutions. While less than 1% of Floridians hunt, their “right to hunt” is already guaranteed by Florida law. Elevating hunting to a constitutional right would strip communities of their power to choose more compassionate approaches to wildlife management. Moreover, the removal of private property protections in this amendment could potentially allow hunters to trespass on private land without consent, putting residents and their property at risk." https://lnkd.in/eHaFtrB5?