Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has issued Order No. 3356, which calls for studies to identify ways to broaden opportunities for hunting and fishing on federal land.
Secretary Zinke, an NRA Life member who has already demonstrated support for hunters and anglers, stated that the purpose of the order was “… to inform how best to enhance and expand public access to lands and waters administered by the [Interior] Department—lands and waters owned by all Americans—for hunting, fishing, recreational shooting, and other forms of outdoor recreation.” He also called for “… engaging youths, veterans, minorities, and underserved communities …” as new hunters while working more closely with states, tribes and other regional jurisdictions.
Order No. 3356 requires that the Interior Department submit a series of reports to the Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council and the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council for feedback, and that it must produce a list of recommended “specific actions” within 30 days. We are pleased to see that Secretary Zinke is not only saying the right things, but proving that he is a man of action.