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1. The Interior Dept. plans to allow hunters to kill more migratory birds and other wildlife in wildlife refuges—and officials are framing the move as a way to "celebrate" Trump's victory over Covid-19 https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/interior-plans-largest-hunting-expansion-after-virus-victory
2. Interior's press release includes an endorsement and a thank-you to President Trump from Safari Club International, which has ties to Donald Trump, Jr. https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/secretary-bernhardt-proposes-historic-expansion-hunting-and-fishing-opportunities
3. Safari Club International auctioned off a 7-day "dream hunt" with Trump Jr. back in February.
4. The plan is actually a rulemaking that updates hunting regulations for the 2020-2021 hunting season in national wildlife refuges. More than 2 million acres within wildlife refuges will be opened to new hunting access. Those include:
5. New Mexico’s Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, known for its sandhill cranes and crane festival. Interior is proposing to allow dove, goose, coot and other bird hunting in the refuge...
6. And Florida’s Everglades Headwaters National Wildlife Refuge, which will be newly opened to migratory bird and big game hunting.
7. All the details will be in tomorrow's Federal Register: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2020-06258.pdf
8. “Once the Trump Administration’s effort to eliminate the threat of COVID-19 has been successful, there will be no better way to celebrate than to get out and enjoy increased access for hunting and fishing on our public lands,” FWS chief Aurelia Skipwith, said.
9. Well over 12,000 Americans have died of Covid-19—and counting.
10. More info and public comments on this can be found here: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=FWS-HQ-NWRS-2020-0013
