The US Fish and Wildlife Service have released a proposed plan (Comprehensive Conservation Plan) that will guide management of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge for the next 15 years. The 7,768-acre Refuge was established in 1960 and is located 26 miles from New York City. The Refuge offers an annual permitted deer hunt held in November. A one-day youth hunt is followed by a four-day public hunt open to muzzleloader and shotgun.
There are four management alternatives presented in the plan. Alternative A – Current Management describes the current management priorities and activities in the Refuge, which include the hunt programs stated above. Alternative B – Enhance Biological Diversity and Public Use Opportunities is the Service’s preferred alternative. It would expand the hunt program by permitting archery for deer and adding turkey hunting. Alternative C – Emphasis on Maximizing Natural Regeneration would keep the hunt programs the same as under Alternative A. Alternative D – Focus on Expansion of Priority Public Uses would expand hunting as described in Alternative B. The plan can be viewed here.
The public is invited to submit comments on the plan until June 27th. Click here to email comments.
Please put “Great Swamp CCP” in the subject line.
If available, please attend one of the two public meetings below:
June 11, 2014
10 a.m. – 12 noon
Chatham Municipal Building
June 12, 2014
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Long Hill Township Municipal Building
For further information or if you have questions please call 413-253-8688.
For hunting opportunities to increase in the Refuge, the Service needs to hear support from sportsmen and women like you who value the opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Refuge. Please take some time to read through the Alternatives, particularly Alternatives B and D and submit comments online.
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