Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act

H.R. 3749, the Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act, would establish a federal policy requiring public land management agencies to actively support and enhance opportunities for fishing, hunting, and recreational shooting. Under this bill, Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands would be open to these activities by default unless an agency specifically acts to close an area for reasons such as public safety, national security, or resource conservation.

For the average citizen, this legislation would ensure more consistent access to federal lands for outdoor sports and require agencies to provide public notice and annual reports regarding any significant land closures. Additionally, the bill would formally establish two advisory councils to facilitate cooperation between the federal government and the wildlife conservation and boating communities.