Comment from Anonymous

Hello, I would like to share my opinions on my support for the proposed 2026–2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations, specifically the proposed expansions at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Missouri along the Mississippi River. I am an avid hunter, outdoorsman, and soon to be father and I would very much like to see more opportunities for the hunters in Missouri, specifically for waterfowl. Just in the past 10 years, it has become increasingly more difficult to go waterfowl hunting due to public land access. Every year it feels more like you have to have a duck club membership or an expensive boat to be able to hunt anywhere, and if you happen to find somewhere it is extremely pressured. I firmly believe any well regulated expanded accesses for hunting is a step in the right direction. I would like my child to grow up with similar hunting opportunities that I had growing up. Seeing how bad our public land is being treated as a nation, I am not sure if it will go back to how it was. But if this passes, it will give me hope that they will have some opportunities that they will be able to utilize. Furthermore, this proposal perfectly aligns with the broader directives of Secretarial Order 3447 and Director's Order 233. By removing outdated station-specific prohibitions and aligning the refuge's allowed species and seasons with the Missouri Department of Conservation's regulatory framework, the Service is reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers and eliminating confusion for the public. This consistency between state and federal management is exactly the kind of commonsense conservation policy our chapter advocates for. In a state where public hunting land is highly pressured and heavily utilized, every acre of new access is critical. The opening of the McCoy and Riverside units will help distribute hunting pressure, support our state's outdoor heritage, and foster a deeper public connection to the National Wildlife Refuge System. Thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for its proactive approach to expand access. I strongly urge the adoption of the proposed rule for Clarence Cannon NWR as written. Thank you for your time and consideration, A concerned Missouri Resident