More hunting land planned

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to expand hunting at two national wildlife refuges in California.

Lands that were once used by a hunting club were added to Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Sacramento and would be open for public duck hunting from blinds. And hunting would be expanded to include half of the Sacramento River National Refuge; about 80% of the 10,326-acre unit would be open to fishing and wildlife viewing.

Michael Markarian, executive vice president of the Humane Society of the United States, says animals should be protected in refuges, and hikers, campers, bird-watchers and photographers should not have to compete with hunters. The Humane Society has challenged hunting at other national wildlife refuges in court.

More than half of the 545 wildlife refuges allow hunting. Ducks Unlimited, a hunting advocacy group, says loss of habitat is the biggest threat to wildlife. To see the proposals or submit comments before Aug. 5, go to www.fws.gov/pacific/sacramento/default.htm.

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Bill Becher