The Sikes Act includes specific provisions for the hunting and fishing program. Under the Sikes Act, installations are given the authority to issue hunting and fishing permits to individuals and to collect permit fees. Installations are to retain the permit fees and use the revenue for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife in accordance with the INRMP. The act also stipulates that the sale of forest products and the leasing of lands for agriculture and grazing must be compatible with the installation’s INRMP.
The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (SAIA) also reinforces the autonomy given to the installation commanders by providing the authority to “collect, spend, administer, and account for fees” for the hunting and fishing programs. The law requires that the fees be used to protect, conserve, and manage fish and wildlife and that the INRMP prescribe the specific use of fees. In addition, the SAIA maintains the requirement that land or forest products may not be sold or leased unless the sale or leasing is compatible with the INRMP.
Recent advances in software apps (e.g., iSportsman) and use of mobile phones to manage hunting and fishing permits and use/access of hunting and fishing areas has greatly enhanced the capacity of installation staff to manage hunters and anglers. DoD and the military services have in some cases subsidized the cost of software to support these improved efficiencies.
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Next Page: Integrating state wildlife action plan priorities
Author
David S. Jones, RA IV, Ecologist/Project Manager
Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands
Warner College of Natural Resources
Colorado State University