Hunting, Fishing and Recreational Uses
Multiple Use as a National Policy
Demand for wood products for the
post-World War II housing boom
coincided and competed with an
increased demand for recreation
and wilderness and a concern for
environmental values. These
changes in public attitudes and the
need to balance competing demands
led to the concept of multiple-
use which was declared national
policy in two Congressional
acts – the Multiple-Use Sustained
Yield Act of 1960, which applied to
the Forest Service, and the Classification
and Multiple Use Act of
1964, which applied to the Bureau
of Land Management.
The restoration of military lands and conversion to forest brought an increase in
wildlife populations, and so hunting was introduced on some installations to assist
in controlling populations of deer and other game species. Consistent hunting
policies did not exist for military installations until the passage of the Engle
Act2 in 1958. The act tried to resolve basic conflicts between the military and
civilian conservation agencies by requiring that all hunting, fishing, and trapping
on military installations be conducted in accordance with state and federal laws,
and under the appropriate state licenses.
On most installations, commanders restricted hunting privileges to the military
and their dependants until passage of the Sikes Act of 1960, which authorized public
recreational access and the collection of fees by installations for that privilege.
This led to the widespread opening of military areas to public recreation. Although
outdoor recreation included camping, picnicking, boating, swimming, and a host
of other outdoor activities, hunting and fishing were in greatest demand by the
public at that time. Fees collected for hunting and fishing activities are used to
cover administrative expenses and support conservation initiatives. Unlike forestry
and agricultural lease fees, hunting and fishing fees must only be used for funding
activities on the installation from which they were collected.
Proceed to Next Section: Managing for Biodiversity as an Added Multiple Use
