The public has 30 days beginning Dec. 30 to submit comments on a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service proposal that would alter hunting opportunities within the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex. 

The proposal would open turkey hunting on Hillside National Wildlife Refuge, open waterfowl and deer hunting on the Carter Unit of Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, open big-game and small-game hunting on another portion of the Panther Swamp refuge, realign hunting areas and hunt days at Panther Swamp, open youth waterfowl hunting on Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, limit weekend waterfowl hunter numbers on Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge and expand the acreage on which deer and feral hogs may be hunted at Morgan Brake National Wildlife Refuge.

The Fish & Wildlife Service will issue a final version of the plan after considering the public comments that it receives.

Written comments, requests for copies of the plan and questions may be sent to David Linden, 728 Yazoo Refuge Road, Hollandale, MS 38748.  Prospective commenters may also call Linden at 662-839-2638, ext. 3.  Comments may be e-mailed to yazoo@fws.gov.

Copies of the plan are also available at the Ricks Memorial Library, 310 N. Main St., Yazoo City, Greenwood Leflore Public Library, 405 W. Washington, Greenwood; William Alexander Percy Memorial Library, 341 Main St., Greenville; and at the Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, 728 Yazoo Refuge Road, Hollandale. 

The Roosevelt complex is among more than 500 national wildlife refuges managed by the Fish & Wildlife Service, the federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants, along with their habitats.