The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing enhanced hunting opportunities on 16 national wildlife refuges in 14 states, including waterfowl hunting in Minnesota at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

At Minnesota Valley, migratory bird hunting areas will be expanded, as will areas for upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.

For hunting regulations on the refuge, go here.

Notice of the proposal was published in the Federal Register July 11. The public has until August 10, to comment. See the proposed rule and instructions on where to submit comments here. Or visit http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/huntFishRegs.html.

Other proposed refuge hunting changes are:
•Big Muddy National Fish & Wildlife Refuge, MO: Expansion of areas for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge, IN: Expansion of the refuge's big game hunting area. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
•Block Island National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to the refuge's big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Bond Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, GA: Addition of migratory bird hunting and upland game hunting; expansion of area for big game hunting and addition of wild turkey to big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Chickasaw National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, ID: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
•Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, TX: Addition of turkey to species in big game hunting. The refuge is also open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and sport fishing.
•Saddle Mountain (Hanford Reach) National Wildlife Refuge, WA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. Addition of chukar (a member of the pheasant family) to upland game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Julia Butler Hanson Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, OR: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Lower Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge, TN: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge, RI: Addition of deer to species for big game hunting program. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, MT: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.
•Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, LA: Expansion of area for migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is open to sport fishing.
•Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, SC: Expansion of area for big game hunting. Add woodcock to species for migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also open to upland game hunting and sport fishing.
•William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, OR: Expansion of area for big game hunting. The refuge is also open to sport fishing.

While definitions of hunting categories vary by refuge and state, the service says, migratory bird hunting generally includes ducks and geese. Upland game hunting may cover such animals as game birds, rabbit, squirrel, opossum and coyote. Big game hunting may include such animals as wild turkey, deer and feral hogs.