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National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) are located in 49 of the 50 states and encompass more than 13,678,860 ha. Refuges are vital for habitats and overall conservation of many birds. In 1974, fishing was allowed on 171 refuges with fishing waters being stocked on at least 18 refuges. Excessive use of shallow vegetated areas of lakes and streams by wading and boating fishermen can disturb feeding and nesting waterbirds. Various publics have demanded and received access to 42 NWRs for motor boating and water skiing. Obvious and documented impacts of high speed boating are shoreline degradation, disruption of nesting and feeding with loss of production, and displacement of birds. Sport hunting of wildlife was permitted on portions of 184 national wildlife refuges in 1974, primarily for migratory waterfowl but also for resident game birds and big game. Where endangered species are involved, such as whooping cranes (Grus americana) and Mexican ducks (Anas platyrynchos), it is difficult to see the rationale for sport hunting of lookalike species. Some refuges have been used as practice areas for low flying military aircraft, others as convenient and inexpensive routes for highway and utility rights-of-way.