While wildlife does come first on refuges, the Refuge System also has a strong tradition of public use. In 2002, over 35 million people visited the Refuge System of which 98% is open to the public. Among the most popular public uses were those the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act established as the six priority uses -- uses which first must be compatible with the mission and purpose of a refuge: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and interpretation.

National wildlife refuges are also important financially, as the Refuge System today contributes over $400 million dollars annually to local and regional economies.