Department of the Interior Proposing to Open Select Public Lands to Hunting, Fishing

The Department of the Interior is proposing to open millions of acres of public land to hunting and fishing.

The Fish and Wildlife Service would open 1,450 new chances for hunting and sport fishing across 111 locations in 32 states, including 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries, under a proposed rule announced on May 27.

The objective is to make it easier for visitors to understand applicable hunting rules while respecting the primary role of states in wildlife management, according to a statement.

The plan would open more than 92 million acres—more than 95 percent of National Wildlife Refuge System lands—to hunting or sport fishing at 14 refuges and three hatcheries for the first time ever.

The rule would also simplify federal regulations and align refuge requirements with state fish and wildlife laws and make compliance easier for hunters and anglers.

“Hunting and fishing are deeply rooted American traditions that support conservation, connect families to the outdoors and strengthen local economies,” Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik said in the statement. “We are proud to expand access while continuing to fulfill our conservation mission and responsibly manage these lands and waters for future generations.”

The National Park Service is removing unnecessary hunting-related closures and restrictions on lands where hunting is authorized by law. The objective is to remove barriers that exceed what is necessary for public safety, resource protection, or legal compliance.

Lawrence G. Keane, National Shooting Sports Foundation senior vice president for government and public affairs, hailed the announcement.

“[The National Shooting Sports Foundation] has long advocated for public lands to be accessible to the American public, especially for hunting, and these new opportunities will ensure America’s greatest pastime—hunting—will continue for generations to come,” Keane said in a statement.

The Department of the Interior said in its statement: “Hunting and fishing remain subject to applicable federal law, public safety requirements, and resource protection standards. Hunting is only permitted in National Park System units where authorized by law, and fish and wildlife access on refuges remains subject to compatibility determinations and conservation requirements.”

The proposed rule is in line with Order No. 3447, issued by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. In that Jan. 7 order, Burgum directed all Department of the Interior bureaus and offices to find ways to increase accessibility to public lands.

That includes improving working relationships with state, tribal, and territorial wildlife agencies.

“Elevate any proposed reduction or incompatibility determination involving hunting or fishing to appropriate Bureau or Office leadership for transparent and accountable review,” the order reads.

According to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, nearly 40 million anglers and more than 14 million hunters contribute more than $144 billion annually to the U.S. economy.

The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register and is available for public comment until June 26.