Trump Administration Eases Hunting Rules on Public Lands

The Trump administration is making it easier to hunt and fish in national parks and other protected areas. An order from the Interior Department aims to remove rules that limit these activities.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued the order in January. It tells agencies to get rid of what he called "unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers" to hunting and fishing. Agencies must now justify any rules they want to keep that restrict these activities.

Burgum stated that opening more public lands for hunting and fishing helps wildlife. He also said it supports local economies and people's access to outdoor spaces. The department's policy is that these lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless there's a specific, documented reason not to be.

This new order affects 55 sites managed by the National Park Service in the lower 48 states. Park managers have already started lifting some bans. These include allowing hunting stands that can harm trees and letting people train hunting dogs. Hunters can also now use vehicles to retrieve animals and hunt near trails.

Examples of rule changes include extending hunting seasons into spring and summer in Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts. At Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, hunters will be allowed to clean their catches in bathrooms. In Louisiana, hunters can now kill alligators at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

These changes come as hunting participation has decreased. Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census shows only about 4.2% of Americans over 16 hunted in 2024. This decline affects revenue for state wildlife agencies, which rely on license sales and taxes on hunting gear.

Hunting groups and some politicians have been looking for ways to support hunting. They are promoting the sport to new groups like women and children. They also want to create seasons for more animals and allow more access to public lands for hunters.

Currently, hunting is permitted on about 51 million acres of National Park Service land. Most of this land is in Alaska. In the continental U.S., hunting is allowed on about 8 million acres across 76 sites. Fishing is allowed at 213 sites. While national parks usually follow state hunting rules, they can add their own restrictions for safety and wildlife protection.

Dan Wenk, a former park superintendent, criticized the administration's approach. He said park rules are usually made after talking with the public. He believes the administration is changing this system without enough discussion. Wenk questioned what problem this order is trying to solve and what the costs might be.

An Interior Department spokesperson, Elizabeth Peace, called the order a "commonsense approach." She assured that any necessary safety or wildlife protections would remain. She added that hunters have historically been good stewards of public lands and their access should not be blocked by outdated rules.

Hunting organizations have praised the order. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership said it balances wildlife management with outdoor traditions. Ducks Unlimited stated that the order recognizes the important role of duck hunters and will make federal rules more consistent with state rules.

However, some former park officials disagree. Elaine Leslie, who previously led the National Park Service's biological resources department, argued that the order undermines a careful process. She expressed concern about hunters cleaning game in public areas like parking lots or restrooms. Leslie believes hunting should have specific times and places, not at the expense of other visitors or the environment.