Full Breakdown
Federal Order Expands Hunting and Fishing Access on National Park Service Lands
5/9/2026, 3:07:40 AM
Federal Order to Expand Hunting and Fishing Access in National Parks
In January 2024, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a directive ordering multiple agencies to eliminate “unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers” to hunting and fishing on lands managed by the Department of the Interior. The order applies to 55 National Park Service sites in the lower 48 states and instructs managers to retain only those restrictions that are “specific, documented, and legally supported.” Early implementation has lifted bans on tree stands, training dogs, vehicle retrieval of game, and hunting along trails at several locations.
Background: Declining Participation and Funding Pressures
National surveys show that only 4.2 percent of U.S. residents >= 16 years old identified as hunters in 2024. The resulting decline in license sales and excise-tax revenue has left many state wildlife agencies financially strained. Conservation and hunting groups, as well as conservative policymakers, have promoted expanding public-land access, targeting women, youth, and additional species to sustain the sport.
Key Actors and Stakeholders
- Doug Burgum – Secretary of the Interior, author of the order.
- President Donald Trump – Administration under which the order was issued.
- National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) – Provided data on affected sites.
- Dan Wenk – Former Yellowstone superintendent and NPS deputy operations director, critic of the order.
- Elaine Leslie – Former head of the NPS biological resources department, vocal opponent.
- Elizabeth Peace – Interior Department spokesperson, defender of the policy.
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Ducks Unlimited – Organizations that issued supportive statements.
Scope and Specific Changes
- Geography: 55 sites in the contiguous United States; the NPS manages roughly 51 million acres across 76 sites (? 8 million acres in the lower 48).
- Hunting: Extended season at Cape Cod National Seashore (Massachusetts); permission to clean kills in restrooms at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (Texas); allowance for alligator hunting in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (Louisiana).
- Regulatory Adjustments: Removal of prohibitions on tree stands, dog-training activities, vehicle retrieval, and trail hunting.
- Fishing: Remains permitted at 213 NPS sites.
Official Statements & Agency Responses
Secretary Burgum framed the policy as a means to “strengthen conservation outcomes, support rural economies, and improve public health” while emphasizing that any closures needed for safety or legal compliance will stay in effect. Interior spokesperson Elizabeth Peace described the order as a “commonsense approach” that preserves the long-standing stewardship role of sportsmen and women. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership called the directive a balance between wildlife management and outdoor traditions, and Ducks Unlimited highlighted the recognition of duck hunters’ “vital role” in conservation.
Criticism and Concerns from Former Officials
Dan Wenk argued that the administration is bypassing a stakeholder-driven process that historically shaped hunting regulations, stating, “Process never seems to stand in the way of many things with this administration.” Elaine Leslie warned that the order “does not reflect science-based management” and raised safety concerns, noting she does not want grandchildren to encounter “a hunter drag a gutted elk … across a visitor-center parking lot” or see “hunters cleaning their game” in restrooms.
Conflicting Reports & Information Gaps
The Interior Department has not disclosed whether public outreach preceded the order, and NPCA data do not specify how many of the 55 sites have formally revised their regulations. No independent assessment of visitor-safety impacts or wildlife outcomes has been released, leaving the effectiveness of the policy unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Expanding opportunities for the public to hunt and fish on Department-managed lands not only strengthens conservation outcomes, but also supports rural economies, public health, and access to America's outdoor spaces,” — Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior
- “Process never seems to stand in the way of many things with this administration,” — Dan Wenk, former Yellowstone superintendent
- “and this order ensures their access is not unnecessarily restricted by outdated or overly broad limitations that are not required by law.” — Elizabeth Peace, Interior Department spokesperson
- “I don't want to take my young grandchildren to a park unit only to have a hunter drag a gutted elk they shot across a visitor center parking lot. Nor enter a restroom where hunters are cleaning their game,” — Elaine Leslie, former NPS biological resources head
- “ “This process will streamline federal regulations, make them more consistent with existing state rules, and provide more public-land access for outdoor recreation.” — Ducks Unlimited, conservation organization
Outlook and Potential Future Actions
The order may prompt additional regulatory revisions across the remaining NPS sites, while advocacy groups and former officials call for comprehensive safety reviews and science-based assessments. Ongoing monitoring of wildlife impacts and visitor experiences will likely shape future policy adjustments or legal challenges.
