Full Breakdown
Trump Administration Pushes to Remove Local Hunting Restrictions in National Parks
5/9/2026, 6:52:59 AM
Order to Expand Hunting and Fishing Access
In January 2026 Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed Secretarial Order 3447, directing Interior agencies to eliminate “unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers” to hunting and fishing on Department-managed lands. The order applies to 55 National Park Service (NPS) sites in the lower 48 states and requires agencies to justify any regulation they wish to retain. It frames public lands as “open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies.”
Background and Existing NPS Hunting Framework
The NPS currently permits hunting on roughly 51 million acres across 76 units, of which about 8 million acres lie in the contiguous United States; fishing is allowed in 213 sites. While NPS units generally adopt state hunting and fishing rules, they may impose additional restrictions—such as prohibitions on shooting near trails, requirements for dog identification, or limits on carcass disposal—to protect visitor safety and wildlife resources.
Data and Statistics
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Census data show that only 4.2 % of Americans over age 16 identified as hunters in 2024, leaving many state wildlife agencies with reduced revenue from license sales and excise taxes. The NPS reports hunting is authorized in 76 units and that about 51 million acres are open to the activity.
Official Statements & Responses
Interior spokesperson Elizabeth Peace described the order as a “commonsense approach to public-land management,” emphasizing that “sportsmen and women have been some of the strongest stewards of our public lands.” The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership called the order a “balance between wildlife management and outdoor traditions,” while Ducks Unlimited praised it for recognizing the “vital role” of duck hunters and streamlining federal regulations.
Criticism and Opposition
Former NPS superintendent Dan Wenk questioned the need for the change, saying, “I’d love to know the problem we’re trying to solve.” Former NPS biological resources head Elaine Leslie warned that the order “does not reflect science-based management” and expressed concern about hunters dragging gutted game through visitor areas. Critics argue that removing locally tailored rules could jeopardize safety, sanitation, and resource protection.
On-the-Ground Examples of Local Rules Under Review
- Curecanti National Recreation Area (CO): Requires hunters to stay at least 100 yards from roads, trails, campgrounds, and other developed areas.
- Ozark National Scenic Riverways (MO): Mandates that hunting dogs wear collars or tags with the owner’s name and phone number and remain within reasonable proximity.
- Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (TX): Enforces blaze-orange requirements, bans night-vision optics, restricts baiting, limits visible carcass disposal, and prohibits cleaning game in restrooms.
The order suggests that such restrictions should be removed unless mandated by law or demonstrably necessary for safety or resource protection.
Why It Matters
If the Interior successfully streamlines regulations, hunters could experience clearer, more consistent access across federal lands, potentially supporting rural economies and public-health benefits linked to outdoor recreation. Conversely, eliminating site-specific safeguards may increase conflicts between hunters, hikers, campers, and other visitors, and could undermine public trust in hunting on shared lands.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The internal memo and park-by-park spreadsheet outlining the order’s implementation have not been publicly released, and the Department has not confirmed any public outreach or comment period preceding the order.
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 National Park superintendent
- “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.” — Elaine Leslie, former head of NPS biological resources
- “For decades, sportsmen and women have been some of the strongest stewards of our public lands,” — Elizabeth Peace, Interior spokesperson
What’s Next
Hunters are advised to verify current park rules on each NPS unit’s website or by contacting park offices before heading out. The Interior is also pursuing a separate proposed rule to align Alaska preserve hunting regulations with state law, indicating a broader push to prioritize hunting and fishing access on federal lands.
