Why It Matters: Access remains one of the biggest factors influencing participation in hunting and fishing. In a major win for America’s hunters and anglers, the Department of the Interior recently finalized regulations expanding hunting and fishing opportunities across the country while supporting the conservation mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
Highlights:
- The Department of the Interior’s historic expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities is now in effect, creating 1,488 new opportunities across 111 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field stations in 32 states.
- More than 92 million acres, or over 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands, are now available for hunting.
- This updates more than 1,000 refuge-specific regulations to better align federal requirements with state fish and wildlife regulations.
The National Wildlife Refuge System has long connected Americans to fish, wildlife, and public lands through hunting and fishing opportunities. The final rule, strongly supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), continues that tradition by expanding access while maintaining the conservation standards that guide refuge management.
Now in effect, the regulatory update establishes 1,488 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities at 111 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service field stations, including first-ever hunting or fishing opportunities at 14 National Wildlife Refuges and three National Fish Hatcheries.
The rule also modernizes more than 1,000 existing regulations by improving consistency between federal refuge regulations and state fish and wildlife laws, providing greater clarity for hunters and anglers.
CSF has consistently supported policies that expand responsible public access while ensuring healthy fish and wildlife populations for future generations. With the rule now in effect, these new opportunities represent another step toward keeping hunting and fishing integral to wildlife conservation and America’s outdoor heritage. The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation commends this historic expansion of access and looks forward to seeing hunters and anglers take advantage of these new opportunities this fall.