Why It Matters: Access remains one of the biggest factors influencing participation in hunting and fishing. The Department of the Interior’s (DOI) final rule expands opportunities for sportsmen and women across the country while continuing to advance the conservation mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS). The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) has long supported expanding responsible access to public lands and waters where it is compatible with sound wildlife management.
Highlights:
- Last week, the Department of the Interior finalized the largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, creating 1,488 new opportunities across 111 national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries in 32 states.
- More than 92 million acres, or over 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands, are now available for hunting.
- The rule updates more than 1,000 refuge-specific regulations to better align federal requirements with state fish and wildlife regulations.
For more than a century, the NWRS has advanced its wildlife conservation mission by connecting Americans to our nation’s fish, wildlife, and wild places through hunting and fishing opportunities. DOI’s final rule, which is strongly supported by CSF, continues that tradition by expanding access across refuges and hatcheries while maintaining the conservation standards that define these public lands.
The final rule establishes 1,488 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities at 111 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) field stations, including first-ever hunting or fishing opportunities at 14 National Wildlife Refuges and three National Fish Hatcheries. By publishing the rule ahead of the upcoming hunting seasons, sportsmen and women will have access to new opportunities this fall while ensuring these lands continue to be managed in accordance with each station’s conservation purpose.
In addition to expanding access, the rule modernizes more than 1,000 existing regulations by improving consistency between federal refuge regulations and state fish and wildlife laws. Better alignment with state management frameworks provides greater clarity for hunters and anglers while recognizing the expertise of state fish and wildlife agencies in managing wildlife populations.
CSF has consistently supported policies that expand responsible public access while ensuring healthy fish and wildlife populations for future generations. Earlier this year, CSF welcomed the Department’s proposal to increase hunting and fishing opportunities across the Refuge System and commended Secretary Doug Burgum and Director Brian Nesvik for their commitment to America’s sportsmen and women. With the rule now finalized, these new opportunities represent another step toward ensuring that hunting and fishing remain integral components of wildlife conservation and our nation’s outdoor heritage.