The Trump administration is quietly pushing federal land managers to relax hunting and trapping restrictions in national parks, refuges, and wilderness areas, sparking debates over visitor safety and wildlife impacts.
Interior Department Order
In January, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order directing agencies to remove what he called “unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers” to hunting and fishing. The order requires justification for any remaining restrictions. Burgum stated, “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.” He added that lands should be open to hunting unless a specific, documented exception applies.
Changes Across Sites
The order affects 55 sites in the lower 48 states under the National Park Service, according to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). A review by NPCA found that managers have already lifted bans on tree stands, training hunting dogs, using vehicles to retrieve animals, and hunting along trails. For instance, Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts would see hunting seasons extended through spring and summer. At Lake Meredith National Recreation Area in Texas, hunters may clean kills in bathrooms. In Louisiana’s Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, alligator hunting would be permitted.
Declining Hunting Participation
Burgum’s order comes as hunting participation declines. In 2024, only 4.2% of the U.S. population over 16 identified as hunters, according to federal data, reducing revenue from license sales and excise taxes. Hunting advocates and conservative policymakers are exploring ways to sustain the sport, including expanding access to public lands.
Currently, hunting is allowed on about 51 million NPS acres across 76 sites, though only 8 million are in the contiguous U.S.; the rest are in Alaska. Fishing is permitted at 213 sites. NPS sites typically adopt state regulations but can impose additional restrictions for safety and resource protection.
Criticism and Support
Former Yellowstone superintendent Dan Wenk criticized the lack of public discussion, saying, “Process never seems to stand in the way of many things with this administration. This was never a big issue. I'd love to know the problem we're trying to solve.” Interior spokesperson Elizabeth Peace defended the order as a “commonsense approach” and noted that safety and legal closures would remain. She did not confirm public outreach efforts.
Hunting groups like the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership and Ducks Unlimited praised the order, calling it a balance between wildlife management and tradition. However, former NPS biologist Elaine Leslie warned, “I don't want to take my young grandchildren to a park unit only to have a hunter drag a gutted elk across a visitor center parking lot. There is a time and place for hunting, but not every place has to be open to every activity.”
