Trump administration relaxing hunting restrictions in US parks and refuges
Summary
President Donald Trump’s administration is directing agencies to reduce hunting restrictions on national parks and wildlife refuges in the lower 48 states. The goal is to increase hunting and fishing opportunities while supporting conservation, rural economies, and public access to outdoor spaces.Key Facts
- The US Department of the Interior issued an order in January to remove barriers to hunting and fishing on federal lands.
- This order affects 55 sites managed by the National Park Service in the contiguous United States.
- Some lifted restrictions include allowing hunting stands that damage trees, using vehicles to retrieve animals, and hunting along trails.
- Examples of changes: extended hunting seasons at Cape Cod National Seashore, cleaning kills in bathrooms at Lake Meredith, and allowing alligator hunting at Jean Lafitte Park.
- Hunting participation in the US is declining, with only about 4.2% of people over age 16 identifying as hunters in 2024.
- Hunting advocates want to expand access and promote the sport to support wildlife agencies that rely on hunting-related funds.
- National Park Service lands allow hunting on roughly 51 million acres, mostly in Alaska, with fishing allowed at 213 sites.
- Some officials question the wisdom of removing restrictions without public input, but the Interior Department says safety and legal rules will remain.
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