Trump Administration Eases Hunting Rules at 55 Federal Sites

President Donald Trump and the Department of the Interior have ordered the removal of "unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers" to hunting and fishing across 55 National Park Service sites in the contiguous United States. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued the primary directive in January, followed by a clarifying memo on April 21, to expand public access and support rural economies.

Implemented changes allow activities previously prohibited in certain areas, including the use of tree stands, training hunting dogs, hunting along trails, and using vehicles to retrieve animals. Specific examples include extending the hunting season at Cape Cod National Seashore, permitting alligator hunting at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, and allowing hunters to clean kills in bathrooms at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. In Montana, the policy affects the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, though the administration clarified that hunting remains prohibited in strictly protected areas like Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Hunting advocacy groups, including Ducks Unlimited and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, praised the move for prioritizing anglers and streamlining regulations. However, the National Parks Conservation Association and former National Park Service officials argue the order bypasses necessary stakeholder consultation and scientific review, potentially compromising visitor safety and wildlife conservation.