Trump Administration Eases Hunting Regulations in National Parks

Changes to Hunting Regulations

The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly encouraging managers of national parks, wildlife refuges, and wilderness areas to significantly reduce hunting restrictions. This move raises concerns regarding visitor safety and wildlife protection. In January, U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a directive aimed at eliminating what he described as 'unnecessary regulatory or administrative barriers' to hunting and fishing, while also requiring justification for any regulations that remain in effect.

Burgum emphasized that enhancing public access to hunting and fishing on federally managed lands not only benefits conservation efforts but also bolsters rural economies and public health. He stated, 'The Department’s policy is clear: public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies.'

New Opportunities for Hunters

Order Clears the Way for Tree Stands, Training Dogs and More

This directive affects 55 locations across the contiguous United States under the National Park Service's oversight, as reported by the National Parks Conservation Association. Managers at various sites have already begun to lift bans on hunting stands that harm trees, the use of vehicles for retrieving game, and training hunting dogs. The New York Times was the first to highlight these regulatory changes.

For instance, the hunting season at Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts will now extend into the spring and summer months. In Texas, hunters at Lake Meredith National Recreation Area will be permitted to clean their kills in restrooms, while in Louisiana, alligator hunting will be allowed in the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

Addressing Declining Hunting Participation

An Effort to Save Hunting?

Burgum's order comes at a time when hunting participation is dwindling due to urban expansion. Data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Census indicates that only about 4.2% of the U.S. population aged 16 and older identified as hunters in 2024, leading to a decline in revenue for state wildlife agencies from license sales and taxes on firearms and ammunition.

To counter this trend, hunting advocates and conservative policymakers are exploring various strategies to promote hunting, including targeting women and children, creating new hunting seasons for different species, and increasing access to public lands.

Concerns from Park Managers

‘I’d Love to Know the Problem We’re Trying to Solve’

Dan Wenk, a former superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, expressed concerns about the abrupt changes to established regulations, which were developed through stakeholder engagement. He questioned the rationale behind the administration's actions, stating, 'This was never a big issue. I’d love to know the problem we’re trying to solve.'

Elizabeth Peace, a spokesperson for the Interior Department, defended the order as a 'commonsense approach to public land management,' assuring that necessary closures or restrictions for safety and resource protection would remain intact.

Support and Opposition

Hunting Groups Applaud the Order

The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership praised the order as a means to balance wildlife management with the traditions of hunting and fishing. Ducks Unlimited also acknowledged the order's recognition of the importance of duck hunters.

However, Elaine Leslie, a former head of the NPS’ biological resources department, criticized the order for undermining a previously established process that relied on scientific management. She expressed concerns about the implications for visitor experiences in parks, stating, 'There is a time and place for hunting, trapping, and fishing... but that doesn’t mean every place has to be open to every activity.'