Trump is lifting restrictions on hunting in national parks, refuges and wilderness areas

Key Points:

• The Trump administration, via Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, has issued an order directing agencies to remove what are deemed "unnecessary" hunting and fishing restrictions on national parks and refuges, aiming to expand public access and support conservation and rural economies.
• The order affects 55 National Park Service sites in the contiguous U.S., leading to lifted restrictions such as allowing hunting stands that damage trees, use of vehicles to retrieve animals, and extended hunting seasons in areas like Cape Cod National Seashore.
• Critics, including former NPS officials, argue the changes undermine established, science-based regulations designed to protect visitor safety and wildlife, warning that the order lacks adequate public input and could degrade public resources.
• Hunting participation in the U.S. is declining, prompting advocates and policymakers to seek expanded access and new hunting opportunities to sustain wildlife agency funding and preserve hunting traditions.
• Interior Department officials and hunting organizations praise the order as a commonsense update that aligns federal rules more closely with state regulations while maintaining necessary safety and conservation protections.