Increased opportunities will benefit hunters and anglers beginning Fall 2025
The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership joined hunters and anglers in celebrating the announcement by the Department of the Interior to expand hunting and fishing opportunities across the National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish Hatchery Systems.
“TRCP thanks Secretary Burgum for prioritizing expanded hunting and fishing opportunities at the Department of the Interior,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “These new opportunities will help Americans get outside to enjoy the great outdoors just in time for the fall hunting and fishing seasons.”
The final rule for the 2025–2026 season creates 42 new hunting and sport fishing opportunities on more than 87,000 acres of public lands across 11 states. These new opportunities will be available starting September 2, 2025.
The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 prioritizes compatible wildlife-dependent recreational use on wildlife refuges and specifically identifies hunting and fishing as priority uses. This most recent expansion will increase sporting opportunities by opening more acres and units to hunters and anglers. For hunters and anglers, this means:
- New Access: Inaugural hunting opportunities will be offered on public lands such as Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge and the Grasslands Wildlife Management Area, and new sportfishing access will be available at North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery.
- Broader Alignment: Regulations are being streamlined to better match state fish and wildlife rules, helping reduce confusion and making it easier for hunters and anglers to enjoy these places.
- Conservation Benefits: By engaging hunters and anglers, these opportunities generate critical funding for habitat restoration, wildlife management, and local economies through license sales and excise taxes on gear and ammunition.
The final rule will be published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2025, and is available at regulations.gov (Docket FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031). Updates take effect for the 2025–2026 hunting seasons beginning September 2, 2025.
These expanded opportunities reflect progress worth celebrating. Learn more about TRCP’s work to safeguard and improve hunting and fishing access by clicking HERE. Together, we can ensure that access, conservation, and America’s sporting traditions remain at the heart of our shared future.
Top Photo: Josh Metten
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