The proposal would make more than 92 million acres, or over 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands available for hunting. It is proposed as a removal of ‘unnecessary regulatory burdens”. This proposal would be the largest expansion of hunting and fishing access in agency history and devastating for wildlife.
It also implements Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum’s Order 3447, which directs the Department to remove barriers to hunting and fishing access.
This proposal will open or expand hunting and fishing access at 111 National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries across 32 states for the 2026-2027 season. 16 of those stations would be opened to public hunting for the first time.
Public comment on the proposed rule is open until June 26, 2026. Docket Number: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-1223
Please leave a comment urging Dept of Interior and NWFS to oppose this proposal and keep PUBLC wild spaces and wildlife protected.
Go to this link and click the blue Comment box at the top left of the page:
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-HQ-NWRS-2026-1223-0001 (Comments are posted publicly so leave out any personal information you do not want published.)