U.S. Department of the Interior expands hunting and fishing access

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a final rule that significantly expands hunting and fishing access across the National Wildlife Refuge System. This expansion provides nearly 1,500 new opportunities across 32 states, opening more than 92 million acres—representing over 95 percent of the system's protected lands—to the public.

The policy adjustment affects 111 field sites, including 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries. Notably, 14 refuges and three hatcheries will allow hunting or fishing for the first time in their history. In Central Texas, the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge will see expanded access for migratory birds, upland game, and big game hunting.

To implement these changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is making over 1,000 regulatory modifications. These updates aim to streamline federal mandates and better align federal oversight with local state regulations to reduce complexity. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership has welcomed the move, noting that hunters and anglers are central to wildlife conservation.