Trump Signs Executive Order to Expand Hunting and Fishing on Federal Lands

On Thursday President Donald J. Trump signed a new executive order that, in plain language, opens up more federal acreage for anyone who likes to hunt or cast a line. The move wipes away a slew of regulations that have built up over the past years – things like limits on lead ammunition and certain fishing tackle that critics say have choked the outdoors.

According to the White House release, the order tells the Secretaries of the Interior, Agriculture, War, and Commerce to start unlocking those “checker‑boarded” and land‑locked parcels that have sat idle. They’ll do it through voluntary easements, land swaps and cooperative agreements – all while keeping private property rights intact.

Another part of the order nudges the Interior Department to streamline the red‑tape around seasonal migratory game‑bird hunting, and it pushes states to broaden Sunday‑hunting programs on both state and federal lands. In short, it’s a concerted effort to make hunting easier again, after what officials describe as “years of over‑regulation” that made access tougher than ever.

“Hunting opportunities in the United States have declined because of federal regulatory overreach, confusing policies and heavy‑handed restrictions,” the statement reads. “America’s hunting heritage must be reinvigorated, protected, and expanded to benefit Americans.”

The move follows a similar August directive that opened up more than 92 million acres across 32 states – a massive swath of public land that had previously been off‑limits for many recreational activities.

Not everyone is cheering. Humane World for Animals – the group formerly known as the Humane Society of the United States – warned that the order raises “serious concerns” about how wildlife on public lands will be managed. Their worry: will decisions still be rooted in science‑based conservation and the health of habitats, or will hunting interests dominate?

Behind the byline, AWR Hawkins, an award‑winning Second Amendment columnist for Breitbart News, penned the piece. Hawkins also runs the “Down Range” newsletter, works as a political analyst for Armed American Radio, and serves as the director of global marketing for Lone Star Hunts. He holds a Ph.D. in Military History and spends his free time reading philosophy and the latest thrillers.