Feds Unlock 87,000 Acres of Hunting and Fishing Land Across 11 States

Access Triples Under New Interior Rules

The Department of the Interior just opened 42 new hunting and fishing opportunities on federal land, and the changes took effect in September.

The expansion covers wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries from Maine to Washington, including the first-ever hunt at Maryland’s newest refuge and the first fishing access at a Massachusetts hatchery.

The numbers dwarf what the previous administration managed, and the rules now line up with state regulations to make things simpler for hunters and anglers.

87,000 Acres Now Open to Hunters

The new access spans 16 national wildlife refuges and one fish hatchery across Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the final rule on August 27, 2025, and it went into effect September 2.

The Fish and Wildlife Service spent more than a year working with state agencies to finalize the changes, which aim to boost outdoor recreation while maintaining conservation goals.

Three Times More Than Before

The expansion more than triples the number of hunting and fishing opportunities compared to the previous administration. It also opens or expands five times as many individual sites.

The Trump administration framed the move as part of a broader push to cut regulatory burdens and support rural economies.

The changes fall under an executive order called “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation,” signed in January 2025.

Maryland Gets Its First Refuge Hunt

Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge will allow hunting for the first time in its history.

The refuge was only established in December 2024, making it the 573rd unit in the National Wildlife Refuge System and the first new refuge in Maryland in over 60 years.

It started with just 31 acres donated by The Nature Conservancy near Nanjemoy in Charles County, but plans call for expansion to 40,000 acres across five counties in the Washington-Baltimore metro region.

Massachusetts Hatchery Welcomes Anglers

North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery in Massachusetts is opening to sport fishing for the first time. The 235-acre facility sits about 40 miles southeast of Boston and has been raising fish since 1950.

Today it produces American shad for restoration efforts in the Charles, Pawcatuck, and Pawtuxet Rivers, plus brook trout for local youth fishing programs.

Visitors can also walk nature trails and explore pollinator gardens on the property.

Texas Site Opens Hunting Formally

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area in Texas is now formally open to hunters under the new federal rules.

The site is one of several Texas locations affected by the update, which brings federal regulations in line with state hunting and fishing requirements.

Texas hunters will also notice updated signage at the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge, which was renamed from Anahuac in March 2025 after a 12-year-old Houston girl who was killed in June 2024.

Refuge Renamed for Jocelyn Nungaray

The 39,000-acre refuge along the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston Bay got its new name through executive order and was later made permanent by Congress in July 2025.

President Trump announced the change during his address to a joint session of Congress, noting the girl’s love for animals. The refuge protects coastal wetlands and serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds.

It remains one of the best spots on the upper Texas coast to see all nine North American rail species.

Federal and State Rules Now Align

One of the biggest changes hunters and anglers will notice is simpler paperwork.

The new rules align federal regulations with state fish and wildlife laws, addressing complaints about confusing requirements that varied between federal and state lands.

The Fish and Wildlife Service worked closely with state partners on issues like lead ammunition and fishing tackle, and the agency says it will continue updating rules to match state standards wherever possible.

Hunting Drives a $144 Billion Economy

Hunters and anglers account for more than $144 billion in annual spending, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.

The broader outdoor recreation economy, including wildlife watching and photography, contributes over $394 billion to communities across the country.

The agency points to these numbers as evidence that expanding access benefits both conservation and local economies.

Nearly 40 Million Americans Fish

Federal survey data from 2021 shows that an estimated 39. 9 million Americans over age 16 went fishing that year, while 14.4 million hunted. The numbers help explain why public access to federal lands remains politically popular across party lines.

More than 69 million people visit national wildlife refuges each year, and there is at least one refuge within an hour’s drive of most major American cities.

Over 430 Refuges Allow Hunting

The National Wildlife Refuge System now permits hunting on more than 430 units and fishing on more than 370 units.

The system spans 573 refuges across all 50 states, plus 38 wetland management districts and five marine national monuments.

Under the 1997 National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, hunting and fishing are designated as priority wildlife-dependent recreational uses, along with photography, wildlife observation, and environmental education.

More Expansions Could Come

The Fish and Wildlife Service says it will continue opening and expanding hunting and fishing opportunities where compatible with conservation goals.

The planning cycle for each year’s updates begins in June or July for the following season.

Hunters and anglers who want to weigh in on future changes can submit comments through the federal regulations website when proposals are posted.

The agency reviews each site individually to ensure new access does not harm wildlife populations or habitat.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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