May 26, 2026

NSSF Applauds Department of the Interior for Announcement Expanding Hunting Opportunities Across Federal Lands

WASHINGTON, D.C. — NSSF^®, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, applauds the major announcement today by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Doug Burgum stating that millions of acres of public lands under the control of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Park Service (NPS) will be opened up for public hunting and fishing.

In a press release making the announcement, DOI stated that USFWS is proposing to make available to the public more than 1,450 hunting and fishing opportunities in 32 states, across 111 USFWS stations. The new opportunities are also included in 107 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). In addition, the proposed expansion would open up more than 92 million acres, roughly 95 percent of National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) lands, available for hunting, and specifically create first-ever hunting or sport fishing opportunities at 14 refuges and three hatcheries.

“Today’s announcement by Secretary Burgum, together with USFWS Director Brian Nesvik and National Park Service Acting Director Jessica Bowron, should be celebrated by all Americans, including hunters, recreational target shooters and everyone who enjoys experiencing the great and beautiful American outdoors. This is yet another major step by President Donald J. Trump and his administration carrying through on their promises to deliver for America’s hunters and conservationists,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President for Government & Public Affairs. “NSSF has long advocated for public lands to be accessible to the American public, especially for hunting, and these new opportunities will ensure America’s greatest pastime — hunting — will continue for generations to come. Thank you President Trump, Secretary Burgum, Director Nesvik and Acting Director Bowron for carrying through on efforts to make America’s public lands open to her original conservationists.”

Public access to hunting opportunities is critical for America’s hunters. To date, the firearm industry has invested over $30 billion, when adjusted for inflation, since 1937 toward wildlife conservation. These excise taxes, paid by the manufacturers, are dedicated solely for the conservation of wildlife, the habitats in which they thrive, hunter education programs and construction of new, or expansion of existing, recreational target shooting ranges to promote safe and responsible firearm skills, handling and ownership. These 10 to 11 percent excise tax dollars collected for the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act are specifically designated to be used by state wildlife agencies for conservation and related purposes. Collectively, the firearm industry, purchasers of firearms and ammunition and hunters are the greatest source of wildlife conservation funding.

About NSSF

NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org.

National Shooting Sports Foundation | 6 Corporate Drive | Shelton, CT 06484 US