FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Hunter Nation Applauds Department of the Interior for Historic Expansion of Hunting and Fishing Access

Largest Access Expansion in U.S. History Marks Major Win for Conservation and America’s Outdoorsmen

MISSION, Kan. – May 26, 2026 - Hunter Nation applauds today’s announcement from the Department of the Interior proposing the largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities in the history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The proposal opens or expands more than 1,450 hunting and fishing opportunities across 111 stations covering 32 states within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

According to the Department of the Interior, the proposal makes more than 92 million acres; over 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands, available for hunting and fishing access. The expansion includes new opportunities at 107 National Wildlife Refuges and 4 National Fish Hatcheries, representing a major step forward for public access, conservation, outdoor recreation, and rural economic growth.

Hunters and anglers remain the backbone of American conservation, contributing billions of dollars annually through excise taxes, license fees, habitat restoration programs, and direct support for wildlife management efforts. Expanding access to public lands strengthens wildlife conservation, supports local economies, and helps preserve America’s outdoor traditions for future generations.

At a time when anti-hunting activists continue pushing restrictions on public access and outdoor traditions, today’s announcement represents a significant victory for America’s sportsmen and women. America’s public lands belong to the people, and hunters continue serving as some of the nation’s strongest conservation advocates.

Hunter Nation remains committed to protecting hunting rights, defending the Second Amendment, and preserving America’s outdoor heritage for generations to come.