Trump Backs New Hunting Access to 92 million acres

[Fever Buck]

https://www.newsmax.com/us/hunting-fishing-trump/2026/05/27/id/1257693/

Seems like some good news from our President Donny T. Not a ton of info on what lands will open up. Hoping to hear more about this soon.

 

[Ozarkansas]

I read the full language, it opens up a lot of refuges in california and the Midwest, and revises the regs in a ton more. It’s worth a read and also open for comment. I’m sure a lot of anti-hunters will be dropping comments so we all should as well.

Edit: I have no idea if the regulation changes are all good across the board or not. The ones I cared about were refuges in my neck of the woods, and those changes were either so minor as to be irrelevant or were a step towards commonality with state regs (which I support). So don’t assume y’all will like the changes in your area as much as I did.

 

[MTtrout]

I’m all for opening up more ‘meaningful’ refuge lands to hunting. Hope a lot of folks on here benefit.

The article says 92 million acres, 95% of NWR, will be available for hunting. The biggest of its kind, they say. Does anyone know the actual acreage of land that now will allow hunting that was previously not allowed?

Hard to get too excited about this article with all the negative things this administration has done for conservation and public lands. But I like being surprised.

 

[2buffalo]

I’m all for opening up more ‘meaningful’ refuge lands to hunting. Hope a lot of folks on here benefit.

The article says 92 million acres, 95% of NWR, will be available for hunting. The biggest of its kind, they say. Does anyone know the actual acreage of land that now will allow hunting that was previously not allowed?

Hard to get too excited about this article with all the negative things this administration has done for conservation and public lands. But I like being surprised.

Which negative things?

 

[MtnW]

I’m all for opening up more ‘meaningful’ refuge lands to hunting. Hope a lot of folks on here benefit.

The article says 92 million acres, 95% of NWR, will be available for hunting. The biggest of its kind, they say. Does anyone know the actual acreage of land that now will allow hunting that was previously not allowed?

Hard to get too excited about this article with all the negative things this administration has done for conservation and public lands. But I like being surprised.

Really? What negative things? Like what your buddies are doing in Colorado and Oregon??
Waiting for your reply.

 

[MTtrout]

Really? What negative things? Like what your buddies are doing in Colorado and Oregon??
Waiting for your reply.

First, thanks for waiting for my reply. Second, I have no buddies in CO or OR so not sure what you are referring to. Never lived there, never will.

I’m in the camp of fighting for public land and wildlife. Which means protecting the natural resources Americans own and supporting the funding for the conservation agencies and organizations for their employees that ‘actually’ put boots on the ground to make things happen. The story goes on and on.

Many threads on here to read about the various things that some don’t find beneficial for wildlife conservation and public lands, if you’re interested.

Like I said in my original post, I fully support opening up more land for us to hunt, fish, and trap. Besides my family, there is nothing more that I love.

I give credit when credit is due and we will see if it’s due.

 

[Team4LongGun]

First, thanks for waiting for my reply. Second, I have no buddies in CO or OR so not sure what you are referring to. Never lived there, never will.

I’m in the camp of fighting for public land and wildlife. Which means protecting the natural resources Americans own and supporting the funding for the conservation agencies and organizations for their employees that ‘actually’ put boots on the ground to make things happen. The story goes on and on.

Many threads on here to read about the various things that some don’t find beneficial for wildlife conservation and public lands, if you’re interested.

Like I said in my original post, I fully support opening up more land for us to hunt, fish, and trap. Besides my family, there is nothing more that I love.

I give credit when credit is due and we will see if it’s due.

You didn’t answer what negative things. In fairness, if you’re going to make a blanket statement, then get called out and sidestep?

This is a decent discussion so far. Also waiting for your answer. I like to stay up on conservation, but fact not opinion.

 

[MtnW]

Hard to get too excited about this article with all the negative things this administration has done for conservation and public lands. But I like being surprised.

So what are you referring to specifically about this administration and the negative conservation things?

Your comments sound very liberal, much like one of the democrats with TDS ,whose only argument is they hate Trump. Sorry you did not not comprehend my Colorado and Oregon references regarding the “other” administration. Hard to believe if you are a outdoorsman that you are not aware the “OTHER” administration’s policies in CO and OR are being run by ANTI hunters and WOKE extremists who want to eliminate all hunting. They are taking over the states game and fish departments. Now what is it you are saying about the current administration?

 

[WRO]

So what are you referring to specifically about this administration and the negative conservation things?

Your comments sound very liberal, much like one of the democrats with TDS ,whose only argument is they hate Trump. Sorry you did not not comprehend my Colorado and Oregon references regarding the “other” administration. Hard to believe if you are a outdoorsman that you are not aware the “OTHER” administration’s policies in CO and OR are being run by ANTI hunters and WOKE extremists who want to eliminate all hunting. They are taking over the states game and fish departments. Now what is it you are saying about the current administration?

Let’s see..

Rapid expansion of extractive uses, trying to sell public lands, the current blm director and his cronies attempts to sell public lands and other non sense.

It’s an all out war on habitat.

And I don’t have tds, I voted for him. Also Oregon and Colorado are full of idiots, but that doesn’t absolve this administration their sins.

Both sides screw us and neither is worth a flying f&@k.

 

[ndmarine]

Honestly surprised Israel bought off on opening up these lands to hunting…

Voted for him 3 times. He lost me when he flipped on Massie. Please look into Massie if you are still MAGA. Look at what he actually stands for and why he might have voted against a bill that had one issue the Orange Man will focus on and a BUNCH of pork barrel spending.

 

[Team4LongGun]

Honestly surprised Israel bought off on opening up these lands to hunting…

Voted for him 3 times. He lost me when he flipped on Massie. Please look into Massie if you are still MAGA. Look at what he actually stands for and why he might have voted against a bill that had one issue the Orange Man will focus on and a BUNCH of pork barrel spending.

So again, a reference to a point, then no data. Why? It is a discussion, to throw out a statement and not back it is not a discussion.
I would actually like to hear all sides of this, in the interest of knowledge and information. It seems some want to tease a point, like a movie trailer.

 

[MTtrout]

You didn’t answer what negative things. In fairness, if you’re going to make a blanket statement, then get called out and sidestep?

This is a decent discussion so far. Also waiting for your answer. I like to stay up on conservation, but fact not opinion.

Sure. I work in the wildlife profession and have seen what the federal cuts have done to the workforce that are actually doing the important research and implementation work to better our natural resources. This could be federally funded projects like elk, mule deer, clearing trail, wildfire (or better yet forest management), fisheries,.. Think of all the orgs we support that don’t rely on big donors and need grants for research for the things we love to hunt.

The cut of funding is one thing. Resinding the Roadless rule, Amber Road, The Boundary Waters, transfer/selling of public lands, taking away the public comment period, or the same poor taste-accepting public comments that over 90% opposed to such things and move forward anyways to better their agenda.

@Team4LongGun I hope I gave you some of the negatives I see. Fact vs opinions is a blurred thing.

I’m just a man that loves nothing more than being outside doing the things I love.

 

[MTtrout]

Your comments sound very liberal, much like one of the democrats with TDS ,whose only argument is they hate Trump. Sorry you did not not comprehend my Colorado and Oregon references regarding the “other” administration. Hard to believe if you are a outdoorsman that you are not aware the “OTHER” administration’s policies in CO and OR are being run by ANTI hunters and WOKE extremists who want to eliminate all hunting. They are taking over the states game and fish departments. Now what is it you are saying about the current administration?

What are you taking about?? I made a statement that I don’t think this administration has done many favors for wildlife conservation and public lands. So now you say I’m one of the others- woke, anti, liberal,… sad.

By me saying this ‘administration’ doesn’t mean a darn thing to me. If another administration did the same I would have the same qualms.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Well this one should be good. I'm for facts and discussion. I think this is a great move.

 

[MtnW]

Trump is a ego maniac ( I voted for him) but….that being said
Anyone thinks our country was better off with the previous administration’s brain dead dementia ridden commander and chief and the word salad cackling VP Harris and their batch of empowered freaks is beyond reality to the outdoorsman I hang with.

You think the previous administration and Obama’s ,John Kerry’s Green New Deal, and sponsorship of Iran , that he rammed down our throats was good for our environment, safety, economy , our children’s future, and forcing the USA reliance on shit hole unfriendly countries that are our enemies for our energy and resources?

You liked the previous administration’s open borders and the invasion of unvetted third world illegals who do not want to assimilate to our society?

You think the WOKE governments established in places like Colorado , Oregon, Minnesota , etc.etc.etc. Fill in the blanks is a better tradeoff? Not to mention the communist mayor of our largest city.

The previous administration is powered by the biggest bunch of screwball’s, my previous wild dreams would never have imagined.

 

[MtnW]

What are you taking about?? I made a statement that I don’t think this administration has done many favors for wildlife conservation and public lands. So now you say I’m one of the others- woke, anti, liberal,… sad.

By me saying this ‘administration’ doesn’t mean a darn thing to me. If another administration did the same I would have the same qualms.

If you talk like a duck, walk like a duck, and act like a duck…..you are probably a duck….read democrat.
I find it amusing , A VERY FEW on here spew their condescending remarks about the current administration without a straight and strong argument outside, it’s JUST BAD. They don’t say anything negative about the previous administration in their arguments. But they will not publicly admit or try to support their socialist ideals and that they are liberals when confronted.

 

[Team4LongGun]

If you talk like a duck, walk like a duck, and act like a duck…..you are probably a duck….read democrat.
I find it amusing , A VERY FEW on here spew their condescending remarks about the current administration without a straight and strong argument outside, it’s JUST BAD. They don’t say anything negative about the previous administration in their arguments. But they will not publicly admit or try to support their socialist ideals and that they are liberals when confronted.

Lets keep this on topic, and not personal.

 

[MTtrout]

If you talk like a duck, walk like a duck, and act like a duck…..you are probably a duck….read democrat.
I find it amusing , A VERY FEW on here spew their condescending remarks about the current administration without a straight and strong argument outside, it’s JUST BAD. They don’t say anything negative about the previous administration in their arguments. But they will not publicly admit or try to support their socialist ideals and that they are liberals when confronted.

I only wish I could talk like a duck. My game bag might be more full on those slow days

 

[Steve O]

The only place I hunt in my home state any more is a NWR. Why? Because it is restricting and keeps the masses out. I hope this change does not change this limited draw opportunity; if it is open to all it will be ruined just like the rest of the public land here.

 

[DeePow]

So what are you referring to specifically about this administration and the negative conservation things?

Your comments sound very liberal, much like one of the democrats with TDS ,whose only argument is they hate Trump. Sorry you did not not comprehend my Colorado and Oregon references regarding the “other” administration. Hard to believe if you are a outdoorsman that you are not aware the “OTHER” administration’s policies in CO and OR are being run by ANTI hunters and WOKE extremists who want to eliminate all hunting. They are taking over the states game and fish departments. Now what is it you are saying about the current administration?

Labeling every critique of federal land policy as partisan noise is a convenient way to negate and avoid the harder conversation.

The sagebrush flats you likely drive past without a second thought support more than 350 vertebrate species. The sage-grouse, the pygmy rabbit, the pronghorn corridors that predate every fence line out there. These aren't 'low value' lands because they don't grow corn but rather the fact they're the infrastructure beneath every elk herd and upland bird population in the Intermountain West. The updated BLM sage-grouse plans now make more acres available for energy development than 2015 plans allowed and framed as "balance," which is a word that does a lot of heavy lifting when one side of the scale is habitat that took ten thousand years to establish.

Meanwhile, the same administration who fast-tracks public land access for industry announced a policy plan to speed up permitting for AI data centers on federal lands, specifically designed to sidestep the National Environmental Policy Act. Worth sitting with that for a moment. Hundreds of new AI data centers have been built across the US in recent years, most of them in areas already grappling with high levels of water stress.

The arid West is already drier than any living memory accounts for. What exactly gets hunted, enjoyed recreationally, or merely experienced in a landscape that's been strip-permitted and drawn down to support server cooling?

The question is whether the land holds viable resources to support this infrastructure and the evidence suggests the answer is already being decided without you.

Land swap deals and quiet administrative changes don't make headlines the way culture war arguments do, but they're where the real transactions happen. Public lands are being stripped, sold, and handed off while agencies are hollowed out and protections erased. The through-line isn't ideology, it's money. Follow who's receiving the funding and the access, and the picture clarifies quickly.

This administration's relationship with Project 2025 is instructive here. The denials were loud and consistent, right up until the policy record started reflecting the playbook section by section. Several of its objectives have since been achieved, not through dramatic announcement, but through the quieter machinery of permitting, personnel, and land designation. Public lands are a chapter in that book too.

Defending the current administration on conservation grounds requires ignoring what's already been signed, who's already been paid, and what's already been opened. That's not politics, that's just reading the record.