Burgum has announced Interior will greatly expand hunting on public lands unless there is a specific reason not to.

[url=https://thefederalist.com/2026/05/27/the-trump-administration-proposes-a-big-expansion-of-hunting-rights-on-public-lands/][/url]https://thefederalist.com/2026/05/27/the-trump-administration-proposes-a-big-expansion-of-hunting-rights-on-public-lands/

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The proposed rule change follows an order from Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, which found that "public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies." The order changes the underlying presumption in the federal management of public lands, applying what is sometimes called an "open unless closed" premise in which hunting and fishing access is the default position that requires specific exemptions.

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Artticle says public comment is open and they expect antihunting groups to pounce with comments.

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"public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies."

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For me, this is the key comment.

Public access and use (including hunting and fishing) should always be the default position for public land unless there is a sound and proven reason for it to be dissallowed.

96ags said:

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"public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies."

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For me, this is the key comment.

Public access and use (including hunting and fishing) should always be the default position for public land unless there is a sound and proven reason for it to be dissallowed.

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I wish the state of Texas took this view with public land.

Furlock Bones said:

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96ags said:

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"public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies."

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For me, this is the key comment.

Public access and use (including hunting and fishing) should always be the default position for public land unless there is a sound and proven reason for it to be dissallowed.

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I wish the state of Texas took this view with public land.

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What public land?

Last session Texas passed a blanket hunting closure for many types of hunting on hundreds of thousands of acres of public river bed. The OB loved it.

We've also got a lot of reservoirs, state parks, and land purchased for state parks that hasn't been opened to any kind of activity.

This legislation is a slight of hand to distract you from them repealing the roadless rule and approving the bounty waters mining operations.

Corps_Ag12 said:

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This legislation is a slight of hand to distract you from them repealing the roadless rule and approving the bounty waters mining operations.

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Ding Ding Ding

AgDad121619 said:

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Furlock Bones said:

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96ags said:

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Quote:

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"public and federally managed lands should be open to hunting and fishing unless a specific, documented, and legally supported exception applies."

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For me, this is the key comment.

Public access and use (including hunting and fishing) should always be the default position for public land unless there is a sound and proven reason for it to be dissallowed.

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I wish the state of Texas took this view with public land.

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it is also time for Texas to limit OOS odds on the little public land we do have. States with millions of acres of public land keep making harder for OOS - ours gives them $350 hunt all species and equal odds for public land draws. It is BS

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This. For OOS to apply for Texas drawn hunts, make it required that they pre-purchase a Texas non-resident hunting license.