President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on Thursday aimed at expanding access to public lands and waters for hunting and fishing, reversing certain restrictions implemented during the Biden administration.
The orders, titled Restoring American Salt Water and Angling Recreation and Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage, were signed during a ceremony in the Rose Garden attended by outdoor industry leaders, including representatives from Bass Pro Shops, the National Rifle Association, and other sportsmen’s organizations. The directives call for a "presumption of accessibility" for public lands and waters, directing federal agencies to work with state governments and private stakeholders to streamline access.
Key provisions of the orders include:
- Opening 92 million acres of previously restricted public land to hunting and fishing, according to Trump’s remarks.
- Modernizing data collection from sport fishermen and charter boat captains to improve regulatory accuracy.
- Developing plans to convert decommissioned ocean structures, such as oil and gas platforms, into artificial reefs to enhance marine ecosystems.
- Promoting hunting and fishing among veterans and younger Americans through expanded access and outreach programs.
During a White House dinner for outdoor enthusiasts following the signing, Trump remarked to industry leaders, including Johnny Morris, founder of Bass Pro Shops, that his authority could have restricted fishing entirely. "I could have made it so you couldn’t sell. You couldn’t sell anything. I could have banned fishing," he said, though the orders did not include such restrictions.
The executive orders direct the secretaries of Commerce, Interior, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to collaborate with state governments and private partners to implement the changes. The directives also emphasize wild game and fish population management, with Trump stating that the actions aim to enhance healthy populations of game and fish.
The outdoor recreation sector, which generates over $1.2 trillion annually and supports 5 million jobs, was highlighted by the White House as a key economic driver. Industry representatives in attendance included executives from Yamaha Marine Group, Polaris, Beretta USA, and Ducks Unlimited, among others.
The orders follow Trump’s previous actions to open public lands, including reversing restrictions on hunting and fishing in national wildlife refuges and expanding access to offshore recreational fishing areas. Critics of the Biden administration’s restrictions, such as limits on lead ammunition and certain hunting practices, have argued that the prior rules unnecessarily limited access for sportsmen.
Supporters of the new orders, including hunting and fishing advocacy groups, praised the move as a restoration of traditional access rights. Opponents have raised concerns about potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding wildlife conservation and marine ecosystem management, though no specific regulatory changes were detailed in the orders.
Federal agencies are expected to propose implementation plans within the coming months, with some provisions taking effect immediately.