Unlocking Public Lands: A New Era for Outdoor Recreation
A Fundamental Shift in Land Management Policy
The U.S. Department of the Interior is poised to enact a groundbreaking directive that will redefine access to vast swathes of federal land. This new policy, known as Secretarial Order 3447, will designate hunting and fishing as the default uses across most public lands overseen by the Department. This marks a substantial departure from previous approaches, where closures or restrictions often preceded any consideration for recreational access. Under this order, land managers will bear the responsibility of providing clear justifications for any area to be closed, shifting the paradigm from 'permission required' to 'open unless restricted.' This change applies to lands managed by key agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Reclamation, with certain National Park Service units that already permit hunting also falling under its purview. However, areas legally designated as off-limits to hunting will remain so, and lands managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs will not be affected.
Procedural Transformation: From Restriction to Accessibility
The core of this new framework is a procedural transformation. Federal lands will now be presumed open for hunting and fishing activities unless specific circumstances—such as legal mandates, genuine public safety concerns, or verifiable resource protection requirements—necessitate a closure. Importantly, any such closure will demand explicit approval from agency leadership, moving away from localized, default prohibitions. This directive is not intended to grant new hunting or fishing rights but rather to realign administrative practices to better reflect existing federal laws that generally permit these activities. The objective is to foster greater consistency and transparency in decision-making, addressing historical inconsistencies in access across different regions and agencies, even when land characteristics are similar. Interior officials emphasize that this initiative seeks to standardize interpretation and application of closure authorities across various bureaus, all while maintaining essential legal protections.
Building on Previous Access Enhancements
This forthcoming order is a continuation of the Department's recent efforts to broaden opportunities for hunting and sport fishing. In the past few seasons, the Interior has already expanded access to tens of thousands of acres within the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System for hunting and fishing. These prior adjustments aimed to align refuge regulations more closely with state wildlife laws and underscore the importance of recreational use as a fundamental aspect of public land stewardship. Secretarial Order 3447 extends this commitment by introducing a uniform access standard that will encompass a significantly larger expanse of federal territory, further solidifying the department's dedication to these outdoor pursuits.
Anticipated Impact for Hunters and Anglers
While the immediate effects might not manifest as drastic, widespread changes in available recreational areas, the long-term impact on hunters and anglers is expected to be profound. Many federal lands are already accessible under existing regulations. However, the true significance lies in the procedural shift: future closures will require robust justifications, higher-level endorsements, and more thorough documentation. This change is anticipated to reduce arbitrary or inconsistent restrictions, leading to more predictable and reliable access decisions across diverse federal landscapes over time. Hunting organizations have largely welcomed this initiative, recognizing its potential to strengthen the connection between public lands and recreational traditions. For instance, the Boone and Crockett Club has publicly expressed its appreciation for Secretary Burgum's dedication to supporting hunting and fishing access through this new order.
The Enduring Philosophy: Default Access
In essence, the Department of the Interior's new policy does not undermine conservation efforts or supersede established statutory closures. Instead, it reverses the foundational assumption regarding public land use. Hunting and fishing will now be regarded as inherent, default activities on federal lands, rather than exceptions requiring special dispensation. This fundamental shift holds particular importance for public-land hunters, as it signals a proactive approach to maintaining and enhancing their access, even if the full benefits unfold gradually over time.