The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced the largest expansion of hunting and sport fishing opportunities in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service history.
More than 92 million acres of National Wildlife Refuge System lands—over 95%of the system—are now available for hunting.
The final rule provides 1,488 new hunting and sport-fishing opportunities at 111 field stations in 32 states, including Texas. It covers 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries, with first-ever hunting or sport fishing opportunities at 14 refuges and three hatcheries
The Department of the Interior posted on Friday about the announcement on X, stating, “More casts. More hunts. More access. … America’s public lands are open for adventure.”
More casts. More hunts. More access.
We just announced the largest expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities in @USFWS history. More than 92 million acres of National Wildlife Refuge System lands are now open to hunting. That’s more than 95% of the system.
America’s public… pic.twitter.com/tiiufrX67G
— US Department of the Interior (@Interior) August 14, 2026
Details of the Expansion
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in the department’s press release the following:
“America’s hunters and anglers now have something significant to look forward to in the fall as we plan to open and expand hunting and fishing opportunities nationwide. We are also promoting good government by reducing the regulatory burden and working with states to facilitate these outdoor activities. Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, we are committed to building on and increasing access for hunters and anglers on our public lands and waters.”
“We are pleased to offer increased access for hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation on national wildlife refuges, national fish hatcheries and other Service lands and waters. These new opportunities will also better align with state regulations, help promote healthy wildlife habitats and boost local recreation economies. This expansion will provide incredible opportunities for sportsmen and women and their families across the country to pass on a fishing and hunting heritage to future generations and connect with wildlife. We are committed to responsibly managing these areas for the benefit of future generations while fulfilling our conservation mission.”
The rule includes more than 1,000 modifications to existing regulatory provisions to simplify rules, reduce complexity, and align federal requirements more closely with state fish and wildlife laws. Examples of changes include opening hunting or fishing for the first time at multiple stations, expanding upland game, migratory bird, and big game hunting across additional acres, and increasing sport fishing access at previously closed locations. The final rule is scheduled to publish in the Federal Register in time for the upcoming hunting season.
This builds on a May 2026 proposed rule that sought public comment and advanced the same goals under Secretary’s Order 3447 and Executive Order 14192. The proposal covered more than 1,450 opportunities at the same 111 stations.
According to the Service’s most recent National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, more than 39.9 million Americans fish and 14.4 million hunt, contributing more than $144 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The National Wildlife Refuge System includes 573 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts and receives about 71 million visitors each year.
What This Means for North Texans
Texas is among the 32 states included in the expansion. One documented station is Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, where proposed changes included expansions for migratory bird and upland game hunting plus opening and expanding big game hunting.
North Texas hunters already have access to nearby National Wildlife Refuge System lands, including Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in Grayson County near Lake Texoma (approximately an hour from the Dallas-Fort Worth area). The refuge offers limited-permit archery white-tailed deer hunts and other opportunities coordinated through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department drawn hunts.
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in East Texas and Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge in the Panhandle also provide hunting under existing station-specific rules that will be updated under the new rule.
What Hunters Need to Know
Hunters must continue to follow both federal refuge-specific regulations and Texas state hunting laws. A valid Texas hunting license is required. Many refuge hunts, including those at Hagerman and Caddo Lake, operate through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department public drawn-hunt system and may require additional refuge permits or signed brochures.
The final rule will publish in the Federal Register. Hunters should review the published rule, check individual refuge websites for updated station-specific regulations, and confirm season dates, bag limits, and access rules before hunting. Contact information for Texas refuges is available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website. Incidental take rules, non-toxic shot requirements, and vehicle restrictions often apply and remain subject to change with the new rule.
Hunting and fishing on national wildlife refuges occur only when determined compatible with each station’s purpose under federal law. The Service manages these programs to maintain sustainable wildlife populations.
