The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has held a confirmation hearing for Doug Burgum, a former governor of North Dakota, to be secretary of the Interior. While there was no shortage of attention for many of Trump’s Cabinet nominees, America’s hunters, anglers and conservationists had eyes on Burgum’s hearing. His confirmation is a crucial step in advancing Trump’s vision of placing hunters’ rights front and center, empowering states, and preserving outdoor traditions.
The right leadership will also position the Interior to address anti-hunting and anti-state government policies adopted during the Biden administration. From closing public land access for hunting and recreational shooting to imposing unnecessary federal regulations that undermine effective wildlife management to colluding with the anti-hunting establishment, this misguided federal approach has threatened to reduce the conservation benefits of hunting and fishing.
To chart a new, more constructive course for America’s conservation policies, the Trump administration and its secretary of the Interior will need a focused agenda that prioritizes the biggest return on investment for taxpayers.
First, the administration should protect public access to federal lands so that outdoorsmen and women can enjoy hunting, fishing and recreational activities (including target shooting) on the enormous tracts of land owned and managed by our government. Specifically, Interior can build on the successes of the first Trump administration by keeping lands open and identifying at least 100 new access opportunities. The department can also secure early victories by rolling back policies that inexplicably restrict access, like a proposed plan for the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah that prohibits target shooting.
With hunters and anglers generating $145 billion in economic contributions and at least $1.2 billion for conservation via the Pittman-Robertson Act yearly, increasing hunting and fishing access on federal lands will boost these numbers. The Pittman-Robertson Act funds wildlife conservation programs through an excise tax on firearms, ammunition and related equipment, with manufacturers paying up to 11 percent on sales. These funds, distributed to state wildlife agencies, are essential for habitat restoration, species management and hunter education. These funds increase as more individuals go afield.
Trump’s conservation agenda should also include modernizing the Endangered Species Act to reduce unnecessary lawsuits and focus resources on wildlife populations that need protection. Interior should delist species experiencing population growth that meets or exceeds ESA targets, like grizzly bears and gray wolves. Otherwise, the ESA becomes a “Hotel California” for species that no longer require federal protection. Delisting, when appropriate, will allow state agencies to take the reins of wildlife management and use their expertise to benefit wildlife populations and hunters.
Trump’s approach toward sustainable-use hunting and conservation must focus on collaboration at various levels of government. By empowering local authorities through strong intergovernmental partnerships, Interior can enact reforms that streamline consultation processes, reduce burdensome litigation, and create new avenues for conflict resolution when differences of opinion arise.
The administration should also continue to stand up for hunters and anglers by rejecting misguided restrictions on traditional lead-based ammunition and fishing tackle that have unfairly targeted sportsmen and women. Contrary to claims from environmentalists, there have been no credible scientific studies showing that lead ammunition is having a systematic, negative effect on wildlife population health.
Moreover, blanket lead bans effectively restrict hunting and fishing access, as there are no affordable and easily available alternatives for every bullet and sinker. By embracing policies driven by science and incentive-based, voluntary innovation, Trump can continue supporting conservation without alienating the people who fund and champion it via Pittman-Robertson excise taxes.
Burgum’s confirmation is more than a procedural formality. It is an opportunity to solidify momentum for Trump’s sweeping conservation vision. Now is the time to implement policies that expand access, respect tradition, and prioritize science-based stewardship.
Hunters showed up in the 2024 election. Trump’s victory was partly a resounding affirmation of a future where sportsmen and women continue to lead on conservation — but are recognized and appreciated for it.
The opportunities are immense, and with bold leadership at Interior, the administration can achieve historic progress that rivals former president Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation achievements. It’s time to take decisive action so our nation’s outdoor heritage may flourish.