Reinvigorating America’s Hunting Heritage

9/17/2026

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose and Policy: Revitalize America’s hunting heritage by reducing Federal regulatory overreach; restore access to Federal lands for hunters, anglers, and landowners to conserve wildlife and promote outdoor recreation.
Expanding Access to Federal Lands:
- 90 Days: Allow hunting of non-protected species in Castle Mountains National Monument and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve.
- 180 Days: Modify policies/regulations across multiple agencies (War, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce) to expand access for hunting, fishing, shooting, and other recreational uses; enable infrastructure improvements and technological enhancements; permit traditional lead ammunition and tackle.
- 60 Days: Reform Forest Service river access lotteries to prioritize U.S. citizens and prevent automatic computer entries.
- 90 Days: Propose regulations to streamline seasonal migratory game bird hunting administration.
- 365 Days: Encourage States to promote Sunday hunting opportunities on both State and Federal lands.
Growing a New Generation of Hunters:
- 90 Days: Guidance by the Secretaries of Labor and Education to clarify Federal funding for archery and hunter education programs in schools.
- 180 Days: Identify additional opportunities to encourage hunting among youth and veterans using existing Federal funds.
- Veterans Affairs to prioritize grants supporting outdoor hunting and fishing through its Adaptive Sports Grant Program.
Promoting Robust Game Species Populations:
- Coordinate with State agencies to remove barriers to wildlife movement, manage invasive species, and address other challenges to healthy game species populations.
- Utilize management tools such as prescribed fire, habitat management, and voluntary agreements with private landowners.
Increasing Wild Game Donation:
- Issue guidance supporting State-based wild game (venison) donation programs through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
- Encourage use of Pittman-Robertson funds for managing hyperabundant wildlife (e.g., whitetail deer) to aid in donation efforts for schools and food banks.
General Provisions:
- Affirm that the order does not impair authorized agency functions, nor does it create enforceable rights.
- Implementation is subject to applicable law, existing legal constraints, and appropriations, with publication costs borne by the Department of the Interior.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order aims to expand access to federal lands for hunting and fishing, which could lead to increased outdoor recreational activities. However, this could create conflicts with conservation efforts, particularly if wildlife populations are not carefully managed. Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes affect environmental research and conservation programs.
Increased hunting opportunities may lead to heightened concerns over safety and liability, especially in areas near university properties or research sites. This could necessitate a review of campus safety protocols and insurance coverage related to outdoor activities.
The emphasis on promoting hunting and fishing among youth may alter the demographic of students interested in outdoor recreation programs at Vanderbilt, potentially impacting enrollment in related courses or extracurricular activities.
The Executive Order may lead to increased funding for conservation and wildlife management, which could benefit research initiatives at Vanderbilt. However, there is a risk that funding priorities could shift away from other important environmental sciences.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s Environmental Science Program may see an increase in research opportunities related to the management of wildlife populations and habitat conservation as a result of the Executive Order.
Peabody College could enhance its curriculum by incorporating outdoor education and conservation practices, which align with the new policies promoting hunting and fishing among youth.
The Office of Student Engagement might need to develop new student organizations or activities focused on outdoor recreation, reflecting the growing interest in hunting and fishing.
Research collaborations with federal agencies involved in wildlife management could be fostered, particularly for projects related to habitat restoration and species conservation.

Financial Impact

The potential increase in federal funding for wildlife management and conservation could present new grant opportunities for Vanderbilt researchers, particularly in environmental studies.
However, if funding is redirected from other environmental initiatives towards hunting and fishing programs, it may negatively affect ongoing projects at the university.
There could be a financial impact on local economies, which may affect the university’s partnerships with local communities and stakeholders in conservation efforts.
Vanderbilt may need to assess its liability insurance and safety protocols related to outdoor activities, which could result in increased operational costs.

Relevance Score: 3 (Moderate risks typically involving compliance or ethics, particularly in conservation and safety.)

Key Actions

The Vanderbilt School of Education should explore partnerships with local schools to integrate archery and hunter education programs into their curricula, aligning with the federal guidance on funding for such programs. This initiative would promote awareness of wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation among students.
The Department of Environmental Studies can leverage the increased focus on wildlife management practices by conducting research on the impact of hunting regulations on local ecosystems. This research could inform policy recommendations and position Vanderbilt as a leader in sustainability and conservation efforts.
The Center for Community Engagement should consider organizing community workshops that promote responsible hunting and wildlife conservation, potentially collaborating with state agencies to enhance public outreach and education efforts.
Vanderbilt should assess its role in supporting State fish and wildlife agencies by potentially contributing expert resources or student volunteers for managing wildlife populations and habitat restoration projects.
The Vanderbilt Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to the expansion of access to federal lands to identify funding opportunities for research and conservation projects that align with the objectives of the executive order.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Environmental Policy Program to engage in advocacy for wildlife conservation policies that align with the administration’s goals of promoting game species populations and habitat connectivity.
The focus on increasing wild game donation programs offers a chance for Vanderbilt’s Center for Nutrition to collaborate with local food banks and the community in initiatives that support food security while promoting sustainable hunting practices.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the emphasis on youth engagement in hunting traditions by developing outreach programs that mentor young people interested in conservation and outdoor sports, potentially enhancing the university’s community relations.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with federal initiatives on hunting and conservation.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

Within 90 days: Secretary of the Interior to allow hunting in designated National Monuments (Sec. 2(a)).
Within 180 days: Secretaries of War, Interior, Agriculture, and Commerce to propose modifications to access policies (Sec. 2(b)); and Secretary of the Interior to identify opportunities for growing a hunting tradition (Sec. 3(b)).
Within 60 days: Secretary of Agriculture to review and reform Forest Service river access lotteries (Sec. 2(c)).
Within 90 days: Department of the Interior to propose improvements for seasonal migratory game bird hunting regulations (Sec. 2(d)); and guidance on Federal education funding for archery and hunter education programs to be issued by the Secretaries of Labor and Education (Sec. 3(a)).
Within 365 days: Secretary of the Interior to encourage State agencies to promote Sunday hunting opportunities (Sec. 2(e)).

The shortest timeline indicated is 60 days.

Relevance Score: 3

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of the Interior: Tasked with expanding hunting access on Federal lands, proposing improved administrative processes for seasonal migratory game bird hunting, and encouraging state cooperation to promote outdoor recreation and wildlife management.
Department of War: Directed to work with other agencies to propose modifications that expand access to lands for outdoor recreation, and to coordinate on policies that support sustainable wildlife management.
Department of Agriculture: Charged with reforming Forest Service-administered river access lotteries, issuing guidance for wild game venison donation programs, and collaborating on wildlife management and conservation initiatives.
Department of Commerce: Required to propose modifications to policies or regulations affecting land access under its jurisdiction, promoting increased opportunities for hunting and other outdoor activities.
Department of Labor: Instructed to issue guidance on the appropriateness of Federal funding for hunter education programs in schools, aiming to bolster youth participation in hunting traditions.
Department of Education: Responsible for clarifying the permissibility of using Federal education funding to support archery and hunter education programs, thereby influencing youth engagement in outdoor recreational activities.
Department of Veterans Affairs: Tasked with prioritizing grants for outdoor hunting and fishing opportunities through its Adaptive Sports Grant Program, supporting veterans’ involvement in these activities.

Relevance Score: 3 (Seven Federal Agencies are impacted by the directives in this executive order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of the Interior – Tasked with expanding access to designated Federal lands for hunting, proposing regulations for migratory game bird hunting, encouraging state agencies on Sunday hunting, and identifying opportunities to support youth and veteran hunting initiatives.
Secretary of War – Directed to propose modifications to access policies for Federal lands and to coordinate conservation efforts with state agencies on game species populations.
Secretary of Agriculture – Instructed to propose regulatory modifications for land access opportunities; review and reform high-demand river access lotteries; coordinate in promoting game species populations; and issue guidance to support wild game donation programs.
Secretary of Commerce – Required to participate in proposing modifications to policies governing access to Federal lands.
Secretary of Labor – Charged with issuing guidance on the permissibility of Federal education funding for archery and hunter education programs.
Secretary of Education – Also tasked with issuing guidance on Federal education funding for archery and hunter education programs.
Department of Veterans Affairs – Directed to prioritize grants supporting outdoor hunting and fishing opportunities through its Adaptive Sports Grant Program.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect the heads of Federal agencies and Cabinet-level officials, ensuring significant strategic impact.)