What: On May 27, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to open or expand hunting opportunities on 111 field stations, including 107 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System and 4 units of the National Fish Hatchery System.
Why: The FWS proposed rule would open or expand more than 1,450 opportunities for hunting and fishing. The agency is also proposing to change existing station-specific regulations to improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory burden on the public, and ensure consistency.
The proposal is part of an annual review of hunting and sport fishing regulations for the Refuge and Hatchery Systems and represents changes that would be effective beginning with the 2026-2027 hunting/fishing season.
Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments before the June 26, 2026, deadline.
PROPOSED RULE:
National Wildlife Refuge System; 2026-2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
CONTACT: Nick Goldstein
EMAIL: nick.goldstein@sba.gov
Access our Regulatory Alerts to view and submit comments on important proposed regulations.