Fish and Wildlife Service Expands Hunting Spots in Refuges for 2025 Season
Published Date: 8/28/2025
Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is opening or expanding hunting and fishing at 16 wildlife refuges and 1 fish hatchery, including brand-new chances at Southern Maryland Woodlands and North Attleboro. These changes create 42 new ways to enjoy the outdoors across 87,000+ acres, making it easier and clearer for everyone to join in. Get ready for more fun in nature starting in 2025-2026, with simpler rules and fresh adventures!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
42 New Hunting and Fishing Openings
You can hunt or fish on 16 National Wildlife Refuge stations and 1 National Fish Hatchery station starting in 2025-2026. The rule opens or expands 42 opportunities across more than 87,000 acres, including first-time hunting at Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR, the formal opening of hunting at Grasslands WMA, and inaugural sport fishing at North Attleboro NFH.
Simpler, Clearer Station Rules
The Fish and Wildlife Service makes administrative changes to station-specific regulations to improve clarity, reduce regulatory burden on the public, and comply with a Presidential plain-language mandate. These edits are intended to make the rules easier to understand and follow.
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Key Dates
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