Trump Signs New Hunting Order: What Could It Mean for Montana?
As somebody who spends a ridiculous amount of time thinking about where I'm going to hunt next, anything involving the words "more public hunting access" is going to get my attention.
President Donald Trump recently issued an Executive Order titled "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage." Included within this order were directives for federal agencies to consider how to increase public hunting on some Federal Lands; provide improved access to landlocked parcels of land; and assess any federal restrictions imposed upon hunters/anglers.
My initial question was: "How will this affect Montana?"
New Hunting Access Coming to Montana
Many changes have already been implemented, even though these are independent of President Trump's new Executive Order.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed an enormous expansion of hunting/fishing opportunities across nearly 1,500 new areas at 111 Refuges/Hatcheries throughout the United States this past Summer. Here in Montana, we saw the creation of both new and expanded hunting areas at sites such as Grass Lake and Hailstone WMAs. Additionally, Federal Planning Documents address increasing big game hunting access to various areas.
As a Waterfowl and Big Game Hunter, That is Exactly What I am Looking For!
The real question is: "What happens next?" President Trump's order calls for all federal agencies to assess barriers to recreationally accessing the outdoors and identify possible methods (including Voluntary Easements, Land Exchanges, Cooperative Agreements) to reach those checkerboarded and landlocked parcels of federally owned property while respecting private property rights.
This is definitely something to watch very carefully for Montanans.
Lead Ammunition
One of the sections I was able to quickly focus on is addressing concerns regarding the utilization of Lead Ammunition/Fishing Tackle. The Order asks each agency to develop proposals permitting the usage of traditional Lead Ammunition and Fishing Tackle where currently prohibited by federal policy.
Don't panic yet, fellow Duck Hunters! Nothing changed today. Prior to utilizing Grandpa's old Shotgun Shells, federal laws prohibiting Nontoxic Shot for waterfowl hunting nationwide date back to 1991. Therefore, even on Montana Refuge Lands such as Hailstone, using Steel or Nontoxic Shot continues to be mandatory for waterfowl and Upland Birds.
Personally, I have never used Lead to hunt ducks. After watching a Mallard duck shrug off Steel Shot like I was throwing a handful of Gravel at him, I do have a newfound interest in the topic.
For now, however, continue purchasing Steel Shot.
We Now Await New Openings
This is likely the largest takeaway for Montana Hunters. The order did not magically open up multiple gates this weekend. Rather than unlocking new access and/or changing existing regulations, it initiated another federal process that may possibly yield additional access and/or changes to regulations down the road.
I will be watching to determine exactly which lands in Montana will be impacted.
If someone advises me that there are new public grounds in which I can pursue Elk or Ducks, you better believe I will want their GPS Coordinates.
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Gallery Credit: Meagan Drillinger