The Great Outdoors Just Got Greater: Public Lands are Now “Open by Default”

By Derrick R. Stallings – HuntingOfficer

If you’ve spent any time navigating the labyrinth of federal land regulations, you know the drill: usually, you have to find out where you can hunt or fish. But as of this week, the script just got flipped.

​On January 13, 2026, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed Secretarial Order 3447. It’s a move that’s sending ripples through the outdoor community, and the gist is simple: public lands are now “open unless closed.”

​Here’s the breakdown of what this means for your next trip to the field or the water.

​Flipping the Script: The “Default to Open” Policy

​For years, hunters and anglers have operated under a “closed until opened” framework in many areas. You’d have to wait for a specific federal rule or a seasonal update to know if a particular refuge or patch of BLM land was fair game.

​Under the new order, the burden of proof shifts. Hunting and fishing are now considered the default use for lands managed by the Department of the Interior (DOI). According to GearJunkie, this means site managers now have to provide a “specific, documented, and legally supported” reason to keep an area closed—rather than hunters having to wait for permission to enter.

​Who Does This Affect?

​The order covers a massive amount of dirt and water. We’re talking about lands managed by:

• ​The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
• ​The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (including National Wildlife Refuges and Fish Hatcheries)
• ​The Bureau of Reclamation
• ​National Park Service (NPS) units (specifically those where hunting is already legally authorized)

​USFWS Director Brian Nesvik has already set a high bar for his agency, stating his goal is to have all refuges and hatcheries open within two years, except in rare cases of safety or sensitive habitat concerns (Outdoor Life).

​Why Is This Happening Now?

​The DOI is framing this as a massive “red tape” cutting exercise. Secretary Burgum tweeted that the goal is to “streamline regulations so Americans have the access they deserve.”

​Groups like the Sportsmen’s Alliance and the NRA-ILA are calling it a “landmark victory,” arguing that since hunters and anglers provide the bulk of conservation funding through the Pittman-Robertson Act and Duck Stamps, they should have a seat at the head of the table.

​The “Lead” Factor

​There’s another big detail buried in the order that’s going to spark some debate. The directive also addresses the use of lead ammunition and tackle. Per Northwest Sportsman Magazine, the order essentially bars site-specific lead bans unless there’s a very specific, science-backed reason to have one. This aligns with recent legislative pushes like H.R. 566, which aims to protect the use of traditional lead ammo on federal lands.

​What Changes Today?

​If you’re grabbing your gear right now, don’t expect every gate to be open immediately. While the policy has changed, the implementation takes time. The order gives DOI offices 60 days to identify new lands to open and prioritize state and tribal recommendations.

​The Bottom Line

​Whether you’re a die-hard backcountry hunter or just someone who likes to wet a line on the weekend, this is a massive shift in how our federal government views public land use. It’s moving away from “preservation-only” and toward a “multi-use” philosophy that puts hunters and anglers front and center.

​What do you think? Is this the “common sense” win the outdoor industry says it is, or are you worried about how site managers will handle the increased traffic?