Trump signs hunting order, SWFL conservationists fear threat to panthers, bears

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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — President Trump signed an executive order to reinvigorate United States hunting, but conservationists say it’s a big red flag for the environment.

The order directs federal agencies to review and modify policies that restrict access to federal lands for hunting and fishing. It applies a “presumption of accessibility” to federally managed lands, with exceptions for national parks and most national monuments.

Federal agencies have 180 days to propose changes that would expand hunting and fishing opportunities. The modifications would allow construction and maintenance of infrastructure for outdoor recreation access, improve access to difficult-to-reach federal lands through easements and land exchanges, and permit the use of traditional lead ammunition and tackle.

The order also directs the Secretary of Agriculture to reform high-demand Forest Service river access lotteries within 60 days. The reformed system would prioritize U.S. citizens, including prior unsuccessful applicants, and prohibit automatic computer entries.

While hunters WINK News spoke to said they want more access to public lands, especially in other states, they aren’t sure if this executive order will actually enhance their experiences. When it came to hunting in Florida, the issues centered on the lottery system.

“I think these people that don’t draw for six years, you know, they should have a little better opportunity to draw than just some random guy who just applied,” Austin Smith said.

Part of the executive order directs Forest Service-administered river access lotteries to prioritize U.S. citizens and past applicants who haven’t been drawn. Smith said he hopes Florida lotteries will also prioritize hunters that are in state.

“You can put in as much as you want, but then it might take you five years to draw what you want to draw,” Smith said.

While national parks and monuments are excluded from expansion, conservationist Rob Howell with Keep It Wild said the order threatens already struggling wildlife populations in Southwest Florida

“This was not passed for father son, father daughter moments,” Howell said. “Those small family groups have been hunting and fishing in areas that their families have been doing for a very long time.”

Howell said protected areas serve as safe havens for wildlife, especially as development continues to shrink natural habitats. He said allowing hunting in these spaces, particularly with lead ammunition, creates toxic conditions that ripple through the food chain.

Lead bullets that fail to kill an animal can poison it slowly, and if that animal is eaten by a predator, the toxin spreads further into the ecosystem. Howell compared the problem to plastic pollution in the oceans.

“Opening up these public lands and these protected lands is only going to benefit big companies, big industries,” Howell said. “It’s not for the everyday person. It is just to line the pockets of those making these decisions.”

Howell said his biggest concern is the impact on apex predators like dolphins, black bears and Florida panthers.

“We just we have to draw a line,” he said.

George Hartman retired to Florida and often fishes with friends. He said he hadn’t seen the executive order but has never wanted more access to public lands to fish in Florida.

“I’ve been coming down here since 2000, and now that I’m living here, I mean you can go anywhere pretty much that you want to go,” Hartman said. “It’s just a matter of finding the places. So I don’t really don’t think there’s a necessary need for it, but maybe just more information out there where to go.
Within 90 days, the Secretary of the Interior must allow hunting of non-endangered species at Castle Mountains National Monument in California and Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve in Idaho. The order states that “appropriately managed hunting would not put the objects of historic and scientific interest that these monuments protect at risk.”

To encourage youth participation, the Secretary of Labor and Secretary of Education must issue guidance within 90 days clarifying that federal education funding can be used for archery and hunter education programs in schools. The Department of Veterans Affairs will prioritize grants supporting outdoor hunting and fishing opportunities for veterans in its Adaptive Sports Grant Program.

The order requires federal agencies to coordinate with state agencies on wildlife management practices. This includes voluntary removal of barriers to wildlife movement, reduction of invasive species, targeted management of predators, and use of prescribed fire and vegetation management.

Within 365 days, the Secretary of the Interior must encourage state fish and wildlife agencies to promote Sunday hunting opportunities on state and federal lands. The Secretary of Agriculture will issue guidance supporting state-based wild game venison donation programs, including through the Emergency Food Assistance Program.

The order states its purpose is to “reinvigorate, protect, and expand America’s hunting heritage to benefit our people and our land.”

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