05/27/2026
Delta Waterfowl Applauds Latest Hunt
Fish Rule
Annual USFWS rule creates historic expansion for waterfowl hunting on refuge land
BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA — The United States Fish and Wildlife Service released its proposed 2026 Hunt Fish Rule, which would open or expand more than 1,450 hunting and sport fishing opportunities across 111 stations in 32 states, including 107 national wildlife refuges and four national fish hatcheries.
The proposal would open or expand waterfowl hunting on 41 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System. It also includes first-ever hunting or sport fishing opportunities at four refuges and hatchery sites. Those include:
Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery in Maine
Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Montana
Pendills Creek National Fish Hatchery in Michigan
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge in Mississippi
Additionally, USFWS is proposing more than 500 revisions and deletions to existing regulations to reduce complexity and align more closely with state fish and wildlife laws.
The Hunt Fish Rule has been a key priority for Delta’s Policy Team for nearly a decade because it can create substantial increases in hunting opportunities for migratory bird hunters. Delta has worked closely with its volunteers, members and other duck hunters to annually submit a list of priority refuges for increased access. The 2026 rule includes eight of those refuges.
“Department of the Interior Sec. Doug Burgum and USFWS Director Brian Nesvik have been leading the charge on expanded public land hunting access,” said John Devney, Delta’s chief policy officer. “Duck hunters across the country are grateful for their support of public land access on the National Wildlife Refuge System.”
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a central feature in waterfowl management across all four flyways from the breeding grounds, key staging areas and the core of key wintering habitat. The proposal, while allowing incremental hunting opportunities, does not diminish the core inviolate sanctuary function of individual refuges.
“Earlier this year, Secretarial Order 3447 adopted the ‘open unless closed’ policy for hunting on refuges, creating significant and meaningful access improvements for duck hunters,” added Cyrus Baird, Delta’s vice president of government affairs. “This year’s proposed Hunt Fish Rule builds on those improvements by opening or expanding waterfowl hunting access on an additional 41 refuge or hatchery sites. We’re encouraging Delta members to voice their support.”
Delta Waterfowl strongly supports this proposal and is urging its members and all duck hunters to submit comments through the Duck Hunters Action Alert System before the June 26 deadline.
In the coming days, hunters can submit comments directly through Delta Waterfowl’s Duck Hunters Action Alert System, which provides a simple way to send official letters to the Federal Register in support of the proposed rule.
Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters OrganizationTM, a leading conservation group founded in 1911 that uses science-based solutions to produce ducks, conserve prairie wetlands, and ensure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America. Visit our website.
For more information, contact Cyrus Baird.
Delta Waterfowl Foundation
U.S. Office | 1412 Basin Ave., Bismarck, ND 58504 | 1-888-987-3695
Canada Office | RR1 Site 2 Box 2 Portage la Prairie, MB R1N 3A1 | 1-877-667-5656
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