The U.S. Department of the Interior announced Thursday morning that it would open more than 7,000 acres of Alabama’s Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge for hunting in the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
Hunters will now be permitted to enter a lottery to hunt waterfowl on the land, including mourning dove, Eurasian-collared dove, duck, and goose.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), which operates the refuge, will also allow bow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hogs. Hunters may also take grey squirrel and rabbit.
The move is part of a significant expansion of hunting and fishing opportunities across more than 87,000 acres of federal land in 11 states, including Alabama, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington.
“Hunting and fishing are more than just traditional pastimes, as they are also vital to the conservation of our lands and waters, our outdoor recreation economy, and our American way of life,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a news release.
“The Trump administration is committed to promoting good government by reducing regulatory burdens by working with states to make access to these outdoor activities a reality for every American family.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville applauded the announcement on X.
The Department noted that hunting, fishing, and other outdoor activities contributed over $394 billion in economic expenditures across the U.S. in 2022, with hunters and anglers accounting for more than $144 billion.
Riley McArdle is a contributor for Yellowhammer News. He is a Senior majoring in Political Science at the University of Alabama and currently serves as Chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama. You can follow him on X @rileykmcardle.
