The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service today announced proposed regulations that would allow hunting in Castle Mountains National Monument in California and Craters of the Moon National Monument in Idaho, to implement a directive in Executive Order 14429, "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage" that gave the Department 90 days to allow hunting within the two Monuments. This directive advances the Trump administration's policy to reinvigorate, protect and expand America's hunting heritage.
The proposed rule would permit hunting of species not protected under the Endangered Species Act in both monuments. It recognizes the authority of state wildlife agencies to manage fish and wildlife while giving the NPS the ability to manage hunting to protect public health and safety, the historic and scientific objects the monuments were created to preserve, and any threatened or endangered species present.
"Hunting is part of America's heritage, and hunters are some of our country's greatest conservationists," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. "President Trump has made clear that our hunting heritage deserves to be protected and promoted-because conservation and access go hand in hand. This proposal builds on the President's commitment by expanding hunting opportunities while respecting state wildlife management authority and safeguarding the natural resources we all treasure."
Under the proposal, hunting would be conducted in accordance with both state and federal law. Superintendents at each monument would retain authority to establish closures, restrictions or conditions on hunting to protect public safety and prevent impacts to the objects the Monuments were established to protect.
These proposed regulations reflect our commitment to expanding access while still protecting the resources these monuments were established to preserve," said Jessica Bowron, Comptroller Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Director of the National Park Service. "The National Park Service worked closely with our state partners in California and Idaho to craft a rule that respects their role in managing wildlife and gives our superintendents the tools they need to protect visitors, employees and sensitive resources."
Castle Mountains National Monument
The proposed regulations, developed in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, would prohibit hunting within 200 yards of any wildlife watering place, including natural springs, seeps and artificial watering devices, to protect desert species such as bighorn sheep, mule deer and desert tortoises that depend on scarce water supplies. Hunting also would be prohibited within one mile of the Castle Mountain Mine, operating on Bureau of Land Management-administered land within the monument's boundary, to protect mine workers.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
The proposed regulations, developed in coordination with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, would limit hunters to using short-range weapons, excluding modern centerfire rifles, to reduce the risk posed by errant rounds across the monument's open terrain. The rule also would close the northern section of the monument - an area containing park infrastructure, administrative facilities and sensitive archeological sites - to all hunting.
Hunting is already permitted in the NPS-administered Craters of the Moon National Preserve and Bureau of Land Management-administered portions of the monument. The proposed rule would expand hunting opportunities into the original national monument, where hunting is currently prohibited.
How to Submit Comments
The proposed rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Oct. 26, 2026. The proposed rule will be available at www.federalregister.gov by searching for document #2026-23228.
NPS will accept comments through Nov. 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. Comments may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov by searching for RIN 1024-AF13, or by mail to National Park Service, Division of Regulations, 7206 National Seashore Lane, Berlin, MD 21811. Comments submitted by email or fax will not be accepted.
