Hunting Permitted in National Wildlife Refuges Despite Federal Shutdown
The US Fish and Wildlife Service has directed its staff to allow hunting in many of the approximately 600 National Wildlife Refuges, even as the federal government shutdown halts numerous other services, according to three agency employees.
An internal email reviewed by The Washington Post confirms that “all permitted hunts will continue” during the shutdown period.
Government Actions During the Shutdown
President Trump has instructed certain government sectors to continue operations amid the shutdown, including military pay and funding antihunger programs from tariff revenues. In contrast, various services—such as IRS taxpayer assistance and EPA permit approvals—have been suspended. Several national parks have partially or fully closed as a result.
The Interior Department’s contingency plan reports 4,655 of 7,001 Fish and Wildlife Service employees have been furloughed. This figure does not specify how many furloughed workers belong to the National Wildlife Refuge System, which oversees hunting management within refuge boundaries.
Staffing and Enforcement at Refuges
In refuges with on-site personnel, one employee remains on duty for essential safety tasks, and all refuge law enforcement officers are exempt from furloughs. However, many refuges lack staff during the shutdown.
Despite this, administration officials have instructed the remaining refuge staff to support hunting activities, though visitor centers remain closed, according to anonymous agency sources.
Some refuge workers are reportedly opening gates and facilitating hunter access without pay. Law enforcement officers and minimal refuge staff continue to work unpaid to maintain hunting operations.
Contradictions in Operational Procedures
The continuation of hunts with active staff presence appears to conflict with the Interior Department’s contingency plan, which states permitted activities should only proceed if they “do not require the presence of a Federal employee or contractor.”
In an official statement, Interior spokesperson Elizabeth Peace emphasized the department’s commitment to keeping public lands accessible, saying key staff remain available to ensure public safety, provide permits, and protect life and property.
The department confirmed that workers involved in safety, law enforcement, and emergency response are still being compensated for their duties.
Wildlife and Conservation Implications
From a wildlife management perspective, maintaining regulated hunting during the shutdown is critical. Proper enforcement prevents illegal activities that could jeopardize sustainability of deer populations and other game species within refuges.
Desirée Sorenson-Groves, president of the National Wildlife Refuge Association, cautioned that insufficient staffing increases risk of illegal hunting and trespassing, which threatens wildlife conservation efforts. She witnessed unauthorized vehicle access at one refuge, highlighting enforcement gaps.
- Illegal hunting can disrupt population controls essential for balanced ecosystems.
- Refuges serve as important habitats for deer species, whose biology depends on controlled harvests to prevent overbrowse and maintain plant diversity.
- Regulated hunts help provide data on herd health and population dynamics critical to long-term species management.
Biological Context of Hunting in National Wildlife Refuges
Deer populations in refuges rely on careful management of hunting seasons and permits to avoid overpopulation and habitat degradation. Overabundant deer herds can lead to increased vehicle collisions, disease transmission, and reduced regeneration of forest understory plants.
Allowing hunting to continue during a government shutdown, despite operational challenges, reflects the importance placed on maintaining biological balance and public safety within these protected areas.
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