Interior Proposes Hunting in Two National Monuments
Proposed rule would open Castle Mountains and Craters of the Moon monuments to hunting, with public comments due November 25, 2026.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Hunting
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The Department of the Interior and National Park Service proposed regulations allowing hunting in Castle Mountains National Monument and Craters of the Moon National Monument. The proposal is scheduled for Federal Register publication on October 26, 2026.
Why it matters
The proposal implements Executive Order 14429, "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage," which directed the Department to allow hunting in the two monuments within 90 days. Residents and outdoor users across the country can weigh in during the public comment period.
The proposed rule bars hunting within 200 yards of any wildlife watering place and within one mile of the Castle Mountain Mine in Castle Mountains National Monument. Whether the rule will be changed after public comment, which closes November 25, 2026, has not been determined.
The players
U.S. Department of the Interior
The federal department responsible for managing public lands and national monuments, including the two sites covered by the proposal.
National Park Service
The federal agency within the Interior Department that administers national parks and monuments, and which oversees Castle Mountains and Craters of the Moon.
The details
The proposed rule permits hunting of species not protected under the Endangered Species Act in both monuments. In Craters of the Moon, hunters would be limited to short-range weapons, excluding modern centerfire rifles, and the northern section would be closed to all hunting. Superintendents at each monument would retain authority to impose additional closures or conditions.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: Proposed rule scheduled for publication in the Federal Register.
November 14, 2026: Department announced the proposed hunting regulations.
November 25, 2026: Public comment period closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Policy Trail
The proposal follows Executive Order 14429, which directed the Interior Department to open the two monuments to hunting within 90 days. It extends that federal directive into concrete rules with buffer zones and weapon limits tailored to each site.
Hunters and outdoor users can submit comments through the federal rulemaking portal before November 25, 2026. If finalized, the rule would govern where and with what weapons hunting is allowed in the two monuments.
The takeaway
Anyone interested in hunting access on federal lands can participate directly in the rulemaking. Comments submitted before November 25, 2026 become part of the record the Department reviews.
What happens next
The public comment period closes November 25, 2026, after which the Department will review submissions before any final rule is issued.
Further reading
Explore more on Hunting regulations and seasons across the country.
More information
Submit your comments through Submit public comments on RIN 1024-AF13 before the deadline.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gold Rush Cam.
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