EventOn Oct. 9, 2026 the Trump administration finalized a rule that permits sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska’s national preserves, overturning bans imposed by the Obama and Biden administrations. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the rule restores state deference to local wildlife management, while environmental groups condemned the move.
The Trump administration issued a final rule on Oct. 9 that allows sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska national preserves, overturning bans by previous administrations and restoring state‑level management over wildlife activities.
The Trump administration’s final rule permits sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska national preserves, reversing earlier bans and preserving subsistence practices; environmental groups have decried the move as harmful to park wildlife.
The Trump administration final rule restores the ability for sport hunters to bait bears in Alaska national preserves, overturning previous bans and sparking environmental criticism.
Interior Department reportedly approves sport hunting methods in Alaska national parks such as Denali, Katmai, and Gates of the Arctic, sparking criticism from the National Parks Conservation Association for permitting bear baiting on protected lands.
