SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Council is established under the authority of the Secretary of the Interior and regulated by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. Ch. 10). The Council's duties are strictly advisory and consist of, but are not limited to,

(a) Assessing the implementation of current and future Executive Orders, Secretary's Orders, Secretarial memos, and Director's Orders that pertain to the objective of the Council, and providing recommendations to enhance and expand their implementation;

(b) Conducting a review of public lands to identify any areas currently unreachable or unavailable for public hunting opportunities and recommending solutions or options to increase access;

(c) Making recommendations regarding policies and programs that:

1. conserve and restore wetlands, grasslands, forests, and other important wildlife habitats, and improve management and restoration of rangelands and agricultural lands to benefit wildlife and enhance hunting and wildlife-associated recreation;

2. promote opportunities for hunting and/or expand access to hunting, shooting sports and wildlife-associated recreation on public lands;

3. improve and enhance agency infrastructure that benefit wildlife and their habitats, that enhance public access to hunting and shooting sports opportunities on public lands and other related and lawful uses in accordance with the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (16 U.S.C. 6801-6814) and the Great American Outdoors Act (Pub. L. 115-162); ( printed page 64162)

4. encourage hunting and shooting sports safety, including through development of ranges on public lands;

5. recruit and retain new hunters and shooting sports enthusiasts whose participation helps support wildlife conservation and increased access and opportunities through the North American Model of Conservation;

6. increase public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the social and economic benefits of hunting and the shooting sports; and

7. encourage coordination among the public; the hunting and shooting sports communities; wildlife conservation groups; and Federal, State, Tribal and Territorial governments to better utilize natural resources while providing for conservation.

(d) When requested by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) in consultation with the Council Chairperson, performing a variety of assessments or reviews of policies, programs, and efforts through the Council's designated subcommittees or workgroups for consideration and approval of full Council.

The Council will meet at least two times per year. The Secretary will appoint members and alternates to the Council to serve up to a 3-year term. The Council will not exceed 18 primary representative members, up to 18 alternate representative members, and 4 ex officio members. Ex officio members will include: Secretary of the Interior or designated DOI representatives; Secretary of Agriculture or designated Department of Agriculture representative; and Executive Director, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The Secretary will select remaining members from among, but not limited to, the organization/interests listed below. These members must be senior-level representatives of their organization and/or have the ability to represent their designated constituencies.

• State fish and wildlife management agencies;
• Wildlife and habitat conservation/management organizations;
• Shooting sports interests;
• Gamebird hunting organizations;
• Waterfowl hunting organizations;
• Big game hunting organizations;
• U.S. hunters actively engaged in domestic and/or international hunting conservation;
• The firearms or ammunition manufacturing industry;
• Archery interests;
• Wildlife-associated recreation interests;
• Tourism, outfitter, and/or guide businesses related to hunting and/or wildlife conservation;
• Tribal resource management organizations;
• Agriculture interests;
• Ranching interest; and
• Veterans service organizations.

Member Terms and Vacancies To Fill

Each representative member is appointed to serve up to a 3-year term. We are requesting nominations to fill vacancies to represent organizations/interests listed above.

Nomination Method and Information

Nominations should include a cover letter and resume providing an adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that would enable DOI to make an informed decision regarding the ability of a nominee to meet the membership requirements of the Council and the national interest potentially represented by a nominee, and to permit DOI to contact a potential member. Individuals who submitted a cover letter and resume in response to the April 21, 2026, request for nominations do not need to resubmit for this request.

Members of the Council serve without compensation. However, while away from their homes or regular places of business, Council and subcommittee members engaged in Council or subcommittee business that the Designated Federal Officer approves may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703, in the same manner as persons employed intermittently in Federal Government service.

Authority:5 U.S.C. Ch. 10.