By Jay Pinsky
Editor — The Archery Wire & The Hunting Wire
President Trump's recent executive order reaffirming the Second Amendment is a bold move to protect gun owners' rights - and archery rights.
Jay Pinsky
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For years, government overreach has chipped away at sportsmen's rights, affecting everything from firearm ownership to hunting access on public lands. While bows and firearms may seem like separate issues, they share a familiar battleground: hunting regulations, conservation funding, and outdoor access.
Yes, we (bowhunters and gun hunters) can help each other. Just like we can hurt each other.
Now is a good time to remind us all that this constant bickering, infighting, and peer shaming within bowhunting, and all hunting needs to stop. Off my soapbox.
This executive order directs the Attorney General to assess regulations that may infringe on the Second Amendment, laying the groundwork for reviewing policies that affect all hunters, including those who hunt with bows.
How This Order Benefits Bowhunters
At its core, the executive order states:
"The Second Amendment is an indispensable safeguard of security and liberty. It has preserved the right of the American people to protect ourselves, our families, and our freedoms since the founding of our great Nation. Because it is foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, the right to keep and bear arms must not be infringed."
Although archery equipment is not classified as a firearm, many policies restricting firearm use and hunting access also affect bowhunters. The order requires the Attorney General to conduct a full-scale review of government regulations that may infringe on hunting and firearm rights. This means some restrictions that indirectly affected bowhunters could soon be reassessed.
Preserving Public Land Access for All Hunters
For years, federal regulations have limited hunting opportunities on public lands. In some cases, this has directly impacted bowhunters by restricting access to prime hunting areas or banning certain types of gear.
President Trump's order explicitly directs the Attorney General to review:
" (i) All Presidential and agencies' actions from January 2021 through January 2025 that purport to promote safety but may have impinged on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens."
This review could increase hunting opportunities on federal lands, benefiting all hunters—whether they hunt with a bow or a firearm.
Protecting Conservation Funding
Many hunters don't realize that the firearms and ammunition industry funds a significant portion of conservation efforts through the Pittman-Robertson Act. When firearm ownership is restricted, so is the funding that sustains wildlife conservation programs, habitat restoration, and hunter education.
By directing a review of:
" (vi) Agencies' classifications of firearms and ammunition"
This executive order ensures that the firearms industry remains strong and stable, which keeps conservation dollars flowing—benefiting both firearm hunters and bowhunters.
Defending Hunting Equipment Regulations
While archery gear is not currently under the same level of scrutiny as firearms, restrictive government policies have a way of creeping into unintended areas. If the federal government is willing to restrict one type of hunting equipment, there's always a risk that archery gear could be next.
The executive order also requires a review of:
" (iii) Agencies' plans, orders, and actions regarding the so-called 'enhanced regulatory enforcement policy' pertaining tofirearms and/or Federal firearms licensees."
This is important because restrictive policies on firearm accessories—such as optics, ammunition, and suppressors—often overlap with hunting regulations. Ensuring that government agencies do not overstep their authority means bowhunters can have confidence that their equipment choices remain protected.
Strengthening Hunting Rights Overall
Hunting rights and firearm rights are deeply interconnected. In recent years, policies restricting gun ownership have had unintended consequences for hunting, including:
• Bans on lead ammunition, which impact hunters of all kinds.
• Firearm import restrictions have limited the availability of certain hunting rifles.
• Overregulation of hunting gear and accessories makes it harder for hunters to properly equip themselves.
This executive order ensures that hunting remains accessible and practical for future generations by rolling back unnecessary government interference.
What Bowhunters Must Do Next
This executive order is a major step in the right direction, but hunters—whether they use firearms or bows—must stay engaged in the fight to protect our rights.
• Stay Informed – Follow hunting advocacy groups and track policy changes that could affect your right to hunt.
• Support Conservation Efforts – Even if you don't use firearms, the taxes they generate help protect wildlife and hunting lands.
• Advocate for Hunting Access—Policies affecting gun hunting often impact bowhunting. Speak up when hunting rights are on the line.
President Trump's executive order is not just about guns—it's about ensuring that hunting, in all its forms, remains a protected and cherished tradition. By standing together, hunters can ensure that our rights, access, and heritage remain strong for future generations—whether we hunt with a rifle, shotgun, or bow.
