The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act Would Secure Federal Support for Critical Habitat Conservation
Hunters across the country are celebrating the introduction of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at ensuring the long-term conservation of big game migration corridors. Introduced in the Senate by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and in the House by Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) and Don Beyer (D-Va.), the bill would formalize key federal programs that support wildlife movement and habitat connectivity.
For those who hunt mule deer, elk, pronghorn, and other migratory species, maintaining open and healthy corridors is crucial. Big game herds rely on seasonal migrations to access food, water, and safe breeding grounds. However, habitat fragmentation, development, and infrastructure barriers have increasingly disrupted these natural pathways, affecting herd health and population sustainability.
Why This Bill Matters to Hunters
The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act builds on previous federal efforts—originating from the Trump Administration’s Secretarial Order 3362 and expanded under the Biden Administration—to conserve and restore migration routes. The key difference? Congressional approval would make these conservation initiatives permanent, ensuring that future administrations continue to prioritize wildlife corridors.
For hunters, this is a major win. State and Tribal wildlife agencies play a key role in managing herds, but their budgets often fall short of funding large-scale habitat projects. This bill would fill that gap by providing:
- Grants for habitat conservation – Supporting projects that improve migration corridors, such as fence modifications, habitat restoration, and wildlife crossings.
- Funding for migration research – Helping states and Tribes track movement patterns, identify bottlenecks, and develop science-based management strategies.
- Private landowner partnerships – Providing financial incentives for ranchers and landowners to voluntarily implement conservation measures that benefit both wildlife and working lands.
- Expanded mapping efforts – Strengthening collaboration between the U.S. Geological Survey and state agencies to refine priority migration routes.
The bill also directs the Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Transportation to coordinate efforts, ensuring a unified approach to protecting big game movement on public lands.
Support from the Hunting and Conservation Community
Leading conservation organizations have voiced strong support for the bill, including:
- Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP)
- Mule Deer Foundation (MDF)
- Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF)
- Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA)
Chuck Sykes, president of AFWA, highlighted how state agencies have already developed migration corridor plans but need federal backing to implement them:
“State fish and wildlife agencies have identified and integrated wildlife movement and migration routes but need the funding to put these projects on the ground with their partners.”
Steve Belinda of the Mule Deer Foundation emphasized the importance of maintaining partnerships with public and private entities:
“This bill allows the partnership approach that is already happening to continue and provides essential funding to ensure future collaboration and management of wildlife and their habitat is successful.”
Likewise, Kyle Weaver, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, noted how RMEF’s work mapping migration corridors has benefited from federal partnerships:
“Passage of the Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act will send a clear message that Congress prioritizes big game migration and habitat enhancement now and in the future.”
What’s Next?
The bill’s introduction marks the first step in securing congressional approval. If passed, it would guarantee funding for wildlife corridor conservation, preventing disruptions caused by shifting political priorities.
For hunters, this means stronger big game populations, improved habitat quality, and better long-term hunting opportunities. Supporting migration corridors is an investment in the future of wildlife—and in the traditions of hunting itself.
Stay tuned for updates on Hunterizer as the bill moves through Congress.
