The purpose of the Army's Hunting and Fishing Program is devoted to the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations through the sustainable multipurpose use of the resources, which includes hunting, fishing, and trapping.

The Sikes Act, amended in 1997 with the Sikes Act Improvement Act, authorizes the installation commander to sell hunting and fishing permits. After covering the installation's administrative expenses of the program, remaining proceeds must be used to fund conservation initiatives on the installation where they are collected. In addition, the installation commander must manage fish and game resources to provide sustained multipurpose uses, as long as that management is consistent with the military mission.

AR 200-1, paragraph 4-3, outlines the requirements for installation fish and wildlife programs:

• Hunting, fishing, and trapping may be permitted on Army installations within the current huntable population levels and carrying capacities of specific wildlife habitats. Hunting and fishing may be limited, based on game population levels, on a daily or seasonal basis at the discretion of the natural resource staff.
• Membership in an organization, including rod and gun clubs, is not a prerequisite for receiving permits or authorization to hunt, fish, or trap. Likewise, individuals will not receive priority in obtaining permits or authorization if they are members in an organization.
• All hunting, fishing, or trapping must be in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
• In order to be eligible to hunt, fish, or trap on a military installation, individuals must obtain a license from the state in which the installation is located. Individuals must also receive a permit issued by the installation commander. If, because of residency requirements, state licenses are not available to some military personnel, commander may apply to ISE for approval to issue permits for military personnel without securing a state permit.