The agency is also conducting a review of federal protections of the sage grouse, a bird whose habitat extends over 11 states and is generally protected from oil and gas drilling.

“No one loves the sage grouse more than I do,” Mr. Zinke said, in response to a question this month about his agency’s early steps to review federal protections of the animal’s habitat. “But sometimes one size fits all doesn’t fit anybody.”

In the meantime, the secretary has assiduously cultivated his rugged image. Mr. Zinke spent about 40 days, a third of his time, on the road during his first four months as secretary, mostly in the West. In Washington, he has eschewed a coat and tie for fishing shirts and boots. He arrived for his first day at work as secretary on horseback. Inside the secretary’s spacious office, giant stuffed animal heads have been returned to the wood-paneled walls. One of his first planned departmentwide initiatives was a bring-your-dog-to-work day.

To conservationists, the act is getting old.

“Zinke has been a disappointment,” said Whit Fosburgh, president of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, which supported his nomination. “His first meetings were with the sportsmen’s community, and we were encouraged that he would be great — or at least someone we could work with. Since that time, it’s been nothing but rolling back conservation.”