North Dakota's Game and Fish Department reported 36,353 deer hunters harvested approximately 20,877 deer during the 2025 gun hunting season, achieving a 57% overall success rate. White-tailed deer success rates were 53% for antlered and 45% for antlerless, while mule deer hunters achieved 82% success for both categories.
An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter education combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene. The course certifies students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth ages 9 and older or anyone new to hunting. Registration is required through Fish and Game's website, with a cost of $8.00.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources released proposed 2026 big game hunting permit numbers, recommending 86,625 general-season deer permits (a 6,425-permit increase) and slight decreases in limited-entry bull elk permits while increasing antlerless elk permits. DWR Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle emphasized that buck harvesting does not drive deer populations; rather, adult doe survival, fawn production, and fawn survival are the key factors.
Southwest Idaho hunters should note key changes before spring hunts begin in April. Unit 40 now offers both youth and general turkey seasons, while bear hunters in Unit 32A face restrictions on bait and dogs. Mild winter conditions and good berry crops suggest positive outlooks for both turkey and bear populations.
Idaho Fish and Game is hosting a free big game scoring event on April 6 at their Upper Snake Regional Office in Idaho Falls. Certified Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers will measure antlers, horns, and skulls from all North American big game species at no charge.
Idaho's controlled hunt application period for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat opens April 1 through April 30. Applicants must possess a 2026 Idaho hunting or combination license and can apply online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, or by calling 1 (800) 554-8685.
Nebraska's spring turkey seasons are underway, with archery starting March 25 and shotgun seasons beginning in April. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator Kyle Gaston emphasizes the four basic firearm safety rules and provides additional turkey hunting safety tips, including proper identification and visibility practices.
Shed antler hunters planning to enter Montana's Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area by vehicle on May 15 must register online April 1-19. A new 2025 law prohibits nonresidents from collecting antlers during the first seven days of seasonal openings on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks WMAs and established a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released its 2025 Annual Turkey Program Report showing hunters checked 11,332 turkeys during spring season, a 22 percent increase from 2024. Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki attributes the increase to favorable reproduction and hunting conditions, with the Ouachita and Ozark ecoregions seeing the largest gains.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department opens the Copper State Draw on April 1, offering hunters additional permit-tags for mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and elk. A premier antlered mule deer permit-tag for the Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon is included, with applications accepted through April 7 at copperstatedraw.azgfd.com.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has ordered the closure of otter trapping in Region 3 effective midnight on Tuesday, March 31. Trappers can check current quota status on the FWP website.
Oklahoma Hunters and Anglers and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are hosting two turkey hunting workshops in early April before the spring season opener. The OHA's Turkey Hunting 101 Workshop on April 4 in Edmond covers hunting strategies, biology, and gear for $25 adults. The Packsaddle WMA Field Day on April 11 offers public land hunting instruction and shooting range access.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has released proposed hunt recommendations for 2026-2027 seasons covering deer, javelina, bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, and other game species. Public comments are welcome via email or regional offices, with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission reviewing recommendations at an April 10 public meeting in Phoenix.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks opens online vehicle registration April 1-19 for shed antler hunters accessing the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA on May 15. A new 2025 law prohibits nonresidents from shed hunting on WMAs during their first seven days open, requiring a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department and National Wild Turkey Federation of Vermont are offering "Learning to Hunt Spring Turkeys" seminars on April 7, 22, and 29 at three locations. These seminars for new hunters cover setup, regulations, and turkey calling techniques.
Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry President Ronnie Ritter and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deer Management Assistance Program Coordinator Jeremy Brown reported record success in their partnership with deer camps. During the 2025-26 season, hunters harvested and donated 715 deer across 52 clubs, generating 23,595 pounds of venison and 128,000 packages of shelf-stable snack sticks distributed to needy families and school backpack programs.
Elk, moose, and bighorn sheep applications must be submitted online before midnight on March 25 through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website. These lottery licenses are issued as once-in-a-lifetime licenses, and previous recipients are ineligible to reapply for the same species.
Pennsylvania hunters harvested approximately 505,600 deer during the 2025-26 season, a 6% increase from the previous year, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates. The increase was driven by both antlered and antlerless harvests, with the latter intentionally higher to manage deer populations and address Chronic Wasting Disease concerns across the state's 22 Wildlife Management Units.
North Dakota's 2026 waterfowl season opens for residents September 26 and nonresidents October 5. The resident-only portion has been extended from seven to nine days, providing additional early season opportunities. The North Dakota 2026-27 Hunting and Trapping Guide will provide further details.
Moultrie ambassador Macy Watkins Johnston shares turkey scouting strategies including identifying roost trees, using Moultrie EDGE Series trail cameras, recognizing strut zones, and focusing on transition lines. The guide emphasizes sharing scouting data via the Moultrie App for coordinated hunting success.