Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released 2026 Block Management Program information, providing access to nearly 7 million acres of private and isolated public land for hunters. Property maps, rules, and resources are available online at fwp.mt.gov/bma and at FWP regional offices.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game encourages hunters to prepare for the 2026 season by practicing at public shooting and archery ranges. Hunter Education Administrator Brenda Beckley emphasizes that proper marksmanship preparation is essential for ethical hunting success, with tips provided for rifles, shotguns, and bows.
Montana Senate Bill 514, passed during the 2025 legislative session, requires nonresident upland game bird hunters to begin hunting 10 days later than residents on private lands enrolled in FWP hunting access programs and public lands, excluding mountain grouse species.
North Dakota's fall turkey season offers 3,700 licenses, 610 fewer than last year, with reduced allocations in 13 of 21 hunting units. The special flock reduction bow season closes January 3, 2027, and applications are due September 2 through the North Dakota Game and Fish website.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is implementing a new lottery system at Missouri Headwaters State Park to manage hunting access safely. Hunters must complete online applications weekly, with up to six hunters selected randomly for each day through January 15.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that waterfowl hunting blinds cannot be placed on state waters before the first Saturday in September. Blinds must display the owner's name and address and be removed by May 15, or February 15 for Lake Champlain blinds.
Indiana Conservation Officers investigated a tree stand accident in Switzerland County where Luther Hull, 74, of Fairfield, Ohio, fell approximately 21 feet while attempting to repair his stand. Hull was not wearing a full-body safety harness and was airlifted to University of Cincinnati Health with serious injuries.
Region 3 Commissioner Susan Kirby Brooke proposed an amendment to the Fall 2026–Winter 2027 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons for the Aug. 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Helena. The amendment would reduce wolf bag limits in Region 3 and specific Wolf Management Units.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) encourages new hunters to complete hunter education requirements before the upcoming season. ADCNR offers free in-person classes throughout the state and approved online courses, with partnerships including Bass Pro Shops locations in Leeds, Prattville, and Spanish Fort. Hunter education graduates receive PathPerks benefits through the International Hunter Education Association-USA and Guidefitter.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is accepting applications through August 16 for bonus private-land youth deer hunts. Youth ages 12-17 who have never harvested a deer or taken only one may apply for hunts at 11 private-land locations across Oklahoma counties, with 44 total spots available.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) launched a new online hub for mandatory harvest reporting and tracking of mountain lion, black bear, and over-the-counter archery deer. The platform features a harvest tracker tool allowing hunters to check hunt area status, current harvest limits, and season information with mobile-friendly filtering options.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider recommendations for a 2027 mountain lion hunting season at its August 14 meeting in Blair. Staff will recommend expanding the Niobrara Unit and increasing harvest limits while reducing limits in Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills units. The commission will also address bighorn sheep seasons, fee increases, and sportfishing regulation changes.
North Dakota's 2026 small game, waterfowl, and furbearer regulations include several changes: duck and goose seasons open Sept. 26 for residents, American marten hunting allowed for the first time, and river otter harvest reduced to a three-week season. Additionally, 2,200 tundra swan licenses are available by lottery with an Aug. 19 deadline, and early Canada goose season opens Aug. 15 across three zones.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is accepting applications for 2026 controlled waterfowl hunts at Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area in Addison and Mud Creek Wildlife Management Area in Alburgh. Applications for Mud Creek hunts on October 13 and 15 must be submitted by August 28, 2026, with a permit lottery drawing scheduled for September 4.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has completed drawings for antelope licenses and nonresident winter hound licenses. Results are available through fwp.mt.gov, MyFWP Login, or by calling FWP regional offices at 406-444-2950.
Turkeys for Tomorrow announces its second annual New Zealand turkey hunt, with winner Steve Schultz joining Ben O'Brien of the Roost podcast. Hosted by Dink Watson with New Zealand Turkey Adventures, the August 27-30, 2026 hunt offers TFT members special discounts to harvest Merriam's turkeys on the South Island.
Idaho's second big game controlled hunt drawing application period runs Aug. 5-15, with results posted by Aug. 25. Available tags include deer, elk, pronghorn, and black bear not claimed in the first drawing. Hunters with valid 2026 Idaho licenses may apply through Fish and Game offices, vendors, the mobile app, or GoOutdoorsIdaho.com.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering removing a bear hunting prohibition on Bois Blanc Island in Mackinac County, established in 1985. The DNR is seeking public comments on the proposal, which would allow bear hunting on state-owned land with landowner permission required for private land. Contact Cody Norton at nortonc3@michigan.gov to submit feedback.
Idaho Fish and Game will sell returned nonresident big game tags starting Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. MDT through GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, Fish and Game offices, and license vendors. Residents can purchase nonresident tags as second tags with varying eligibility restrictions by zone and unit.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Copper State Draw closes today, August 4 at 5 p.m. AZ time. New this year is a dual-tag hunt offering one application fee for chances to hunt mule deer and elk in Game Management Units 22 and 23, plus opportunities for white-tailed deer, elk, and Gould's turkey across multiple units.