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.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reviewed public comment survey results on proposed regulations changes during its March 18-19 meeting in Hot Springs. Of over 24,000 responses, the commission removed a mud motor horsepower increase proposal due to public opposition and noise concerns, while commissioners discussed elk population management and chronic wasting disease response.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved 2026-2027 waterfowl hunting season recommendations, transitioning to a three duck-zone configuration and approving a nine-day early teal season. The commission also recognized Tom and Bonnie Ferry and Ponca Volunteer Fire and Rescue for their 20-year support of the Missouri River Outdoor Expo.
The Light Goose Conservation Order offers unique spring waterfowl hunting opportunities with relaxed regulations. Guide JR Borchelt of Waterfowl Assassins shares tactics for hunting snow geese in the Dakotas using Hardcore full body decoys and electronic callers during peak migration periods from March through May.
Montana's spring male turkey season opens April 15, with licenses available at FWP offices, License Ambassador locations, and online. A new regulation requires nonresident hunters on public lands and hunting access program lands to wait 10 days after residents to hunt upland game birds except mountain grouse.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that the application deadline for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses is April 1. Hunters can apply through the FWP website, MyFWP mobile app, or by calling the licensing center at 406-444-2950.
Two adult male mountain lions were harvested March 16 during the Pine Ridge Unit Auxiliary Season, closing Nebraska's 2026 mountain lion hunting season. The state harvested 18 mountain lions across three units this year, the highest total ever recorded.
North Dakota anglers, hunters, and trappers must obtain new licenses beginning April 1, 2026. Licenses can be purchased online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov or at more than 80 vendor locations throughout the state.
Michigan DNR announces spring turkey hunting licenses are now available for Hunt 0234 (May 2-31, statewide) and Hunt 0301 (April 18-May 31, private lands in southern Michigan). Both seasons have unlimited quotas and do not require drawing applications. Hunters must report harvests within 72 hours using eHarvest or physical kill tags.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department reminds shed antler hunters using off-highway vehicles to stay on established roads and trails to minimize habitat damage. Vehicle tracks can take over 100 years to recover, and excessive noise can disrupt wildlife behavior.