The Outdoor Wire

STATE AGENCIES

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is surveying anglers and stream enthusiasts to inform revisions to its Stream Black Bass Management Plan, which covers smallmouth, Neosho, largemouth, and spotted bass in Arkansas's free-flowing warmwater streams. The plan will be developed collaboratively with a Stakeholder Advisory Committee including outfitters, paddlers, landowners, and business owners. Survey responses are due by August 9.

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Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark hosted a town hall in Choteau with local landowners to discuss proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule changes for grizzly bear management. The proposed rule would give Montana more management flexibility in recovery zones that have reached population objectives, including the Northern Continental Divide and Greater Yellowstone ecosystems. Teton Farm Bureau President Cody Shick encouraged farmers and ranchers to comment on the proposed rule through August 17.

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Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reported record visitation of 54.3 million in 2025, generating $17.4 billion in economic impact and $10.2 billion in visitor spending. The state achieved record FY26 tourism tax collections of $26.9 million while supporting 71,860 direct jobs.

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The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved renewal of the National Bighorn Sheep Center lease for 10 years and acquisition of 27-year public access easements adding 5,000 acres to the Bear River Divide Hunter Management Area. The commission also received updates on a new mobile app featuring digital licenses and recognized Fiscal Chief Dirk Miller's 38-year career before his retirement.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources issued a permit for Enbridge's Great Lakes Tunnel project to replace the 73-year-old Line 5 pipelines. The permit requires Enbridge to mitigate impacts on threatened plant species including Houghton's goldenrod and dwarf lake iris, as well as bat habitats, through seed collection, monitoring, and habitat protection measures.

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The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and its partners are offering comprehensive Outdoor Skills Network events for all skill levels, from introductory shooting lessons to experienced hunter meetups. Events cover hunting, fishing, trapping, archery, wildlife viewing, and conservation education across multiple species.

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting an equipment workshop Oct. 5-9 at the Forest Fire Experiment Station in Roscommon. The workshop offers facility tours, field demonstrations, presentations, and networking for fire department chiefs and wildland fire professionals. Registration closes Aug. 31 with space limited to 16 attendees.

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The Idaho Fish and Game Commission will meet July 15-16 at its Magic Valley Regional Office in Jerome. A public hearing on July 15 at 7 p.m. will allow three-minute comments on Fish and Game matters, while the business meeting on July 16 includes decisions on electronic tagging rules, fiscal year 2028 budget, and 2026-2027 sage-grouse seasons.

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