Scott and Melissa Ervin won a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree from the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation's Goosechase app challenge. The interactive app encouraged participants to complete outdoor missions, with over 750 submissions this year. The Ervins' persistence and high scores across both years earned them the grand prize drawing.
State Agencies
On April 19, 2026, southern Millard County experienced an earthquake swarm with at least 32 recorded events, including a magnitude 3.6 quake. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations notes these swarms are typically self-contained and occur along Utah's geologically active Intermountain Seismic Belt.
Agate Falls Scenic Site in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula is temporarily closed through November 2026 for trestle bridge repairs and improvements funded by a $1.6 million Federal Highway Administration Recreational Trails Program grant. The closure also requires rerouting a 4.6-mile ORV trail section to an 18.6-mile detour.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will hold its next meeting April 21-22 in Riverton at the Holiday Inn. The public is invited to attend in-person or via ZOOM, with opportunities to address the Commission. Season-setting recommendations will be reviewed on April 22.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) released an updated State Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff. The strategy, guided by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, documents conservation efforts and progress on soil health practices across Indiana.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife is seeking volunteers for a spring cleanup on May 16 at Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake. Education Specialist Hannah Lafont invites community members, scout groups, and student clubs to help with repairs, construction, landscaping, and maintenance to prepare the camps for the 2026 season.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout enhancement, Fish Creek Collaborative trail planning recommendations, Makoshika State Park lodging re-establishment, and various stream restoration projects by the Clark Fork Coalition and Madison River Foundation.
An Interstate 90 bridge replacement project by the Montana Department of Transportation and Sletten Construction Companies over the Clark Fork River will close Old Highway 10 West and the pedestrian bridge at Triple Bridges beginning April 15 through fall 2027. River floating access remains open.
The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PLPW) Advisory Committee will meet April 22 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. via Zoom to discuss technology and FWP access programs, review public access land agreements, and examine 2025 access program statistics.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources activated five pumps to divert water around the Cheboygan Lock and Dam as water levels rose within 15 inches of the dam's top. With up to 2 inches of rain forecasted, officials are working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to explore reopening a hydroelectric generation station to increase water flow capacity.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources began placing 1,500 sandbags at the Cheboygan Lock as a precautionary measure while monitoring water levels on the Cheboygan River. An emergency action plan is in place if water reaches 12 inches below the dam crest, with warmer temperatures and rain expected to elevate water flows this weekend.
The Arizona Game and Fish Commission will hold a public meeting on Friday, April 10, at 8 a.m. at the Arizona Game and Fish Department headquarters in Phoenix. Complete agendas and information on viewing the meeting or speaking to the commission are available at www.azgfd.com/commagenda.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials are closely monitoring high water levels in the Mullett Lake Watershed following recent rain, snow, and melting. All dam gates are open to pass maximum water flow, and the DNR is coordinating with local officials to ensure public safety.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Eastern Upper Peninsula Citizens' Advisory Council will meet April 14 in Newberry to discuss eHarvest digital tagging, 2025 deer season updates, and proposed hunting regulation changes. The meeting runs 6 to 8:30 p.m. EDT at the DNR's Newberry Customer Service Center.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has updated its burn permit webpage to make it easier for residents to check if burning yard debris is allowed in their area. Users can now select their county from a dropdown menu and view township-specific restrictions, with phone support available at 866-922-BURN.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet April 10 and 11 at its Harrisburg headquarters. Public comment will be accepted on April 11 on a first-to-register basis, limited to five minutes per speaker. The meetings will be livestreamed on the Game Commission's YouTube channel.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will meet virtually and in-person on April 16 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena. Public comment registration for Zoom participants is open through noon on April 15 via the FWP website.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks awarded Lucas Townsend a Weatherby Vanguard Black Hills rifle and BG a VIAM Outdoors Madison Tipi for completing the Hunter Landowner Stewardship Program. The education initiative teaches hunters about safety, ethics, and stewardship, with 2,044 participants this year receiving onX Hunt Elite Membership and raffle entry.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission will meet Wednesday, April 8, at 9 a.m. at Lansing Community College. The meeting will be livestreamed via Zoom webinar with connection details and registration information available on the NRC webpage at Michigan.gov/NRC.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Fishing Outfitter and Guides Advisory Board will meet April 3, 2026, at the Casper Regional Office from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The public meeting will be held in person and livestreamed via Google Meet, with discussions on registration processes, commercial operator reporting, and board structure.
