Wildlife

Arizona Game and Fish Department biologists rescued a nine-week-old bald eagle at Willow Springs Lake that had swallowed a fish hook attached to monofilament fishing line. After treatment at Liberty Wildlife, the eaglet was fostered into an active nest near Flagstaff. AZGFD emphasizes proper fishing line disposal to protect bald eagles and other wildlife from entanglement and ingestion hazards.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in consultation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, captured and relocated a subadult male grizzly bear on June 29, 2026, from a cattle depredation site in Sublette County to the Five Mile Creek drainage near Yellowstone National Park to minimize human-wildlife conflicts.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges beachgoers to protect nesting sea turtles, shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds during Fourth of July celebrations by avoiding personal fireworks, removing beach obstacles, turning off lights, maintaining distance from nesting areas, and keeping pets leashed.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites residents to participate in its fourth-year wild turkey brood survey from July 1 through August 31. Since 2023, participants have submitted over 17,000 observations documenting turkey reproduction across the state, supporting the National Wild Turkey Federation's multistate monitoring effort.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists report that mild winter conditions improved fawn survival and recruitment across west-central Montana's Region 2, with several hunting districts showing fawn-to-adult ratios above 40 per 100 and increasing buck harvest trends indicating broader population growth.

Iowa's pheasant population is forecast to match 2025 levels, when the state reached a 20-year high. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources uses a weather model with 50 years of data and roadside counts to predict populations. Biologist Todd Bogenschutz expects regional differences, with best counts in northern and central survey regions.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is requesting public participation in its annual wild turkey production survey during July and August. Participants should report turkey sightings with date, county, gender, and poult information through an online survey to help estimate nesting rates and nest success.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is conducting its annual online turkey brood survey from July through August. Turkey biologist Toni Mikula encourages residents to report wild turkey sightings on the department's website to help monitor population productivity and assess spring weather impacts on poult survival.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission released 2026-2027 manatee and sea turtle decals highlighting conservation partnerships. The manatee decal commemorates 25 years of the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership, which has rescued over 2,350 manatees since 2001. The "Protect Their Path" sea turtle decal celebrates Florida's record leatherback nesting year in 2025. Decals are available for $5 donations at local tax collector offices.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department has prohibited the importation, sale, and possession of pond slider turtles, including red-eared sliders, due to their invasive nature and threat to native species like painted turtles and endangered spotted turtles. People who acquired pet sliders before July 1, 2025 may keep them, but those acquired after must not be released into the wild.

As summer approaches, the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture and Rural Development urge residents to take precautions against ticks and mosquitoes. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian recommends using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and performing daily tick checks to prevent diseases like Lyme disease and West Nile virus.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted spring mule deer surveys across southwestern Montana, finding good fawn recruitment in many areas despite challenging survey conditions from mild winter weather. The surveys provide trend data on population estimates and inform management decisions under Montana's Adaptive Harvest Management Plan for mule deer.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department's spring grouse surveys revealed unchanged sharp-tailed grouse counts statewide, with mixed results by district. Jesse Kolar, upland game management supervisor, attributed the better-than-expected results to a mild winter that minimized mortality following poor 2025 reproduction. Ruffed grouse increased in the Turtle Mountains while declining in the Pembina Hills.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites the public to participate in its annual summer turkey brood survey from July 1-August 31. Participants record turkey sightings to help estimate wild turkey production and poult survival rates, informing management decisions and population trends across the state.

Idaho Fish and Game wildlife staff safely captured and relocated a yearling moose from a residential yard in Rupert to suitable habitat in the southeastern region on June 18. The Magic Valley Region regularly receives reports of yearling moose in residential and agricultural areas as they venture out independently.

Idaho Fish and Game's Turkey Tracker program has collected over 2,100 turkey sightings since launching in 2024, with Idaho ranking among the top five states for turkey reproduction data. The citizen science effort, coordinated by Jeff Knetter, has provided valuable distribution data that informed 2026 hunting season proposals.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted spring aerial surveys across Region 5 to assess mule deer populations and fawn recruitment. While mild winter conditions resulted in above-average fawn recruitment in some areas like Big Coulee and Deadmans trend areas, most of south-central Montana showed below-average population numbers, with Red Lodge district recording historically low counts.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV-2) was confirmed in wild cottontail rabbits in Kamas and black-tailed jackrabbits in the West Desert by the Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Veterinarian Ginger Stout advises hunters to follow safe handling practices, as the highly infectious virus can spread through contaminated materials and predator feces.

Montana FWP receives hundreds of calls yearly about baby animals, often from well-intentioned people who inadvertently endanger them. Ali Pons, wildlife center program manager for FWP, explains that human scent can cause mothers like deer and rabbits to abandon their young. Wildlife rehabilitators and Montana WILD's Wildlife Center recommend assessing situations and contacting professionals before handling baby animals.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is launching its annual online turkey brood survey from July through August. Citizens are encouraged to report wild turkey sightings, including flock size and location, to help turkey biologist Toni Mikula monitor population productivity and assess weather impacts on poult survival.