Wildlife

Overabundant white-tailed deer populations in Massachusetts coastal areas like Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are exacerbating erosion, altering salt marsh hydrology, and threatening endangered species including lion's foot plants, roseate terns, and saltmarsh sparrows. MassWildlife addresses this through expanded hunting seasons and partnerships with organizations like the Martha's Vineyard Island Grown Initiative and Nantucket Food Pantry.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks launches Bear Aware Month with educational events and safety workshops. FWP Director Christy Clark emphasizes community safety as grizzly bears have surpassed recovery objectives. New this year, expired bear spray cans can be dropped at FWP offices statewide for a chance to win storage containers.

A grizzly bear attack occurred on August 31 near Columbia Falls, Montana, involving a female bear with a cub. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks determined it was a defensive encounter and will not pursue the bear. The area remains closed for public safety.

Ten-year-old Vivi Veitch discovered Craspedacusta sowerbii, the common freshwater jellyfish, near Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks confirmed the finding, marking the first major sighting since 2009. Craig McLane emphasized the importance of cleaning and drying watercraft to prevent aquatic invasive species spread.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges beachgoers to protect nesting sea turtles, hatchlings, and shorebirds during the holiday weekend. Key guidelines include maintaining 50-foot distance from nests, turning off exterior lights, reporting disoriented wildlife to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922), and properly disposing of trash and fishing line.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Agriculture urge residents to avoid bat contact and report dead bats for rabies testing. Two bats recently tested positive for rabies in Burleigh County, prompting agencies to remind the public of precautions including never handling bats with bare hands and vaccinating pets.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2026 Waterfowl Population Status report shows the breeding duck population at 33.44 million, down 2% from last year. Delta Waterfowl notes that while Canadian wetlands improved significantly, most prairie breeding conditions remain fair to poor, with mallards and blue-winged teal at their lowest levels since 1993.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Forest Service are investigating a bear attack on a woman walking her dog on the Cedar Flats trail complex north of Columbia Falls on August 31. The victim sustained significant injuries and was transported to Logan Health Medical Center. The area remains closed for public safety.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its 2026 Waterfowl Population Status Report showing mallards declined 11% to their lowest estimate in 33 years, while May ponds increased 14%. Dr. Steve Adair of Ducks Unlimited and CEO Adam Putnam emphasized the importance of prairie conservation efforts, noting that Ducks Unlimited has conserved over 1.3 million acres on U.S. prairies with support from Cox Enterprises and Jim Kennedy's $100 million gift.

Artesian Lake Wildlife Area in Carroll County features three artesian wells that have flowed for 100 years and is now managed as a marsh supporting wetland wildlife. The area, managed by the Iowa DNR's Black Hawk Unit under biologist Clint Maddix, offers excellent opportunities for duck hunting, waterfowl, pheasant, deer, and turkey hunting, plus fishing for smallmouth bass and flathead catfish in the North Raccoon River, according to fisheries biologist Ben Wallace.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports increased black bear activity in and around Billings this year, primarily near the Yellowstone River. The shortage of natural foods like chokecherries is driving bears to seek alternative food sources in town. Residents are urged to secure garbage, remove bird feeders, and clean grills to prevent bears from becoming food conditioned.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission reports that wetland water conditions in the Rainwater Basin are better than last year but remain variable across the state. Dense annual plant stands will provide good waterfowl food, though hunters should scout ahead. Wetland pumping is planned before teal season opens September 5-13.

Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources responded to 168 bear incidents as of August 25, double the 83 responses in 2025, driven by severe drought reducing natural food sources. DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Chad Wilson emphasized that bears are seeking alternate food in lower-elevation areas and neighborhoods, with safety tips provided for preventing conflicts.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is highlighting bat conservation efforts ahead of International Bat Night on August 29, 2026. Arizona is home to 29 bat species, ranking second for bat diversity after Texas, including the federally-protected Mexican long-nosed bat. AZGFD bat specialist Angie McIntire and partners are working to study and conserve these vital ecosystem members while educating the public.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting a fruit drive from September 8-11 in Kalispell to collect fruit donations from landowners and reduce bear attractants during fall hyperphagia. Donations support the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone while helping prevent bear conflicts in residential areas.

An adult black bear attempted to attack a person near Roosevelt Middle School in Red Lodge on August 18, but a good Samaritan intervened and prevented injury. FWP reports unprecedented levels of food-conditioned bears in the area due to improperly stored trash and is hosting a bear town hall meeting on August 24 at the Red Lodge Senior & Community Center.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Region 7 reports increasing mule deer observations and strong fawn recruitment in southeast Montana through aerial surveys and 40 years of data analysis. Brett Dorak, wildlife manager, explains how weather and habitat drive population cycles, with B licenses reduced 91 percent during drought-driven declines. FWP uses multiple monitoring methods including check stations, disease testing, and harvest surveys to inform management decisions.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has reopened Silver Run Wildlife Management Area near Red Lodge following an emergency closure related to trapping efforts for a food-conditioned grizzly bear. All traps and trapping materials have been removed from the site.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Tortoise Adoption Program has over 100 non-releasable Sonoran desert tortoises available for adoption following recent surrenders. These captive tortoises cannot be released into the wild due to potential disease transmission to wild populations already threatened by habitat loss and drought.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department's live nest camera captured a rare second clutch of barn owl eggs at Whitewater Draw Wildlife Area in August 2026, an event occurring in only about 10% of barn owl nests. The successful breeding pair previously fledged five owlets earlier this year, with biologists attributing the second clutch to healthy habitat and abundant rodent resources.