Hunting

Whitetails Unlimited has launched a Sight-In Target Initiative providing free shooting range kits to help hunters and shooting enthusiasts safely and accurately sight-in their firearms before deer season. Each complimentary kit includes three 100-yard targets with grids, a center highlight ring, and a firearm safety poster. Contact Whitetails Unlimited at 920.743.6777 or nh@whitetailsunlimited.com to order.

Nebraska Game and Parks encourages deer hunters in eight units to order free mail-in chronic wasting disease testing kits before the 2026 season. Kits are available through Dec. 25 at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at Game and Parks offices in Alliance, Kearney, and North Platte, with samples accepted through Jan. 31.

Whitetails Unlimited has launched a Sight-In Target Initiative providing free shooting range kits to help hunters and enthusiasts safely and accurately sight-in firearms before deer season. Each complimentary kit includes three 100-yard targets with grids and a firearm safety poster. Contact Whitetails Unlimited at 920.743.6777 or nh@whitetailsunlimited.com to order.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation and Kalkomey Inc. launched the Today's Hunter and Today's Bowhunter Combo Manual, a 130-page resource for Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education classes. The color-coded manual covers wildlife identification, stand usage, shot placement, and hunting ethics, with an Instructor version available in October 2026.

Blocker Outdoors experts Nate Hosie and Randy Birdsong of HeadHunters TV, and Jason Powell of Jason Powell Outdoors share late-season turkey hunting tactics, including softer calling, patience, and strategic decoy placement for pressured birds during May's challenging conditions.

Youth wild turkey hunters in Ohio's south zone checked 1,941 birds during the special youth-only weekend on April 18-19, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. This represents an increase from the 2025 youth season total of 1,625 turkeys.

The Light Goose Conservation Order, an annual tradition since 1999, offers unique spring waterfowl hunting opportunities in northern states with relaxed regulations. Guide JR Borchelt of Waterfowl Assassins and Hardcore Waterfowl discusses hunting strategies in the Dakotas, emphasizing full-body decoys, large spreads, and electronic callers for pursuing snow geese during migration.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is expanding its eHarvest digital tagging system beginning with the 2026 license year to include deer, turkey, bear, bobcat, otter, fisher, and marten through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app. Digital tags offer convenience, immediate validation, and cost-effectiveness while maintaining enforcement standards, with traditional paper tags remaining available as an optional alternative.

SLG2, Inc. released a video featuring Karen Butler mentoring Christa Forrester through her first turkey hunt, demonstrating that effective mentorship requires passion and willingness to share knowledge safely, not expert status. The video aims to encourage outdoor enthusiasts to become mentors and introduce others to hunting.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to 2026-27 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits. Significant changes include a one spring gobbler bag limit for wild turkeys, adjustments to deer season dates, expanded archery bear season in WMU 3D, new early October elk firearms season, and opening of WMU 5A to bobcat hunting and WMUs 2G, 3A, and 4C to river otter trapping. Public comments are accepted until the April board meeting.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife announced 16 additional archery deer hunting days across eight targeted zones to manage high deer populations causing property damage and vegetation loss. Archery hunting in expanded zones begins September 15 with only antlerless deer allowed until the regular October 1 season starts. Commissioner Jason Batchelder emphasized obtaining landowner permission and checking municipal ordinances before hunting.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife announced 16 additional archery deer hunting days across eight targeted zones to manage high deer populations causing property damage and vegetation loss. Archery hunting in expanded zones begins September 15 with only antlerless deer allowed until the regular October 1 season starts. Commissioner Jason Batchelder emphasized obtaining landowner permission and checking municipal ordinances before hunting.

Planning to hunt or trap bobcats in Michigan this winter? You need to pick up your kill tags by Oct. 31, 2025. In addition to purchasing a fur harvester license, hunters and trappers who intend to harvest bobcats also need to get their free bobcat kill tags.

Wheat and milo stubble left tall following harvest provides excellent cover and hunting opportunities for pheasants and other wildlife. The 2025-2026 Stubble Access Guide displays these and other adjacent habitats open to public, walk-in hunting across portions of western Nebraska.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) has released the draw results for 2026 spring hunts. A customer’s AZGFD portal account is the only source for finding out draw results and viewing bonus points.

Calling turkeys is intrinsic to the American hunting heritage and while many hunters are content with their abilities, there is always room for improvement and refinement. Pro turkey callers don’t just stumble into good calling, they earn it through practice and by honing their abilities with a wide range of calls.

Arizona hunters still have an opportunity to receive a hunt permit-tag for select 2025 elk hunts.

Pheasants are being released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan this fall. Releases will take place through Nov. 14 on 13 areas and Dec. 1-31 on 10 areas, coinciding with pheasant hunting season.

Online harvest reporting is required for all Michigan hunters who successfully take a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport. See the annual deer hunting preview, which includes a regional forecast and how conditions are looking for this season.

The Missouri Breaks region of central Montana is a favorite area for deer hunters, but this year hunters will need to carefully check the regulations, since opportunities to hunt mule deer have dramatically changed due to low population levels, and mule deer hunting is extremely limited or non-existent over many Missouri Breaks hunting districts.