In observance of the Labor Day weekend there will be no Weekend Edition on Saturday, September 5, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, September 7. We will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, September 8. Due to the holiday weekend, we request you submit news for Tuesday's editions no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday.

Idaho hunters face mandatory chronic wasting disease testing for deer in seven units in 2026, including newly added Units 64 and 69 near Idaho Falls. IDFG removed Units 24 and 32A from mandatory testing after two consecutive years without CWD detections. Voluntary statewide testing remains available for all hunters.

Turkeys for Tomorrow, Ruffed Grouse Society, and American Woodcock Society are collaborating on the Big Mountain Conservation Project in Pennsylvania's Weiser State Forest to restore wild turkey and grouse habitat through mechanical cutting, herbicide treatment, and herbaceous seeding through 2028.

Three wildlife underpasses on U.S. Highway 30 south of Montpelier will be completed this fall through collaboration between Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Idaho Fish and Game, Idaho Transportation Department, and Idaho Conservation League. The $20.8 million project aims to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions by up to 97 percent while protecting migrating mule deer.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is accepting entries for the 2027 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest with a deadline of October 30, 2026. The contest features 10 categories including wildlife, scenic, and a young photographers category, with winning images displayed in traveling exhibits across Alabama during 2027.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police has enrolled in the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) Law Enforcement Accreditation Program, beginning a three-year evaluation process. NRP becomes the second state conservation law enforcement agency pursuing this voluntary accreditation, joining other Maryland agencies like Maryland State Police and Montgomery County Police Department.

The Black River sturgeon hatchery northwest of Onaway in Cheboygan County offers free tours on Saturday, Sept. 5, where visitors can learn about lake sturgeon conservation and help release 3- to 4-month-old hatchery-reared sturgeon into Black River and Mullet Lake.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting free kokanee salmon viewing events at Strawberry Reservoir on September 19 and Fish Lake on September 26, where visitors can observe the bright red fish during their spawning season. Multiple other locations throughout Utah offer opportunities to see kokanee salmon from September through October, though anglers are prohibited from keeping any kokanee from September 10 to November 30.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department shares field-ready tips and guidelines for dove hunters as Arizona's dove season opens September 1st through September 15th. AZGFD provides equipment recommendations, licensing requirements, and important do's and don'ts to ensure a successful and responsible hunting experience.

Idaho Fish and Game's annual Deer and Elk Hunting Outlook describes a "highly promising" 2026 season following three consecutive mild winters that improved overwinter survival rates for mule deer fawns (83%) and elk calves (95%). Coordinator Toby Boudreau notes better-than-average survival means earlier antler growth, heavier young animals, and more robust herds, though wildfires may affect elk distribution.

Iowa's special September teal-only duck season opens for nine days beginning Sept. 5, 2026. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources, led by state waterfowl biologist Orrin Jones, encourages hunters to scout wetlands and check migration reports available on iowadnr.gov to improve their hunting success.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced 2026-2027 migratory game bird hunting seasons beginning September 1, including mourning dove, early resident Canada goose, woodcock, and teal seasons. Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina Stonesifer encourages experienced hunters to mentor novice hunters. Hunters must purchase a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp and federal duck stamp.

Michigan DNR announces September 2026 hunting seasons including small game opener September 15, waterfowl hunting with early teal season September 1-9, deer hunting with Liberty Hunt and early antlerless firearm seasons September 12-13, and fall turkey hunting starting September 15. Licenses available through license agents, Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, or the new DNR Hunt Fish app.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering final hunter education courses in traditional and blended formats as fall hunting seasons approach. Hunter education certification is required for all hunters born after January 1, 1966, and spaces are filling quickly. Katie Simpson, Game and Fish hunter education coordinator, encourages new hunters to register soon to ensure compliance before the season begins.

Georgia Southern University is hiring a Clay Target Head Coach to organize, develop, and lead a competitive collegiate clay target sports program. The position requires NSCA/NSSA Level II or III certification and two years of coaching experience in sporting clays, trap, or skeet. Applications are accepted through OneUSG Careers with review beginning August 15, 2026.

Duck Commander shares two YouTube videos featuring the Robertson family's off-season adventures in Louisiana, including frog hunting and battling beavers on their property. The videos showcase the family's outdoor lifestyle and problem-solving skills between duck seasons.

Safari Club International (SCI) congratulates the Government of South Africa and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for publishing final export quotas for elephant, leopard, and black rhinoceros hunting trophies for 2026 and 2027. SCI President Jeff Meyerl praised the science-based quotas for supporting conservation funding and benefiting rural communities.

Jeff Rawlinson has been named President of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®), succeeding Dr. Thomas G. Floyd, who is retiring December 31, 2026. Rawlinson, who previously spent 26 years with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, becomes NASP®'s third president in its 24-year history.

Lodestar Technology is partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) during Gun Storage Check Week (Sept. 1–7) to promote secure firearm storage practices. Lodestar is donating an LNK9 Kit as the sweepstakes prize, with participants able to enter at GunStorageCheck.org to engage with firearm safety and suicide prevention resources.

Rost Martin announces the launch of the RM1X series, featuring three models—RM1CX Standard, RM1CX Comp, and RM1CX Tactical—developed from customer feedback to combine compact slides with full-size grips. CEO Chris Toomer emphasizes the company's commitment to quality and supporting gun owners, with California-compliant models coming soon.

Drone Round's 5.56x45mm L Variant counter-UAS cartridge has been integrated into the Marine Corps' Indoor Simulated Marksmanship Trainer (ISMT) produced by InVeris, enabling Marines to practice engagement skills on simulators across bases. The Marine Corps has purchased 400,000 rounds with plans to procure an additional one million in fiscal year 2027.

Tippmann Arms announced its M4-22 ELITE .22 LR rifle has been selected by the Royal Thai Army Territorial Defense Command for the Territorial Defense Student Program, replacing legacy Armi Jager platforms used for over 40 years. The selection represents a significant modernization of the command's small-arms training equipment and marks an important milestone in Tippmann Arms' international expansion.

ALPS OutdoorZ introduces the DU Guardian Ammo Pouch, featuring an upright cylindrical design with waterproof PVC exterior and Hold-Open pocket design for easy access. Available in DU Tan and Mossy Oak Bottomland, the pouch offers premium protection and versatile storage for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including draft management plans for wildlife management areas, stream restoration projects, fisheries management plans, and conservation easements. Comment deadlines range from September 5 through September 30.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched a new online Event Portal to streamline requests for FWC participation in public events. Organizations, schools, and community groups can submit requests for FWC speakers, educational exhibits, and outreach activities through the centralized system.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is hosting multiple September meetings for public advisory boards including the Coldwater Resources Steering Committee, Michigan Natural Resources Commission, Michigan Trails Advisory Council, and Timber and Forest Products Advisory Council to discuss natural resource management and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Ledges State Park in Boone fully reopened on September 1 after a month-long road project. Park Manager Andy Bartlett encourages visitors to make camping reservations soon for the busy fall season, available online at iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling (877) 427-2757.

Silver Lake State Park in Oceana County offers a special horseback riding season November 1-30, featuring a predetermined route along Lake Michigan and sand dunes. Registration opened September 1 at MiDNRReservations.com with a $10 per horse daily fee and 125 spots available. Park manager Jody Johnston notes this expands off-season recreation alongside the fat-tire biking season.

Sportsman Channel launches "Monday Night Hunts" featuring big-game hunting programming every Monday night from 8:00-11:30 p.m. ET. The lineup includes shows hosted by Hunter McWaters, Nate Simmons, Chris Denham, Jason Matzinger, Jim Shockey, Greg McHale, and Steven Rinella, showcasing western hunting adventures across diverse landscapes and game species.

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'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.