The Arizona Game and Fish Department's Copper State Draw closes Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m., offering six permit-tags for mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and elk hunting. The highly sought-after Arizona Strip antlered mule deer tag for Units 13A and 13B is among the available opportunities.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering leftover nonresident hound licenses on a first-come, first-served basis starting Wednesday, April 8, at 5 a.m. Licenses can be purchased online or in person at FWP offices and through license Ambassadors.
Vermont's spring turkey hunting season begins with youth and novice weekend April 25-26, followed by the regular season May 1-31. Toni Mikula, Vermont's wild turkey biologist, highlights the opportunity for experienced hunters to mentor new hunters. Last year, youth and novice hunters took 643 turkeys during the April weekend, with 5,131 bearded birds taken during the regular spring season.
By order of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission, otter trapping closed in Region 1 at midnight on Saturday, April 4. Hunters can check current quota status on the Montana FWP website.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board approved 65 either-sex and 20 antlerless moose hunting permits for 2026 in Wildlife Management Unit E. The science-based harvest aims to reduce moose density and winter tick populations affecting moose health. Permit applications are available on the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's website with a June 17 deadline.
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed LMU 312 to all hunting of female mountain lions effective one-half hour after sunset on Monday, April 6th, 2026. Detailed quota status is available on the Montana FWP website.
North Dakota's Game and Fish Department reported 36,353 deer hunters harvested approximately 20,877 deer during the 2025 gun hunting season, achieving a 57% overall success rate. White-tailed deer success rates were 53% for antlered and 45% for antlerless, while mule deer hunters achieved 82% success for both categories.
An instructor-led hunter and bowhunter education combination course will be held the week of April 20 at the Buhl Church of Nazarene. The course certifies students in both hunter and bowhunter education and is designed for youth ages 9 and older or anyone new to hunting. Registration is required through Fish and Game's website, with a cost of $8.00.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources released proposed 2026 big game hunting permit numbers, recommending 86,625 general-season deer permits (a 6,425-permit increase) and slight decreases in limited-entry bull elk permits while increasing antlerless elk permits. DWR Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle emphasized that buck harvesting does not drive deer populations; rather, adult doe survival, fawn production, and fawn survival are the key factors.
Southwest Idaho hunters should note key changes before spring hunts begin in April. Unit 40 now offers both youth and general turkey seasons, while bear hunters in Unit 32A face restrictions on bait and dogs. Mild winter conditions and good berry crops suggest positive outlooks for both turkey and bear populations.
Idaho Fish and Game is hosting a free big game scoring event on April 6 at their Upper Snake Regional Office in Idaho Falls. Certified Boone & Crockett and Pope & Young scorers will measure antlers, horns, and skulls from all North American big game species at no charge.
Idaho's controlled hunt application period for moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat opens April 1 through April 30. Applicants must possess a 2026 Idaho hunting or combination license and can apply online at GoOutdoorsIdaho.com, at Fish and Game offices, license vendors, or by calling 1 (800) 554-8685.
Nebraska's spring turkey seasons are underway, with archery starting March 25 and shotgun seasons beginning in April. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Hunter Education Coordinator Kyle Gaston emphasizes the four basic firearm safety rules and provides additional turkey hunting safety tips, including proper identification and visibility practices.
Shed antler hunters planning to enter Montana's Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area by vehicle on May 15 must register online April 1-19. A new 2025 law prohibits nonresidents from collecting antlers during the first seven days of seasonal openings on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks WMAs and established a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released its 2025 Annual Turkey Program Report showing hunters checked 11,332 turkeys during spring season, a 22 percent increase from 2024. Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki attributes the increase to favorable reproduction and hunting conditions, with the Ouachita and Ozark ecoregions seeing the largest gains.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department opens the Copper State Draw on April 1, offering hunters additional permit-tags for mule deer, white-tailed deer, pronghorn, and elk. A premier antlered mule deer permit-tag for the Arizona Strip north of the Grand Canyon is included, with applications accepted through April 7 at copperstatedraw.azgfd.com.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has ordered the closure of otter trapping in Region 3 effective midnight on Tuesday, March 31. Trappers can check current quota status on the FWP website.
Oklahoma Hunters and Anglers and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are hosting two turkey hunting workshops in early April before the spring season opener. The OHA's Turkey Hunting 101 Workshop on April 4 in Edmond covers hunting strategies, biology, and gear for $25 adults. The Packsaddle WMA Field Day on April 11 offers public land hunting instruction and shooting range access.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has released proposed hunt recommendations for 2026-2027 seasons covering deer, javelina, bighorn sheep, black bear, mountain lion, and other game species. Public comments are welcome via email or regional offices, with the Arizona Game and Fish Commission reviewing recommendations at an April 10 public meeting in Phoenix.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks opens online vehicle registration April 1-19 for shed antler hunters accessing the Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA on May 15. A new 2025 law prohibits nonresidents from shed hunting on WMAs during their first seven days open, requiring a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.