North Dakota's 2025 upland bird harvests declined for pheasant, sharp-tailed grouse, and gray partridge compared to 2024. RJ Gross, North Dakota Game and Fish Department upland game biologist, attributed decreases to cool, wet nesting conditions and West Nile virus impacts on sharptails, though adult pheasant densities remain high.
May 20 is the final deadline to apply for Oklahoma Controlled Hunts through the Go Outdoors Oklahoma online account. The ODWC-sanctioned program offers drawings for high-quality hunts for deer, elk, antelope, and turkey.
Ohio hunters checked 14,886 wild turkeys during the spring 2026 season through May 17, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The statewide total includes 23 days of hunting in the south zone and 16 days in the northeast zone, with Tuscarawas County leading harvests at 414 birds.
Michigan's 2026 bear and elk hunting license application period closes June 1. Hunters can apply online or at license retailers for $5, with drawing results available June 22. The Pure Michigan Hunt offers additional chances to win bear or elk licenses with prize packages.
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed Black Bear Management Unit 420 to all black bear hunting effective one-half hour after sunset on Monday, May 18, 2026.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission approved significant deer regulation changes for 2026 and 2027 hunting seasons, including elimination of the antlerless access drawing in the Upper Peninsula, reduction of the muzzleloader season from 10 to 3 days, and implementation of a one-buck limit in the Lower Peninsula starting in 2027.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources invites hunters of all experience levels to the annual Hunters of Color event on May 16 at Mott Park Recreation Area in Flint. The walk-through event features live demos, archery and pellet gun shooting, giveaways, hunter education information, vendors, and food trucks.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Walk-In Access Program expanded to 49,597 acres across 116 properties in 2025, including 39.4 miles of stream and 221 acres of flat water. The program, launched in 2005, partners with private landowners to provide public hunting and fishing opportunities through free annual authorization numbers.
Ohio's wild turkey hunters have harvested 13,496 birds through May 10, 2026, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. This exceeds the three-year average of 12,713 birds. Tuscarawas County leads with 380 birds checked, followed by Belmont and Adams counties.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is accepting applications for 2026 hunt permit-tags through the draw process for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Arizona time on Tuesday, June 2, 2026. Applicants must possess a valid hunting license and have an AZGFD Portal Account to submit applications and view results.
Late season turkey hunting offers excellent opportunities with less pressure and leftover tags available. Nate Hosie, Randy Birdsong of HeadHunters TV, and Jason Powell of Jason Powell Outdoors share tactics including softer calling, patience, and strategic decoy placement for success on pressured birds.
North Dakota's 2026 deer season opens November 6 with 39,100 licenses available, down 3,200 from last year due to habitat limitations and disease recovery. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department, led by wildlife division chief Bill Haase, is implementing conservative allocations to encourage population growth while maintaining hunting opportunities. Online applications close June 3.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces drawing results for moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and bison licenses. Applicants can check results via fwp.mt.gov, MyFWP Login, or by calling 406-444-2950. The MyFWP mobile app allows hunters to access licenses, permits, and E-tags for field validation.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) is providing guidance for hunters applying in the 2026 Fall Draw for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, bison, and sandhill crane. Applicants must create or update AZGFD portal accounts, maintain valid hunting licenses, and download the Arizona E-Tag app before the June 2, 2026 deadline.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that hunters who harvested bears during the 2025 season can now access age data for their bears on the department's website. Of 886 usable bear teeth collected, 822 bears received accurate ages through cementum analysis performed by a Montana laboratory, with the oldest female at 19 years and oldest male at 18 years.
Ohio's wild turkey hunters have tagged 11,044 birds through May 3, 2026, exceeding the three-year average of 10,335, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The south zone opened April 25 across 83 counties, while the northeast zone opened May 2. Tuscarawas County leads with 326 turkeys checked.
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed Black Bear Management Unit 520 to all black bear hunting effective one-half hour after sunset on May 6, 2026.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces new elk harvest regulations for Region 1, effective this hunting season. Changes include restricting Elk B Licenses to private land only, eliminating antlerless elk opportunities for Permission to Hunt from a Vehicle and archery hunters to reduce harvest pressure on public lands and manage population growth.
Michigan elk and bear license applications are available through June 1, with drawing results on June 22. The Pure Michigan Hunt program offers chances to win additional licenses and prizes; past winner Jerry Peak of Crystal harvested two 6-by-6 bull elk using this opportunity.
The Utah Wildlife Board approved 2026 big game hunting permit numbers, including an increase of 6,425 general-season deer permits to 86,625 total. Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle emphasized that buck harvesting does not drive deer populations, with survival rates of adult does, fawn production, and fawn survival being the most important factors.