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Pulling the Trigger on a New Muzzleloader, Part 1

My home state of Colorado is fairly restrictive when it comes to special muzzleloader seasons, but there are some tempting opportunities available in nearby states that I'm interested in taking better advantage of. I just pulled the trigger on the purchase of a new muzzleloader and am getting ready to set it up and hoping to head to Nebrasaka, Kansas, or wherever else I can draw a tag. Read More ....

Arizona's Collared Jaguar Dead From Kidney Failure

Less than 2 weeks after its initial capture and release, a 16-year-old collared jaguar from southern Arizona was recaptured for medical intervention. The cat was euthanized after veterinarians determined the cat was in severe and unrecoverable kidney failure. Read More ....

Yellowstone Wolf Confirmed in Colorado

A Yellowstone wolf dispersing from her pack in southwestern Montana is now wandering the Colorado high country after a journey of perhaps 1,000 miles, Colorado Division of Wildlife officials announced. Read More ....

Oregon Finally Offers Online Apps For Controlled Hunts

Hunters can now apply for controlled big game hunts online using the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife online license sales site. Read More ....

Colorado Elk With Barstool Around Neck: "Goofy"

Reports and photos have been circulating in newsrooms and blogs about a cow elk in Colorado's Eagle Valley with a barstool stuck around her neck. District wildlife manager Craig Wescoatt was quoted as saying: "The bar stool doesn’t seem to be impairing her to any great degree. She just looks kind of goofy." Read More ....

New Lead-Free Rifle Ammunition from Winchester

Winchester has begun offering new loads with the E-Tip lead-free bullet in .270 Winchester, .300 Win. Mag and 7mm. This is in addition to loads that were already offered. The bullet is made of a copper alloy instead of pure copper, which helps prevent barrel fouling and provides for a high-performance sporting bullet that is lead-free. Read More ....

Bull Elk Left to Rot in Utah

A five-point bull elk was shot, hidden and left to rot in the Book Cliffs in east central Utah recently. Now wildlife officers are looking for help to solve the case. Read More ....

Wyoming Elk Draw Complete

Wyoming has posted results for the 2009 elk draw, about 5 days ahead of schedule. Read More ....

How Colorado's "Weighted Point" System Works For Sheep, Goats, and Moose

Many states have a "bonus point" system or a "preference point" system designed to increase a hunter's odds of drawing a tag over time, but only Colorado has a "weighted point" system in place. And they only have it in place for sheep, goats, and moose. Read More ....

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Faces Job Cuts

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) managers this week are advising more than 100 employees their jobs may be eliminated to meet an expected multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. Read More ....

Arizona Game and Fish Collars First Wild Jaguar in United States

Jaguar conservation has just experienced an exciting development with the capture and collaring of the first wild jaguar in Arizona by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.  Read More ....

Applying in Oregon

Applying in Oregon is a tough call, at least from the nonresident's point of view. They limit nonresident hunter numbers aggressively, and it's virtually impossible to catch up on preference points if you didn't get in on the ground floor. Having said that, I started applying in Oregon last year. The key driver was the availability of hard-to-come-by species such as blacktail deer. Read More ....

Win a Colorado Moose Tag

Every year, the Colorado chapter of Safari Club International sponsors a raffle for a Colorado moose tag valid in any legal area and season in Colorado in 2009. Colorado has huge trophy Shiras moose and great outfitters to help you find them (and pack them out...). Read More ....

Time to Apply for Wyoming's Sheep, Goat, Moose, and Bison

The deadline for applying for Wyoming's Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose, and Bison is February 28. Since the 28th falls on a Saturday, Wyoming Game and Fish will accept applications up until Monday, March 2. These are premier tags, with tough draw odds and steep prices. Read More ....

More on the New World Record Elk

The Olympian, a paper out of Washington, published an article giving some more background on Denny Austad, the hunter who took the new world record elk in Utah last year. Austad is an avid hunter, reloader, and designer of custom rifles. Read More ....

Colorado Winter Mild on Deer and Elk (So Far)

Last winter, deer and elk were hit hard by bitter cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. The Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) responded with $2.5 million in expenditures for feed, fencing, and personnel across western Colorado last winter. This year, things are looking good as we get through the toughest of the winter months. Read More ....

Reminder: Utah Applications Due Februrary 26th

If you're going to apply for a permit to hunt big game in Utah this fall, a wildlife official has some advice — apply before the last day of the application period. Applications will be accepted at www.wildlife.utah.gov until 11 p.m. on Feb. 26. Read More ....

Idaho Throttles Down Fee Increase Proposal

Earlier this year , we provided information about a proposed fee increase in Idaho. Idaho has reduced the planned increases due to tough econcomic times, but sportsmen looking to hunt in Idaho need to brace themselves. Read More ....

Montana License Auction Brings in $263,500

Montana’s 2009 big game auction licenses drew a total of $263,500 from three auctions held last week at the 32 nd Annual Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo held in Salt Lake City. Read More ....

Western Nebraska Snow Goose Hunt

HTW pro-staffer Paul Vanderspek and I met at 1:30am this past friday morning to make the drive from Denver to Big Springs, NE together. We probably ended up seeing in the neighborhood of 30,000+ geese on friday, but the birds were working in huge flocks and didn't give our decoys too much attention. Read More ....

Idaho Sheep Tag Auction Brings $120,000

An Oregon hunter who is remaining anonymous has paid $120,000 for Idaho's auction bighorn sheep permit. The permit was sold at the recent Wild Sheep Foundation's annual convention in Salt Lake City. Read More ....

Conservation Groups Urge Obama To Delist Wolves

President Obama this past week received a letter initiated by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and 32 partner conservation organizations urging removal of federal protections for specific populations of gray wolves. Read More ....

Moose Poacher Busted in Wyoming's Big Horns

On Jan. 22,  Washakie County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Harrington sentenced Larry A. Mead of Greybull to pay $7,500 in fines and $7,500 in restitution to the State of Wyoming for illegally taking an antlered moose in Ten Sleep Canyon. Read More ....

Colorado Big Game Applications Available

Colorado applications for deer, elk, moose, bear, antelope, sheep, and mountain goats are available on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Records Set in Utah Tag Auction

This past saturday at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, conservation tags for a variety of Utah's big game species went up for auction. Several records were set for high bids, and $1.5 million was raised for conservation work. "Considering the economy, we had an unbelievable show," said Don Peay, founder of Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife. Read More ....

Recap of Wyoming's 2008 Bison Season

Overall, the 2008 Wyoming wild bison season got off to a relatively slow start. Despite this, some great bulls were taken. Read More ....

South Dakota Will No Longer Require License Fees Up Front

System upgrades to the South Dakota application system will mean that a credit card is not charged until the lottery drawing for licenses is completed, and then only if the applicant is successful in drawing a license. “We will eliminate the need for manual refunds,” Simpson said. “That will provide a considerable savings of staff time and money to the entire drawing process.” Read More ....

Colorado Expands Sheep Range in Gore Canyon

Thanks to the support of Colorado sportsmen, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep have made a comeback in Gore Canyon, west of Kremmling. In mid-January wildlife managers with the Colorado Division of Wildlife released 14 bighorns into the rugged canyon country that overlooks the headwaters of the Colorado River. Read More ....

Time To Apply In Utah

Utah is currently accepting big game applications, with a deadline of February 26th at 11pm MT. Some regulation changes for 2009 make applying in Utah more tempting than ever. If you've been on the fence about applying in Utah, this is the year to decide whether to commit or not. Read More ....

Colorado Issues Recommendations on Lead Ammunition

The North Dakota Department of Health recently released a study from the CDC that concluded people who ate a lot of wild game tended to have higher lead levels in their blood. Several state wildlife agencies have subsequently issued recommendations on mitigating the health risk of lead in venison. The latest to do so is Colorado. Read More ....

New York Man Goes Elk Hunting, Tags a Llama Instead

A lot of you may have received the same email I did — the one that included photos of a gutted llama in the back of a pickup that was allegedly shot in Montana by an elk hunter from New York. I was skeptical that the photos really represented a hunter's mistake, but it turns out that this was not a hoax. Read More ....

Northwest Montana Sportsmen Meet Over Low Numbers

Hard winters, predator numbers and lower harvest quotas for the 2009 hunting season sparked Lincoln County commissioners to request a special hearing with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Read More ....

Colorado Spring Turkey Applications Due February 12

The deadline to apply for Colorado limited Spring Turkey is February 12, 2009. Read More ....

Wolf Shot By Coyote Hunter in South Dakota

The illegal killing of a wolf in northeastern South Dakota brings a reminder from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Game, Fish and Parks Department that wolves are protected by federal and state law. On January 25, 2009, a Wolf was shot and killed by a coyote hunter in Roberts County. Read More ....

Utah Expands Sheep Range

In mid-January, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources net-gunned 40 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in east-central Utah and took them for the ride of their lives. Hobbled and bagged, each animal was clipped one-by-one onto a long cable, dangling from a helicopter. In all, three rams, 33 ewes, and 4 lambs flew about 30 miles up the Green River, before touching ground in Desolation Canyon. Read More ....

10 Tips For Applying In Arizona

The final deadline to submit paper-only applications for a 2009 Arizona hunt permit-tag for pronghorn antelope and elk hunts is Tuesday, Feb. 10 by 7 p.m. (MST). To help hunters navigate the application process, the Arizona Game and Fish Department offers these tips. Read More ....

72-Year-Old Bags Trophy Elk for Anti-Poaching Reward

After reporting a poacher who took a branch-antlered bull during a spike-only season, a Utah woman received a poaching-reported-reward permit. On the opening morning of the next season's hunt, she bagged an enormous bull elk. Read More ....

Montana Considers Managing Wild Bison as Wildlife

Currently, Montana's wild bison are not managed by wildlife professionals as wildlife. Instead, they are managed by the Department of Livestock, which traps and slaughters them by the hundreds every winter. Legislation known as the Montana Wild Buffalo Recovery and Conservation Act of 2009 seeks to define bison as “valued, native wildlife.” As one key proponent of the bill notes, “We need to manage bison like elk." Read More ....

Colorado's 2008 Elk Season

Colorado's 2008 elk season was, by and large, disappointing. Personally, my 4th season elk hunt (mid-November) was very frustrating. Little bits of sign were all over the place, but there were no concentrations and I simply didn't get in to elk. Some guys certainly killed elk, but I have not heard anyone who would say that 2008 was a good year for elk hunters. Read More ....

Get Ready Now For Nevada Applications

Applying in Nevada for the first time this year? Get ready now by pre-registering their Hunter Education information with the Wildlife Administrative Services Office (WASO) or taking a Hunter Education class before the rush to apply begins. Read More ....

Nebraska Antelope Harvest Highest in 15 Years

Overall, 512 antelope were taken by 1,120 hunters in the state, compared to 448 taken in 2007. “Herd numbers, quality of bucks and hunter success continue to improve in most hunting units" noted the Commission’s big game program manager. Read More ....

New Mexico Poachers Leave Elk and Eagles to Rot

Information about two cow elk and two golden eagles that were shot and left to rot around December 26, 2008, could be worth $750 if it leads to an arrest or charges against those responsible. Read More ....

Wyoming Resuming Test-and-Slaughter Program for Elk

Wyoming Game and Fish wildlife managers began year four of a controversial elk test-and-slaughter program Sunday, January 25th, on three feedgrounds around Pinedale, WY in an effort to reduce brucellosis in northwest Wyoming. In all, agency personnel have captured and handled just more than 1,200 elk in the first three years of the pilot project. From this group, 113 tested positive for the disease and were removed from the population. Read More ....

Smith and Wesson Recalls All i-Bolt Rifle Bolts

Smith and Wesson has identified a condition that may exist with the bolt supplied with some of its i-Bolt rifles that would allow the striker to become disengaged from its locking tabs during cycling of the bolt, allowing the rifle to fire without the trigger being pulled. As a result, Smith and Wesson has issued a recall to allow for the prompt inspection and, if necessary, repair and replacement of each bolt. Read More ....

Kansas Spring Turkey Permits On Sale

The 2009 Kansas spring turkey season runs April 8 - May 31, and hunters are already making preparations. Turkey permits allow hunters to use a shotgun, crossbow, or bow throughout the regular season. Archery-only and youth/disabled seasons run concurrently, April 1-7. Read More ....

October 2008 Public Land Wyoming Antelope Hunt

Elk hunting can be frustrating, sheep hunting can grind you down, deer hunting can be too damn cold. But antelope hunting in Wyoming is one of the most consistently fun hunts you can do each year. These antelope were all taken on public land in Wyoming in areas where it's easy to draw tags for both bucks and does. This party of 5 Colorado do-it-yourself hunters took 3 bucks (100% success) and 3 does (60% success) — not bad results, especially considering none of them had hunted antelope more than once before. Read More ....

Support for Arizona's Non-Lead Ammunition Program Increases in 2008

Arizona’s sportsmen and women are stepping up to help the recovery of endangered California condors. For the fourth consecutive year, participation in the state’s voluntary non-lead ammunition program has grown. Surveys shows that 90 percent of hunters took measures in 2008 to reduce the amount of available spent lead ammunition in the condor’s core range versus 80 percent the year prior. Read More ....

More on the Colorado Elk Carcass Lottery

The National Park Service will be conducting a cull of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park this winter. The carcasses of the culled elk will be cleaned, tested for CWD, refrigerated, and given away by a lottery drawing. If you entered the lottery and have been waiting for your phone to ring, this additional info from a local Denver news channel may be of interest. Read More ....

Apply Now for Wyoming Elk

According to the Wyoming non-resident hunt booklet, applications for Wyoming elk are due January 31. Wyoming Game and Fish has extended this deadline to Monday, February 2nd, however, since January 31st fell on the weekend. Read More ....

Winchester Beefs-Up Model 70 Offerings for 2009

The big news in hunting rifles for 2008 was the return of Winchester's Model 70 bolt action rifle. Unfortunately, delays in availability and a modest cartridge selection threw a wet blanket over this otherwise good news. For 2009, Winchester has added some good depth to their cartridge offerings. It remains to be seen if the new offerings will be available in time for the 2009 hunting season. Read More ....

Washington Arraigns Convicted Felon for Hunting Violations

A Thurston County, Washington man with previous felony convictions and a history of big-game poaching was arraigned today on multiple charges of illegal firearms possession and unlawfully possessing big game. Read More ....

Idaho Reflects on Last Year's Feeding Program

Native wildlife have endured the rugged climate of eastern Idaho for thousands of years, so it's evident that they are capable of surviving if left on their own. The tricky part of the equation is that modern man has affected their population numbers and habitat to such an extent that biologists must keep a close tab on the animals, the weather, and the habitat to make sure that no significant change goes unnoticed. Read More ....

Nebraska Spring Turkey Permits On Sale

Permits for the 2009 spring turkey hunting seasons now may be purchased, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Hunters will have more opportunity to use them, too. The seasons have been extended by a combined 10 days. Read More ....

Washington Spring Bear Applications Due March 13

Hunters may now purchase and submit applications for a 2009 spring black bear hunting permit, applicable to specific areas of western and eastern Washington. Read More ....

Arizona Receives Antelope Transplant From Utah

Through a professional cooperation between wildlife agencies, the Arizona Game and Fish Department received 100 pronghorn antelope from the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, to supplement current populations and take advantage of habitat improvements made to historical antelope range here. Read More ....

Bison Return to Utah's Book Cliffs

For the first time in nearly 70 years, Utah has a new free-roaming bison herd. State officials last week took the final steps toward restoring bison to the Book Cliffs, a remote and rugged area in eastern Utah where bison images appear on ancient rock art and skulls have been found in the fossil records. Read More ....

Colorado Approves 2009 Big Game Hunting Seasons

The Colorado Wildlife Commission approved big game season regulations for the 2009 seasons Monday, during its regular January meeting. These regulations include annual big game hunting season dates, the application and drawing process, and other management policies for deer, elk, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, moose and bear. Several of the changes made for the 2009 big game seasons will provide additional opportunity for hunters. Read More ....

Wolves To Be De-Listed in Northern Rockies ... Again

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed delisting gray wolves in Idaho and Montana, but not Wyoming, in a ruling that may take effect in late February. Read More ....

Kirt Darner Gets $10,000 in Fines, 4,500 Hours Community Service

Kirt Darner, a former outfitter and nationally-known hunter, was sentenced to $10,000 in fines and 4,500 hours of community service Monday for illegally transporting elk and receiving stolen bighorn sheep heads. Darner, 69, pleaded guilty to the charges in June 2008. He faced a maximum penalty of 4 ½ years in jail and a minimum of $10,000 in fines and restitution. Read More ....

Arizona Elk and Antelope Applications Due February 10th

The 2009 Arizona Pronghorn Antelope and Elk Hunt Draw Information booklets are now available at all Arizona Game and Fish Department offices and license dealers statewide. Applications are now being accepted by mail only. Apply before January 22, and if there is an error in your application, the department will make three attempts, within a 24-hour period, to notify you by telephone (if a phone number is provided) to get the application to be corrected. Read More ....

Montana Bighorn Sheep Supplement Utah Herds

Montana wildlife officials captured 60 bighorn sheep the first weekend in January for transplant to Utah. The sheep were recently transported to northeastern Utah to supplement herds at Lake and Indian canyons, southwest of Duchesne. Read More ....

Idaho Considers Fee Increases

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is submitting a proposal for $6.9 million in hunting and fishing fee increases to the Idaho legislature. If it passes, sportsmen will be paying more for the privilege to hunt and fish in Idaho. Read More ....

Colorado to Set Regulations for 2009 Big Game Hunting Seasons

The Colorado Wildlife Commission will adopt final regulations for the 2009 big game hunting seasons, consider a petition to delist the bald eagle, and evaluate additional regulations at its regular meeting on Monday, January 12. Read More ....

Live Near Fort Collins, Colorado? Sign Up For Elk Carcass Lottery.

The National Park Service will be conducting a cull of elk in Rocky Mountain National Park this winter. In accordance with the Park's elk management plan, the carcasses of the culled elk will be cleaned, tested for CWD, refrigerated, and given away by a lottery drawing. Read More ....

Boone and Crockett Confirms New World Record Elk

Perhaps the largest elk ever produced in the wild—a Utah bull taken in 2008 by a hunter on public land—has been confirmed as a new World's Record. A Special Judges Panel determined a final score of 478-5/8 Boone and Crockett non-typical points, an incredible 93 inches above the B&C minimum score of 385 for non-typical American elk and 13-plus inches larger than the previous World’s Record. Read More ....

Remington's XCR RMEF Limited Edition to Be Chambered in 30-06 for 2009

Remington announces the ninth consecutive offering of its limited edition Model 700 bolt-action rifle in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF).  For 2009, this commemorative rifle is chambered in the versatile 30-06 Sprg and based on the technologically-advanced XCR (Xtreme Conditions Rifle) Model 700 platform. Read More ....

Application Period for Idaho Spring Controlled Hunts Coming Up

The application period for Idaho spring turkey and spring black bear controlled hunts starts January 15 and runs through February 15. Read More ....

Remington to Offer the CDL SF Limited Edition in .257 Roberts for 2009

Remington's fourth annual offering in the limited edition CDL SF series will be chambered in .257 Roberts for 2009. Like its predecessors, the 2009 Model 700 CDL SF Ltd Edition features commemorative engraving on the hinged floorplate, wears the “Model 700 Limited and 75th Anniversary” rollmark on the receiver and is available in limited production quantities for one year only. Read More ....

Idaho Ramps Up Winter Feeding Program

Idaho Fish and Game has begun emergency winter feeding of elk in one area and geared up to start in other parts of the state if conditions demand it. Read More ....

Utah Transplants Antelope to Support Herds in Book Cliffs

During the week of December 15, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources moved 49 pronghorn to the Book Cliffs. Biologists also moved 50 pronghorn to the Nine Mile, Anthro unit southeast of Duchesne. Read More ....

Numerous Elk Die After Falling Through Ice in Colorado

More than a dozen elk have died after falling through thin ice at Paonia Reservoir since Sunday, according to the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Colorado DOW Comments on Low Success Rates During 2008 Season

The Colorado Division of Wildlife posted information on their website regarding low hunter success during the 2008 season. Read More ....

Extended Montana Elk Season A Success

Based on a preliminary estimate, 1,840 elk were harvested in southwest Montana during the general season extension from December 1-21. Read More ....

South Dakota Sets Spring Turkey Seasons, Keeps Rifles Legal

The Game Fish and Parks Commission tackled an issue that has resurfaced at meetings several times over the past decade, and in the end decided “no change”, for the present time, was the best course of action. The 2009 Spring Turkey season will proceed with hunters still being able to use rifles in most of South Dakota, including the Black Hills. Read More ....

2008 Nebraska Bighorn Sheep Lottery Permit Holder Takes Trophy Ram

David Janssen of rural Hastings, took a full-curl bighorn ram at Peterson Wildlife Management Area southwest of Fort Robinson State Park on Dec. 11 to fill his 2008 Nebraska bighorn lottery permit. Read More ....

Michigan Man Fined for Illegally Taking Arizona Elk On His $135,000 Auction Tag

A Michigan man appeared before the Arizona Game and Fish Commission at its December meeting in Casa Grande for shooting a trophy-quality, 7x7 bull elk too close to residential property without landowner permission. He was hunting on a tag he had paid $135,000 for at an auction at a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual convention. Read More ....

New Mexico 2009 Big Game Applications Available

New Mexico big-game hunters will see significant rule changes for the 2009-2010 seasons that affect the way hunters apply and pay for licenses and permits. The new rules are in the 2009-2010 Big-Game Rules and Information Booklet, now available. Read More ....

Grizzly Bears Sighted on Vancouver Island

British Columbia's Vancouver Island, famous for it's monster black bear hunting, now appears to be home to a handful of young male grizzlies. Read More ....

South Dakota Mountain Lion Season to Begin

The 2009 South Dakota mountain lion hunting season will begin on January 1st. The season will have two major changes, including licensed landowners being able to harvest lions on their own land outside the Black Hills Fire Protection District year round with the 2009 Mountain Lion license. The second noted change is the season running from January 1 to March 31. Read More ....

Arizona 2009: Still No Online Application System

For the 2009 hunting season, Arizona will remain the only western state that does not support online big game applications. Depending on how many species you apply for, the cost that this puts on sportsmen can be rather staggering. Read More ....

Arizona 2009: Buy Your License Now to Get Ready for 2009 Applications

Applications for 2009 Arizona hunting licenses are now available. A non-refundable $151 hunting license is needed if you want to apply for Arizona's many excellent big game opportunities, including antelope, mule and coues deer, elk, and desert sheep. Read More ....

Arizona 2009: Antelope and Elk Applications Available

2009 applications for antelope and elk are now available on the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Applications are due on February 10, 2009. Tags and refunds will be mailed by April 24th. Read More ....

2009 Utah Applications Available

Applications for Utah's 2009 big game season are now available on the website of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Read More ....

Michigan Man Fined $15,000 for Poaching Colorado Mountain Goat

A Michigan man was fined $15,000 after being convicted of three charges related to killing a Colorado mountain goat without a license.
Burt Vincent, 60, of Jackson, Mich., also faces a potential lifetime suspension of his hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado, Michigan and 28 other states. Read More ....

"Management Buck" Hunts Approved in Premiere Utah Units

More hunters can hunt on the Paunsaugunt and Henry Mountains premium limited entry units after board members approved a management buck deer hunt for the units. If you draw a permit for the hunt, one of the antlers on the deer you take may not have more than three points on it. Read More ....

Colorado Deer Expected to Gather At Last Year's Feeding Stations

When the snow begins to pile up again in the Gunnison Basin, mule deer will likely show up at the feed sites established last winter by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This will not necessarily be a sign that the deer are starving, said DOW officials. Read More ....

More Spike Bull Hunts in Utah in 2009

Spike bull elk hunters can now hunt spike bulls on 26 of Utah's 29 limited entry bull elk hunting units. Aoude says opening all but three of the state's limited entry units to spike bull hunting will allow more spike bulls to be taken while still protecting the larger bulls in the herds. Read More ....

Oregon Big Game Raffle Tickets On Sale

Big game hunt raffle tickets are now on sale. These tickets make great gifts and offer winners the opportunity to hunt an extended 2009 season for deer, elk, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope or Rocky Mountain goat. Read More ....

Field Report: Nebraska Muzzleloader Deer

I just returned from hunting whitetails during the muzzleloader season near Ogallala, Nebraska. It's a great tag — available over-the-counter with no drawing; can be purchased and printed online; has a bag limit of one either-sex deer and one antlerless-only whitetail; has a reasonable non-resident price tag of $178. Unfortunately, I didn't see any deer. Read More ....

Bucks Still Cruising For Does in Colorado

Though the intensity is definitely down from a week ago, mulie bucks are still cruising for does in the foothills above Denver. Read More ....

Utah Makes Changes to Bonus/Preference Point System for 2009

Utah has two systems that are designed to give everyone a chance to hunt big game animals in Utah. Changes are coming to both of those systems — Utah's bonus point and preference point systems — in 2009. Read More ....

No Late Hunts Planned in Colorado

Despite the overwhelming notion that Colorado's big-game harvest lagged considerably behind expectations, don't expect any extensive postseason hunts to make up the difference. Read More ....

More Colorado Elk Units May Become Limited-Draw

The Colorado Wildlife Commission will consider increasing the number of totally limited elk units for the 2010-2014 hunting seasons as part of its Five-Year Review of Big Game Season Structure. Approximately 16% of Colorado's elk population is located in totally limited units.  The Commission will consider managing up to 30% of the statewide elk population in totally limited units. Read More ....

Oregon Will Offer Licenses Online For 2009

Outdoor enthusiasts can now purchase sport fishing and hunting licenses and tags through the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Online Sales Web site. “This is a service our customers have been asking for—they can now buy license documents at their convenience,” said DeAnna Erickson, ODFW License Services Manager. “Both residents and nonresidents can use the site, which will save people a lot of time.” Read More ....

Elk Foundation Voices Support for Delisting Wolves

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and 18 other conservation organizations have submitted a joint letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in support of delisting gray wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. Read More ....

Idaho Poacher Banned From Hunting in 29 States

A Grangeville, Idaho man has lost his hunting privileges in Idaho and 28 other states, potentially forever. Read More ....

More Information on the Unintentional Impacts of Lead Ammo

At the risk of over-covering the issue, I wanted to share two timely articles that discuss the potential impacts of lead rifle ammunition for big game hunting. Read More ....

2009 Wyoming Big Game Applications Available

The non-resident application book for the 2009 Wyoming big game seasons is now available on the website of Wyoming Game and Fish. Read More ....

New Mexico Considers Big Game Changes

The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet December 4 to consider a variety of topics related to big game hunting. These include waiting periods, fee submission changes, and changes to the permitting process for deer. Read More ...

Hornady Announces New 338 Marlin Express

The 338 Marlin Express is the latest in a series of offerings from Hornady over the last several years. For elk hunters with a thing for lever guns, this could prove to be an interesting cartridge. Read More ....

 

Arizona Proposes Some Over-The-Counter Elk Tags Again For 2009

As part of the 2009 elk hunt recommendation package, the Arizona Game and Fish Department is proposing to once again offer elk over-the-counter nonpermit general and archery tags for certain areas—but with some minor changes to season dates, hunt areas and boundary descriptions from 2008. Read More ....

Jacob Bishop's 2008 Wyoming Wild Bison

HTW subscriber Jacob Bishop of Mississippi sent in this great write-up of his October, 2008 Wyoming wild bison hunt. Lots of good info for Wyoming bison hunters, and even includes a happy ending. Read More ....

Thanksgiving Day: Peak of the Colorado Rut

On Thanksgiving Day, at my home in the foothills above Denver (elevation 7200 feet), the rut was full-on. Everywhere I looked, there were bucks aggressively tending does. Check out these smoking-gun photos. Read More ....

Nebraska Firearms Deer Harvest at All-Time High

Hunters harvested a record 57,529 deer during the recent November firearm season, according to preliminary results by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

Montana Extends Elk Season in Parts of State

While Montana's general 2008 big game hunting season will end on Sunday, Nov. 30, in an attempt to reduce elk populations, hunting for elk will continue in 18 hunting districts in southwest Montana and two hunting districts in northeastern Montana, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announced. Read More ....

Idaho Considers Some Decreases in Sheep and Moose Permits

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to hear from hunters about proposed changes to the 2009-2010 moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons. Read More ....

Cutting Through The Rhetoric on the Lead-in-Venison Issue

Earlier this month, North Dakota released a study from the CDC designed to determine whether eating game killed with lead bullets contributes to an increase in the lead levels in your blood. Conflicting interpretations of the study have caused confusion among hunters. Here's some info to help cut through the rhetoric. Read More ....

Leftover Big Game Licenses Still Available in South Dakota

While some hunting opportunities are drawing to an end, the Game, Fish and Parks Department reminds hunters that there are still many big game licenses still available. Read More ....

Montana May Extend 2008 Elk Season

With a warm fall keeping elk high in the mountains and out of hunters’ sights, Montana wildlife officials are considering extending this year’s elk-hunting season. Read More ....

Apply Soon For Utah Spring Turkey

Starting Dec. 2, turkey hunters can apply for a 2009 Utah turkey permit. You'll know by Jan. 29 whether you drew a permit. Read More ....

Colorado Mulie Rut Still in Full Swing

The weather in Colorado remains unseasonably warm (I wore t-shirts outside both saturday and sunday), but the mule deer do seem to be moving forward with the rut regardless. Read More ....

Utah to Increase Bear Permits for 2009

The Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending that a total of 316 hunting permits be available for Utah's 2009 spring and fall seasons. In 2008, a total of 299 permits were available. Read More ....

South Dakota Considers Spring Turkey Changes, Including Limitations on Rifle Use

South Dakota’s wild turkey population continues to grow at a robust pace across the state, and that means more opportunities for hunters. At the same time, to balance safety concerns, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission is considering further restrictions in the use of rifles and handguns. Read More ....

Kansas Firearms Deer Opener Approaches

The 2009 Kansas firearm deer season runs Wednesday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 14. Kansas firearm deer hunters enjoy a success rate of more than 50 percent, and when the number of deer harvested by archers and firearm hunters is added, this year's total harvest could be more than 90,000 deer. Read More ....

Oregon Adopts Blacktail Management Plan

On November 14, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted a Black-Tailed Deer Management Plan, Oregon’s first-ever long-term strategy to manage these deer found west of the crest of the Cascades. Read More ....

New Mexico Game and Fish Director Resigns After Trespassing

The embattled head of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department has turned in his resignation, just a month after the state Game Commission revoked his hunting license for illegally killing a deer and conservation officers called for him to step down. Read More ....

Wyoming Black Hills Hunting Shut Down By Snow

With more than three feet of snow in the Black Hills, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department cautions hunters to be wary of hazardous travel conditions to avoid becoming stranded until conditions improve. Read More ....

Colorado Approves 2009 Turkey Seasons, Considers Limited Big Game Changes

On Thursday (Nov. 13), the Colorado Wildlife Commission approved regulations for the 2009 fishing and turkey hunting seasons and adjusted fees for non-resident big game hunting licenses that by statute increase along with the Consumer Price Index, which rose by 3.7 percent in the past year. Read More ....

Wolves and Weather Blamed for Tough Season in Idaho

Preliminary indications are that the deer and elk harvest has been slow in Idaho this year. Tough winters are being cited for a decrease in deer populations, while wolf predation is being blamed for a decrease in elk numbers. Read More ....

Ongoing Study Suggests Elk Herds Increase Despite CWD

A long-term Wyoming study looking at the effects of Chronic Wasting Disease on elk populations suggests the always-fatal disease may not cause precipitous declines in those populations. Read More ....

Nebraska Firearms Deer Season Opens November 15th, Permits Remain

Permits remain available in many units as the November 15 opening of the 2008 Nebraska firearm deer season nears. The season is November 15-23. Read More ....

Study: Eating Venison Killed With Lead Bullets Increases Lead Levels in Your Blood

Increasing evidence has made it clear that when you use lead bullets to shoot game, lead particles will end up in your venison due to bullet fragmentation. Now, a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed a correlation between eating venison shot with lead bullets and increased levels of lead in your blood. Read More ....

Dall Sheep Postscript

A quick postscript to my 2008 Alaska Dall Sheep hunt. Rather than trying to pack wet, bloody horns home with me, I had my horns cleaned and shipped down by D and C Expediters. The horns arrived today. After 60 days drying, I rough-scored them at a modest 147 2/8 B and C points. Read More ....

Northwest Montana: Deer, Elk Harvest Down Through First Week Of Season

The deer and elk harvest in northwest Montana is running well below last year’s harvest through the first week of the 2008 big game season.   Read More ....

South-Central Montana: Warm Weather Limits Hunters, But Not Success

The second weekend of Montana’s 2008 general big game season was just too nice for hunting. Warm temperatures and sunny skies kept many hunters home, but in some areas, those who went to the field were relatively successful. Read More ....

Whitetail Rut Tracker

Wanted to call your attention to the whitetail rut tracker on Versus.com. Not sure how accurate it truly is, but what a great idea. Read More ....

Colorado's 3rd Season Plagued by Warm Weather

Colorado's combined rifle and elk seasons continue to be hampered by summer-like weather. The area I hunted near Idaho Springs offered t-shirt weather up to well over 10,000 feet on sunday. Read More ....

Firearms Maker Ousted For Exercising Basic Freedoms

Montana riflemaker and hunter Dan Cooper has been ousted as chief executive of the rifle company that bears his name, Cooper Firearms. After Mr. Cooper exercised his fundamental democratic freedom to support the candidate of his choice in the upcoming presidential election, an internet campaign was launched to attack him. Concerned by a threatened boycott of their products, Cooper's board of directors spinelessly caved in to their fears and asked their friend and founder to step down. Read More ....

Tips for Processing Your First Elk

Hunting season is well underway. You finally tag an elk or deer but now the local butcher is swamped, forcing you into a crash course in processing your own meat. Fear not, says the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, which offers tips to guide you. Read More ....

Update: Bison and Elk Hunting on Wyoming's National Elk Refuge

The Jackson Hole Daily ran an article on October 31 giving an update on the annual elk and wild bison hunt on the National Elk Refuge. Read More ....

$4,000 Reward Offered in Poaching of Two Bull Elk in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is offering a reward of up to $4,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for the poaching of two bull elk. The two elk were poached in Game Management Unit 10, north of Ash Fork, on Sept. 24. Read More ....

Season Opener Slow in Southwest Montana

The beautiful weather was abundant during the southwest Montana big game season opener, while hunter numbers and harvest of elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer were all down.  Read More ....

Wyoming Releases Draft of Revised Wolf Management Plan

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released a draft revised version of its gray wolf management plan for public comment. The draft revised plan addresses many of the issues brought up in recent court decisions regarding removal of the Northern Rocky Mountain population of wolves from the federal Threatened and Endangered Species list. Read More ....

Nebraska Sets 2009 Turkey Seasons

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners set the 2009 turkey seasons during a meeting on October 30th. Read More ....

Winners of the Texas "Big Time" Hunts Announced

The drawing for "Big Time" Texas Hunts — which offer hunters the chance to win one of seven exclusive hunting trips on some of the finest private ranches and prime wildlife management areas in Texas — is complete. Read More ....

Utah Considers Deer, Spike Elk Changes

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is considering a variety of changes to upcoming deer and elk hunts. Read More ....

Update: 2008 Wyoming Wild Bison Hunt

Wyoming Game and Fish estimates hunters have harvested a total of 67 bison so far this year, 37 of those on the National Elk Refuge. Read More ....

Idaho Fish and Game Seeks Information on 3 Poached Moose

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is seeking information about the recent poaching and wasting of three moose in the Panhandle Region. Officials say all three moose appear to have been shot on or around October 17, and all three were left to waste. Read More ....

Hunting Opener "Very Slow" In Northwest Montana

Hunters took to the field October 26th across northwest Montana for the opener of the general deer and elk season. At the six northwest Montana check stations, hunters logged a 4.0 percent rate. This compares to an 8.0 percent rate of hunters with game last year. Read More ....

Utah DWR Considers Bonus Point Changes

The Division of Wildlife Resources is recommending several changes to Utah's bonus point and preference point system. The two systems help ensure that everyone gets a chance to hunt some of Utah's biggest big game animals in the areas where they want to hunt them the most. Read More ....

More on The Slow Start to Colorado Rifle Seasons

As we pass the half-way point of Colorado's 2nd Rifle Season for deer and elk, more reports are coming in that indicate that the harvest has been slow. Correspondents continue to blame mild weather for the modest success hunters have been having. Read More ....

Antelope Harvest Down in Montana's Region 5

Deep, heavy snow throughout FWP’s Region 5 kept many hunters out of the field and limited success on opening day, Oct. 12, so the Broadview check station did not open. Billings and Big Timber check stations reported light opening-day numbers of both hunters and harvested antelope compared with past years. Read More ....

2008 Elk Forecast for Idaho's Salmon Zone

Idaho Fish and Game wildlife managers expect this year's elk harvest in the Salmon Zone to be similar to last year. Elk hunters over the past three years have had success rates ranging from 16 percent in Unit 21 to 25 percent in Unit 21A and the highest rates in the wilderness, with a 28 percent success rate in Unit 27. Read More ....

Update: Colorado 1st and 2nd Rifle Seasons Appear Slow

When I stopped by the Colorado Division of Wildlife's main office yesterday to swap out a deer tag, I made a swing by the shed where you can drop off the heads of your deer and elk for CWD testing. The techs working there reported slow action during both the 1st and 2nd rifle seasons. Read More ....

Moose with CWD Found in Western Wyoming

A 3-year-old female moose has tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease in Star Valley in western Wyoming, officials there report. Read More ....

Antelope Poachers Busted In Wyoming

Thanks to the vigilance and concern expressed for Wyoming's wildlife by two Cody residents, the perpetrators involved in the June 14, 2008, killing of a mature buck antelope with a .22 rifle have been apprehended and convicted. Read More ....

Texas Expands Bighorn Sheep Restoration Efforts

Expanded conservation efforts are in the offing for the desert bighorn sheep, an iconic symbol of wilderness in West Texas, with plans to extend bighorn restocking efforts into Big Bend Ranch State Park and elsewhere in the region as part of a comprehensive Desert Bighorn Sheep Restoration Plan. Read More ....

Reward Offered for Bighorn Sheep Poacher in Colorado

Colorado Division of Wildlife officialsare seeking information regarding the illegal killing of a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram on Oct. 14 in Mineral County in southern Colorado. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of people involved in the incident. Read More ....

Study: Lead Bullets Result in Lead in Venison

As a result of an analysis that showed lead fragments in hunter-shot venison in midwestern food banks last year, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conducted a study to systematically analyze the extent to which lead fragments are left behind by bullets passing through animals. Read More ....

Bighorn Sheep Poacher Sought in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking for the public’s help in finding a poacher that killed a Rocky Mountain bighorn ram on Oct. 10 in the Three Forks area of Game Management Unit 1, west of Alpine, in eastern Arizona. The department received more than 400 applications for the single permit that was authorized in this area last fall. Read More ....

New Mexico Late-Season Archery Elk Tags Available October 22nd

Hunters who did not draw an elk license this season will have another chance beginning at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, when the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will make 290 late-season archery elk licenses available online. Read More ....

Idaho Seeks Input on Bighorn Sheep Management

The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is looking for some help in revising the state's Bighorn Sheep Management Plan. An online poll is available on the Fish and Game Web site until November 1. Read More ....

Montana Antelope Season Off To Slow, Soggy Start

Deep, wet snow that blanketed the region over the weekend kept many hunters home for the antelope rifle season opening day. And those who went to the field in south central Montana found limited success. Read More ....

Wyoming Antelope Update

Most of Wyoming's antelope season have been open for a few weeks. Some are ending right about now, but a few have up to two weeks remaining. I filled my buck antelope tag on monday, October 13, near Newcastle (way over near South Dakota). Rain, snow, and mud complicated the hunt. Read More ....

Colorado 2008 Deer and Elk Forecast

According to Big Game Coordinator Bruce Watkins, Colorado's post-hunt populations stand at 290,000 elk and 535,000 deer statewide, and the prospects for the fall hunt are again very good. Read More ....

Hunting Private Land in Montana

Montana’s Block Management Program offers hunters managed access to over eight million acres. That leaves millions of acres of private land that may be available to the hunter willing to request landowners’ permission to hunt. Read More ....

Montana's 2008 Elk Outlook

One thing’s for certain this hunting season. Montana’s got elk and hunters by the thousand are making plans for what’s shaping up to be a great season. Montana’s general elk hunting season opens October 26. Read More ....

New Mexico Game and Fish Director Under Pressure After Hunting Violation

The head of the New Mexico Game and Fish Department lost his hunting privileges in New Mexico and more than two dozen other states when the New Mexico Game Commission voted Thursday to revoke his license for two years. Read More ....

Utah's 2008 Deer Forecast

Unless the weather changes, finding deer could be tough when Utah's general rifle buck deer hunt starts October 18. Read More ....

2008 Montana Deer Forecast

Deer hunters in Montana will find abundant hunting opportunities across the state when the general deer season opens October 26th. Read More ....

Tips For Traveling Hunters

More than 400,000 Americans this year will travel out of state to hunt the West, many in pursuit of elk. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offers tips for a smooth trip both in the air and on the highway. Read More ....

Colorado Archery Seasons Reportedly Slow

With Colorado's regular rifle seasons just around the corner, archery season is just wrapping up. An article in the Craig Daily Press reports that the archery season in northwestern Colorado has been slow. Read More ....

Texas Bighorn Sheep Numbers Continue to Climb

The last wild desert bighorn sheep in Texas was seen in a remote area of far West Texas a half century ago, in October 1958. That might have been the last chapter for the majestic animal in the Lone Star State, but today, thanks to ongoing efforts to restore this majestic game animal in far West Texas, there are more sheep than you can shake a stick at with numbers unseen since the late 1800s. Read More ....

2008 Colorado Waterfowl Forecast

Hunters who enjoy pursuing waterfowl in Colorado will have plenty of opportunities this year due to diverse season structures and liberal bag limits, but what kind of success they experience is likely to vary depending on what they hunt and when. Read More ....

2008 Winchester Model 70s Trickling in to Circulation

The big news in hunting rifles for 2008 has been the return of Winchester's Model 70 bolt action rifle. Winchester had targeted delivery "starting June, 2008," but this obviously did not happen. Now, about 3 months later than promised, the guns are starting to become available. Read More ....

Idaho Poacher Banned For Life

Poaching deer has cost a Pocatello man his hunting and fishing privileges for life, a month and a half in jail, and more than $21,000 in fines. Read More ....

Apply For Texas "Big Time" Hunts By October 15

"Big Time" Texas Hunts offers hunters the chance to win one of seven exclusive hunting trips on some of the finest private ranches and prime wildlife management areas in Texas. The cost for an entry to win any of these hunts is $10 or just $9 when you purchase an entry online. Read More ....

Utah Rifle and Muzzleloader Elk Permits Sold Out

Permits to hunt bull elk with a rifle or muzzleloader in Utah sold out recently. Even though rifle and muzzleloader permits are gone, permits to hunt elk with a bow and arrow are still available. Read More ....

Top-10 Ram Taken in Montana's 2008 Season

Word is that a first-time sheep hunter has taken a top-10 ram in Montana's Missouri Breaks during the 2008 season. Read More ....

New Mexico's Valles Caldera Considers High-Price Elk Hunts

The Valles Caldera National Preserve in northern New Mexico is one of the state's premier places to hunt elk, and sportsmen are worried that a proposal to charge thousands of dollars for one-fifth of the hunts offered on the preserve would disenfranchise hunters. Read More ....

2008 Utah Elk Forecast

With plenty of bull elk available, Utah's rifle hunts start October 4, and there are a few permits still available. Read More ....

Sheep Hunting in the Brooks Range, Part 4

My guide and I become obsessed with bagging a massive tundra grizzly, tracking him day and night. We eventually come within 200 yards ... and I don't pull the trigger. Read More ....

2008 Montana Antelope Forecast

Antelope hunters in Montana can expect a range of antelope hunting opportunities this fall, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials say. Read More ....

Sheep Hunting in the Brooks Range, Part 3

Part 3 of my August 2008 hunt for Dall Sheep and Grizzly Bear on the North Slope of the Brooks Range in Alaska. We move in on a group of 4 rams, hoping for a 12:01am opening day kill. Read More ....

New Mexico Seeks Information on Bear Poacher

The Department of Game and Fish would like to know who illegally shot and wounded a bear in July or early August, resulting in the bear having to be euthanized. Read More ....

Arizona Offers Javelina Hunting Advice

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is hosting several hunting workshops and offering online materials to teach the basics of hunting javelina. Read More ....

Apply for Wyoming Preference Points By September 30th

You can purchase a preference points for moose, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and antelope if you act before September 30th. To maintain your existing preference points, you must obtain a point at least every other year.  Read More ....

Mountain Goat Poacher Sought in Utah

Someone killed a mountain goat on the Tushar Mountains recently and then left the animal to rot. Now the Division of Wildlife Resources needs your help to arrest the person who killed the goat. Read More ....

Fort Worth to Host 2009 Elk Foundation Expo

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold its 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, March 5-8, 2009, at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Read More ....

Court Allows Sheep Watering Tanks in Kofa National Wildlife Refuge

On Monday the US District Court rendered a decision in favor of US Fish and Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society (among others) regarding a Wilderness Watch suit filed on June 15, 2007, concerning the installation of two permanent water structures on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge.  Read More ....

Bison Return to Utah's Book Cliffs

After a long absence, bison are roaming on public lands in the Book Cliffs in eastern Utah. This Aug. 30 reintroduction, plus another 30 bison scheduled for release later this year, are the start of a new free roaming herd in Utah. Read More ....

One of Montana's Unlimited Bighorn Districts Closes

Hunting district 300, which includes portions of Gallatin and Park Counties, will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Friday, September 5, 2008. District 300 is one of the permit areas in Montana where an unlimited number of over-the-counter bighorn sheep licenses are available for purchase. Read More ....

Mule Deer Foundation Breaks Records with Auction and Raffle Tags

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has announced that in 2008 there were 175 State Auction and Raffle Hunting Tags sold for a record $1.66 million. No other conservation organization has matched MDF’s record in dollars or diversity of tags sold in 2008 or 2007, when 179 tags sold for $1.5 million. Read More ....

2008 Elk Hunting Forecast

Hunters will chase wild elk this fall in almost half the states and provinces in North America. A comprehensive hunt forecast from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is now available. Here’s a condensed look at forecasts from the Top 10 states for total elk populations. Read More ....

Utah Increases Spring Turkey Permits by 80%

The Utah Wildlife Board has approved 13,761 public hunting permits for hunts in Utah next spring. That's an increase of more than 80 percent over the 7,706 public permits that were available in 2008. Read More ....

Sheep Hunting in the Brooks Range, Part 2

Part 2 of my August 2008 hunt for Dall Sheep and Grizzly Bear on the North Slope of the Brooks Range in Alaska. I cross the Arctic Circle, meet my guide, and move in on a group of rams. Read More ....

Tips For Hot Weather Elk Hunting

With archery elk season right around the corner in many western states—and with temperatures still reaching into the 70s, 80s or even warmer—the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is offering tips for hunter preparedness in hot weather. Read More ....

Fishing and Hunting News Magazine Discontinued

Outdoor Empire Publishing has announced that it will discontinue publishing Fishing & Hunting News magazine effective with the recently distributed August 7, 2008 issue. Read More ....

Early Reviews of the 2008 Winchester Model 70

For many months now, people have been talking excitedly about the return of the updated Winchester Model 70. Production did finally start in July, and Winchester sponsored a media event to tour the factory and test fire the new Model 70s. Read More ....

2008 Kansas Hunting Regulations Summary Now Online

Printed copies of the 2008 Kansas Hunting & Furharvesting Regulations Summary will be available at Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offices and license vendors around the state soon, but hunters can view or download the summary now from the KDWP website. Read More ....

Washington Early Season Hunting Update

Update from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on early seasons, including deer, elk, forest grouse, dove, bear, and cougar. Read More ....

New Case of CWD Found In New Mexico

New Mexico recorded its 19th case of chronic wasting disease in deer in a sick animal found in the Bishop's Cap area of the Organ Mountains. Read More ....

Alaskans to Vote on Aerial Shooting of Predators

Alaska voters are being asked to decide the future of the state's aerial predator control program. If approved, Ballot Measure 2 would ban shooting wolves and bears either from the air or once a plane has landed, unless the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game demonstrates that a "biological emergency" exists. Read More ....

Pronghorn Population Down in Two West Texas Counties

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) wildlife biologists recently recorded a considerable drop in the pronghorn antelope population in portions of Jeff Davis and Presidio Counties, although they said overall pronghorn populations in the Trans-Pecos remain only slightly below the 30-year average. Read More ....

Wyoming Offers Area 2 Sheep Hunters Option to Delay License to 2009

Due to the Gunbarrel Wildland Fire west of Cody restricting access, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is offering area 2 bighorn sheep hunters the option of delaying their license to the 2009 season. Read More ....

No News Is Good News — Alaska Bound

I'll be in Alaska hunting sheep and grizzly for the next 2 weeks, very far away from computers (and from electricity, for that matter). Therefore, there won't be any new updates posted to Hunt The West until approximatley August 21. Read More ....

Sheep Hunting in the Brooks Range, Part 1

I booked my upcoming Dall Sheep and Mountain Grizzly hunt on June 8, 2005. Tommorrow — 1,155 days later — I'm boarding an Alaska Airlines flight for the first leg of the two-and-a-half-day journey to base camp above the Arctic Circle on the north slope of the Brooks Range. Read More ....

Cheyenne Archer Bags Near Record Black Bear

Cheyenne archer Steve Perkins knew he was on to a big bear, but it took a year to find out exactly the size of the bear that eventually ended up scoring no. 2 in the record book for archery kills in Wyoming. Read More ....

5,000 Leftover Arizona Tags On Sale August 11th

Sportsmen and sportswomen wishing to hunt big game in Arizona this fall can start applying for leftover hunt permit-tags beginning at 8 a.m. (MST) Monday, Aug. 11. Read More ....

Wyoming Leftover Draw Complete

Results from the leftover tag draw are available on the website of Wyoming Game and Fish, a couple days earlier than expected. Read More ....

Repeat Elk Poacher Sentenced in Idaho

Less than a month after his hunting privileges were reinstated following a previous poaching conviction, a Boise County man poached again. And this time, it really cost him. Read More ....

More Moose Coming To Colorado

On July 15 the Colorado Division of Wildlife recently started a new phase of its moose program with the release of a two-year-old bull moose in a remote area south of Gunnison. Read More ....

Leftover New Mexico Deer and Elk Permits Available August 11th

Almost 1,500 New Mexico public-land deer permits and 54 elk licenses leftover from the 2008-2009 drawing will be available beginning at 10 a.m.  Aug. 11 -- only on the Department of Game and Fish website. Read More ....

Idaho Sportsmen React to Federal Wolf Injunction

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission got an earful on the wolf issue during the public comment period of its meeting Wednesday evening July 23 in Post Falls. Read More ....

Kansas Continues Trend Towards Safe Hunting Seasons

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reports that there were 19 hunting accidents in 2007, with one fatality. This is an increase of two accidents over the previous year but still a very small number considering that some 271,000 hunters spend about 3 million days afield in Kansas annually. Read More ....

First Resident Wolf Pack Confirmed in Oregon

A wolf pack that includes both adults and pups was confirmed in a forested area of northern Union County on Friday, the first evidence of multiple wolves and wolf reproduction in Oregon since wolves were extirpated from the state back in the mid-1940s. Read More ....

Elk Foundation: Wolf Ruling Usurps Conservation Model

A federal judge has halted state authority to manage wolves alongside other resident wildlife, a ruling the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation calls “contrary to the North American model of wildlife conservation.” Read More ....

$5 Raffle Tickets for Chance at Rare Gould’s Turkey Hunt

The Arizona State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is hosting a raffle for a chance at a 2008 Arizona Game and Fish Commission’s special turkey hunt permit-tag. The winner can hunt either the Merriam’s or the Gould’s turkey from Aug. 15, 2008 – Aug. 14, 2009. Read More ....

Arizona Deer and Sheep Draw Complete

Arizona has posted the draw results for the 2008 deer and sheep season. Read More ....

First Resident Wolf Pack Confirmed in Washington

Two adult animals located and radio-collared last Friday (July 18) in western Okanogan County are wild, gray wolves, genetic tests have confirmed. The finding marks the first documented, resident wolf pack in Washington since the 1930s. Read More ....

Colorado Seeks Input on Big Game Seasons

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is requesting public comment and feedback to help determine the 5-year Big Game Season Structure for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear and moose. Read More ....

Courts Reinstate Protection for Wolves in the Northern Rockies

A federal judge has restored endangered species protection for gray wolves in the Northern Rockies, putting a halt to legal wolf hunting in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and derailing plans to hold public wolf hunts in the fall. Read More ....

Washington Draw Results Available

Hunters who submitted applications for a 2008 special-hunt permit can check the results of this year’s drawing on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website. Read More ....

South Dakota Increases Antelope Tags

As South Dakota's antelope population reaches a near-record size, the state Game, Fish and Parks Commission has approved a hunting season that offers significantly more licenses and tags. Read More ....

Washington Verifies Road-Killed Canine as Wolf

New genetic tests have verified that a canine found dead on a road northwest of Spokane last month was a pure gray wolf. No established wolf breeding pairs or packs have been documented in Washington since the 1930s, although WDFW and federal officials are currently working to locate and radio-collar wolves in Okanogan County, where recent howling surveys indicate a pack may exist. Read More ....

New Mexico Deer Hunters Should Receive Permits This Week

Hunters who were successful in the drawing for 2008-2009 New Mexico deer hunting permits will receive their permits and carcass tags in separate mailings this summer, the Department of Game and Fish announced. Read More ....

Wyoming Refunds In The Mail; Good Leftover Tags Remain

Wyoming refund checks for applicants who were unsuccessful in the deer and antelope draw are in the mail. Interestingly, there are some pretty good leftover tags remaining. The application period for these is July 10 - July 20. Read More ....

Leftover Kansas Deer Permits On Sale July 14

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that about 2,100 nonresident deer permits are still available for the 2008 season. They are Whitetail Either-Sex permits, and are being sold on a first-come first-served basis at license vendors and online to any nonresident who did not successfully draw a 2008 permit. Read More ....

Pick Up Bonus Cow Tags in Utah Beginning July 22

Does the chance to take two elk, and spend more time hunting elk, sound like something you'd like to do? If it does, mark July 22 on your calendar. That's when cow elk permits that were not taken in this year's Utah Antlerless Draw go on sale. Read More ....

Breeding Ducks Down But Still Above Long-Term Average

The preliminary estimate of total ducks from the 2008 Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey was just over 37 million, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This is a 9 percent decline from last year's estimate but still 11 percent greater than the 1955-2007 average. Read More ....

Arkansas Men Guilty in Colorado Poaching Incident

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has wrapped up the poaching case against six Arkansas men with the final two suspects entering guilty pleas in Moffat County District Court. Read More ....

Time to Apply For Wyoming Preference Points

You can apply for Preference Points for Wyoming big game hunts between July 1 and September 30. 75% of the premier licenses in Wyoming going to those with the most Preference Points, with only 25% being randomly assigned. If you want to get in on Wyoming's best hunts, you need to be building points. Read More ....

Apply Now For Special Hunts in Texas

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will be conducting special drawings for hunts, and applications for these quality, affordable hunting experiences are available online now. Read More ....

Colorado Over-the-Counter Licenses On Sale July 7

General over-the-counter (OTC) big game licenses, as well as OTC bear licenses with caps, will be available for purchase by internet, telephone (1-800-244-5613), license agents and Division of Wildlife offices on July 7 at 9:00 am.  Read More ....

Kansas Non-Resident Deer Draw Complete

Nonresidents who applied for Kansas deer permits may now view the drawing results online. Read More ....

Utah Deer Permits Sold Out, But Elk Tags Remain

"All of the state's deer permits are gone, but plenty of general bull elk permits are still available," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "This should be a great year to hunt elk." Read More ....

Oregon Woman Attacked By Bear

A Sandy-area woman received non-life threatening injuries late Sunday night when she encountered a black bear at her home according to Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife troopers. Read More ....

The Latest on Remington's Model 700 in .257 Weatherby

I'm still getting lots of hits from people searching for information on the 2008 rifles that Remington has chambered, for the first time ever, in .257 Weatherby. So, I thought I'd share the latest info available on this exciting offering ... and some pictures of mine. Read More ....

Second New Mexico Lion Killed After Fatal Mauling

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and U.S.D.A. Wildlife Services captured and killed a second mountain lion Tuesday morning resulting from the search for the lion that killed a Pinos Altos man. Read More ....

 

Applications Available for Youth and Women's Hunts in Colorado

The Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Outreach and Women Afield programs have announced that applications are available for several big game and small game hunts in northwestern Colorado. The hunts are open to young people (age 12-17) or women who are interested in learning how to hunt. Read More ....

Wyoming Antelope and Deer Draw Results Available

Wyoming has posted the results for the 2008 Antelope and Deer draws. Read More ....

Kansas Accepting Applications for Special-Access Hunts

Each year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) offers a number of special hunts on KDWP land. Dozens of specially-planned, limited-draw hunts for upland birds, doves, waterfowl, and deer are available by application only. Read More ....

Suspected Man-Killing Lion Killed in New Mexico

A mountain lion that may have killed a Pinos Altos, NM man was captured in a snare and killed Wednesday morning. Read More ....

Colorado Perspective on Kirt Darner Guilty Plea

Colorado's perspective on Kirt Daner's guilty plea in New Mexico. A noted big game hunter and guide, Darner is a Colorado man with a history of wildlife dating back to 1994. Read More ....

Don't Feed The Bears: Two Problem Bears Killed in Oregon

Two problem bears have been killed at Fort Hoskins Historic Park, the culmination of what started last winter when a well-intentioned person began feeding bears on nearby private property. Read More ....

Wyoming Considers Climate Change

More than 130 biologists, scientists, policy-makers, sportsmen and members of the media came together in Cheyenne on Monday, June 16 to learn more about climate change and how it could potentially affect Wyoming's resources. "We know enough information now to start responding to climate change," Wyoming Climatologist Steve Gray told participants. "The debate lies in what do we do...." Read More ....

Wyoming Considers Climate Change

More than 130 biologists, scientists, policy-makers, sportsmen and members of the media came together in Cheyenne on Monday, June 16 to learn more about climate change and how it could potentially affect Wyoming's resources. Read More ....

Noted Big Game Hunter Kirt Darner Pleads Guilty

A former outfitter and owner of a private elk hunting park faces penalties of more than 4 1/2 years in jail and a minimum of $10,000 in fines and restitution after pleading guilty Monday to illegally transporting wild elk and receiving stolen bighorn sheep heads. Read More ....

Oregon Big Game Draws Complete

My postcard arrived on friday, June 20, with 4 big UNSUCCESSFULs printed on it. The results are also available online, but you need your Oregon hunting license number to look them up. Read More ....

New Mexico Draw Results Available

Draw results for the New Mexico elk, deer, sheep, ibex, and javelina season were posted online on June 18th. Read More ....

Montana Moose, Goat, and Sheep Draws Complete

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has posted the drawing results for the 2008 moose, goat, and sheep seasons. Read More ....

Nosler Custom Rifle Up For Auction

A Nosler custom rifle in .280 Ackley Improved is currently up for auction, and may go for below its list price. The list price is steep — $3,995 — so even at a discount, the rifle is spendy ... but cool. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Refunds Processed

If you applied for an Idaho moose, sheep, or mountain goat tag using a credit card and did not draw a tag, you should have received your refund by now. Read More ....

Nevada 2008 Big Game Draw Complete

The Nevada Division of Wildlife emailed 2008 big game draw results late in the day on Friday, June 13th. Read More ....

Colorado Deer and Elk Draw Results Available

Results for Colorado's deer and elk draws are now available online. Read More ....

Another Record Deer Harvest in South Dakota

According to harvest surveys compiled by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, last year saw the all-time highest recorded deer harvest in the state and it was the eighth straight year that deer harvest has increased. Read More ....

Colorado Elk Licenses in The Mail

Colorado elk licenses are in the mail — I received my 4th season bull tag on Saturday, June 7. Draw results have not been posted online, however. Read More ....

Oregon Sets Big Game Tag Numbers

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved just over 134,000 hunting tags for controlled (limited-entry) big game hunts this fall. Read More ....

Nebraska Deer Permits Available For Purchase June 9th

Nebraska residents and nonresidents may begin purchasing any remaining deer, antelope or elk permits at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time on June 9. Read More ....

Remington's Model 700 in .257 Weatherby Has Hit the Shelves

Remington's Model 700 CDL and LSS, chambered in .257 Weatherby for the first time this year, have hit dealer's shelves. Read More ....

Long Winter Tough on Idaho Game Populations

Idaho biologists are in the process of evaluating the effect of a tough winter on big game populations. Most adult female mule deer monitored by Idaho Fish and Game biologists survived, but less than one third of fawns survived. Elk fared better in some areas and more poorly in others depending on habitat conditions. Read More ....

Colorado Bears and Grouse

I had jury duty at 1pm on monday, so was able to get in a morning hike in the foothills above Denver. It turned out to be a good morning for wildlife encounters, one with a killer grouse, another with 3 bears. Read More ....

Washington Applications Due June 18

Hunters have until June 18 to apply for special fall hunting permits, but wildlife managers suggest they submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid potential delays and complications. Read More ....

Montana Bear Hunter Shoots Wolf In Self Defense

A black bear hunter shot and killed a wolf on May 27 five miles north of Olney. A wolf approached within 10 feet of the hunter, who then fired when he felt that the wolf was a threat to his life. "Based on the evidence, this was a justifiable self-defense shooting as allowed for in state law," said an FWP investigator. Read More ....

Apply Now For Kansas Deer

Apply by June 2 for the 2008 Kansas deer season. Remember, this is the first year that you will not be able to purchase transferable licenses from landowners. If you want a Kansas deer license, you have to get one through the application process. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Refunds Will Be Issued By July 1

Idaho Game and Fish has stated that applicants in the moose, mountain goat and bighorn sheep controlled hunt drawings will get either a permit and tag or a refund check by mail no later than June 10. Those who used credit cards to apply will get credit to their cards by July 1. Read More ....

More on Grouse Attacks

After my bizarre experience of being stalked and attacked by a grouse last weekend, I was gratified to learn that I wasn't the first person who had such a run-in. Two short YouTube videos document this strange behavior. Read More ....

Remington's Limited Edition .257 Weatherby Starts Shipping This Week

Remington's Limited Edition run of their Model 700 LSS chambered in .257 Weatherby should start arriving at dealers this week. But, not all dealers will be carrying this Limited Edition, and shipments will trickle out slowly. Read More ....

Surviving a Grouse Attack

Hiking in the foothills around my home near Denver, early on the sunday morning of Memorial Day weekend, I was stalked, charged, and repeatedly attacked by .... a grouse. Read More ....

Idaho Adopts Wolf Hunting Rules

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission Thursday, May 22, adopted the first regulated hunting season on gray wolves in the state's history. Read More ....

Free Online Service Helps Texas Hunters Find Leases

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has created the Hunt Texas Online Connection, a new, free Web service that allows anyone to view hunting opportunities posted by private landowners across the state. Read More ....

Plague Confirmed in Fifth Wyoming Mountain Lion

Plague was confirmed in a mountain lion found dead in mid-April by a landowner in rural Johnson County, Wyoming. This is the fifth case of plague confirmed in mountain lions in Wyoming in the past three years. Read More ....

Oregon Raffles and Auctions Gross Nearly $560,000

The 2008 Oregon auctions and raffles for big game hunting tags grossed $559,776, of which $335,992 will go to the Access and Habitat program and $189,384 to big game research and management. Read More ....

Colorado Draw Results Back Up, Pronghorn Results Available

The CDOW website functionality for checking your draw results is back online after approximately a one-week outage. Pronghorn results are also available, a week ahead of schedule. Read More ....

Wyoming Bison Draw Complete

Draw results for Wyoming's 2008 bison season are available on the website of Wyoming Game and Fish. Read More ....

Nevada Big Game Applications On The Rise

A record number of hunters applied for Nevada’s big game tags this year, up 4.2 % over 2007 numbers. More than 93% of the applications were submitted online via the Internet. Read More ....

CDOW Draw Results Site Still Down, But Moose Draw Complete

The CDOW website functionality for checking your draw results is still down, as it has been for the past week. The moose draw, however, is complete. If you haven't already, you should be receiving your moose draw results any day now by US mail. Read More ....

Colorado Moose Draw Status?

The Colorado moose draw was supposed to be completed yesterday, and the CDOW has largely been on time with the draws this year. Unfortunately, the CDOW website has been plagued by problems for the last several days. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Draw Complete

Draw results for Idaho's 2008 Moose, Sheep, and Mountain Goat seasons were posted yesterday on the website of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Read More ....

Win a Statewide Colorado Deer Tag

The Colorado chapter of Safari Club International is sponsoring the raffle for the 2008 statewide Colorado deer tag. Colorado is currently producing tremendous trophy deer, and this tag will allow you to hunt most of the best areas in the state at the best times of year. Read More ....

Colorado's Youth Turkey Hunt

The Colorado Division of Wildlife and a Meeker-area ranch recently hosted a very special youth only turkey hunt. The once-in-a-lifetime private land hunt, held in mid-April at the Seven Lakes Ranch east of Meeker, was coordinated by local DOW personnel and volunteers from the ranch. Read More ....

Refund Checks Are In The Mail

I wanted to share some updates on the status of refund checks, which often involve huge sums of money for nonresidents. In particular, Colorado and Wyoming have both been very prompt on getting refunds out this year. Read More ....

Wandering Black Bear Killed in Nebraska Barn

A male 1½- to 2-year-old black bear that had wandered through Harrison in Sioux County on Monday, May 12, was euthanized by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission personnel. Read More ....

Apply Now For Oregon Controlled Hunts

Hunters are reminded that the deadline to submit a controlled hunt application to local license agents or to ODFW is May 15.  Read More ....

Arizona: Still Free of CWD

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has concluded another sampling season for chronic wasting disease (CWD) and reports that lab tests found no presence of the wildlife disease in any of the 2,157 hunter-harvested or road-killed deer and elk sampled during Arizona’s 2007-08 hunt season. Read More ....

South Dakota Revises Estimate of Lion Population

South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commissioners were updated on the state’s mountain lion population at their May meeting at the State Game Lodge at Custer State Park. That update included a revised estimate of the mountain lion population in the Black Hills. Read More ....

Colorado Bear Draw Complete

Draw results for Colorado's 2008 Black Bear season were posted friday on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Sleeping Deer

In approximately two decades of big game hunting, and who-knows-how-many hundreds (or thousands) of deer sightings, I've never seen a sleeping deer. Until this past sunday, when I caught this mulie doe sleeping behind my house with a couple of last year's fawns. Read More ....

Colorado Sheep Draw Complete

Draw results for Colorado's 2008 Bighorn Sheep season were posted late in the afternoon yesterday on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Wyoming Sets 2008 Seasons and Quotas

Dates and quotas for Wyoming's 2008 hunting seasons were set at the April 24-25 annual season setting meeting of the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in Casper. Read More ....

Colorado Desert Bighorn Draw Complete

Draw results for Colorado's 2008 Desert Bighorn season were posted friday on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Wyoming Sheep, Moose, Mountain Goat Draw Complete

Draw results for Wyoming's 2008 Mountain Goat, Bighorn Sheep, and Moose seasons were posted yesterday on the website of Wyoming Game and Fish. Read More ....

Colorado Mountain Goat Draw Complete

Draw results for Colorado's 2008 Mountain Goat season were posted yesterday on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Arizona Deer and Sheep Applications Available

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted the 2008 regulations for deer, turkey, javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, bear and mountain lions. Read More ....

What's New For The 2008 Kansas Deer Season

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has published a FAQ about the changes for the 2008 deer season, including information on the new approach for non-resident mule deer hunting, the discontinuation of transferable tags, and new rules about scopes on muzzleloaders. Read More ....

Colorado Continues Track Record of Failure on Big Game Draws

During the 2007 season, the Colorado Division of Wildlife was 0 for 8 on making their deadlines for big game draws. They've gotten the 2008 season off on the same footing. Last night, the CDOW changed the target posting date for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep from April 30 to May 6. Will Colorado be able to pull off another "perfect" season, missing all of their deadlines for two years in a row? We'll keep score here. Read More ....

2008 Utah Big Game Draw Complete

The 2008 Utah Big Game draw results are out. As usual, Utah completed the draw a day or so ahead of schedule. Read More ....

Arizona Checks are In The Mail

If you applied for Arizona elk and antelope and did not draw, you should be getting your refund checks very soon -- just in time for upcoming Arizona sheep and deer applications. Read More ....

Apply Now For Idaho and Montana

Idaho applications for Goat, Sheep, or Moose are due April 30. You can only apply for one, and if you do, you can't apply for elk, deer, or antelope. Montana applications for Goat, Sheep, and Moose are due May 1. Read More ....

Kansas 2008 Deer Applications Available

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has announced that 2008 nonresident deer applications are now available online. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Bulls Still Carrying Horns, Bucks in Velvet

Bull elk are still carrying their antlers in the Denver foothills, but mulies are in velvet. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Gobblers Tending Hens

Walking with my wife and daughter near our foothills home wednesday night, we bumped in to a gobbler and two hens that were walking up a neighbor's road. Read More ....

Montana Grizzly Mistakenly Killed During Spring Black Bear Season

A spring bear hunter contacted Montana authorities on April 20th, stating he may have shot a grizzly bear thinking it was a black bear. Game Wardens investigated the incident and confirmed the bear was an older adult male grizzly. Read More ....

Tourists Help Nab Colorado Poachers

Two Colorado Springs men have pled guilty to hunting without a license and illegal possession of wildlife following the investigation of an elk killed on the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on Jan. 20. Two out-of-state tourists who witnessed the men loading the elk onto a pickup truck snapped their photo, not realizing they were acting illegally. Once the tourists found out authorities were looking for clues in the case, they submitted their photo and the poachers were able to be identified. Read More ....

Elk Foundation's "Elk Chronicles" To Premiere on Outdoor Channel

A new television show, Elk Chronicles, from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is set to premier July 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET on Outdoor Channel. Read More ....

Idaho: The Worst Online Application System in The West

None of the online application systems used by western game and fish departments are likely to be held up as prime examples of website usability. Most of them, however, do achieve their bottom-line goal of allowing hunters to successfully submit their applications. The notable exception to this is the online application system of Idaho Fish and Game. After two days of trying, I was forced to accept the fact that I could not figure out how to successfully apply for an Idaho mountain goat tag using the online system. Read More ....

Vegetarian Poacher Busted in Oregon

An Oregon vegetarian, who police say engaged in a "serial-type killing of wildlife," has been charged with poaching, wanton waste, and a variety of other charges. Read More ....

Nevada Big Game Applications Due Today

Nevada’s big game tag draw will close at 5pm April 21. Read More ....

Kansas Sets 2008 Big Game Season Dates

The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission listened to recommendations concerning the deer and antelope seasons at its public hearing Thursday night in Garden City. Commissioners approved the following season dates for deer. The regular firearms deer season is Dec. 3, 2008, through Dec. 14, 2008. Read More ....

Elk Versus Lion Caught on Film

Montana resident Brad Grein captured some remarkable photos of a mountain lion attacking a mature bull elk just feet off of Highway 191 near Big Sky, Montana. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Elk Still Carrying Horns

I drove by a pair of two-year-old bulls on my way in to work this morning. Both were still carrying their spikes, clearly highlighted by the backdrop of 6 inches of fresh spring snow. Read More ....

Montana Horn and Antler Auction Brings $29,680

About 250 people turned out for FWP’s wildlife auction on Saturday, April 12 at the FWP Headquarters in Kalispell. Many people came just to look, but 129 people registered to bid on the items. Auctioneer Joe Warner took bids from the crowd on the 141 items, and every item was sold. Read More ....

No Charges Filed in Idaho Wolf Killing

No charges will be filed in a case involving the shooting of two wolves west of Ashton on April 1. "In my opinion, there is 'reasonable doubt' whether the wolves were, or were not, molesting livestock or domestic animals," said Karl H. Lewies, Fremont County prosecuting attorney, in a letter to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Read More ....

2008 Nebraska Big Game Guide Available

The 2008 Nebraska Big Game guide is available on the website of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Firearms deer season will run November 15 - November 23, a little later than usual. Read More ....

Black Bears Are On The Move In Texas

Black bears were almost gone in Texas by the end of World War II because of unregulated hunting and habitat loss. However, a small resident and reproducing black bear population now exists in Texas and it is slowly expanding its range. Read More ....

Washington Adopts Rule Changes for 2008 Hunting Season

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted hunting rules for the 2008 season at a public meeting April 11-12 in Pasco. The nine-member commission, which sets policy for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), heard comment from hunters and then approved minor changes to hunting seasons and regulations for the third year of a three-year rules package. Read More ....

Call to Poaching Hotline Busts Two Men in Wyoming

On Sept. 22, 2007, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department received a tip on its Stop Poaching Hotline concerning a buck mule deer that may have been shot and left on the Bigelow Bench Walk-in Access Hunting Area. Read More ....

Oregon Harvest Reporting System Now Available

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife staff today announced the new Mandatory Hunter Reporting System is available for use. All persons who purchased an Oregon deer, elk, pronghorn, cougar, black bear or turkey tag for a 2007 hunt are asked to report the result of their harvest efforts—whether or not they were successful, whether or not they hunted. Read More ....

Utah Increases Big Game Permits for 2008

On April 10, members of the Utah Wildlife Board raised the number of permits for many of Utah's big game hunts. The Northern Region wasn't one of those hunts, though. Board members cut 1,000 general buck deer permits from the region for this fall. "This is a great time to hunt big game in Utah," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Read More ....

Arizona's 2008-2009 Hunt Recommendations Available for Review

The proposed 2008-2009 hunt recommendations for deer, fall turkey, fall javelina, bighorn sheep, fall buffalo, fall bear, and mountain lion are available for review at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s website. Read More ....

South Dakota Finalizes 2008 Sheep and Elk Seasons

Reacting to the success of a management plan designed to reduce the size of the Black Hills elk herd, the S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved a 2008 hunting season that offers fewer elk licenses. The commission also finalized archery elk, prairie elk and bighorn sheep hunting seasons at its April meeting in Brookings. Read More ....

Snow May Hamper Arizona Turkey Hunters

Arizona Game and Fish Department officials advise spring turkey hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts that the snowpack is still significant in some higher elevations and many state highways and forest roads in prime turkey country are closed or impassable due to snow or muddy conditions. Read More ....

Oregon Considers Drastic Measures to Control Urban Geese

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider new rules that would allow the destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs where the birds are causing property damage or threatening public health or safety. Read More ....

South Dakota Establishes Mentored Youth Hunting Program

South Dakota's hunting heritage has traditionally been passed from one generation to the next. Recognizing that linage, and wanting to help it along, the S.D. Legislature approved a bill this year that allows children as young as 10 years of age to take part in mentored hunting opportunities. Read More ....

Remington's Limited Edition
.257 Weatherby Hits the Street
Within Two Months

Remington will be offering a Limited Edition run of their Model 700 LSS chambered in .257 Weatherby for 2008. The LSS includes a black laminate stock, a 26-inch stainless barrel, and stainless action. This should make a perfect antelope gun, as well as an excellent open country mule deer rifle. Read More ....

2008 New Mexico Applications Due April 9th

Wednesday, April 9, is the deadline for hunters to apply for 2008-2009 deer, elk, antelope, ibex, javelina and bighorn sheep hunting opportunities allotted by draw in New Mexico. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Deer and Elk Still Carrying Horns, Turkeys Gobbling

Colorado elk in the Denver foothills are still carrying their horns, and they're on solid enough to spar. Meanwhile, turkeys in the foothills are starting to gobble. Read More ....

Idaho Investigates Wolf Killings

Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are investigating the shooting of two wolves on April 1, three days after gray wolves were removed from the endangered species list and management passed to Idaho Fish and Game. Read More ....

Avian Cholera Hits Great Salt Lake

Don't be surprised if you see of hundreds of dead birds along the southeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake during the next few weeks. More than 15,000 birds died on the lake last fall. Read More ....

Colorado Feeding Operations to Continue Through April 15

The successful deer feeding operation in the Gunnison Basin is continuing, but Colorado Division of Wildlife managers expect that the program should end by mid April. Read More ....

South Dakota Lion Attack "Probable but Unconfirmed"

The Department of Game, Fish and Parks has completed a month-long investigation into a reported mountain lion attack on the shoreline of Sheridan Lake in the Black Hills and concluded that the attack probably occurred but did not find enough evidence to confirm it. Read More ....

Idaho Big Game Regulations Available

Idaho's 2008 big game application booklets are now available on the website of Idaho Fish and Game. Read More ....

Oregon Spring Bear Hunting Forecast

The controlled spring bear season opens April 1 in parts of western Oregon and the west Blue Mountains, but wait until later in the season for the best hunting say wildlife biologists. Read More ....

New Mule Deer Plan in Effect for Idaho

Hunters will see new controlled hunts in Southeast Region and dozens of new opportunities for hunters across the state for this year's big game seasons. Read More ....

Arizona Removes Lion As Part Of Sheep Restoration Effort

On Saturday, officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department killed a mountain lion in the Tank Mountains east of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge as part of the ongoing effort to help restore the declining Kofa Mountains Complex desert bighorn sheep population. Read More ....

Wolves Transition to State Management March 28, 2008

Gray Wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains will officially be removed from the federal Endangered Species List and transition from federal to state management March 28, 2008. Read More ....

Elk Foundation Voices Support for Wolf Management

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week hopes to remove wolves from endangered species lists in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. But with anti-hunting emotions and lawsuits threatening to forestall sound conservation science, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is reaffirming its longstanding support of hunter-based wolf management. Read More ....

Arizona Elk and Antelope Draw Complete

The 2008 elk and antelope draw has been completed and the 120,392 applicants can now visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site to see if they have been drawn. Read More ....

Kansas Investigates Alleged Killing of Mountain Lion

Kansas Wildlife and Parks officers are investigating the alleged killing of a mountain lion, also known as a cougar or puma, in southcentral Kansas last fall. Investigators learned of the case three weeks ago. Read More ....

Transplanted Goats Doing Well in Idaho's Lemhi Mountains

A new group of mountain goats joined native goats last September in the Lemhi Mountains when Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists translocated 23 adults from southern Utah. Read More ....

Arizona Completes Additional Gould's Turkey Release

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the National Wild Turkey Federation, along with sportsmen and private citizens, successfully captured and relocated 50 Gould’s wild turkeys  from the Huachuca mountains in early March. The captured birds were relocated to the Santa Rita and Catalina Mountains to help supplement existing populations and continue to expand the range of this unique but once eradicated wild turkey subspecies. Read More ....

Colorado Applications Are Due April 1

Applications for Colorado's limited big game licenses are due April 1. Apply now to draw your 2008 tag or build preference point. Read More ....

Montana Brings In $246,500 From Auction Tags

Montana’s 2008 big game auction licenses drew a total of $246,500 from events held by conservation groups this winter, including the $195,000 for the 2008 bighorn sheep auction license. Read More ....

Colorado Acts on ATV Problem

Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) officers will now be enforcing motorized vehicle regulations on federal public lands as specified in Colorado House Bill 1069. This bill, introduced in January of this year, was signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on March 20. Read More ....

Montana's Spring Bear Season Opens Soon

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. Read More ....

Colorado Releases 2007 Harvest Statistics

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has compiled and released the 2007 big game harvest statistics. Read More ....

Nevada Big Game Applications Available

Nevada's big game application booklets are now available on the website of the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

South Dakota Considers Additional Sheep Unit

South Dakota hunters may have an increased chance at a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thanks to a proposal that would increase the number of bighorn sheep licenses from four to five. Read More ....

Colorado Seeks Input on Herds Impacted By Harsh Winter

The Colorado Division of Wildlife will hold a public meeting to discuss deer and elk hunting license numbers for the 2008 hunting season for the Gunnison Basin on March 28 at the Holiday Inn Express in Gunnison. Read More ....

Washington Mountain Lion Study

The Seattle Times ran an interesting article on the unintended impacts of certain lion hunting policies. Read More ....

Wyoming Man Busted For Wanton Waste After Internet Posting

Nearly three months after intentionally hitting and killing two antelope with his vehicle Dec. 7 and posting the photos on the Internet, a Rock Springs man was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Victoria Schofield. Read More ....

Montana Moose, Sheep, Goat Regulations Available

Montana's Moose, Sheep, and Mountain Goat application booklets are now available on the website of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Read More ....

Kansas Approves Changes for 2008 Deer Seasons

The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission has approved a variety of changes in deer hunting equipment and deer permits. The action came at a public hearing in Topeka March 13, and the changes take effect in the 2008 deer seasons. Read More ....

Nebraska Sets 2008 Seasons

Regulations that expand deer-hunting opportunities to an unprecedented level were approved by Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners at their regular meeting Friday. Season dates were set for big game hunting. Read More ....

Kansas 2008 Spring Turkey Atlas Available

To help hunters find places to hunt, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that its annual Kansas Spring Turkey Hunting Atlas is now available online. For turkey hunters, this publication includes all publicly-accessible land: including Walk-In Hunting Access areas, state and federal wildlife areas, and federal wildlife refuges. Read More ....

Cabela's T.A.G.S. Misses Arizona Elk and Antelope Deadline

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission unanimously voted on March 14, 2008, to deny a petition by Cabela's to accept late license applications submitted on behalf of their licensing service clients. Read More ....

South Dakota Proposes Fewer Black Hills Elk Licenses

A reduction in the elk population in the Black Hills has resulted in hunting season proposals that offer fewer licenses. The S.D. Game, Fish and Parks Commission approved the proposed Black Hills elk, Black Hills archery elk and prairie elk hunting seasons at its March meeting in Pierre. Read More ....

Montana 2007 Bison Season Re-Cap

The 2007 Montana bison season has ended. While over 50 lucky public hunters were able to experience a rare opportunity to harvest one of these incredible animals, the hunt was overshadowed by the controversy around Montana's ongoing failure to responsibly and sensibly manage its bison herd. Read More ....

Elk Poachers Sought on New Mexico's Valles Caldera

Information about two bull elk that were shot, decapitated and left to rot around March 5 near the Valles Caldera could be worth $750 if it leads to an arrest or charges against those responsible. Read More ....

Big Changes From the Remington Custom Shop

Remington has made some big changes in it's Custom Shop lineup, dropping one classic model, significantly changing another, and adding a new model. For western hunters that hike, climb, and cover ground to find their game, the changes probably won't be welcome. Read More ....

Apply Now For Wyoming Deer and Antelope

The deadline for applying for Wyoming Deer and Antelope tags is March 15th — apply now! Read More ....

Wyoming's New Deer Region Y

Nonresident deer hunters who are used to applying for Region C to hunt along the east slope of the Big Horn Mountains are advised to carefully review application materials and maps before completing their license applications in 2008. Deer hunt areas 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 32, 33, 163, and 169 will be in the newly created Region Y. Read More ....

Time To Register Bait Sites for Wyoming Bear

Black bear hunters looking to use baits for the upcoming spring bear hunting seasons are advised that the last date to renew a bear bait from the previous year is Thursday, March 20. Read More ....

New Mexico Oryx, Bear, and Turkey Draw Results Available

Draw results are available for New Mexico oryx, population management hunts, black bear, and spring turkey. Read More ....

Montana May Reconsider Controversial Archery Changes

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission may reconsider some elk-archery and antelope-archery hunting regulations outside of the Missouri Breaks that were recently set for the 2008 and 2009 hunting seasons. Read More ....

Nebraska to Set 2008 Big Game Seasons on March 14

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commissioners will set dates and regulations for the 2008 antelope, deer and elk hunting seasons, draw for the 2008 elk lottery permit and tackle several other issues at a March 14 meeting at Commission headquarters in Lincoln. Read More ....

Utah to Increase Big Game Permits in 2008

Good news if you applied in Utah this year. More hunters could be hunting on some of Utah's best big game units this fall. There are many reasons why, but in most cases the bottom line is the same big game animals in Utah are doing well. Read More ....

Idaho Spring Bear and Turkey Draw Results Available

Idaho has released the draw results for spring bear and spring turkey. Read More ....

Almost Time for Nevada Big Game Applications

Nevada offers world-class hunting for 3 species of sheep, elk, mule deer, mountain goat, and antelope. Premier tags are very tough to draw, and a Vegas-like bonus points system keeps things interesting. Hunters who applied for tags within the past two years will receive a postcard on or about March 24 reminding them of the upcoming draw. Read More ....

Safari Club to Join Legal Battle Over Arizona Sheep

Safari Club International has been granted leave to join as a full party in litigation concerning bighorn sheep on Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. The litigation involves the defense of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s restoration of two man-made water developments on the refuge. Read More ....

Arizona Game and Fish Opposes Proposed Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission has voted to oppose House Concurrent Resolution 2037, a proposed amendment that would create a new constitutional right to hunt and fish in Arizona. Their opposition is based on a belief that elevating hunting and fishing to a constitutional right could potentially hurt the state’s ability to enforce wildlife laws or take wildlife management actions, and could open the door to lawsuits from individuals who feel their rights to hunt and fish have been adversely affected. Read More ....

Update on the Wyoming Elk Draw

The 2008 drawing for nonresident elk licenses has been completed with 7,250 elk licenses issued to nonresident hunters.  A total of 20,167 hunters applied for licenses through the drawing. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Feeding Operations Continue in Colorado's Gunnison Basin

Difficult winter conditions remain in the Gunnison Basin and the big game feeding and baiting effort by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in the area is continuing. The DOW is feeding about 8,600 deer at 131 different sites, and about 440 pronghorn at 12 sites. In addition, hay is being provided to about 3,300 elk to bait the animals away from ranchers' hay stacks and major roads.   Read More ....

Colorado Turkey Draw Results Available

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has posted the results for the 2008 spring turkey draw. Read More ....

Grand Slam Club/Ovis Wins, Sheep Lose

As you may have heard, Grand Slam Club/Ovis (GSCO) had asked the federal courts to rule on the "unauthorized use of GSCO's trademarks" by The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS). FNAWS may have lost the suit brought by GSCO, but the real losers in this sad story are sheep and sheep hunters. Read More ....

New Mexico Auction Tags Net $568,000 in 2008

Big-game conservation efforts in New Mexico picked up an extra $568,000 at recent auctions for special licenses and permits, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish will triple that amount with federal matching funds for habitat restoration and big-game enhancement projects statewide. Read More ....

Nebraska Targets Wild Pigs

The largest group of feral hogs in Nebraska was removed from Harlan County Reservoir on Feb. 23 to keep them from becoming a threat to domestic and wild animals, crops and wildlife habitat, according to Sam Wilson, the Commission’s furbearer specialist. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Moose Invade Spokane Suburbs

With an unprecedented number of winter-weary moose wandering into suburban areas near Spokane, state wildlife officials remind people to keep their distance and refrain from feeding the animals. In the past week alone, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) regional office in Spokane Valley fielded 42 complaints of moose turning up in backyards, a school yard and on highways. Read More ....

In Arizona, Weather Conditions Look Terrific for Wildlife

While harsh weather plagues much of The West, conditions are excellent in Arizona. All the winter precipitation, snowpack, runoff and associated green-up are combining to create a favorable outlook for Arizona’s wildlife this year – especially small game. Read More ....

Washington Updates Innovative Master Hunter Program

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is currently accepting enrollment applications through April 16 for its redesigned Master Hunter program. Could this program become a model for other states? Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Feeding Operations in Idaho

With winter creating harsh conditions for wildlife in a few places, Idaho Fish and Game has been feeding about 1,050 elk at 8 sanctioned feeding sites, and about 2,450 deer at 36 sanctioned sites in the southern and eastern parts of the state. Read More ....

Wyoming Elk Draw Results Available

Wyoming Game and Fish posted the draw results for the 2008 non-resident elk draw yesterday afternoon. Draw results were two days ahead of the target date. Read More ....

Apply Now For Wyoming Sheep, Goat, Moose, Bison

The deadline for applying for Wyoming Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose, and Bison tags is February 29th — just days away. Read More ....

Lion Hunting in Central Idaho

Hunt The West pro-staffer Kent Bendel returned from his recent lion hunt empty-handed, but did get to look over a treed lion and take some photos from as close as 15 feet. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Update From Casper, Wyoming

While the recent warmer weather brings some welcome relief for big game animals, severe winter conditions in late winter or early spring could still have significant impacts on herds throughout the Casper region.  Read More ....

More Details on The Return of Winchester's Model 70

As you've heard on Hunt The West and pretty much every other source for information on the outdoors, the big news in hunting rifles for 2008 is the return of Winchester's Model 70 bolt action rifle. The 2008 Winchester catalog is out, and some new details are available. Read More ....

Montana Sets 2008 Seasons, Introduces Some Changes

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission set most of the 2008 and 2009 hunting seasons and regulations in Helena last week. The dates of season openers will remain the same, but there are changes in archery elk and antleope licenses. Read More ....

Rocky Mountain Wolves Removed From Endangered Species List

The gray wolf population in the Northern Rocky Mountains is thriving and no longer requires the protection of the Endangered Species Act, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Lynn Scarlett announced today. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will remove the species from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Read More ....

Montana's Spring Bear Season Begins April 15

Montana’s spring black bear hunting season begins April 15. To participate, spring black bear hunters must purchase their licenses on or before April 14. Black bear hunters are limited to only one black bear license a year. Read More ....

Washington Spring Bear Application Deadline Approaching

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications for spring black bear hunting permits through March 13. A drawing will be held in mid-March for 295 permits in western Washington and 235 permits on the east side of the state. Successful applicants will be notified by March 31. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Update From Central Wyoming

Although recent warmer weather may have brought some welcome relief for big game animals, severe winter conditions still persist that may have considerable impact on herds throughout the Lander Region. Read More ....

Wyoming 2007 Bison Season Re-Cap

Hunters killed 266 bison during the 2007 Wyoming bison season, close to the harvest objective of 300. The hunt occurs near the town of Jackson in northwestern Wyoming. Hunters killed 85 bull bison and 137 cow bison on the National Elk Refuge, as well as 27 bulls and 17 cows on the neighboring National Forest. Read More ....

South Dakota Antelope Harvest Up Again in 2007

The 2007 pronghorn antelope harvest in South Dakota is the highest since 1984, and is the third highest on record. Read More ....

Montana to Set 2008 Season Dates and Regulations

Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission will meet at the Colonial Red Lion Inn in Helena on Feb. 20 to set the 2008 and 2009 big game hunting seasons and harvest quotas. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Feeding Operation To Begin in Northwest Colorado

As Hunt The West subscribers know, winter feeding operations are already underway in Washington and Colorado's Gunnison Basin. Idaho is preparing for what appears to be an imminent need to begin feeding operations. Wyoming is bracing for winter-kill. Now, Colorado is expanding feeding operations to the northwest part of the state. Read More ....

Arizona Desert Sheep Tag Goes For $137, 500

An Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep tag, for the Mexicana subspecies of desert bighorn, was auctioned off February 8, 2008 at the Wild Sheep Foundation convention being held in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The auction tag sold for $137,500. Read More ....

Northern New Mexico Elk Holding Their Own in Snow

It has been a tougher than normal winter for some elk in northern New Mexico, but herds appear to be healthy and finding enough food, Department of Game and Fish biologists report. Read More ....

Nevada Traps Antelope for Transplant to Central Part of State

In Elko county Nevada, 50 volunteers and around 30 NDOW personnel captured 257 antelope. 186 were transplanted to central Nevada, 7 were radio-collared and released on site, and 48 bucks were ear-tagged and released on site as part of an effort to determine where they travel throughout the year. Read More ....

Colorado's Feeding Program Draws Support, Warning from Elk Foundation

Responding to an emergency declaration by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is sending funds to help feed thousands of elk, deer and antelope starving in deep-snow conditions. But the Elk Foundation’s financial support comes with a warning about severe winterkill as a symptom of an even more debilitating disease—habitat loss. Read More ....

Not Too Late to Build Bonus Points in Utah

Even if you won't be hunting big game in Utah this fall, you can increase the chance you'll be chasing big game in the future by applying for a bonus point or a preference point. You can apply for a point until February 29. Read More ....

Update: Arrow-Slinging Poacher Busted In Colorado Suburb

A tip from a citizen helped the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) solve the case of deer being shot in the Rockrimmon neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Read More ....

Win One Of The Greatest Tags in The West: Colorado Sheep and Mountain Goat

Every year, the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society sponsors a raffle for a Colorado Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep tag and a Colorado Rocky Mountain Goat tag. Buying tickets in 2008 will let you help out a good cause, get surprisingly good odds, and avoid having to accumulate years of preference points that would otherwise be required to have a shot at tags like this. Read More ....

Colorado Continues Access Program for Deer, Antelope

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is looking for landowners in SE Colorado to lease access for the 2008 hunting seasons.  The DOW's Big Game Access Program (BGAP) is in the second year of a three-year pilot program. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Wyoming Braces For Winter-Kill

As Hunt The West subscribers know, winter feeding operations are already underway in Washington and Colorado. Idaho is bracing for what appears to be an imminent need to begin feeding operations. And now Wyoming is bracing for winter-kill. Read More ....

Bighorn Sheep Tag Auction Brings Record Idaho Bid

The winning bid in an annual auction for an Idaho Special Bighorn Sheep permit set a record this year. Read More ....

2008 Colorado Sheep and Goat Applications Available

Applications for Colorado's 2008 bighorn sheep and mountain goat seasons are now available on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Read More ....

Colorado Bans Electronic Ignition Muzzleloaders

The 2008 Colorado Big Game regulations are out, and they include a new provision that prohibits the use of muzzleloaders with electronic ignition systems during the muzzleloading seasons. The ban was considered under the following justification: "The historic philosophy of the muzzle-loading season is one of primitive methods. It has been argued that such advances in muzzle-loaders as electronic ignition are not in keeping with a practice of a primitive season." Read More ....

2008 Colorado Big Game Applications Available

Applications for Colorado's 2008 big game season are now available on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The Big Game booklet includes information for deer, elk, moose, bear, and pronghorn seasons. Read More ....

Utah Restores Desert Bighorns to John's Canyon

Utah wildlife biologists recently captured 30 desert bighorn sheep and placed them in a new home. The Division of Wildlife Resources captured the sheep at several sites in southeastern Utah. After capturing the sheep, the biologists transplanted them to John's Canyon, a tributary of the San Juan River. Read More ....

Win a Statewide Colorado Moose Tag

Every year, the Colorado chapter of Safari Club International sponsors a raffle for a statewide Colorado moose tag. You can help out a good cause, get surprisingly good odds, and avoid having to accumulate years of preference points that would otherwise be required to have a shot at a tag like this. Read More ....

Heads-up on Limited-Time Deals at Cabelas

Updated February 7! A few times a month, Cabelas lets us know about limited-time deals. A lot of the items on sale aren't particularly relevant to western hunters, but here are a few we wanted to pass on.
Read More ...

Need A Place To Hunt Turkey In Kansas?

The Kansas Army Ammunition Plant will conduct a public drawing for a limited number of spring turkey hunters this year. The three-day hunt will be held April 11-13. All hunters must be at least 16 years old and have successfully completed a hunter education course. Applications must be received by February 29. Read More ....

Time Running Out: Apply Now for Arizona Elk and Antelope

The Tuesday, February 12 application deadline for elk and antelope hunt-permit tag applications is less than a week away – don’t procrastinate, get your application in now. Read More ....

Idaho Completes Mule Deer Plan

Idaho Fish and Game has completed a final statewide Mule Deer Management Plan for consideration during the Idaho Fish and Game Commission's March 5-7 meeting in Boise. Once adopted by the commission, the final version of the plan would guide mule deer management for the next 10 years. Read More ....

Elk Foundation Celebrates 2007 Accomplishments

If a year’s accomplishments were scored like antlers, 2007 would be a trophy-class wallhanger for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The conservation group last year helped to enhance more acres of elk habitat and complete more land protection projects than anytime in its history. Read More ....

Harsh Winter Continues: Idaho Braces For Feeding Operations

As Hunt The West subscribers know, winter feeding operations are already underway in Washington and Colorado. Now Idaho is bracing for what appears to be an imminent need to begin feeding operations. Read More ....

Support Nebraska Game and Parks, Win a Rifle

The Nebraska Safari Club is sponsoring a raffle to benefit the conservation and youth outreach programs of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. You can buy tickets online, and you do not need to be present to win. Read More ....

Mule Deer Foundation Seeks Donations to Help Feed Mule Deer in Colorado

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is asking for donations to help feed mule deer in the Gunnison Basin of Colorado, where the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) is conducting emergency feeding at over 60 sites. Read More ....

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to Launch Website for Hunting Leases

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is inviting Texas landowners to advertise their hunting leases at no cost through a new Internet service the agency is developing called "Hunt Texas Online Connection." Read More ....

Conditions Worsening for Wildlife in Northwest Colorado

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is continuing to closely monitor winter conditions in northwest Colorado to determine if feeding operations will become necessary for deer, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep. Feeding operations are already underway in the Gunnison area. Read More ....

Arizona Continues Voluntary Lead Ammo Reduction Program

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission recently agreed to continue the department’s voluntary lead reduction program aimed at protecting Arizona’s endangered California condor. Read More ....

Washington Multi-Season Permit Applications Available

Deer and elk hunters have until March 31 to enter their name in a drawing for a 2008 multiple-season permit, which can greatly improve their chance of success in the field. Read More ....

Rio Grande Turkeys Introduced in Arizona

Fifty-five Rio Grande turkeys were introduced to Arizona on January 16 by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with assistance from the Arizona and Utah chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation. All the Rios were released on BLM land at Black Rock Mountain in the far northwest corner of the state on the Arizona Strip. Read More ....

Montana to Study Pronghorn Migration

More than 20 northeast Montana pronghorn antelope are sporting high-tech jewelry that will allow biologists to monitor where they spend their summers and winters. Antelope studies elsewhere have indicated that pronghorns will travel as much as 300 to 400 miles between summer and winter ranges, the longest migrations of any big-game species in the Lower 48. Read More ....

New Mexico Ibex Hunting

To hunt Bezoar ibex, you either need to travel to some remarkably obscure part of Asia, or you can draw a license in New Mexico and drive down there in your truck. The hard part, of course, is drawing the license. Read More ....

Update: Second Split of 2007 Montana Bison Hunt Ends

The second split of the 2007 Montana bison season has ended, and the third and final split has begun. The 2nd split ran from January 1 - 22; the 3rd split is running from January 23 - February 15. Relatively few bison have moved on to National Forest lands, but hunters have still managed to take about 71 bison. Read More ....

Wyoming Sportsmen Oppose Development in Roadless Area

A network of conservation organizations known as the Sportsmen for the Wyoming Range is urgently reiterating its opposition to federal plans to open thousands of acres of US Forest Service land in Wyoming to oil and gas development. The group, operating under the emphatic slogan "We're Mother Nature's Body Guards. And yes, we are heavily armed," is joined in its criticism by many other concerned parties. Read More ....

Oregon Steps Up Moose Monitoring

Wildlife biologists collared four moose in the northern Blue Mountains of Wallowa County the week of January 14, marking the first collaring of the animals in Oregon and an increased effort to trace moose activity in the state. Read More ....

New Director at Arizona Game and Fish

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission today announced it has hired Larry Voyles as the new director of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, effective when current director Duane Shroufe retires in March. Read More ....

Update: Colorado Emergency Deer Feeding Operation

The emergency feeding program by the Colorado Division of Wildlife in the Gunnison Basin is in full operation with feed being distributed to big game animals at more than 60 sites. Read More ....

Bison Coming to Utah's Book Cliffs

In November 2007, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a plan that includes a transplant of 45 bison into Utah's Book Cliffs. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources expects to begin the bison transplant within the coming year, as soon as disease protocols have been refined and transplant conditions are favorable. Read More ....

Arrow-Slinging Poacher Strikes In Colorado Suburb

Someone is using a bow and arrows to shoot deer in the Rockrimmon neighborhood in northwest Colorado Springs.  In the past two weeks, the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has found evidence that at least three deer were shot with arrows in the vicinity. Read More ....

Kansas Spring Turkey Permits Available

The 2008 Kansas spring turkey season runs April 9 - May 31. Turkey permits for units 1, 2, and 3 may be purchased online. Hunters may apply online for resident-only, limited-draw permits in Unit 4, with an application deadline of February 15. Read More ....

Pneumonia Die-Off Hits Montana Bighorn Sheep

A few weeks ago, a pneumonia outbreak struck sheep in Colorado. Montana is now reporting a similar die-off. State wildlife officials said today that a number of bighorn sheep in the Elkhorn Mountains south of Helena have died from pneumonia over the past few weeks. Read More ....

Application Deadlines Approaching for Wyoming, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah

Applications are due soon for several key Western opportunities. Read More ....

US Will Not Implement Jaguar Recovery Plan

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced last week that it would not be developing a recovery plan for jaguars in the southwestern United States, stating that a recovery plan for the endangered jaguar would not advance the conservation of the big cat. Read More ....

Idaho In-Line Ban Repealed

The bad news is that misguided, unnecessary restrictions can slip past hunters and get on the books. The good news is that such rules can be repealed. On January 17th, the Idaho Fish and Game Commission repealed one such unnecessary regulation. Read More ....

CWD Makes 3rd Appearance in Kansas

Three white-tailed deer taken by hunters in Decatur County have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD), according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Read More ....

Update: Changes Ahead For Montana Bowhunters

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering a series of changes intended to reduce crowding, reduce the numbers of non-resident hunters, and increase access to private land by hampering outfitting and leasing businesses. At a public meeting held in Havre, MT late last week, outfitters, ranchers, and hunters had a chance to comment on the plan. Read More ....

Colorado DOW Begins Emergency Feeding of Deer

As Hunt The West subscribers heard in our January 10th update, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has identified a need for emergency feeding operations for big game animals in the Gunnison Basin. Feeding operations began on January 16th, and are considered the largest undertaken in Colorado in 24 years. Read More ....

Poacher Sought in Utah's Top Mule Deer Unit

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking information about the illegal shooting of a large buck deer, which was left to waste on the Henry Mountains, a premium limited entry deer hunting unit in southeastern Utah. Read More ....

Wyoming Man Cited For Snaring Deer

Attempting to snare coyotes and bobcats, a Dubois man's snares killed at least 16 deer from 2003-2006 and he was recently convicted for the violations. Read More ....

Nebraska Sees 12 Hunting-Related Incidents in 2007

There were 12 hunting-related incidents in Nebraska last year, including one fatal incident, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The fatal incident involved a 50-year-old man who shot at a coyote with a rifle from the deck of his Saunders County home. The bullet struck and killed a 47-year old man who was hunting for deer several hundred yards away. Read More ....

Kansas Selects Organizations for Auction Permits

Seven Kansas conservation organizations were awarded a 2008 Commission Big Game Permit in a drawing conducted at the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission meeting on January 10. With transferable nonresident licenses being eliminated in 2008, this may be the only way to ensure that you get the Kansas tag you want. Read More ....

Washington To Begin Feeding Mount Saint Helens Elk

A stretch of cold and wet winter weather - beginning with December rainstorms and floods - has prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to initiate a winter feeding program for elk in the Mount St. Helens Wildlife Area. Read More ....

Applying in Arizona: Lead-Time on Licenses

In our December 31st update, we recommended that Arizona applicants get their license purchase taken care of in order to avoid paying the $151.25 hunting license fee on each of your individual species applications. I sent in the paper form for my license on 12/31/07 and received the license yesterday, 01/14/08 — a two-week lead-time. Read More ....

Time To Apply For Spring Controlled Hunts In Idaho

The application period for Idaho controlled hunts for spring turkey and spring bear starts January 15 and runs through February 15. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Geese

Hunt The West pro-staffer Paul Vanderspek and I hunted geese a couple weeks ago and did OK. Not being able to stand the thought of ending the season on a high note, I went back out again on Saturday, January 12. Read More ....

Update: First Split of 2007 Montana Bison Hunt Ends

The first split of the 2007 Montana bison season has ended. The hunt ran from November 15 - December 31. Relatively few bison have moved on to National Forest lands, but hunters have still managed to take about 40 bison. Read More ....

Mitt Romney On Polar Bear Hunting

During a fundraiser in March of 2007, Mitt Romney tells a joke that gives insight in to the cultural importance of polar bear hunting to both the Inuit people and the people of Texas. Read More ....

Bison Hunting In Utah

Utah is one of the handful of Western states that offers hunts for wild, free-ranging, Boone and Crockett-eligible bison. Some of these hunts can be really, really good ... but good luck on getting the tag. Read More ....

Utah To Increase Bear Permits

On January 8, the Utah Wildlife Board increased the number of permits to hunt bears in Utah this spring and fall. Board members raised the total number of permits from 248 last year to 299 for 2008. Read More ....

Colorado DOW To Conduct Emergency Wildlife Feeding

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is planning to start emergency feeding operations for big game animals in the Gunnison Basin as soon as possible. Read More ....

Repeal of Idaho In-Line Ban on the Agenda for Fish and Game Commission

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission's annual meeting will occur beginning on January 15th. The agenda includes a proposed change to muzzleloader rules that would allow the use of "some inline weapons" during muzzleloader-only seasons. Read More ....

Nebraska Spring Turkey Permits On Sale January 14th,
Bird Numbers at Record High

A record turkey population awaits sportsmen as permits for the 2008 spring turkey season go on sale on January 14. With three permits allowed per hunter and permits unlimited in number and valid statewide, opportunities for a great hunting season have never been better. Read More ....

Idaho Hunters, Don't Forget Your Harvest Survey

All Idaho deer, elk, and antelope hunters must complete and submit a harvest report for each tag issued. Hunters who do not file their reports will not be able to purchase a 2008 license until the report is filed. Read More ....

Decision on Polar Bear Listing Delayed

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has postponed issuing a decision on whether to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. A listing of the polar bear would effectively end the hunting of polar bears by US citizens. Read More ....

Unexplained Waterfowl Deaths Recur in Colorado

The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) has learned that duck mortalities are occurring again this winter in some Denver metro-area wastewater treatment facilities.  Read More ....

Colorado Southeastern Waterfowl Counts Released

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has released its December 2007 waterfowl counts for southeastern Colorado. Read More ....

Free Targets

Hunt The West subscribers may find the following link to a list of printable targets useful. Read More ....

Washington Spring Bear Applications Due March 13

Hunters may now submit applications for spring black bear hunting permits, applicable to specific areas of western and eastern Washington. Read More ....

Smugglers Make Southern Arizona Backcountry Dangerous

The Arizona Republic recently ran an article on how scientific researchers along the Arizona/Mexico border are becoming increasingly hesitant to dodge growing numbers of drug runners in order to conduct their studies. Hunters drawn to this region should keep this growing problem in mind as well. Read More ....

Spek Bags Richardson's Goose

If you happen to shoot what appears to be an unusually small goose with a stubby beak, it's well worth doing some research to understand exactly what you've bagged. Read More ....

Apparent Pneumonia Outbreak in Colorado Sheep

Colorado Division of Wildlife officials are working to determine what caused at least eight bighorn sheep to die east of Gunnison during the last week of December. Initial findings from postmortem examinations suggest that pneumonia was the likely cause of at least some of the bighorn deaths. Read More ....

Get The Lead Out of Your Venison in 2008

For those who take advantage of the rolling-over of the calendar to set goals for the coming year, consider this one for 2008: Switch to unleaded rifle ammunition. Read More ....

Applying in Arizona: Time to Buy Your License

Arizona's 2008 applications for antelope and elk are now available on the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. If you're going to be applying, you'll want to get your non-resident hunting license first. Otherwise, they'll charge you the $151.25 fee on each of your individual species applications. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Geese

With the holidays past and with hundreds of geese continually buzzing the metro Denver area, I finally got motivated to make time for my first goose hunt of the season.Hunt The West pro-staffer Paul Vanderspek and I hunted along Colorado's I-76 corridor near Prewitt Reservoir. Read More ....

2008 Utah Applications Available

Applications for Utah's 2008 big game season are now available on the website of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Utah offers outstanding but hard-to-draw tags for bighorns, desert sheep, goats, bison, moose, mulies, elk, and pronghorns. Read More ....

2007 Montana Bison Hunt "Starting Slow"

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle is reporting that the 2007 Montana bison hunt is "starting off slow." Read More ....

Elk Rescued After Fall Through Ice

In one of the most unusual emergency operations in Colorado this year, three cow elk that fell through the ice of a private pond south of Pagosa Springs were rescued by Division of Wildlife officers, a local volunteer fire fighter and ten other law enforcement workers. The rescue occurred on December 15. Read More ....

Changes Ahead For Montana Bowhunters

Montana's archery hunters will be facing changes in 2008. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering a series of changes intended to reduce crowding, reduce the numbers of non-resident hunters, and increase access to private land by hampering outfitting and leasing businesses. Read More ....

No Reprieve for Doomed Santa Rosa Elk and Deer Herd

California's Santa Rosa Island was purchased by the US Park Service in 1986 to become part of the Channel Islands National Park. Since then, the existence of the island's transplanted deer and elk herds has been hotly debated. Their fate has now been sealed. Read More ....

2008 Arizona Elk and Antelope Applications Available

2008 applications for antelope and elk are now available on the website of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Online applications continue to be unavailable. Read More ....

Group of Poachers Busted in Arizona

An extensive multi-agency undercover operation led by Arizona Game and Fish Department law enforcement officers has resulted in 16 suspects being charged with more than 60 wildlife violations. Another suspect is facing 6 felony charges related to the killing of stray horses on US Forest Service lands near Show Low. Read More ....

2008 Oregon Big Game Applications Available

2008 big game applications are now available on the website of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read More ....

2008 Colorado Turkey Applications and Licenses Available

Colorado 2008 turkey applications are now available on the website of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Additionally, over-the-counter licenses for the spring season can be purchased beginning December 15th. Read More ....

Tax Dollars, Not Hunters, Will Be Used To Manage Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

The National Park Service has released its plan for managing the elk herd in Rocky Mountain National Park. The plan excludes both hunters and wolves as management tools, instead relying on Park Service employees and their authorized agents to thin the herd via lethal means at a 20-year cost of "only" $6 million. Read More ....

Smith And Wesson Cites Warm Weather In Earnings Shortfall

Unseasonably warm weather has been blamed for recent tough elk seasons, late deer ruts, and changes in waterfowl migrations. Now, it has been cited as a cause of an earnings shortfall by gun-maker Smith & Wesson. Read More ....

2008 New Mexico Applications Available

New Mexico 2008 applications are now available on the website of New Mexico Game and Fish. Read More ....

New York Times on Hunters and Global Warming

The New York Times ran an interesting article yesterday regarding the impacts of global warming on hunting. The three-quarter page article ran on page A30, but had a teaser showing a duck hunter accepting a retrieve from his dog on the front page. Read More ....

Extended Montana Seasons to Close December 9

The elk seasons that were extended in some of Montana's hunting districts for an additional 2 weeks will close this weekend on December 9th. Read More ....

Idaho Seeks Input On Repealing In-Line Ban

The Idaho Game and Fish Commission is reconsidering a ban on in-line muzzleloaders that arbitrarily left many hunters on the sidelines. Read More ....

Montana Considers Season Opener Changes

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering a "possible tentative proposal" that would change the opening dates for the general deer, elk, antelope, and pheasant seasons so that they would open on the same calendar date every year. Read More ....

Bison vs. Elk Caught on Video

In the unlikely event you've ever wondered who would win in a fight between an elk and a bison, now you can find out. Read More ....

Deer Still Rutting and Scattered in Kansas

The rifle whitetail action in north-central Kansas continued to be slow but steady through the first full weekend of the season. Stand hunting has been tough, but the bucks are still rutting. Read More ....

Kansas Deer Season Update

The rifle whitetail season in north-central Kansas has been slow, but some huge bucks have been taken. Read More ....

Montana Wildlife Official Charged By Grizzly

As Hunt The West subscribers know, 2007 has been an eventful year for encounters between hunters and grizzlies in the northern Rockies. The latest event involved a wildlife official, Vic Workman of the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission. Read More ....

2008 Wyoming Non-Resident Applications Available

Wyoming 2008 non-resident applications are now available on the website of Wyoming Game and Fish. (Resident application booklets aren't supposed to be available until January 1.) Brace yourself for price increases. Read More ....

Montana Extends Some Elk Hunts Due to Warm Weather

As Hunt The West subscribers know, Colorado rifle seasons were impacted quite a bit by warm, dry, unseasonable weather. Montana has also felt these impacts, and Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks has moved to extend elk seasons in areas where harvest objectives have not been met. Read More ....

Colorado 4th Rifle Season Plagued By Warm Weather

Colorado's unseasonably warm and dry fall has continued, leading to tough hunting during the 4th (and final) rifle season. Read More ....

Western Nebraska Whitetails

The good news and the bad news about Nebraska's deer season is that it's 9-days of rifle hunting smack during the middle of the rut. Good news, because hunting rutting whitetails is a hoot. Bad news, because young bucks experience lots of mortality, many never getting a chance to reach their potential. Read More ....

Whitetail Rut Tracker

Wanted to call your attention to the whitetail rut tracker on Versus.com. Not sure how accurate it truly is, but what a great idea. Read More ...

First of the 2008 Applications Due Soon

Believe it or not, it's time to think about submitting your applications for the fall 2008 season. Wyoming elk and New Mexico oryx apps will be due within the first month or so of the new year, but it's Alaska that gets the honors of setting the earliest application dates in The West. Read More ...

Conservation Organizations Bicker Over "Grand Slam"

In a press release dated October 16, 2007, Grand Slam Club / Ovis (GSCO) was pleased to announce that a federal court had granted an injunction against The Foundation for North American Wild Sheep (FNAWS) related to "unauthorized use of GSCO's trademarks" such as "Grand slam." Read More ....

Colorado 3rd Rifle Season Described as "Poor"

Outfitters and hunters I've talked to from all over the state have reported that Colorado's 3rd Rifle season for deer and elk has been "poor." Many experienced camps that usually produce good success rates have been skunked this year. Read More ....

New Mexico Lion Outfitter Charged For Poaching

Tom and Deborah Boyer have pled guilty to violating the Lacey Act when they transported a mountain lion taken without a license from Colorado to their home state of New Mexico. Read More ....

News on the Arizona Big Game Draws

The draw for Arizona's spring 2008 hunts (turkey, javelina, bison, and bear) was completed on November 6. In conjunction with this, Arizona Game and Fish announced that online apps would not be available for the fall draw. This means that to apply, you'll need to complete paper applications and send them in, along with full permit fees, by US Mail. Read More ....

Nevada Exploring First-Ever Bear Hunt

Nevada game managers are discussing the merits of holding the first-ever black bear hunt in that state. Nevada is currently the only western state that does not have a bear hunt. Read More ....

Utah Considers Changes for 2008

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is considering changes for the 2008 season. Changes will be finalized at their meeting on November 29. Read More ....

Return of the Winchester Model 70

Winchester has released a press release announcing the return of the Model 70 bolt action rifle for 2008. Read More ...

Tribal Action Could Reduce Bison Hunting Opportunity

A pair of Idaho-based Native American tribes have been in discussions with Montana officials about starting an annual bison hunt outside of Yellowstone beginning with the winter of 2008-2009. Depending on the agreement reached between the Shoshone-Bannock and MFWP, there will likely be even fewer tags available to sportsmen in 2008. Read More ...

California Hunter Experiences Worst Bear Mauling of Year

On Tuesday, October 30, around 9am, a California man hunting near Corwin Springs, Montana experienced what may prove to be the worst bear mauling of the year. Read More ...

Hunter Forced To Kill Charging Grizzly

In what continues to be an eventful year for bear encounters, a 54-year-old elk hunter was forced to kill a charging grizzly in Montana last week. The old sow charged him after he bumped in to her near the gut pile of an elk. Read More ...

John Edwards Unveils Hunting Bill of Rights

Campaigning in Iowa on October 24th, Democratic Presidential candidate John Edwards unveiled a "Hunting and Fishing Bill of Rights and Responsibilities." Despite putting forth what is probably the most detailed pro-sportsman, pro-wildlife plan ever articulated by a major candidate, Edwards has been attacked from all sides for his thoughtful, middle-of-the-road vision. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Second Rifle Season

Colorado's 2nd Combined Rifle season for deer and elk ended on sunday, October 28. My party was in Unit 551 near the area of Gunnison, Colorado. During the opening weekend, October 21, cold and light snow moved through the area, making for some good tracking. But, the snow didn't last. Read More ...

Montana Unlimited Bighorn District 303 Closes

On October 24th, the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission announced that hunting district 303, which includes portions of Park County, will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Friday, Oct. 26, 2007. District 303 is one of the permit areas in Montana where an unlimited number of over-the-counter bighorn sheep licenses are available for purchase. Read More ....

Offending Grizzly Trapped and Relocated in Montana

In a previous update, we described the grizzly attack that occurred when a bird hunter had an accidental run-in with a bedded grizzly near near Valier, Montana. On October 18, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks successfully trapped the offending bear, a 330-pound, 2-year-old male. Read More ...

Hunter Not Lost, Just In A Bad Mood

A South Carolina hunter disappeared in to the mountains on the opening day of Colorado's 2nd combined rifle elk and deer season after squabbling with his companions. Snow and cold moved in that night, and the next morning one of his partners hitched a ride to get within cell phone range and call out the Mesa County Search and Rescue team to look for his missing companion. Read More ...

Study Suggests that ATVs Hurt Hunting

The Izaak Walton League of America, an organization that works to defend our natural resources and to preserve the hunting and fishing opportunities, recently published a report on the impacts of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on hunting and fishing. Read More ...

PETA Speaks Out On The Colorado Poaching Case

In our updates on October 16 and October 18, Hunt The West covered the Colorado bear poaching case that included a seemingly inappropriate $500 donation to PETA as part of the penalty. For the sake of fairness, I contacted PETA and asked them to share some info with Hunt The West subscribers about how they work to fight poaching. Read More ...

More Info on Colorado's "Poaching for PETA" Case

In our October 16 update, we covered the Colorado bear poaching case that included a seemingly inappropriate $500 donation to PETA as part of the penalty. The San Diego Union-Tribune provided additional details on the case. In a great example of understatement, they quoted the guilty party's defense attorney as saying "I don't know where that came from" with regards to the PETA donation. Read More ...

Lull in Grizzly Encounters Comes to End

In previous updates on October 4 and October 9, we documented the growing list of run-ins between hunters and grizzlies in the northern Rockies this year. A lull followed the 2 run-ins between hunters and grizzlies that occurred on October 6. The lull ended Monday afternoon when a Montana man was attacked and briefly mauled by a grizzly near Valier, Montana. Read More ...

Montana Bison Draw Results Available

Montana posted the results from the 2007 bison draw today, a little after lunchtime (their usual time for posting draw results). Read More ...

Poacher Gets Absurd Sentence in Colorado

A Minnesota man pled guilty this week to three misdemeanors stemming from the baiting and killing of a bear last month near Carbondale, Colorado. Part of his sentence was incredibly inappropriate and utterly irrelevant to the crime at hand. Read More ...

Wyoming Antelope: The Most Fun Hunt in the West

Hunting antelope in Wyoming remains the most enjoyable, most affordable, highest success hunt in The West. It's perfect for do-it-youself hunters, and even first-time antelope hunters can expect an excellent chance of success. I've hunted antelope every year but one since 1992, and can't imagine when I'll next miss a hunt this fun. Read More ...

Hunters Called Upon to Protect Public Lands

Mining legislation reform is, clearly, a much less sexy topic than grizzly attacks, 400-inch elk, and big bucks. But, for hunters who wish to hunt the public lands of The West, management of mining leases on public lands is not something that can be ignored forever. Read More ...

Common Sense Attitudes Towards Mountain Lions

Boulder, Colorado is a beautiful little town at the base of the Colorado Rockies that is known for being an extraordinarily liberal community. So, there were certainly some people who found fault when a Wisconsin man living near Boulder shot a lion that had attacked one of his dogs in the middle of the night, and then advanced towards him. Read More ...

Another Weekend, Another Round of Grizzly Encounters

In a previous update, we documented the growing list of run-ins between hunters and grizzlies in the northern Rockies this year. The list grew this weekend, with two additional encounters. Read More ...

Grizzly Encounters Continue for Hunters in Northern Rockies

With increasing bear numbers, limited food sources heading in to the winter, and lots of hunters in the woods, this fall has seen a growing number of encounters between grizzlies and hunters in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. The latest event involved two bowhunters in Montana's Yaak Valley on the weekend of September 29. The two hunters killed an 11-year-old female grizzly bear, claiming self-defense. The mature sow was traveling with two cubs. Read More ...

Pending World Record Bison Taken in Wyoming Hunt

A Cheyenne hunter has taken a bison in this year's hunt that stands to set a new Boone and Crockett world record.
The bison has been green-scored at 140-2/8. The previous record, a bison killed by a ranger in Yellowstone National Park in 1925, scored 136-4/8. Read More ...

Montana Unlimited Bighorn District 501-20 Closes

On September 26th, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission announced that hunting district 501-20 will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, September 27, 2007. District 501-20 is one of the permit areas in Montana where an unlimited number of over-the-counter bighorn sheep licenses are available for purchase. Read More ...

Hunting Wyoming's Wild Bison -- Part 4

I walked up to my bull and knelt beside his massive head. His horns were battered and busted, very different from the immaculate horns of ranch-raised bison I have seen. He had a deep scar in his side. I took some pictures with him as he lay, then realized what a ton of work I had ahead of me.
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Hunting Wyoming's Wild Bison -- Part 3

The first day of my Wyoming bison hunt had resulted in lots of bison sightings, but no clear vision of how I could actually find animals in legal hunting areas and make a good stalk and shot. Back in Jackson, I tracked down a local outfitter who sometimes guided bison hunters. I had a few beers with him and he gave me some good ideas about where, more specifically, to find bison. Read More ...

Hunting Wyoming's Wild Bison -- Part 2

Second installment describing my experiences from my 2005 wild bison hunt near Jackson, Wyoming.
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Hunting Wyoming's Wild Bison -- Part 1

Recently it was announced that Wyoming's Jackson Elk Refuge would be open to hunting for the upcoming bison hunting season, an act necessary to reduce the significantly overpopulated herd. This has rekindled the ongoing and often polarizing debate about bison hunting. In this context, I wanted to share some of my experiences from my 2005 wild bison hunt near Jackson, Wyoming.
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One of Montana's Unlimited Bighorn Districts Closes

On September 17th, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission announced that hunting district 500-20 will be closed to all hunting of bighorn sheep, effective one-half hour after sunset on Wednesday, September 19, 2007. District 500-20 is one of the permit areas in Montana where an unlimited number of over-the-counter bighorn sheep licenses are available for purchase. Read More ...

Field Report: Colorado Bucks Elusive, Does Everywhere

During 5 days of elk hunting spread out over the last 9 days on National Forest land near Buena Vista, Colorado, my partner and I saw does and fawns everywhere, but did not see a buck on public land. Read More ...

Arizona Spring Applications Due October 9 -- No Online Apps

The deadline to submit applications for Arizona's spring 2008 hunts (turkey, javelina, bison, and bear) is Tuesday, October 9. Due to the ongoing problems Arizona had with their online application vendor, no online application service will be available. To apply, you'll need to complete paper applications and send them in, along with full permit fees, by US Mail. Read More ...

Field Report: Colorado Bugle Fizzles in Warm Weather

The warm weather that has stabilized over the Colorado Rockies seems to have put an end to the bugle. After taking a day off hunting on monday, I returned to the mountains near Buena Vista to get back to looking for bull elk. Unfortunately, the bugling had completely ceased. Read More ...

Latest News on Western Bears

Western populations of black, grizzly, and polar bears continue to make the headlines. Read More ...

Field Report: Colorado Elk Bugling, Bears Up High

I just returned from hunting the first 3 days of the Colorado muzzleloader elk season and wanted to pass on the report so far. The best bugling bulls seemed to be around 10,200 - 10,500 feet. And they were all at least 2 hours from the truck. Read More ...

Good News and Bad News About the Montana Bison Hunt

The good news is that on September 6, 2007, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks finally posted the regulations for the 2007 wild bison hunt. The bad news is that there are not very many tags, and draw odds, especially for those of us who don't live in Montana, are going to be very steep. Read More ...

Great News for Wyoming Bison Applicants

Wyoming Game and Fish has announced big news for hunters who are on this year's wild bison priority hunt list. For the first time, hunting wil be allowed on the National Elk Refuge, and quota numbers appear to be increasing. Read More ...

Montana Makes Progress on 2007 Bison Hunt

State wildlife commissioners set quotas and dates for Montana’s 2007 bison hunt, clearing the way for Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks to continue towards their revised target date of publishing bison regulations/applications by September 30. Tag numbers will be significantly reduced from last year. Read More ...

The Bears Ears Elk Herd in Colorado

Hunters looking to pick a spot to hunt general season elk in Colorado may want to consider the Bears Ears herd. The area has long been considered to be over population objectives, and a recent study has additional quantitative support to that. Read More ...

Cabelas Coverage in the Wall Street Journal

Hunters know and love Cabelas, but it's still kind of nice when our favorite store gets noted in the mainstream media. Read More ...

Hoov's 2007 Gun Battery

I'll have a mixed year in 2007, with 4 rifle tags and 1 muzzleloader tag. I've spent a few weekends at the range, and have settled in on my battery for 2007. Read More ...

More Bear Problems in Colorado Don't Translate to More Hunting Opportunities

The news in Colorado has included frequent coverage during the last few weeks on the increase in bear problems on the Western Slope. Although this may peak the interest of would-be bear hunters, taking a bear, even during a period of high activity, is still a long shot. Read More ...

Study: Hunting is Hard Work

Hunting is strenuous enough exercise that it can increase the risk of heart attack greater than other forms of exercise, such as walking on a treadmill. This is according to research conducted out of the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, the findings of which were reported in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Delay on Applications for Montana Wild Bison

Montana will be two months late publishing their bison regs this year. Look for them to be available on September 30th ... and look for tougher odds on drawing a bull tag. Read More...

Idaho to Reconsider In-Line Muzzleloader Ban?

Sometime after the 2007 season, the Idaho Game and Fish Commission may be open to reconsider the recently introduced ban on inline muzzleloaders. Read More...

Big Game Draw Results Are In

2008 big game draws are complete. Arizona was the last western state with a draw yet to be held, but they posted their results almost 2 weeks ahead of their July 28 target date. Check your results on line to see if you'll be making any big trips out to Hunt the West. Read More...

Well-known Colorado Bowhunter Indicted

Dave Holt, noted and very visible bowhunter, has been indicted for faking disability as part of a workman's comp scam. Ironically, he wasn't present to hear the indictment for his disability scam, as he was on a hunting trip in Africa at the time. Read More...

Hoov Bags Barbary Sheep

I got this 28", free-range ram hunting near Roswell, NM. My hunting partner, Kent Bendel, also took a nice and almost identical 28" ram. For both of us, this was our first time hunting Barbary Sheep (also known as Aoudad). Great off-season (February) hunt for a very interesting animal.
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Colorado Division of Wildlife Goes 0 for 8 on Big Game Draws

The Colorado Division of Wildlife failed to meet their deadlines on all 8 big game draws in 2007. Read More..

Noted Colorado Sheep Guide Pleads Guilty

Terry Sandmeier, one of the premier sheep guides in Colorado, pled guilty of having the hunter he was guiding shoot a bighorn sheep illegally. The trophy bighorn was in a closed area within 70 yards of Interstate 70 near Georgetown, CO. Remarkably, the Colorado Division of Wildlife allowed the hunter who illegally shot the sheep to go on to shoot a second trophy bighorn sheep. The hunter was the holder of the Governor's Tag for sheep, for which he paid $60,000. Read More...