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Updates — Latest News

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 ....

 

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