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Updates — Latest News

2010 Application Calendar

Running summary of application dates, including links to more info on Hunt The West. Read More ....

Utah Reports First Case of CWD in Elk

Samples from big game animals taken this past hunting season turned up something never seen in Utah before—an elk with chronic wasting disease. Read More ....

AZGFD Employee Suspended After Investigation of Jaguar Death

The Arizona Game and Fish Department on March 8 formally placed one of its employees on administrative leave with pay as a result of an interim finding in the department’s ongoing internal administrative investigation into the events surrounding last year’s capture of the jaguar known as Macho B. Read More ....

New Mexico Oryx Draw Results Scheduled for Noon Today

Draw results for New Mexico oryx, population management hunts, black bear, and spring turkey are scheduled to be available at noon (MT) today. Read More ....

The Return of the Winchester Model 1894

Winchester Repeating Arms has announced the return of the Model 1894 lever action rifle — also known as the Model 94 — to its line of firearms for 2010. This reintroduction of the most popular hunting rifle in history will be offered in two Limited Edition models that will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Oliver F. Winchester’s birth in New England in 1810. A Model 1894 Custom Grade and Model 1894 High Grade will be offered in 30-30 Winchester caliber. Read More ....

Mountain Lion Killed After Invading Home in Colorado

An apparently malnourished young mountain lion entered a Chaffee County residence Thursday afternoon, killing one dog and briefly trapping a mother and her two children inside the house until Chaffee County Sheriffs Deputies evacuated them. Read More ....

First Tag of 2010

The first tag that I've drawn for 2010 is "just" a turkey tag, but it is what most would consider the best limited-draw turkey tag in Colorado. Read More ....

Proposed Elk Hunting Changes in Utah

Two major elk hunting changes would happen if proposed updates to Utah's five-year Elk Management Plan are approved. There would be fewer chances in the future to hunt trophy bull elk on limited-entry units, and more chances to hunt spike bull elk in Utah. Read More ....

Colorado Moose Draw Odds

Colorado's unique "weighted points" system makes it difficult to calculated draw odds for moose, goat, and sheep tags. I crunched the numbers as best I could, and included my estimates of draw odds for Colorado moose below. The bottom line on draw odds: They're not great, no matter how many points you have. Read More ....

Elk Down 57% in Idaho's Lolo Elk Zone; Wolf Impact Cited

Recently completed aerial surveys show a marked decline in elk numbers in game management units 10 and 12, which comprise the Lolo Elk Management Zone. "This survey, combined with ongoing research showing wolves are the primary cause of elk mortality today, is further scientific evidence of the impact wolves are having," Fish and Game Director Cal Groen said. Read More ....

Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas Available

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) 2010 Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas is now available for viewing and download on the agency's website. The atlas shows access to all land in Kansas open to public spring turkey hunting, including Walk-In Hunting Access land. This spring, approximately 173,220 acres of Walk-In land are available, in addition to state and federal wildlife areas. Read More ....

Big Changes Await Gunnison Elk Hunters in Colorado

Gunnison elk hunters will see significant regulation and license changes for the 2010 big game seasons. Two groups--archery hunters and second-season rifle hunters--are affected most by changes to license allocation and should plan carefully before arriving to the Gunnison area this fall. Read More ....

Utah Application System Overwhelmed, Deadline Extended

2010 Utah Big Game applications were due on March 1st. However, due to technical difficulties, the application deadline has been extended until March 8. Read More ....

March 15th is Deadline for Wyoming Deer and Antelope

Nonresident hunters are reminded that March 15 is the deadline to apply for deer and antelope licenses. To be entered in the drawing, applications must arrive at the Cheyenne headquarters office by 5 p.m. on the deadline date. Read More ....

Nevada Sheep Continue to Succumb to Pneumonia

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) biologists continue to find bighorn sheep that have died due to complications brought on by pneumonia. "We have found 61 dead bighorn sheep in the East Humboldts and 18 in the Ruby Mountains for a total of 79 sheep over the last three months," said Caleb McAdoo, NDOW big game biologist. Read More ....

Arizona Online License Sales Are Back — But Not Online Big Game Applications

After years of frustration with Arizona's paper-based system, hunters got a ray of good news on February 23, 2010, when Arizona proudly announced that online license sales were back. Unfortunately, this applies to strictly to license sales, NOT the $8,172.50 worth of limited-draw licenses that we really care about. Read More ....

What to Do About Your Oregon Applications

Oregon has raised the price of the required non-refundable hunting license to $140. If you have been building points in Oregon just for the sake of building points, it may be time to ditch that strategy. The cost now seems to outweigh the benefit. Read More ....

Oregon's Simple Solution To A Complex Problem

After many years of relying on an old-fashioned paper-based system, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife finally implemented an online application system. Unfortunately, it suffered multiple system crashes as hunters overwhelmed the system as the 2009 application deadline approached. As a result, Oregon had to extend the application deadline not once, but twice. This year, Oregon is taking simple steps to address the potentially costly and complex issue of system capacity. Read More ....

Mountain Lion Shot By Nebraska Game and Parks

A mountain lion was shot and killed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at a ranch northwest of Rushville on Sunday, Feb. 21. It was the 96th confirmed mountain lion sighting in Nebraska since 1991 and the 68th in the Pine Ridge. Read More ....

Bighorn Poaching Suspect Arrested in Idaho

A Nampa man has been arrested on changes of killing a bighorn sheep during a closed season. A witness to the incident was watching the same band of sheep when the ewe pitched over dead. Read More ....

Wyoming Elk Draw Results Available Today

According to information posted on the Wyoming Game and Fish website, 2010 Nonresident Elk and Spring Turkey Draw results will be available at 8am MT Tuesday, February 23. Read More ....

Colorado 2010 Big Game Applications Available

Colorado's 2010 regulations for deer, elk, antelope, bear, and moose have been out for over a week now. You may have gotten your copy in the mail ... but many hunters, including myself, have not. Read More ....

Montana Continues to Wrestle With Bison Management

Is there a future for wild bison in Montana? That’s the basic question at least one Montana wildlife biologist will wrestle with over the coming year. Read More ....

New For 2010: The Remington Model 700 XCR II

The Remington Model 700 XCR (Xtreme Conditions Rifle) bolt-action rifle was introduced in 2005 and soon became a key player in Remington's lineup of hunting rifles. For 2010, Remington has announced the next generation of the XCR - the Model 700 XCR II. The rifle's looks may have changed, but not the high level of value and utility. Read More ....

 

 

It's Official ... Montana Bison Season Is A Bust, Again

For the second year in a row, the Montana bison season has shaped up to be a non-event. The season ended February 15, 2010. Only 1 hunter out of 44 filled his tag. Read More ....

Wyoming Loses Coyote Creek Hunter Management Area Due To Vandalism

The 17,000 acre Coyote Creek Hunter Management Area in southwestern Wyoming will be closed next year as a result of $175,000 of vandalism to pumping equipment that occurred there last fall. Read More ....

Washington State Considers Abolishing Department of Fish and Wildlife

A Washington State Senate committee is holding a public hearing on February 17 on Senate Bill 6813 that would abolish the Department of Fish & Wildlife and move it into the Department of Natural Resources. Read More ....

Poaching Reaches Record Level in Arizona

Wildlife poaching in Arizona increased during 2009 and wildlife violations reached a record level, said Arizona Game and Fish Department officers. “Arizona experienced a record year for wildlife violations that include outright poaching. With that, we are also experiencing a record number of reported and solved wildlife crimes. Call it a target rich environment, if you will,” said Officer Ken Dinquel, who operates the Operation Game Thief Program. Read More ....

Time to Apply For Montana Big Game Combination Licenses

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reminds hunters that applications for the Nonresident General Big Game Combination Licenses and Landowner Sponsored Licenses, which are sold through a drawing process, are due soon. Read More ....

Time to Apply in Utah

Utah is currently accepting big game applications, with a deadline of March 1st. While the odds of drawing a good tag in Utah in any given year are pretty unrealistic, you do get to build points towards a tag down the road and you always have that slim chance of drawing. For $145, it's a lot of opportunity, and I always apply in Utah. Read More ....

Colorado Sheep and Mountain Goat Applications Available

If you've applied in the past for Colorado sheep and goat, you've probably gotten your 2010 regulations in the mail by now. If you don't apply in Colorado, you need to start — sheep and goat hunting opportunities in Colorado are excellent. Read More ....

Time to Apply for Wyoming Bison

Wyoming is one of a handful of western states and Canandian provinces that offers hunts for wild, free-ranging bison. I was fortunate enough to draw this once-in-a-lifetime tag back in 2005, and highly recommend the hunt. 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 2010. Colorado has huge trophy Shiras moose and great outfitters to help you find them (and pack them out...). With the continuing terrible economy, 2010 should almost certainly continue to offer unusually good draw odds for those who do participate in raffles for high-end tags such as this. Read More ....

Bear Skin Rug

I've been chipping away at packing up our house over the past couple weeks, and finally got to the bear skin rug that's been hanging in my stairway for the last 10 years. A bear skin rug is a great trophy, and hunting black bear is something that should be on every hunter's list of things to do at least once. Read More ....

Montana Considers Buck-Only Rule for Whitetails

In response to declining whitetail numbers in the northwest part of the state, Montana Fish. Wildlife, and Parks is considering whether to limit the whitetail hunting season in Region 1 to bucks only. Read More ....

A Preview of My 2010 Lineup

The key for my 2010 planning is going to be "value" — hunts that offer adventure and the chance for a nice set of horns, but cost relatively little for what they offer. Read More ....

Study: Best Bear Medicine Isn't Pepper Spray

You may want to consider rubber shotgun slugs instead of more traditional approaches like throwing rocks and using pepper spray. According to an article in this month's issue of The Journal of Wildlife Management, a four-year study in California's Sequoia National Park suggests that rubber shotgun slugs are by far the most effective means of running off problem bears. Read More ....

Two New Mexico Men Face Poaching Charges

Two Taos-area men face criminal charges for allegedly hunting deer out of season near Valle Escondido in northern New Mexico. Read More ....

Montana Bison Season May Be A Flop

For the second year in a row, the Montana bison season is shaping up to be a non-event. Mild weather is allowing the bison to stay in Yellowstone Park, where hunting is not allowed. Read More ....

2010 Kansas Spring Turkey Permits Available Online

The 2010 spring turkey season runs April 14 - May 31, and hunters across the state are already making preparations. Turkey permits for units 1, 2, and 3 may be purchased online from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website or from license vendors across the state. There will be no paper applications or mail-in forms for 2010. Read More ....

Significant Changes in Colorado Hunting Seasons for 2010

The Colorado Wildlife Commission finalized 2010 big game regulations at its regular meeting January 11.  The Commission approved a variety of changes, most of which provide expanded opportunities for hunters. If you hunt or are building preference points in Colorado, you'll want to review the changes. Read More ....

Utah Applications Accepted February 1

If you enjoy hunting big game in Utah, a time you wait for all year is almost here. Starting Feb. 1, you can apply for a permit to hunt big game animals in 2010. "Big game hunting in Utah is very popular with people across the country," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We expect to receive almost 300,000 applications this year." Read More ....

Kimber's New Model 84L "Elk Country Classic"

Kimber and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation are teaming up to launch the new Kimber Model 84L, a rifle that one respected gun writer has already described as “as good as a lightweight rifle can get.” Read More ....

Montana Motorist Kills 8 Bighorns

A Montana motorist drove his pickup truck through a herd of bighorn sheep near Anaconda, MT, on monday, killing at least eight animals. Read More ....

Wyoming Elk Applications Due February 1

Wyoming Game and Fish is now accepting applications for nonresident elk licenses for the 2010 hunting seasons. The application deadline this year is February 1. Read More ....

Application Period for Idaho Spring Hunts Coming Up

The application period for Idaho spring black bear controlled hunts starts Friday, January 15, and runs through February 15. But this year the application dates for the spring turkey controlled hunts have been pushed back and will be from February 1 through March 1. Read More ....

Top Calibers For Trophy Game

Although the venerable .30-06 and .270 remain among the favorites, Boone and Crockett Club big-game records show that hunters with one of the various .300 Magnums are taking decidedly more North American trophies than any other caliber. Read More ....

If You Need Ammo for This Fall, Order it Now

We've all heard about shortages on ammunition. Whatever the causes, the shortages are real and they can screw up your plans. Here's some numbers on ammo that I have on backorder with Midway USA. If you need ammo for your 2010 big game hunts, order it now. It may take months and months to actually get it in your hands. Read More ....

Nebraska Spring Turkey Permits Available January 11th

Nebraska 2010 spring turkey hunting permits go on sale January 11 at 1:00pm Central Time. Read More ....

Outfitter Update: New Mexico Barbary Sheep with Cedar Creek Outfitters

Back in February of 2007, I made the trip down to Roswell, New Mexico for a free-range barbary sheep hunt (Barbary sheep are also known as Aoudad over in their Texas range).  Just recently, I checked in with Chris Flanagan, who I had hunted with in 2007. Chris is now guiding for Bobby Hines' Cedar Creek Outfitters of Logan, NM, and shared prospects for their upcoming February, 2010 sheep season.  "We can't wait for the season to get here in February.  We'll be focusing our barbary sheep hunts on a new 32,000-acre lease that has some great rams." Read More ....

2010 Utah Applications Available

Applications for Utah's 2010 big game season are now available on the website of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Read More ....

Arizona Investigating String of Poachings

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is looking for the public’s help in gathering information about two recent wildlife poaching cases involving two elk and one mule deer. Read More ....

Washington Ends "Disorderly and Unsportsmanlike" Special Elk Hunt

On December 29, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ended a special population management elk hunt, stating that "The elk harvest objective for the area has been met and the conduct of hunters has become disorderly and unsportsmanlike." Read More ....

Idaho Man Injures Hand When Shotgun Explodes

A Bellevue, Idaho man has been discharged from a Spokane hospital after seriously injuring his hand in a hunting accident on Christmas Day. 46-year-old Shawn Crea was bird hunting with some companions when he fired his shotgun. The gun exploded, severely injuring his left hand. Read More ....

Idaho Elk Poachers Plead Guilty

Ignoring a hunter check station has cost two Boise men more than just the $121 fine for failure to stop. Derek Smith, 41, and Joseph Eden, 38, both of Boise, pleaded guilty in Fourth District Court in Ada County this month to possession of three unlawfully taken elk. Both had their hunting privileges revoked for the next decade. Read More ....

Significant Changes Proposed For Montana in 2010

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission accepted proposals for changes to the 2010 application process and hunting seasons on December 10. Many of the proposals will represent significant change for hunters if they are adopted into the final regulations after the comment period ends. Read More ....

Wyoming 2009 Bison Hunt Results

The number of wild Wyoming bison killed by hunters is down 54 percent this year, prompting wildlife managers to worry that the herd will grow for the first time in three years. While the season may have been slow compared to previous years, some great bulls were taken by hunters who stuck with it. Read More ....

Leupold Issues Warning About Counterfeit Scopes

Leupold is issuing a customer alert to purchasers of products, particularly via Internet sales, in regards to bogus Leupold products that are apparently being illegally imported from the People’s Republic of China. Read More ....

Arizona 2010: Buy Your License Now to Get Ready for 2010 Applications

Applications for 2010 Arizona hunting licenses are now available.  If you plan on applying in Arizona this year — or even just building preference points — you should purchase your license ASAP to save headaches and cost. Read More ....

Arizona 2010: Still No Online Application System

For the 2010 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 resulting cost that this puts on sportsmen can be rather staggering. Read More ....

Arizona 2010 Elk and Antelope Applications Available

The regulations for Arizona’s 2010 elk and pronghorn antelope seasons are available online at www.azgfd.gov/draw and hunters interested in obtaining a hunt permit-tag via the draw process can start applying now. Read More ....

2010 New Mexico Big Game Regulations Available

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has posted the 2010 Big Game booklet on its website, early enough to allow for the first round of applications that are due on February 3rd. I didn't find any major changes — there's still no preference point system, for example — but they are going to do some more nickel-and-diming on fees. Read More ....

Answers Sought in Utah Bull Elk Killings

Wildlife officers have solved three bull elk poaching cases in east-central Utah. Now they need your help to solve seven more. "Each of the bulls was killed illegally and then left to rot," says Ben Riley, a DWR officer who is investigating the shootings. Read More ....

Colorado 2010 Turkey Applications (Kind Of) Available

The 2010 Colorado turkey regulation brochure, containing paper applications, has been sent out already — I got mine in the mail. Strangely, the 2010 brochure has not been published on the website of the CDOW yet. Read More ....

Storms Hammer Arizona Elk Hunters

Near Flagstaff, AZ, there is a massive search and rescue effort under way for at least eight hunting parties stranded in the high country. 60 miles to the south, near Camp Verde, AZ, an elk hunter was killed in a freak accident Monday night when the top of a 70-foot pine tree snapped during a storm and fell on the tent in which he was sleeping. Read More ....

2009 Nebraska Sheep Season Recap

A Nebraska bighorn sheep was harvested by Brent Bollwitt of Lincoln on Dec. 8 near Fort Robinson State Park. The full-curl ram was approximately 9 years old. Bollwitt harvested the second bighorn this year. John Marsh, a Kansas hunter, took an 11-year-old ram on Dec. 1 near Fort Robinson. Read More ....

Wolf Litigation Continues; Elk Foundation Files New Brief

Responding to the latest legal wrangling by environmental groups, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation again has entered into federal court a brief supporting wolf population management via state-regulated hunting in Idaho and Montana. A federal judge is expected to rule early in 2010 on a lawsuit seeking to stop the hunts and return gray wolves to the endangered species list. Read More ....

Arizona Adopts 2010 Elk and Antelope Regulations

The Arizona Game and Fish Commission set the 2010 elk and pronghorn antelope hunt orders on Saturday (Dec. 5) during their regular meeting, authorizing a grand total of 952 pronghorn and 26,702 elk permits. Read More ....

Utah Shortens Rifle Deer Season to Five Days

By a 4-to-2 vote, the Utah Wildlife Board approved a recommendation to shorten Utah's general rifle buck deer hunt from nine days to five days for hunters who are 19 years of age or older. The change takes effect for the 2010 season. Read More ....

A Brief Note on My Kansas Mule Deer Hunt

I spent the last 5 days in Kansas hunting mule deer with a muzzleloader during the general rifle season. It's a complicated tag to draw, and pretty expensive, and both of those factors led me to put a lot of pressure on myself to get a lot out of the hunt. I can't complain too much about getting to hunt deer, but it was a tough 5 days, and I'm pretty drained from it. Read More ....

Wyoming 2010 Nonresident Applications Available

The 2010 Wyoming Nonresident Applications booklet is now available online. Read More ....

Deer Poachers Sought By Arizona Game and Fish

Reward money is being offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the illegal Thanksgiving Day killing of an adult female mule deer near Wellton, Arizona. Read More ....

What's In Store for the Kansas Deer Opener?

The 2009 Kansas firearm deer season runs Wednesday, December 2, through Sunday, December 13. Deer are considered plentiful, and a good season has been expected. But, wet weather earlier this fall in the high plains states has caused farmers considerable delays with the harvest. Will the late harvest put a damper on the Kansas firearms opener? Read More ....

Father/Son Poachers Fined $11,000 in Wyoming

A father and son from Gillette have been sentenced to more than $11,000 in fines and have had hunting and fishing privileges suspended as a result of the poaching of a trophy mule deer near Gillette. Read More ....

Nevada Struggles With Rash of Poachings

Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) game wardens are investigating a rash of illegally killed big game animals around the Reno area over the past month, and are seeking the public’s help to solve these poaching cases. Read More ....

Official Recap of the 2009 Nebraska Firearms Deer Season

Hunters harvested 53,641 deer in Nebraska during the recent firearm season, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The harvest total represents a 3-percent decrease from the 2008 harvest. A likely reason for the decline is a lagging corn harvest due to a wet October provided plenty of cover for deer. Read More ....

How to Get Started Pheasant Hunting in Colorado

I'm not a pheasant hunter, but if I wanted to give the sport a try in Colorado, I'd follow the advice offered by Charlie Meyers from the Denver Post this past wednesday. Read More ....

Nebraska Muzzleloader Deer Season Opens December 1

Excellent deer hunting opportunities remain in Nebraska as the muzzleloader season arrives, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs Dec. 1-31. The recently completed firearm season proved that plenty of deer and large bucks are available. Those firearm hunters were hampered somewhat by the lagging corn harvest, but conditions are improving for December as that harvest continues. Read More ....

South Dakota May Increase Pheasant Limits Due to Slow Harvest

Due to the delayed harvest of crops this fall, the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission intends to act at its December 3-4 meeting in Pierre on a proposal to raise the three-bird daily pheasant bag limit to five cock pheasants daily. Read More ....

Down and Out in Nebraska

When Nebraska's firearm deer season opened on November 14, hunters encountered healthy numbers of mature bucks but lots of standing corn for deer to hide in. The bucks wised-up quickly, and holed up in the corn once they knew they were being hunted. By the time I was in the field on tuesday, deer sightings were down considerably. Read More ....

Kansas Rifle Deer Season Opens December 2nd

The 2009 Kansas firearm deer season runs Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Sunday, Dec. 13, and hunters are sighting in their rifles and practicing their shooting skills in anticipation of one of the state's favorite hunting seasons. Deer are plentiful, and a good season is expected. Read More ....

Idaho Extends Most Wolf Hunts Till March 31

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Thursday, November 19, extended wolf hunting seasons in all Idaho wolf zones not already closed to March 31. Read More ....

Arizona Spring 2010 Draw Results Available

The more than 35,000 hunters who applied for an Arizona tag to hunt spring turkey, javelina, buffalo, or bear in 2010 can now find out if they were drawn. Read More ....

Field Report: Nebraska Deer

When Nebraska's firearm deer season opened last saturday, hunters encountered lots of standing corn for deer to hide in, but healthy numbers of mature bucks. By the time I got in the field on tuesday afternoon, there was still plenty of standing corn, but the bucks seemed to have become more cautious. Read More ....

Field Report: Eastern Colorado Ducks

Yesterday, on the way home from deer hunting in Nebraska, I stopped to check out a few duck ponds that had been productive earlier in the year. Most of the ponds were frozen over, and when I did find a little open water, it was empty. Read More ....

Nebraska Deer Opener: Lots of Mature Bucks, Lots of Standing Corn

Deer hunters encountered decent weather overall but were challenged by a large percentage of corn standing in fields during the opening weekend of the firearm season Nov. 14-15, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Expect hunting to improve as the corn harvest, which was set far behind schedule by a wet October, progresses. Read More ....

Montana Reaches Wolf Quota and Ends Hunt

Wolf hunting in Montana closed statewide on Monday, November 16, 2009 at one half-hour after sunset. The order halting the hunt came after Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials received word that quotas were close to being filled and there was the strong possibility they would be met in WMU 1 and WMU 2.   Read More ....

New Mexico Elk Tags Sell Out in Under 10 Seconds

Tens of thousands of hunters stormed the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Web site Tuesday, buying all 350 available late-season cow elk licenses in fewer than 10 seconds. Read More ....

Warm Weather Slows Deer Hunt in Montana

The past weekend was mild, windy, and warm in south-central Montana, making for pleasant days afield, but not necessarily the best for successful hunting. Read More ....

Mule Deer Rut Starting in Colorado Foothills

Whenever I drive down out of the valley where I live in the Denver foothills, I typically see about 50 mule deer. That includes about 3 or 4 bucks. There have been no signs of rutting behavior this year ... until today. Read More ....

Colorado Duck Opener: 2nd Split

The 2nd Split of Colorado's duck season opened this past weekend, offering very different conditions than we had as the 1st Split ended. Read More ....

Nebraska Firearms Deer Season Opens November 14

Many opportunities await Nebraska hunters as the opening of the November firearm deer season nears, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Large numbers of deer are in the field and plenty of permits remain available for this season. Read More ....

Montana Black Bear Hunter Shoots Grizzly By Mistake

A hunter shot and killed a grizzly bear that he believed was a black bear in the Owl Creek drainage near Placid Lake on Saturday, October 31. When the hunter approached the dead bear, he realized that it was a grizzly and notified Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) officials.   Read More ....

Colorado Community Unites Over Wanton Sheep Poaching

Three energy companies are offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the poaching of a bighorn sheep ram north of De Beque, CO. The poacher made no attempt to salvage meat from the animal or to take the head or horns. Read More ....

Need a Last-Minute Elk Hunt in New Mexico?

Marc Choyt of Santa Fe, NM is offering Hunt The West subscribers an elk tag for sale. The bull tag is for Unit 48 in northeast New Mexico, just south of Raton. Read More ....

Nebraska Pheasant Opener Hampered by Tough Weather

Plenty of good pheasant hunting was available throughout the state as the season opened over the weekend, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, despite some difficult conditions. A wet October resulted in large areas of unharvested crops and miles of impassable unimproved roads, challenging many hunters to get to and find birds. Read More ....

"Big Time Texas Hunt" Winners Announced

Ty Chumley was due for a bit of luck after losing his home and most of his belongings to Hurricane Ike. Chumley, a tugboat operator from Nederland, bought one chance in this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts Grand Slam category; it was the first time he’d ever entered. He won the crown jewel of the Texas Grand Slam hunt package, including four separate guided hunts — desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope and mule deer. Read More ....

Statistics on the 2009 Montana Bison Draw

Montana’s bison hunt attracted 10,363 individual applicants for the either sex bison licenses for the November 15 – February 15, 2010 season, including 909 nonresidents. Of these applicants, 34 residents and two nonresidents were successful in the drawing. Read More ....

Disease Outbreaks Shuts Down Nebraska Bighorn Hunt for 2010

The hunting of bighorn sheep in Nebraska has been suspended for 2010 as a herd tries to recover from a disease outbreak, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

Colorado Pounded by Snow Prior to 3rd Rifle Season

Colorado is being pounded by snow in the days leading up to the opening of the 3rd Rifle season for deer and elk. If you want tracking snow for your 3rd season hunt ... you've got plenty, assuming you can get in to the mountains. Read More ....

Big Game Licenses Still Available in Wyoming

Even though most big game seasons have already come and gone, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports that some areas are still open and have licenses available for residents and nonresidents. Read More ....

Handful of Non-Resident Deer Permits Available in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that a few more than 600 leftover nonresident whitetail deer permits remain available as of October 27. Read More ....

Colorado's 2nd Rifle Season

Colorado's 2nd Combined Rifle Season for deer and elk ran from October 17 to October 25. Expectations for the season had been high, with lots of bull elk roaming the mountains. Read More ....

Special Archery Elk Tags Available For This Year in New Mexico

More than 2,200 elk hunting licenses, including 1,995 set aside for youth hunters, will be available soon in a first-come, first-served sale on the Department of Game and Fish Web site. Read More ....

Plenty of Deer Permits Available in Nebraska

Plenty of hunting permits remain unsold for the 2009 Nebraska deer season, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

Utah Considers "Big Changes" for 2011

Utah is considering a variety of changes to deer, elk, and moose seasons for the 2011 hunting season. Read More ....

Deer Season Versus Flu Season

My wife and daughter are doing great overall, but still have enough lingering flu symptoms to keep me on the sidelines for my deer and elk hunt, which was supposed to begin tuesday. In the meantime, I keep seeing this huge old bull in my neighborhood. Pretty cool, but I can't help but feel that nature is mocking me. Read More ....

Wyoming Sheep Transplant Planned For This Winter

The Ferris/Seminoe bighorn sheep herd will receive a boost this winter when Wyoming Game and Fish officials release approximately 60 bighorn sheep from Utah and Oregon in the area. Read More ....

Getting Screwed by H1N1

Duck hunting conditions have been excellent in Colorado the last few weekends, and this past weekend looked like it might be the best of all. I was all set to go on sunday morning ... until my wife and daughter came down with the flu on saturday. Read More ....

Mountain Lion Sighting Confirmed in Kansas

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) staff have verified that a mountain lion was photographed by a deer hunter northwest of Wakeeney. The sighting is the first ever live wild mountain lion documentation in Kansas although many other reports have been received in the past. Read More ....

South Dakota Moose Poaching Investigation Continues

As the investigation into the poaching of a young bull moose in the Black Hills continues, South Dakota's citizens are expressing concern over the incident; not just in the blogs, but also putting their money where their mouths are. Read More ....

Slow Start to Antelope Season in Montana

For the second year in a row, wintry weather hindered Montana hunters on the opening day of general antelope season. Though Sunday’s weather was not as severe as last year’s – when deep snow clogged roads and kept hunters home – opening-day turnout still was considered comparatively light. Read More ....

Idaho "Super Hunt" Fees and Drawing Simplified for 2010

Idaho Fish and Game is changing the way it conducts the Super Hunt - starting with the first drawing next year, it will all be done electronically. The Super Hunt is a fund-raising drawing for 40 big game tags. The tags are handed out to winners in two drawings for elk, deer, pronghorn and moose tags. Read More ....

Nebraska Duck Hunters Successful on Opening Weekend

Hunters in western Nebraska had an excellent opening day of the duck season on October 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. According to conservation officer reports, hunting pressure was heavy around McConaughy and nearby Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area and most checked hunters got their limit of birds. Read More ....

Bear Stuck in Car Near Colorado Springs

Details are a little sketchy, but the photos speak for themselves. Somehow, a black bear ended up stuck in a car west of Colorado Springs, CO. Judging by the condensation build-up from his breath, it looks like he was in there for a while. Read More ....

Backcountry Wolf Hunt Closed In Southern Montana

Montana wildlife officials have closed wolf hunting in southern Montana’s Wolf Management Unit 3, hoping to shift the harvest to other areas.   "We were always a bit unsure about the level of hunter success we’d see in the remote, early-season backcountry areas, " said Joe Maurier, director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Read More ...

Field Report: Plenty of Ducks in Colorado

Yesterday, HTW pro-staffer Paul Vanderspek and I hit some of the spots where I had had decent luck on the weekend of the duck opener. Heading out, we were a little worried that two straight days of record cold weather would have pushed the ducks south. Turns out there was no reason to worry. There are still plenty of ducks in eastern Colorado's potholes — we saw mallards, widgeon, gadwalls, pintails, a few ruddy ducks, and plenty of teal. Read More ...

Mixed Forecast for Nebraska Waterfowl

Conditions vary across Nebraska as the opening of waterfowl hunting seasons nears, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

Moose Poached in South Dakota

The South Dakota Turn In Poacher's program, a cooperative effort between Wildlife Protection Inc. and South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department, is offering a $1,000 reward for the identification and arrest of the person or people responsible for the death of a moose near Deerfield Reservoir about October 1. Read More ....

Oregon Eliminates Many Burdensome Regulations for 2010

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted 2010 big game hunting regulations on October 2. Many unnecessarily burdensome regulations were eliminated, including the incredibly annoying ban on fiber optic sights on muzzleloaders. Read More ....

Elk Foundation Increases Water Supply in Arizona's Unit 9

Elk and other wildlife on the parched Arizona landscape now have six new, reliable watering sources thanks to a landmark pipeline project spearheaded by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The partly buried 1½-inch pipe, 12 miles long, delivers useable wastewater from the City of Tusayan to areas south of the Grand Canyon—Arizona’s famous Unit 9 hunting area. Read More ....

Video: 2009 Duck Hunting Forecast from Ducks Unlimited

Video forecast for the 2009 duck season from Ducks Unlimited. They're excited about our prospects. Read More ....

Montana Elk Forecast

Montana has more than 135,000 elk and thousands of hopeful hunters making plans for an elk hunt. This could be an exceptional year for elk hunting if the precipitation the state has seen this summer continues in the form of snow. Montana’s general elk hunting season opens Oct. 25. Read More ....

Montana Deer Forecast

Deer hunters in Montana will find some good hunting opportunities across the state when the general deer season opens Oct. 25. "Conditions have generally been favorable the past several years and deer have responded with good winter survival and good fawn production in many areas. That said, there are other areas that have suffered from low production this past year" said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife management section chief. Read More ....

Utah Deer Forecast

You might see a few more deer when Utah's rifle buck deer hunt starts Oct. 17. The weather this past spring and winter was almost ideal for mule deer. More than 70,000 hunters, plus their family and friends, are expected afield for Utah's most popular hunt. Read More ....

Utah to Transplant Additional Bison

A summer survey of bison populations in Utah's Henry Mountains revealed that the post-hunt herd size was likely to be 15% over objective. In response, Utah has decided to relocate 40 bison to the new Book Cliffs herd in January, 2010. Read More ....

Short-Notice Opportunity for Young Hunter

The Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Outreach Program and a private landowner in the Meeker area are teaming up to offer a special youth deer hunting opportunity during the upcoming 4th Rifle Season. This is a unique, guided private-land deer hunt in Game Management Unit 23 for one young person between the ages of 12 and 17 who holds a valid Colorado Hunter Safety Card. Read More ....

Wyoming Bison Guide Gored By Wounded Bull

Cole Campbell, 48, was evacuated by helicopter after a bison charged him Saturday near Shadow Mountain near Jackson, Wyoming. He was recovering at an Idaho Falls, ID, hospital, co-worker and well-known bison guide Johnie Filbeck said. "He’s pretty bruised up and he’s got a big ol’ hole in his buttocks, but he’s going to be OK," reported Filbeck. Read More ....

Hunting Ducks in Colorado Antelope Country

Unlike most years, I don't have any antelope tags in my pocket this fall. Fortunately, this weekend was also the Colorado duck opener. I threw my 12 gauge in the truck and headed out to the high plains of Colorado to jump shoot ducks. In typical early-season high plains fashion, I came across a very mixed bag — mallards, teal, widgeon, and even some pintails. Read More ....

Apply for Arizona Spring Hunts by October 13

Before you take to the field to go hunting this fall, be sure to submit your application for spring hunts to the Arizona Game and Fish Department before Tuesday, October 13 by 7 p.m. (MT). Postmarks don’t count. Read More ....

Southeast Idaho Big Game Forecast

The forecast for mule deer hunting in the Southeast Region of Idaho is a mixture of good and bad news, while elk hunting should be about what it was last year. Read More ....

Tred Barta Update

Tred Barta, noted outdoorsman and host of the TV show The Best and Worst of Tred Barta on the Versus network, has ended three months of hospitalization and returned to his Colorado home to continue to recover from debilitating injuries suffered last May. Read More ....

Idaho's Salmon Region Big Game Forecast

Hunting seasons are coming up fast, and deer and elk in Idaho's Salmon Region should be in good condition as hunters head out this fall. A long spring and wetter than normal summer provided ample moisture for grasses and shrubs. Plants are still green at higher elevations, which means deer and elk will be able to find forage without having to move around a lot. Read More ....

Top Five Reasons to Go Cow Elk Hunting

Your crosshairs shift undecidedly between a raghorn bull and a big cow, both standing broadside at 60 yards. The elk tag in your pocket makes both animals legal. Which one do you shoot? Read More ....

Utah Considers Additional Bison Hunting for This Season

In response to a recently completed bison population survey in the Henry Mountains, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is considering additional bison hunting opportunities for the 2009/2010 season. Read More ....

Time to Apply for Texas Big Time Hunts

The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. The deadline to apply for this year’s Big Time Texas Hunts is October 15. Winners will be announced in November. Read More ....

Wyoming Seeks to Understand Moose Declines

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is asking moose hunters to provide information on their hunt and have their harvested animal examined to help wildlife managers better understand the decline of moose populations in Wyoming. Read More ....

Strong Finish to Teal Season in Colorado

Colorado's Early Teal season ran from September 12-20. It goes without saying that some guys had better luck than others — but overall, it seems to have been a good Early Teal season. Hunters up and down Colorado's Front Range have, typically, reported good numbers of birds and plenty of opportunity. Read More ....

Montana Antelope Forecast

While numbers remain robust in much of northeastern and eastern Montana, the hard winter of 2008-09 clearly took a toll on animals in some areas. "Antelope hunting will be something less than what we’ve been used to in some areas," said Quentin Kujala, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wildlife management section supervisor. Read More ....

Utah General Elk Season Kicks Off October 3rd

Utah's 2009 general rifle bull elk hunt kicks off Oct. 3. And permits for the hunt are almost gone. On Sept. 17, about 1,600 permits to hunt on any bull elk units were still available. Permits to hunt on spike-only units sold out on Aug. 28. Read More ....

Mule Deer Foundation Auctioning Two Idaho Wolf Tags

The Mule Deer Foundation was awarded two Special Idaho Gray Wolf Auction Tags by the Idaho Fish and Game Department. The tags will be auctioned through MDF’s Web site and will play an important role in commemorating this historic hunt. Read More ....

Mixed Results for Early Teal Season

The Early Teal season in the high plains states has gotten off to a mixed start, with many hunters reporting no birds and others reporting outstanding hunting. Read More ....

Six Elk Poachers Sentenced in Idaho

Six men — four from Idaho, one from Pennsylvania and one from Arkansas — have been sentenced on elk poaching charges, following a two-year investigation. Read More ....

Important Changes to Colorado Big Game Structure

Last Thursday, the Colorado Wildlife Commission adopted the season structure for the 2010-2014 hunting seasons. A few notable changes are included in this five-year plan, especially for hunters who have been building preference points in Colorado. Read More ....

Idaho Wolf Hunter Screws Up

An Eagle, Idaho man has been cited by Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers Tuesday, September 8, in connection with a poached wolf. Read More ....

The Best Places to Hunt Elk

America’s top 20 trophy elk counties have produced a combined 602 record-book bulls, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has invested millions to keep habitat in those counties in top condition. Read More ....

Judge Allows Wolf Hunt to Continue in Idaho and Montana

Wolf management via closely regulated hunting can proceed in Idaho and Montana. That’s the decision issued by a federal judge who denied an emergency injunction request and ruled in favor of state wildlife agencies. Read More ....

Duck Production Shifts From Canada to Dakotas

Lost in the euphoria over the 2009 breeding-population survey was the sobering confirmation that prairie Canada is no longer the continent’s leading producer of ducks. This spring, for the first time ever, more total ducks, more puddle ducks, twice as many pintails and even more redheads settled on the U.S. side of the Prairie Pothole Region than the Canadian side. Read More ....

Utah Spike Bull Permits Sell Out

Permits to hunt bull elk on spike-only hunting units in Utah sold out on August 28. Last year, spike-only unit permits didn't sell out until September 24. Read More ....

Dallas Safari Club Switches to Boone and Crockett Scoring

By unanimous vote of its board of directors, the Dallas Safari Club (DSC) has officially adopted the Boone and Crockett Club scoring system for measuring North American trophies taken by DSC members. The formal adoption of Boone and Crockett scoring represents a major switch for the club, which has always used the Safari Club International system. Read More ....

Nut-Jobs Harass Idaho Wolf Hunter

Robert Millage, who successfully took a wolf on the opening morning of Idaho's historic 2009 wolf season, says he has received 50 phone calls and hundreds of e-mails calling him a "wolf murderer" and just about every dirty name in the book. It appears that the harassment campaign was organized by a posting on the Boise Craigslist website. The posting has since been removed by the site. Read More ....

Idaho Game and Fish Reports Smooth Start To Wolf Hunt

Idaho's first wolf hunts began September 1 with few hunters afield and reports of three wolves taken. Deputy Fish and Game Director Jim Unsworth noted that the successful hunters followed the rules and that the system for reporting harvest worked smoothly. Read More ...

Washington Tracking Cougar After Attack on Child

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officers are searching for a cougar that reportedly attacked a child in Stevens County. Read More ....

Arizona Removes Sheep-Eating Lion in Kofa Refuge

The Arizona Game and Fish Department on Tuesday afternoon lethally removed a mountain lion known to be preying heavily on bighorn sheep in the Kofa Mountains Complex Predation Management Area in southwestern Arizona. Read More ....

Idaho Wolf Hunt Is On — For Now

Fraught with uncertainty, Idaho's first regulated wolf hunt got under way as planned, opening in the Lolo and Sawtooth wolf zones Tuesday, September 1. Three wolves were shot on opening day. Read More ....

Colorado Begins Charging for CWD Testing

Beginning this year, chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing is now $25 at all Division of Wildlife (DOW) submission sites.  Read More ....

Elk Foundation Gets Involved in Wolf Hunt Litigation

U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy on Friday granted a motion allowing the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to enter an amicus curiae brief supporting state-regulated wolf hunting in Idaho and Montana. The move means RMEF positions will be considered against an emergency injunction filed by 13 environmental groups asking the judge to stop a planned hunt and return gray wolves to the endangered species list. Read More ....

South Dakota Pheasant Forecast Above 10-Year Average

South Dakota Game Fish and Parks counted an average of 6.32 pheasants per mile in 2009, the fourth highest statewide count in the past 45 years. Read More ....

Check Your Deer Electronically in Nebraska

Many Nebraska hunters will have the option of checking their harvested deer electronically this fall, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. A new, free service will allow some hunters to check their deer from the field or at home, by telephone or Internet beginning September 15. Read More ....

New Mexico Poacher Hit With Record Fine

A New Mexico magistrate ordered a man convicted of poaching a trophy mule deer to pay the state $10,000 in civil damages, the maximum penalty under a 3-year-old law that allows the state to seek reimbursement for the loss of a trophy game animal. Read More ....

South Dakota Reacts to Drop in Antelope Numbers

A tough winter and low reproduction this summer has resulted in a lower then expected antelope population in northwestern South Dakota, and that will mean fewer licenses available to hunters. A few areas have an increased antelope population, but overall, numbers have decreased from 20 to 50 percent. Read More ....

Leftover Deer Tags Still Available in Kansas

Nonresident hunters who missed the application period for Kansas deer permits still have options, according to the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). Read More ....

Nevada Hunting Advice from Biologist Tony Wasley

On August 26, the Nevada Division of Wildlife hosted a real-time online chat with big game biologist Tony Wasley, the newly appointed Mule Deer Staff Specialist with NDOW. Wasley has been with NDOW for the last 12 years, including 9 1/2 years of service as the Area 10 biologist in Elko County. Read More ....

Arizona 2010 Spring Draw Information Available

The first round of applications for 2010 is here. Application information for Arizona spring turkey, javelina, buffalo, and bear is available now the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web site. Read More ....

Montana Prepared for First Wolf Hunt

Montana’s first-ever, fair-chase wolf hunting season, set to open September 15 in some areas of the state, is the culmination of one of the fastest endangered species recoveries on record. Read More ....

Nebraska Pheasant Population Up From 2008

Spring and summer wildlife surveys indicate a statewide increase in pheasant abundance compared to 2008, according to a report by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

2009 Kansas Hunting Atlas Available Online

The 2009 Kansas Hunting Atlas, which includes maps showing locations of Walk-In Hunting Access (WIHA) areas and public wildlife areas, is now available online at the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) website. Read More ....

Southeastern Montana Hunting Forecast

Montana's fall hunting season has begun for Antelope archery hunters. Upland game bird begins September first. Overall, the outlook for the 2009 fall hunting season looks good for southeastern Montana. Read More ....

New Mexico Advances Plans for Desert Bighorn Transplant

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish plans to transplant about 20 desert bighorns to the Caballos from the Red Rock Wildlife Area captive breeding facility area in November. The Red Rock bighorns will join a herd of 25 to 30 that migrated south to the Caballos from the Fra Cristobal mountains about seven years ago. Read More ....

Wyoming Conservation Stamps Now Available Online

For as long as I can remember, Wyoming has required hunters to buy a Conservation Stamp to hunt in Wyoming. I never minded the fee, but it was always a significant hassle to get to a license vendor during business hours to buy one — you could not mail order them or buy them online. Starting this year, hunters and anglers can now buy and print their conservation stamp online through the Game and Fish Web site. Read More ....

Time to Apply for Texas Big Time Hunts

The Big Time Texas Hunts program offers the opportunity to win one or more top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases. I always apply, partly because it's the last big draw of the year, and partly because it offers a chance at a desert bighorn sheep. Read More ....

Idaho Sets First Wolf Season

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission, Monday, August 17, set harvest limits for Idaho's first public wolf hunting season this fall. Hunters will be allowed to take up to 220 wolves this fall and winter. Wolf tags go on sale at 10 a.m. August 24, at all license vendors. A resident tag costs $11.75, and a nonresident tag costs $186. Read More ....

2009 Elk Forecast from the RMEF

Elk and elk hunting opportunities are plentiful across the U.S. and Canada, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has just released its annual roundup of hunt forecasts for 27 states and provinces. “Elk herds are in great shape across most of the West, thanks to a mild winter and normal moisture,” said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation. Read More ....

Nebraska Goes to Online-Only Permit Sales

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will begin selling its permits electronically November 1, 2009, the date 2010 permits may be sold. Hunting and fishing permits and state-issued conservation stamps no longer will be sold from permit books, as they had been for decades. Read More ....

Leftover New Mexico Big Game Permits On Sale August 19

More than 1,700 New Mexico public-land deer permits, 20 elk licenses for mobility impaired hunters, and 231 archery javelina licenses leftover from the 2009-2010 drawing will be available beginning at 10:00am,  August 19 — only on the Department of Game and Fish Web site. Read More ....

Nebraska's OTC Archery Antelope Season Begins August 20

The archery antelope hunting season opens August 20, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The season runs through November 13, then is open November 23 through December 31. An unlimited number of the statewide archery permits are available. Read More ....

Remington Custom Shop Gets New Home Online

As the next step in the evolution of the Custom Shop, Remington has created a dedicated new online home for their custom rifle making business at www.remingtoncustom.com. Read More ....

Oregon Releases 18 Goats in Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness

ODFW and U.S. Forest Service staff released 18 Rocky Mountain goats into the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness in the Umatilla National Forest during the week of July 20 as part of a continuing effort to establish a population in this area. Read More ....

New Bison Herd Doing Well in Utah's Book Cliffs

Last winter, the transplant of 30 bison from Utah's Henry Mountains to the Book Cliffs drew the attention of people across the country. Almost a year later, the new herd is doing well. "Our surveys this spring and summer have documented not only great survival but also fairly good reproduction," says Dax Mangus, DWR wildlife biologist. Read More ....

Arizona Struggles to Save Kofa Sheep Herd

Continued monitoring of the public’s bighorn sheep population on the Kofa NWR has state and federal wildlife agencies concerned for the future of this historic herd, whose population crashed from an estimated high of 812 animals in 2000 to a record low of less than 400 in just six years. Read More ....

Washington Wildlife Office Involved in Fatal Collision

A teenage girl is dead, and a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer and two teenage boys were injured, after a two-car collision Wednesday evening near Burlington in Skagit County. Read More ....

My 2009 Lineup

The license draws for 2009 are complete, and they did not treat me well. I put in a total of 47 big game license applications for 2009. 19 of those were for points only. 24 of them were live applications that netted an UNSUCCESSFUL response. A handful of the applications resulted in some middle-of-the-road tags that should give me some good opportunities for 2009. Read More ....

Colorado Waterfowl Seasons Set

The 2009 Colorado waterfowl season dates are finalized. As in previous years, they're complicated. Read More ....

Idaho Sheep Lottery Generates $57,982

Jim Ancho of Battle Mountain, Nevada, won the bighorn sheep tag in a drawing by the Idaho Chapter of the Wild Sheep Foundation. This year the foundation sold 7,605 tickets for the annual drawing, raising $57,982 for the state wildlife health lab. Read More ....

Colorado Leftover Licenses On Sale August 11

The Colorado Division of Wildlife announced that all "leftover" big game and turkey licenses will go on sale Aug. 11. Leftover licenses are limited elk, deer, pronghorn, bear and turkey licenses that did not sell during the spring drawing/application process. Read More ....

Some Trail Cam Photos

I usually have a trail cam up on my property in the foothills above Denver, hoping to someday catch a lion or bear passing through. I get lots of deer, but not many elk. This bull was a nice one, and these photos were from late June. He should be really huge by now. Read More ....

New Mexico Considers Changes to Deer Application Process

The Department of Game and Fish is asking for public comments about proposals to change the way hunters apply for deer licenses. Read More ....

Washington's Second Wolf Pack Confirmed

Washington's second gray wolf pack has been confirmed and an adult wolf has been equipped with a satellite-telemetry tracking collar by state biologists in northeast Washington's Pend Oreille County. Read More ....

Arizona Sheep and Deer Draw Results Available

Arizona posted the draw results for sheep and deer late friday afternoon. Read More ....

Arizona Raffle Tag Results Up $63,000 From Last Year

The 2009 Arizona Big Game Super Raffle held its fourth annual drawing July 18th at the Arizona Game and Fish headquarters in Phoenix.  This year's raffle brought in a total of $541,795, up $63,000 despite the challenges of the struggling economy. Read More ....

Montana Limited Draw Results Available

Montana released limited draw results for deer on Monday, July 20; elk on Wednesday, July 22; and antelope on Thursday, July 23. Read More ....

Training Tips From the RMEF

Wilderness elk hunting is an athletic endeavor, but you don’t need to kill yourself getting in shape. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation offers some simple ways to start to get ready for your western hunts this year. Read More ....

Free Service Connects Hunters With Places To Hunt in Texas

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

New and Improved Fall Turkey Season on Tap in Nebraska

Turkey hunters may begin purchasing permits for Nebraska's fall season starting on August 10, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Numerous changes await hunters this fall, many of which were called for by HTW back in May. Read More ....

Wyoming Pronghorn Ties State Record

A Michigan hunter will always remember the 2008 pronghorn season in Wyoming when he shot a monster buck to tie the state record. Read More ....

Dead Gator Found in Colorado

Following the discovery of a dead alligator in an irrigation ditch near Hotchkiss, the Colorado Division of Wildlife is offering a reminder to residents that exotic animals can cause serious environmental damage when brought to an area where they are not native. Read More ....

Apply Now for Leftover Kansas Deer Tags

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has announced that 4,652 nonresident deer permits are still available for the 2009 season. These Whitetail Either-Sex permits will be sold to any nonresident who did not successfully draw a 2009 permit, beginning July 20, on a first-come, first-served basis. Read More ....

Wyoming Leftover Doe/Cow Licenses On Sale July 21

Leftover licenses for Wyoming doe deer, doe antelope, and cow elk go on sale 8:00am MT on July 21.  The licenses will be sold on a first-come first-served basis, so you'll need to act quickly if you're interested. Read More ....

Free Information on Colorado Big Game Hunting

The Colorado Division of Wildlife's "Western Slope Big Game Hunting Guides" for the 2009-2010 Season are now available online. Read More ....

South Dakota Antelope Seasons Finalized

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission finalized the 2009 antelope hunting season at its July meeting. “Our antelope counts for western South Dakota were down 20% from last year, but our antelope population is still in very good shape and will offer plenty of opportunity for hunters,” said GFP Regional Game Manager John Kanta. Read More ....

Horseback Hunting Tips From the RMEF

If you’re a tenderfoot looking to use horses for your elk hunt this fall, do yourself—and your horse—a favor. Follow these 10 tips from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and longtime supporter Smoke Elser, who’s been guiding and outfitting in Montana’s Bob Marshall Wilderness for more than 50 years. Read More ....

Washington May Have Breeding Wolf Pair

Biologists with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will check for the presence of a wolf pack in northeast Pend Oreille County after a remote camera captured images of an apparent male and female wolf together, and genetic tests confirmed a male Rocky Mountain gray wolf is in the area. Read More ....

2009 Duck Forecast From Delta Waterfowl

At first glance, the results of the 2009 duck breeding population and habitat survey are eye-popping: May ponds across the prairie breeding grounds increased 45 percent from a year ago, and the total duck population was up 25 percent. Look closer, however, and some of the survey’s findings explode from the pages like a Fourth of July fireworks display. Read More ....

2009 Duck Forecast From Ducks Unlimited

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its preliminary report on mid-continent breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. The 2009 report is filled with positive news for all duck species. Read More ....

Time to Apply for Wyoming Preference Points

Wyoming is currently accepting applications for Preference Points for antelope, deer, elk, moose, and sheep. Because the applicants with the most Preference Points are the ones who get limited licenses, it's crucial to maintain Preference Points in states where they're offered. Read More ....

Featured Video: Jim Shockey Moose and Grizzly

Jim Shockey and a hunter he's guiding tangle with moose and bears in the Yukon. Read More ....

Wyoming Leftover Licenses On Sale July 7

Leftover licenses for Wyoming deer, elk, and antelope go on sale 8:00am MT on July 7.  The licenses will be sold on a first-come first-served basis, so you'll need to act quickly if you're interested. Read More ....

Leftover Whitetail Tags Available in Kansas

For those hunters who did not apply in Kansas and did not do well in other state draws, a whitetail hunt in Kansas is still a possiblity. Leftover tags remain in all units, and they go on sale on July 20th at 9:00am CT. Read More ....

Montana's Powder River Outfitters Found Guilty of Violations

A three-year-long investigation has led to the conviction of a licensed Montana outfitter, a licensed Montana guide, and several non-resident hunting clients from Wisconsin, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Quebec, Canada. Read More ....

Idaho Leftover Moose Draw Complete

Results for the drawing for leftover Idaho moose tags are now availalble. Read More ....

Kansas Non-Resident Draw Results (Kind Of) Available

Late Tuesday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks took some steps towards posting the results for the non-resident deer draw. Read More ....

Idaho Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, and Bear Draws Complete

Drawing results for Idaho's 2009 Deer, Elk, Pronghorn, Fall Black Bear, and Fall Turkey controlled hunts are available. Read More ....

Idaho Hunter Injured By Grizzly

Three eastern Idaho bear hunters got an unpleasant surprise Sunday morning, June 28, when their hounds surrounded a female grizzly with cubs. Read More ....

Record Deer Harvest in South Dakota

According to harvest surveys compiled by South Dakota's Game, Fish and Parks Department, last year brought the highest-ever recorded deer harvest in the state. It was the ninth straight year that the deer harvest increased. Read More ....

New Mexico Considers Changes to Deer Application Dates

The New Mexico State Game Commission will meet July 2 to consider moving the application deadline for deer licenses from April to February. Read More ....

Arizona "Super Raffle" Deadline Extended

You still have a chance to win one of the nation’s most prestigious hunts -- the Arizona Big Game Super Raffle deadline for 2009 has been extended to July 12. Read More ....

South Dakota Antelope Numbers Down 20%

According to a report by the Associated Press, antelope numbers in South Dakota are down 20%. Severe winter weather is being blamed for the drop, which will be most noticeable in Harding and Perkins counties. Read More ....

Nevada Hunters Can Now Return Tags, Retain Bonus Points

Nevada hunters can now return most big game tags for any reason, whether because they made a mistake or they are no longer able to go on a planned hunt. The best part of the deal for these hunters is that their bonus points will be reinstated when their tags are returned by the deadline. It will be as if they had never applied. Read More ....

Wyoming Deer and Antelope Draw Results Due Today

The results from the Wyoming 2009 deer and antelope draw are due out today. Read More ....

Tred Barta Continues Recovery From Spinal Stroke

Tred Barta, noted outdoorsman and host of the TV show The Best and Worst of Tred Barta on the Versus network, continues to recover in a Denver hospital. Several weeks ago, Barta suffered a rare spinal stroke which cost him the use of his legs. Read More ....

If You Applied for An Idaho Super Hunt ...

... you probably didn't win the drawing that occurred on June 15. Unless you're one of the 26 hunters listed below, including a lucky moose hunter from Tasmania. Read More ....

Utah Elk Permits Still Available, But Deer Sold Out

"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 ....

Montana Moose, Sheep, Goat Draw Results Available

Montana posted the Moose, Sheep, and Goat draw results late monday afternoon. Read More ....

Game and Fish Employees Attacked Near Arizona-Mexico Border

Three government agency employees, including an officer with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, another Game and Fish employee, and an employee with Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation, were fired upon on June 11 by a group of men they encountered while scouting the area for a land access project in southern Arizona. Read More ....

Oregon Big Game Draw Results Released Early

Oregon released results for the 2009 big game draws late friday afternoon, approximately 2 weeks earlier than scheduled. Read More ....

Washington Draw Results Available

Hunters who submitted applications for 2009 special-hunt permits can check the results of this year’s drawing on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) website. Read More ....

South Dakota Considers Changes to Hunting Seasons

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission has proposed minor changes to several fall hunting seasons, including Mountain Lion, East River Deer and Antelope. Read More ....

Global Caribou Herds in Decline

Data compiled by the University of Alberta shows that for the 42 major caribou and reindeer herds for which data is available, 34 of the herds are declining. Read More ....

New Mexico Draw Results Available

New Mexico posted the draw results for Elk, Sheep, Ibex, Antelope, and Deer right on schedule, just after midnight in the very early hours of June 11. Read More ....

South Dakota Finalizes West River and Black Hills Deer Seasons

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission finalized both the West River Deer and Black Hills Deer hunting seasons at its June meeting. Read More ....

Remington Acquires Dakota Firearms

Remington Arms Company, Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire certain assets of Dakota Arms, LLC including the Dakota, Miller Arms, Dan Walter and Nesika Bay Precision brands. The transaction closed on June 5, 2009. Read More ....

Leftover Moose Permits Available in Idaho

The application period for leftover Idaho moose controlled hunt permits starts Monday, June 15, and runs through June 25. Read More ....

Pope and Young Recognizes 4 New World Records

Four new World's Records were officially recognized during the Pope and Young Club's 26th Biennial Convention and Awards Banquet in Denver, Colorado. Read More ....

Nevada To Hire Mule Deer Specialist

Responding to a decline in mule deer numbers, the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has re-structured positions to create budget for a wildlife staff specialist focused solely on mule deer. Read More ....

1,191 Tags Leftover in Nevada

For those hoping for another chance to get a tag for this year’s big game season, there are still 1,191 Nevada tags remaining for hunters wishing to apply for the Second Draw on June 19. Read More ....

Oregon Sets 2009 Big Game Quotas

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted fall 2009 limited-entry big game tags. Statewide, 2009 fall buck deer tags, antlerless deer tags, elk tags and pronghorn antelope tags are down slightly while bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain Goat tags are up. Read More ....

Colorado Deer Draw Results Posted Early

Colorado has posted 2009 deer draw results. I burned a preference point to get the 2nd season buck tag I wanted. Of the 40 or so apps I've submitted, this is my first tag. Read More ....

Arizona Deer and Sheep Applications Due June 9

Time is running out for hunters wanting to apply for an Arizona fall hunt permit-tag for the 2009-10 hunting season. Applications for deer (including some archery-only), fall turkey, juniors-only javelina, bighorn sheep, buffalo, and pheasant are due to the Arizona Game and Fish Department on or before Tuesday, June 9 by 7 p.m. MST (postmarks do not count). Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Knight Rifles Ceases Operations

Knight Rifles announced on June 1 that they are going out of business. Founder Tony Knight revolutionized the modern muzzleloader in the mid-1980s with his introduction of in-line muzzleloaders, creating tremendously broad appeal and revitalizing the black-powder market. Read More ....

Now at Gander Mountain: Free Shipping

GanderMountain.com, the online division of the popular outdoor retailer, has just begun to offer regular ground shipping and handling at no charge. Read More ....

Bighorn Sheep vs. Toyota Forerunner

Here's a video that has been making the rounds. It's footage of a bighorn sheep sparring with a Toyota Forerunner in Sinks Canyon near Lander, WY. Read More ....

Wyoming Poacher Fined $8,000, Banned From Hunting For 8 Years

Poaching of a trophy mule deer has resulted in nearly $8,000 in fines and restitution and suspension of hunting and fishing privileges for eight years for Rocky Donaldson Jr. of Story. Read More ....

Colorado Elk Draw Results Available Early

Colorado has posted 2009 elk draw results. The results were supposed to be available June 9. The early availability is great news and appears to be part of much better timeliness on the part of the Colorado Division of Wildlife in managing the annual big game draw. Read More ....

Utah Men Plead Guilty to Poaching Deer and Antelope

Last week in the Garfield County Courthouse, two men plead guilty to charges stemming from search warrants served over the Memorial Day weekend. The charges related to the illegal killing of nine buck deer, two doe deer, and two buck pronghorn. Read More ....

Nevada 2009 Big Game Results Available

Nevada posted the results from the 2009 big game draw last friday, way ahead of schedule. Read More ....

Wyoming Moose and Mule Deer Down, Antelope Up

Wyoming's Jackson Hole News and Guide offered a summary of Wyoming big game herds earlier this week. The moose census last winter found the population at an extremely low 44 percent of objective, while the antelope herd is 14 percent above target. Read More ....

Montana Deer, Elk, Antelope Applications Due June 1

The deadline to apply for Montana's special license drawings for elk, deer and antelope licenses and special permits is Monday, June 1. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Famous Coues Deer Outfitter Goes Belly-Up

Kirk Kelso's Pusch Ridge Outfitters, which guided hunting trips in New Mexico and Mexico, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Read More ....

Kansas Non-Resident Deer Applications Due June 1

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) reminds all nonresident hunters that 2009 nonresident deer permit applications are due by midnight, June 1. Read More ....

More on Nebraska Turkey Regulations — And a Heads-Up on Possible Changes

Earlier this month, I questioned Nebraska's frustrating restriction that prevents hunters from using archery equipment on their "Shotgun" turkey tag. Nebraska's Big Game Program Manager, Kit Hams, provides insight to HTW subscribers on Nebraska's turkey management — including some possible changes. Read More ....

Bad Regulations: The Kansas Mule Deer Stamp

Starting with the 2008 season, Kansas made sweeping changes in the management of deer tags. A particularly frustrating and arbitrary change that was introduced in 2008 had to do with the distribution of mule deer licenses to nonresident hunters. Under the new regulations, it's basically impossible to confidently plan a mule deer hunt in Kansas. Read More ....

Colorado Antelope Results Available

Colorado posted results for limited-draw antelope licenses on Wednesday, on schedule. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Draw Results Available

Idaho Sheep, Goat, and Moose draw results are out. My initial impression is that nonresidents did pretty poorly on goats and sheep. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Idaho Sheep and Goat Applications Down Less Than 2%

The 2009 Idaho Sheep, Goat, and Moose draw results are out, along with the drawing statistics. Overall, applications for Rocky Mountain Bighorns, California Bighorns, and Mountain Goats were down less than 2%. Read More ....

Oregon Considers Changes for Deer and Archery Regulations

Rifle deer tags available for hunters may be reduced in the Maury unit, the N. Warner unit, and the Murderers Creek unit for the fall 2009 seasons. Additionally, archery changes in the Maury, Steens Mtn., and Warner units have been proposed for 2010. Read More ...

Utah Men Charged with Poaching 18 Trophy Mule Deer

Four Utah County men have been charged with killing 18 buck deer in Juab County. Seven of the deer had antler spreads of more than 24 inches, making them "trophy" animals under Utah law. One of the seven deer was a massive buck with a 30-inch antler spread. Read More ....

Slight Increase in Nevada Tags for 2009

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners approved the allocation of 22,500 big game tags at its May 15-16 meeting. Overall, the 2009 tag allocation includes a two percent reduction in mule deer tags, a 10 percent increase in both elk and desert bighorn sheep tags, and an 11 percent increase in pronghorn antelope tags. Read More ....

Outdoor Personality Tred Barta Suffers Spinal Stroke

Outdoor personality Tred Barta, host of the TV show The Best and Worst of Tred Barta on the Versus network, reportedly suffered a spinal stroke during mid-May. He is currently recovering in a hospital in Denver. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Oregon Raffle and Auction Revenues up Slightly

The 2009 Oregon auctions and raffles for big game hunting tags grossed $565,342, approximately a 1% increase over the 2008 gross of $559,776. Read More ....

South Dakota Special Deer and Antelope Seasons Set

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission set several big game hunting seasons at their monthly meeting, including archery and muzzleloader deer. Read More ....

2008 Dall Sheep Back From Taxidermist

The Dall Sheep I took in 2008 in Alaska is back from the taxidermist. Jonas Brothers of Broomfield, Colorado did a great job, as usual. Read More ....

2009 Wyoming Bison Draw Results Available

Wyoming conducted the 2009 bison draw on May 15 and had the results available by early monday morning. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo Cancelled

Because of a sponsorship revenue decline related to the economic recession, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is canceling the Texas Parks and Wildlife Expo set for October 3-4 in Austin. Read More ....

Purchase Nebraska Deer Tags Beginning June 8

Residents and nonresidents may purchase "buy" unit deer permits starting at 1 p.m. Central Time on June 8. There is no need for hunters to rush to purchase permits, however, since none of the deer “buy” units sold out before July 8 last year. Read More ....

Oregon Extends Application Deadline ... Again

Earlier this week, Oregon had to extend their controlled hunt application deadline due to computer system problems. They just extended it again, the second time this week. Read More ....

Colorado Moose and Bear Results Available

Colorado posted results for limited-draw bear licenses on Wednesday, a day ahead of schedule. Results for the moose draw were posted on Thursday, a day ahead of schedule. Read More ....

Hunting and the Economy: Layoffs at Washington Fish and Wildlife

A $21 million reduction in state and other funding over the next two years will require the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to lay off 76 employees and curtail some public services. Read More ....

Deadline For Washington Special Hunts is May 20

Time is running short for hunters planning to apply for special hunting permits for fall deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep and turkey seasons. Read More ....

Hunting and the Economy: Colorado Applications Down Only 2%

Numbers are in related to applications in Colorado, and they're not that far off from last year. Don't expect a huge increase in draw odds, or in the number of hunters in the field. Read More ....

Bad Regulations: Nebraska's "Shotgun" Turkey Season

Nebraska is a great state to hunt turkeys. It has a lot of them, and it has a generous bag limit of 3 toms per hunter in the spring. Unfortunately it also has an arbitrary ban on using a bow if you buy a "shotgun" tag, even though archery hunting on an "archery" tag is legal during shotgun season. Why not replace the "Shotgun" tag with an "Any Legal Weapon" tag? Read More ....

Oregon Extends Application Deadline

Oregon has extended its controlled hunt application deadline to Tuesday, May 19 due to a slowdown in ODFW’s point-of-sale system affecting sales online and at license agents. Read More ....

Wyoming Elk Herds Thriving

Wyoming elk numbers are at least 12.3 percent above objectives, totaling 93,383 in the most recent census, an annual report says. Read More ....

Spotlighting Idaho Poacher Sentenced

With the white-tailed deer in his spotlight, William Gerten, 24, of Grangeville, shot it several times with a .22-caliber rifle on a cold night about a week before Christmas in 2008. Read More ....

Washington Antler Auction Raises $15K For Winter Feeding

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has raised $15,032 for winter elk feeding at its first auction of shed elk antlers at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County. About 1,275 pounds of antlers were sold at the May 2 auction. Read More ...

Statistics on South Dakota's 2008 Bird Season

Survey data from the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Department provides a detailed look at the 2008 Pheasant, Prairie Grouse, and other hunting seasons. Read More ....

Elk Foundation Praises Wolf Delisting in Idaho, Montana

"We're pleased with the partial delisting and glad to see wolf management authority turned over to state wildlife agencies in Idaho and Montana. Management is a modern necessity—we don't live in a zoo and this isn't the old West," said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO. Read More ....

Nebraska Bird Populations Up

A recent rural mail carrier survey revealed good news for Nebraska turkey hunters: evidence of an expanding population. The statewide population index for turkey increased 28 percent over last year, according to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Read More ....

Wyoming Sheep, Goat, Moose Results Posted

As promised, the Wyoming Game and Fish posted the draw results for sheep, goat, and moose tags monday May 4th at 8am MT. Read More ....

Oregon Application Deadline is May 15

Get your applications in soon if you're interested in pursuing Oregon's sheep, antelope, blacktails, or elk. Read More ....

NRA Whittington Center in New York Times

This past weekend, the New York Times ran a story on the NRA Whittington Center, a huge shooting facility in Raton, NM. Read More ....

Applying for Non-Resident Kansas Deer Tags

The Kansas 2009 deer regs were released late on April 30th. Everything is similar to last year, except that nonresident licenses will only be accepted online. Read More ....

Wyoming Sheep, Goat, Moose Results Available May 4th

Wyoming Game and Fish has announced that draw results for sheep, goat, and moose tags will be available monday May 4th at 8am MT. Read More ....

Idaho Non-Resident License Fees Go Up on May 1st

News fees for Idaho's nonresident hunting and fishing licenses, tags, and permits go into effect Friday, May 1. Read More ....

Colorado Sheep and Goat Draw Complete

The draw results for Colorado Rocky Mountain Bighorns, Mountain Goats, and Desert Sheep (residents only) have been posted -- ahead of schedule! Read More ....

Utah Draw Complete

Results for the 2009 Utah big game draw were sent out by email on April 27th at around 8:30pm MT -- ahead of schedule! Read More ....

Elk Populations Up 44% Over 25 Years

Wild elk populations in 23 states are higher now than 25 years ago when the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) was launched to help conserve habitat for elk and other wildlife. Nationally, elk numbers grew 44 percent, from about 715,000 to over 1,031,000, between 1984 and 2009. Read More ....

South Dakota Black Hills Lion Population Stable

Studies conducted by the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department indicate that the overall mountain lion population in the Black Hills has held steady over the past year. Read More ....

Big Week Coming Up for Big Game Applications

While a few draws were completed earlier in the year, this is the first really big week of the 2009 Big Game application season. Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Utah all have key milestones this week. Read More ....

Hunt The West on Twitter

I don't really know what Twitter is, but I like hunting, and if you poke around on Twitter there's certainly very, very little hunting-related content. So I thought I'd give it a try and see if it goes anywhere. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Applications Due

The Idaho deadline for moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goat controlled hunt applications is fast approaching. Hunters have until April 30 to apply for these hunts. Read More ....

Why Do Quail Populations Go Down As Turkey Populations Rise?

Many hunters may be wondering why turkey populations have surged in recent years while quail populations have declined. "Some hunters have speculated," notes a Kansas wildlife biologist, "that because turkey populations are on the rise and quail are in decline in the same areas of the state, then turkeys must be eating quail or competing with them for resources." Read More ....

Win a Wyoming Commissioner's Tag on eBay

Bowhunters of Wyoming is offering a 2009 Commissioner's Elk/Deer/Antelope License for auction on eBay. The auction is scheduled to end on May 1. The successful bidder will be guaranteed the right to purchase a 2009 Wyoming hunting license for elk or for deer or for antelope. Read More ....

Oregon Tracking Lion That May Pose Threat

State and federal wildlife officials are pursuing a cougar that was seen in the Corvallis City limits on three occasions since Friday and is considered a possible threat to human safety. Read More ....

Kansas Approves 2009 Big Game Seasons

The Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission approved 2009 big game season regulations at a public hearing in Oakley on April 16. Read More ....

Arizona Deer and Sheep Regs Coming Soon

The Arizona big game hunt permit application deadline for deer, bighorn sheep, fall turkey, javelina, and buffalo is Tuesday, June 9, 2009. The Regulations booklet should be available for download from the AZGFD website the last week in April. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: I Finally Broke Down and Wimped Out on Some Tags

Applications for limited entry hunts have tended to be down 5-15% this year. The decrease in the number of applicants is almost certainly related to the tough economy and the financial uncertainty that it brings. The stress of the economy has started to get to me too, and I'm wimping out on (at least) two tags this year. Read More ....

Wyoming Wildlife Coming out of Winter in Great Shape

An article in the Casper Star-Tribune adds more detail to what we've already heard this year: Weather-wise, a best-case scenario is shaping up for Wyoming's wildlife and for big game hunters in the fall. Read More ....

Utah DWR Proposes More Antlerless Elk, Deer, and Pronghorn Permits

While it's exciting to see lots of big game animals, having a large number of animals can have a downside, too — if the populations get too big, the animals can damage their habitat. To try and prevent this from occurring, biologists with Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending more doe pronghorn, doe deer and cow elk permits for hunts this fall and winter. Read More ....

Montana's Spring Black Bear Season In Full Swing

Montana’s black bear hunting season opened April 15 and runs until May 31 in most districts. Read More ....

Nevada Applications Due April 20

If they haven’t done so already, hunters who are hoping to draw one of Nevada’s coveted big game tags for the 2009 hunting season better hurry. Both online and paper applications are due no later than 5 p.m. April 20. Applications received after that time will be considered late and not eligible for the draw. Read More ....

Hunting and The Economy: Rowland Ward Closes U.S. Office

Rowland Ward, the South African book publisher, safari merchandiser, and records keeping organization, has closed its Dallas, TX office after less than a year of operation. Read More ....

No CWD Found in Arizona Deer and Elk

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reports lab tests found no detection of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in any of the 2,343 testable samples from hunter-harvested or road-killed deer and elk during Arizona's 2008-09 hunting season. Read More ....

Field Report: Colorado Elk and Turkeys

On Friday, April 10, I was home taking care of a sick kid. We were driving around my neighborhood (Colorado's Front Range, elevation 7,200 feet) and had some run-ins with elk and turkeys. Read More ....

Arizona Asks Turkey Hunters to Watch Out For Wolves

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is asking hunters to assist in recovering a wildlife species to its historic range in east-central Arizona. If you are hunting this year in Units 1, 3B, 27 or surrounding areas, be aware that Mexican wolves may be present. Read More ....

South Dakota Finalizes 2009 Elk Seasons

The South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commission finalized the 2009 elk hunting seasons at their monthly meeting. Read More ....

New Mexico Extends Big Game Deadline

Citing "extreme pressure on the agency's telephones and computer server," New Mexico has extended their big game application deadline from April 8 to April 17. If you haven't applied in New Mexico yet, you've got another chance. Read More ....

Idaho Big Game Rules For 2009 On The Web

The Idaho big game hunting seasons and rules brochure for 2009 seasons is available now from Fish and Game and on the Website. The primary changes this year include some new caps on general season elk tags, and making pronghorn archery seasons unlimited controlled hunts this year. Read More ....

Guide To Spring Bear Hunting in Oregon

Spring bear hunting opened April 1 in western Oregon and the western Blue Mountains. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife offers this detailed guide to spring bear hunting in Oregon. Read More ....

South Dakota Proposes 2009 Big Game Seasons

The Game Fish and Parks Commission proposed several changes to upcoming 2009 big game seasons. Read More ....

Washington Plan Includes Non-Toxic Shot Rules, Muzzleloader Hunts

The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted statewide hunting seasons and regulations that include new restrictions on toxic shot and more hunting opportunities for muzzleloaders over the next three years. Read More ....

A Last-Minute Comment on New Mexico Ibex

The deadline for most New Mexico big game tags is April 8th. New this year, applicants for New Mexico sheep, antelope, and ibex must submit the full license fee up front. For ibex, this is a $1,600 tag. Word on the street is that applications for ibex are down more than 50% this year. If you can come up with the money, you will have unusually good draw odds this year. Read More ....

Wyoming Moves up Draw Date For Nonresident Deer and Antelope

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has announced a new date for the release of results from nonresident deer and antelope draw. Read More ....

2009 Nebraska Big Game Regulations Available

Regulations for the 2009 Nebraska big game seasons are now available online. The deer forecast for this fall is excellent, with a record harvest of antlerless whitetails expected and more than 90,000 antlerless whitetail bonus tags available. Record numbers of older bucks are likely to be taken across the state as the age of whitetail and mule deer bucks harvested in 2007 and 2008 was the best on record. Tag prices have gone up, however. Read More ....

Idaho Moose, Sheep, Goat Application Period Open

April is not just tax month; it's also the month to apply for Idaho's moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goat hunts. Applications for these controlled hunts will be accepted from April 1 through April 30. Read More ....

More Elk and Pronghorn Permits in Utah in 2009

More bull elk and buck pronghorn permits will be available for hunts in Utah this fall. "Most of Utah's big game animals are doing well," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "That's great news for sportsmen." Read More ....

How To Apply For A 2009 Montana Bison Hunting License

Two days after Hunt The West's story on the confusion over the changes to Montana's bison application process, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks issued a press release to clarify the new process. Read More ....

Time to Apply for Tags in Colorado and New Mexico

The deadline for Colorado big game applications is April 7. The deadline for New Mexico big game applications is April 8. Both states offer tremendous opportunities for western big game hunters. Read More ....

Moose Poacher Convicted in one of Wyoming's Top Trophy Areas

A tip from a concerned citizen has led to the arrest and subsequent conviction of a Laramie man who illegally killed a moose a short distance from Laramie. The moose, who had already shed his antlers, was in area 38 — one of the top trophy areas in Wyoming and is among the toughest drawing odds for a license of any moose area in the state.  Read More ....

Part 3: Will The Weak Economy Make it Easier to Draw a Tag This Year?

Continuing the discussion of whether the weak economy will lead to weaker demand for limited big game tags, I also wanted to take a look at auction licenses. Are well-heeled hunters willing and able to continue to fork over big bucks for high-prestige tags in this economy? Read More ....

2009 Hunting Roadmap for Wyoming's Jackson Hole Area

An article in the Jackson Hole Daily outlines what hunters can expect Wyoming Game and Fish to recommend for tag allocations in the Jackson area in 2009. Expect more elk and bison opportunity, less moose opportunity. Read More ....

Part 2: Will The Weak Economy Make it Easier to Draw a Tag This Year?

With the 2009 Arizona elk and antelope draw complete, we have some more data to help us understand the impact of the economy on drawing tags. Read More ....

Montana 2009 Big Game Regulations Available

The 2009 Montana big game regulations are available online. Application deadlines are May 1 for Deer, Elk, and Antelope, and June 1 for Moose, Sheep, and Goat. Read More ....

Confusion Over Montana Bison Hunt

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has issued a garbled press release that suggests that the application date for bison has changed to May 1 to coincide with the moose, sheep, and goat deadline. No regulations have been published, however, and conflicting dates have been published elsewhere. As it stands, it is not currently possible to tell when the Montana bison application deadline is. Read More ....

Arizona Elk and Antelope Draw Complete

Arizona has completed the 2009 Elk and Antelope draw, and results were available on March 30th. The draw was completed about 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Read More ....

Idaho Sets Wolf and Big Game Seasons

Idaho Fish and Game Commission Tuesday, March 24, adopted big game seasons as recommended by Fish and Game biologists, with a few last minute changes in response to public comments. Commissioners adopted hunting season dates on wolves statewide, pending removal of wolves in Idaho from the endangered species list, expected to take effect later this spring. Read More ....

New Mexico Man Faces 20 Charges in Deer Poaching Case

A Portales, NM man has pleaded not guilty to 20 wildlife-related charges stemming from an extensive investigation by the Department of Game and Fish into numerous deer poaching incidents. Read More ....

Wyoming: Wildlife Fairing Well This Winter

If the winter of 2008-09 so far is any indication, wildlife should be entering the spring in good shape and biologists are looking forward to a good production year from Wyoming's major big game species. Read More ....

Will The Weak Economy Make it Easier to Draw a Tag This Year?

The economy is as bad as it's been in our lifetime. As consumers postpone major purchases, increase savings, and hunker down for the worst, what effect will this have on the number of hunters applying for hard-to-come-by tags? And how will this translate to better draw odds for those who are able to stay in the race for premier tags? Read More ....

Sportsman's Warehouse Files Chapter 11

Sportsman’s Warehouse, Inc., one of the better brick-and-mortar retailers of hunting equipment and guns, has announced that it has filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Read More ....

Idaho: "Ready and Able to Manage Wolves"

(From Cal Groen, Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game) The recent decision by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to remove gray wolves in Idaho and Montana from the endangered species list was great news for our state. Idaho has been preparing for this day in wolf management for nearly 15 years. Read More ....

Wyoming Bags Big Piney Poachers

On Saturday, February 21, what appeared to be an illegally killed mule deer buck was discovered in the Deer Hills west of Big Piney. Less than two weeks later, Lee Hedlund and Travis Core, both of Big Piney, found themselves in court receiving a stiff sentence for the crime. Read More ....

Montana License Auctions Bring $293,000 in 2009

Montana’s 2009 big game auction licenses drew a total of $293,500. At least 90 percent of all auction proceeds go to state management of the species, and the remainder go to the auctioning organization. Read More ....

Colorado Elk Starting to Drop Antlers

Elk in the Denver foothills are starting to drop their antlers. Read More ....

2009 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 ....

Colorado: Is Preference Point Banking Back on the Table?

Following last week's public meeting of the Colorado Wildlife Commission, Denver Post outdoors columnist Charlie Meyers wrote a column speculating that preference point "banking" might be back on the table. Read More ....

Elk Cull in Rocky Mountain National Park Has Ended

The elk cull in Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park has ended. A total of 33 elk were removed from the herd. Read More ....

Pulling the Trigger on a New Muzzleloader, Part 2

My Knight KP1 has arrived. It's heavy — much closer in weight to field artillery than to the mountain rifles I prefer — but really a very nice gun. I mounted my Talley rings and Leupold Ultimate Slam scope the night after I got the rifle, and I like the way it's coming together. Read More ....

Idaho Limited Spring Turkey and Black Bear Draw Results Available

Hunters who applied for spring turkey and black bear controlled hunts can find results on the Idaho Fish and Game Website. Read More ....

Nebraska Sets 2009 Deer Seasons

Big game seasons were set March 13th by the Nebraska Game and Parks Board of Commissioners. Record harvests of mule deer, whitetails and elk are expected again this fall as more permits are available and herd sizes remain strong in most areas. Read More ....

Idaho Considers Shorter Elk Season in Panhandle

Concerned about low cow:calf ratios, Idaho is considering reducing the length of the elk season in northern units. The Department of Fish and Game hopes to reduce the cow elk harvest by 50 percent and the bull elk harvest by 15 percent for herds in the Panhandle Region. Read More ....

Wyoming's Test-and-Slaughter Program For Elk Completes 4th Year

Year four of the five-year elk test-and-removal pilot project was completed with a second week of captures taking place last week. The pilot project was one of 28 recommendations made by the Governor's Brucellosis Coordination Team in a comprehensive effort to deal with brucellosis in Wyoming.  Agency personnel captured and handled 489 elk total. From those, 34 tested seropositive for the disease and were removed from the population. Read More ....

New Mexico Swaps Antelope for Sheep

The first half of an international wildlife exchange between Mexico and the state of New Mexico moved 125 pronghorn antelope to Coahuila during the first week of March. As part of the exchange, the state of New Mexico expects to receive 10 desert bighorn rams this fall. Read More ....

Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas Available

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) has announced that the 2009 Kansas Spring Turkey Atlas is now available for viewing and download on the agency's website. This spring, approximately 168,000 acres of Walk-In land are available, in addition to state and federal wildlife areas. Read More ....

New Mexico Oryx Draw Complete

Draw results are available for New Mexico oryx, population management hunts, black bear, and spring turkey. The results were published on schedule, as usual for New Mexico. Read More ....

Idaho Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Idaho Moose, Sheep, and Mountain Goat regulations have been released. Idaho has some restrictions in place on moose, sheep, and goat applications that make it an interesting place to try to draw. I've been applying for mountain goat for a few years in Idaho, unable to resist the best odds at a goat tag in the Lower 48. Read More ....

2009 South Dakota Elk Season: Fewer Licenses In Black Hills, More for the Prairie

South Dakota elk hunters could see a reduction in tags available for the 2009 seasons. A proposal from the Game Fish and Parks Commission is recommending a reduction in licenses for select Black Hills hunting units. Another proposal would see an expansion of the Prairie Elk hunting season. Read More ....

Wolves Delisted in Montana and Idaho

Idaho Fish and Game officials welcomed the announcement Friday, March 6, that Interior Secretary Ken Salazar affirmed the decision to delist the gray wolf in the Northern Rocky Mountains. Friday's announcement doesn't include Wyoming, because that state's wolf management plan has not met the requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Salazar said. Idaho and Montana have approved wolf management plans. Read More ....

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Adopts New Position on Wolves

Gray wolf populations in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming need to be managed through state-regulated hunting—now. That’s the upshot of a new Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation policy statement approved by its board of directors on March 4, 2009. Read More ....

Utah DWR Proposes More Permits for Most Species

You might have a better chance at drawing a permit to hunt big game in Utah this fall. Division of Wildlife Resources biologists are recommending an increase in the number of permits available for most species. Read More ....

2008 Montana Bison Season Is a Bust

The 2008/2009 Montana bison season ended on February 15, 2009. A total of 44 tags for bull bison were issued, and up to 100 cow/calf licenses were approved for issuance on an on-call basis. Throughout the entire season, only 1 bison was taken. Read More ....

Snow Goose Tips From Ducks Unlimited: Using Fewer Decoys

Tyson Keller of Avery Outdoors discusses how to use fewer snow geese decoys in your spread. Read More ....

Upcoming Raffles For Colorado Sheep, Goat, and Antelope

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. Additionally, they will be offering a raffle this year for a Colorado statewide antelope tag. HTW has the draw odds and details. Read More ....

New Mexico Fixes Errors in Regs, Warns Hunters To Check Their Apps

The Department of Game and Fish is advising all hunters who have applied or plan to apply for 2009-1010 deer and elk licenses to review their applications and consider revising them because of errors in the 2009-2010 Big-Game & Trapper Rules & Information booklet. Read More ....

Idaho Estimates Negative Economic Impact of Wolves at $15 Million+

Idaho's Fish and Game department recently released a report that attempted to provide a rough estimate of the economic impact of the state's wolf popluation. Statewide, Idaho could be losing between $15 million and $24 million annually in hunting-related revenue due to wolves' killing deer and elk, the report suggests. Read More ....

 

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