News Category: Hunting

September 23, 2024

Expanded Deer Hunting Opportunities Have Arkansans Naturally Excited

Why It Matters: With the arrival of fall, hunters across the Natural State are excited about the official arrival of deer hunting seasons. This year, Arkansans have new opportunities to pursue white-tailed deer, including a recent early, buck-only archery season for the first time. With fall officially here, there is much to be excited about!…

September 17, 2024

Duck, Duck, Goose! Waterfowl Seasons are Opening in the Mid-Atlantic Region

Why It Matters: When the heat of the summer starts to dwindle and leaves start to fall, the sounds of migratory waterfowl begin to ring through the air. Here in the Mid-Atlantic States, many states are wrapping up their resident goose seasons and are ramping up for teal/early duck season. For many wing shooters, this…

September 17, 2024

Louisiana Black Bear – a Conservation Success Story

Why It Matters: Once on the brink of extinction, the Louisiana black bear’s population has rebounded to the point where it must be managed. Beginning in December of 2024, the story of the Louisiana black bear is among the greatest conservation success stories in the southern United States and is a testament to the North…

September 17, 2024

Spring Bear Hunting to Continue in Oregon

Why It Matters: Black bear management in Oregon is a current success story with the population showing steady growth and variety in age classes represented. In spite of the demonstrated success, groups who oppose the hunting of charismatic megafauna and predators made an effort to end spring black bear seasons at a recent ODFW Commission…

September 9, 2024

Crossing (State) Lines: The Role of Non-Resident Hunters in the Western US

Why It Matters: Sportsmen and women carry the bulk of the load as it relates to conservation funding through the “user pays – public benefits” American System of Conservation Funding (ASCF). While the sporting-conservation community bears this financial responsibility with honor, what is less discussed and appreciated is the role that non-resident hunters and anglers…

September 3, 2024

Regulatory Process for Setting Harvest Limits Faces Challenges in Indiana

Why It Matters: Following an overhaul of the state’s regulatory processes by the Indiana General Assembly, the process through which harvest quotas are set in the Hoosier State has been significantly complicated. Rather than harvest quotas being set based on population data collected by the Indiana DNR, those quotas must now be set through a…

September 3, 2024

Ammunition Background Checks: A New Barrier for Hunters and Recreational Shooters

Why It Matters: In January 2013, New York State passed the NY SAFE Act which included a provision mandating background checks on ammunition at point of sale. In 2016, California followed suit with Proposition 63 which was later amended by the legislator to mandate ammunition background checks in 2019. Neither system could take effect until…

September 3, 2024

Temporary Bear Hunting Rules Adopted in Idaho

Why It Matters: As a part of their ongoing case to delist grizzly bears, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) is reviewing and updating hunting and trapping rules to aid in their overall recovery plan. Temporary black bear hunting rules were recently adopted by the IDFG commission, and a formal rule making process,…

August 26, 2024

Let’s Talk About “No-Net-Loss”

Why It Matters: Year after year, many states are seeing large influxes of new residents, and with that, the need for more housing and expanded services continues. Expanded urbanization and development require land, and sometimes that comes at the expense of state lands that were once utilized by not only hunters, anglers, and trappers, but…

August 19, 2024

New Hampshire Hunters Called on to Manage Over-Target Bear Populations

Why It Matters: With rising black bear populations, bear sightings and conflicts are becoming more common place, beginning in 2024, New Hampshire bear hunters will now be allowed to take a second bear in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) C1, D2, E, or F, White Mountains Region. Historically, hunting has been the most efficient, cost-effective, and…