MUSKEGON, MI – Every hunter checks their firearm or bow before heading to the stand. Fewer check their harness. That gap in thinking is exactly what’s driving one of the deadliest trends in the deer woods.

Falls from treestands have quietly overtaken gunshot wounds as the leading cause of injury and death among deer hunters in North America. Estimates widely cited in the hunting-safety community — and often traced to the Treestand Manufacturers Association — put the toll at 30 to 50 hunters killed or permanently disabled by falls every year in the U.S., with thousands more injured badly enough to need medical attention. And by most tracking, roughly 95% of those serious injuries happen to hunters who weren’t wearing a harness at all.

Here’s the part that should stop every hunter in their boots: Most of those falls don’t happen while sitting still. They happen during the climb — the ascent or the descent — the exact moments a harness is doing its most important work. Read more

Following Cornell University’s recent decision to prohibit the processing of wild game animals in community kitchens, the Finger Lakes Chapter of Safari Club International (SCI) is reaffirming its commitment to helping student hunters access safe, sanitary, and appropriate facilities for processing legally harvested game.

Student hunters interested in taking advantage of these opportunities should contact Kuneytown Sportsmen’s Club at 315-568-9710. Referrals to other local sportsmen’s clubs with full kitchens are also planned.

The Cornell policy change stems from a 2025 incident in which students processed a legally harvested black bear in a residence hall kitchen after alternative options became unavailable. University officials later clarified that the students had not violated existing hunting rules or university rules at the time, but subsequently updated housing policies to prohibit the processing of wild game in communal kitchens.

The SCI Finger Lakes Chapter believes the incident highlights an important need within the hunting community: ensuring that students who hunt legally and ethically have access to suitable locations where harvested game can be handled safely and responsibly.

“Hunting is about conservation, responsibility, and respect for wildlife,” said SCI Finger Lakes President and Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation Executive Director Keith Tidball. “When students participate in hunting traditions, they deserve to have access to proper facilities and knowledgeable mentors who can help them process their harvest safely and correctly. The Finger Lakes Chapter is committed to being part of that solution.”

Tidball did take issue with some of the reports he felt villainized the hunters despite their operating entirely within the law, saying he was saddened that the tone of the piece seemed to implicitly, if not explicitly, shame the students for doing something perfectly legal and natural.

“The sort of sleuthing regarding the legality of their actions, and the permissibility of processing fish or game on Cornell campus in particular contributes to the ‘othering’ of hunters and anglers and those that prefer to live close to nature and their ancient humanness, suspiciously regarding them instead of celebrating their efforts to escape the increasing disconnect from nature impacting society,” Tidball wrote in a Facebook post he said was also sent to local newspaper editors. Read more

Photo courtesy Idaho Fish and Game

Two large wildfires have burned through some of Southwest Idaho’s most popular hunting units this summer, and with some early seasons opening Saturday, Aug. 15, hunters have questions. Here’s what the Big Grass and Tartar fires currently mean for hunting seasons, access, and wildlife in the region, how Idaho Fish and Game is responding, and how you can help.

If you’re a hunter simply looking for the Cliff’s Notes, here they are: No hunting seasons have changed to date. Fires rarely close entire hunting units, and fire restrictions rarely last through a whole season. But access closures are in effect for both the Big Grass Fire and Tartar Fire as of Aug. 14, conditions on the ground are rough, and the situation is still fluid. If there’s one tip we can provide before seasons kick off, it’s that hunters should check official sources for access closures and current fire information before every trip, especially in early-season hunts.

Big Grass Fire (Owyhee County)

The Big Grass Fire has burned more than a half-million acres in Owyhee County and eastern Oregon. The fire remains active.

Closure status: Read more

Michigan deer hunters will see several important regulation changes this year. Before heading afield, take time to review the 2026 Deer Hunting Regulations Summary and make sure you know what’s changing.

Aug. 17, 2026

Contact: Shannon Lott, 517-243-3166

Officials express gratitude for advocates’ support for Michigan’s conservation heritage

Waterfowl hunting advocates raised $80,000 in recent days to fund operations at four Michigan Department of Natural Resources managed waterfowl areas this fall.

The DNR announced July 30 that budget constraints would mean fewer daily draw opportunities for hunters during the 2026 waterfowl seasons. However, the private fundraising efforts have provided a temporary, one-time solution, allowing the following premier state game and wildlife areas to restore operations to two draws per day, seven days per week for this fall only:

• Fish Point in Tuscola County
• Nayanquing Point in Bay County
• Shiawassee River in Saginaw County
• Harsens Island Unit at St. Clair Flats in St. Clair County

Read more

Cooking teams have plenty of samples to share at the World Champion Squirrel Cook Off. AGFC photo.

The AGFC has once again teamed up with Ozark personality Joe Wilson to put on the nuttiest celebration of outdoor adventure and cooking, and there’s still time to get your team together and join in the fun. The World Champion Squirrel Cookoff will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center at 3400 N. 40th St. in Springdale.

The center, owned and operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, has hosted the event since its post-COVID reboot in 2023.

“It’s just a natural fit for us to partner with Joe, who started the cook off in 2012 and always held it right here in northwest Arkansas,” JJ Gladden, assistant chief of the AGFC’s Education Division, said. “The AGFC has had cooking classes and events as long as I can remember to teach people how to prepare the fish and wild game they come home with. When Joe was looking for a new home for his event after COVID, we knew it was a great opportunity to partner with our newest nature center in Northwest Arkansas.”

All dishes must use wild-harvested squirrels as their base protein, and smart teams use squirrel in side dishes, too. AGFC photo. Read more

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is considering a proposal to allow bear hunting on Bois Blanc Island in Mackinac County by removing the existing prohibition.

The hunting ban was established in May 1985 by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission. The prohibition was presented as a commissioner amendment and available NRC records do not provide a rationale behind its adoption.

Bois Blanc Island is located within the Newberry Bear Management Unit (BMU). Outside of state-run parks, recreation areas and safety zones near developed areas, Bois Blanc Island is the only location within a BMU where state law prohibits bear hunting. Other species can be hunted on the island, including deer, small game and waterfowl. The DNR manages 10,300 acres of the 23,700-acre island.

The proposal would allow bear hunting on state-owned land. Bear hunting on private land would require the landowner’s permission.

The DNR is seeking public input on the proposal. Send comments to Cody Norton, DNR bear and furbearer specialist, at nortonc3@michigan.gov.

Any hunting proposal would require NRC approval.

Learn more about bear hunting in the DNR’s 2026 bear hunting regulations summary.

Sabudawn Safaris will continue as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor, announced WTU President Jeff Schinkten. “Sabudawn Safaris is dedicated to quality, and their knowledgeable, experienced team excels at planning exceptional African safari experiences,” said Schinkten. “They handle travel and lodging logistics, allowing customers to focus on enjoying the hunt of a lifetime. We’re excited to continue our relationship with Sabudawn Safaris.”

Sabudawn Safaris is a full service “Safaris and Tours” operations. They specialize in coordinating travel arrangements for individuals and groups that will take care of all logistics like accommodations, transfers, air charters, touring, and all safaris for you. They are independent and can book and plan the itinerary to suit their customers’ needs. The team at Sabudawn, from the office staff, lodge staff, hunting professionals, skinners, and trackers, are all dedicated to making your hunting experience in Southern Africa a memorable one. To see all the activities there are to experience or a list of the animals you can hunt, go to sabudawnsafaris.co.za.

About Whitetails Unlimited: Since our beginning in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited has remained true to its mission and has made great strides in the field of conservation. Thanks to more than 475 chapters, 120,000-plus members, chapter volunteers, and corporate sponsors, Whitetails Unlimited has earned the reputation of being the nation’s premier organization dedicating its resources to the betterment of the white-tailed deer and its environment. Our mission is to raise funds in support of educational programs, wildlife habitat enhancement and acquisition, and preservation of the shooting sports and hunting tradition for future generations. To date, Whitetails Unlimited has expended more than $159.3 million on program services and activities that continue to enhance, and ultimately foster, our mission. Stay connected with us: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, WTU Website