Pope and Young, America’s leading bowhunting conservation organization, announced nine new world records at its 34th Biennial Convention, held April 9–12 in Glendale, Arizona. The Pope and Young Convention has always featured an incredible trophy display—the largest collection of archery-taken animals in North America—and with nine new world records added, the showcase reached new heights. With over 200 trophies on display, including the nine newly recognized world records, the 34th Big Game Awards event was the largest in the Club’s history.

“It’s truly remarkable that, in today’s modern world, nine extraordinary animals taken with a bow and arrow have become the largest ever recorded in their class,” said Roy Grace, Pope and Young Records Chairman. “I applaud the ongoing efforts of outdoorsmen, along with organizations dedicated to proper conservation practices and the intelligent game management strategies employed by state and provincial game and fish departments across North America. This is a true success story that reflects their continued achievements.”

The new world records announced at the convention were as follows: Read more

Helping your neighbors can be as easy as reaching in your pantry and stopping by your local DNR customer service center Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18.

The DNR’s Hunters Feeding Michigan program, in partnership with the Food Bank Council of Michigan, invites all Michiganders to donate nonperishable food that will go to local food pantries.

Stop by any DNR Customer Service Center during business hours to donate and support those in need. Donors will receive an exclusive sticker as a thank-you. Read more

SAF Asks Sixth Circuit to Correct District Court’s Error, Grant Preliminary Injunction

The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF) filed the opening brief in the appeal of our lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) unlawful puppy ban in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. A panel of circuit court judges will now take a fresh look at SAF’s arguments that the CDC’s Dog Rule should be halted until the full legal process can play out. An injunction is not only needed to stop unlawful government rulemaking – it’s necessary to protect the interests and livelihoods of SAF members. Read more

onX Hunt, the leader in digital mapping and navigation for hunters, and Moultrie, the most innovative trail camera scouting solution, are joining forces to deliver an unmatched scouting experience for North American hunters. This partnership empowers hunters with cutting-edge tools, combining onX Hunt’s precise GPS mapping and property boundaries with Moultrie’s industry-leading image capture technology and advanced camera systems. Together, they offer a seamless integration that enhances scouting efficiency, decision-making tools and success in the field.

The new integration allows hunters to connect their two most powerful scouting mechanisms, giving them a complete view of their property and deer movement patterns, both from the ground and above. Read more

Commission to make final decision at August meeting

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing changes to wolf trapping and hunting regulations aimed at bringing down the number of wolves across the state, as required by law.

FWP’s proposal will go before the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at their Aug. 21 meeting. It is open for public comment through Aug. 4.

Wolf numbers in Montana remain relatively stable despite an increase in harvest in 2024, according to the 2024 Wolf Report, released today. Montana law requires the Commission to pass regulations that will decrease wolf numbers to a sustainable level statewide. Read more

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently made the decision to reinstate bear hunting, and the anti-hunting backlash was swift. However, the core of this decision is not about sport or politics; it is rooted in science, safety, and the well-being of both bears and humans.

Florida’s black bear population is a testament to successful conservation efforts. From a precarious low in the 1970s, the population has now climbed to over 4,000, thanks to decades of careful, science-based management. That recovery is worth celebrating. But conservation doesn’t stop at recovery—it demands sustained management within the limits of available habitat. Read more

Registration for these classes opens Monday

Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Hunter Safety Education Week, Aug. 11-17, offering in-person opportunities for more than 2,000 students to obtain hunter safety education certificates.

More than 40 additional class locations statewide will be posted and available for registration starting Monday, July 7.

To purchase a hunting license in Michigan, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1960, is required to successfully complete an approved hunter education course. Read more

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO ENTER!

ENTER BEFORE 11:59PM (PST) TODAY! (6/30/2025)

CLICK HERE TO ENTER NOW!

Technology in hunting is ever evolving, and as it does, Pope and Young continues to to lead the discussion ensuring technological advancements are not violating bowhunting fair chase ethics. Bowhunting is a privilege, not a right. With any privilege the ethics and perception of the activity to the greater public must be preserved.

Pope and Young is the voice for bowhunters not only when it comes to attacks on our passion for bowhunting, but working to draw those lines in the sand, to help ensure we are following the rules of Fair Chase, ethical bowhunting.

In the past, the policy was that if an animal had a picture captured on a camera that then transmitted the picture to the hunter, it was not eligible for the record books. “Obviously, as technology increases, the cellular camera gained popularity,” said Justin Spring, Executive Director of Pope and Young. “It got to the point where technically, if you looked at that rule, if I get a picture of a fawn, in essence, per fair chase rules as it reads, that deer is basically safe for its entire life from ever getting entered into the records book, which obviously wasn’t the intention. So that started the conversation between both Pope and Young as well as Boone and Crockett, that what we are really trying to avoid is the idea of “on-call hunting” where somebody’s sitting in their basement watching cameras, sees a deer out in front of stand six, they sneak out there and shoot it.” Read more

More than 6,500 hunters have been selected in the annual drawing for Michigan’s popular bear and elk hunts.

There are 6,278 bear licenses and 260 elk licenses available for the 2025 fall and winter hunting seasons. Drawing results may be viewed at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app or by calling 517-284-9453. Hunters are responsible for obtaining their drawing results.

Hunters selected in the drawing can buy their license at any license agent or online. Elk hunters whose names were drawn for a license will be mailed a packet of information that will include information about the elk hunter orientation.

In both the bear and elk drawings, hunters who apply and are not selected earn credit for future drawings. Read more