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

July 30, 2026

Increased costs, reduced staffing result in changes for fall 2026 season

Decreasing revenues, increasing costs from inflation and years of deferred maintenance on critical infrastructure have prompted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to adjust hours at four managed waterfowl areas this fall.

The change will mean fewer daily draw opportunities for hunters. Reserved hunts will continue as planned, and all changes will take effect after the 2026 duck season opening weekends.

“We have shielded our managed waterfowl areas from the impact of budget constraints over the last several years because of the value of these places, but we can’t afford to do that anymore,” DNR Director Scott Bowen said. “Highly engaged hunting communities often help steward these areas, and their contributions have driven our commitment to maintain services at a time of revenue declines. However, the truth is that we can no longer sustain the same amount of service with reduced staffing levels statewide.” Read more

AGFC Wildlife Biologist Tristan Bulice has been working and monitoring this field at Shirey Bay Rainey Brake all summer for the dove opener. AGFC photo.

Although summer heat is in full swing across The Natural State, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission staff are already paving the way for the kickoff to fall. Applications for AGFC permit-based dove fields open Saturday, Aug. 1, and will close Saturday, Aug. 15.

Most WMA-based dove fields are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A few managed spots, however, draw enough interest that the AGFC manages them through an online draw to reduce conflicts and increase the quality of the hunt for those hunters who win a permit.

Draw locations for opening weekend feature a combination of traditional sunflowers and top-sown wheat:

• Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA: 38 acres of sunflowers
• Dave Donaldson Black River WMA: 15 acres of sunflowers
• Lake Conway WMA (formerly known as Camp Robinson Special Use Area): 35 acres of top-sown wheat across multiple smaller fields
• Frog Bayou WMA: 20 acres of top-sown wheat

Hunters can apply online through the AGFC licensing portal under the “Controlled Hunt Permits” tab. A nonrefundable $5 application fee covers third-party administration costs.

Dove hunting is the unofficial kickoff to fall hunting seasons. AGFC photo.

To maximize access, applicants must select either Saturday or Sunday for their hunt. Permit holders can bring one guest, provided the guest remains with the permit holder. Both hunters are permitted their own full daily bag limit.

Brett Leach, AGFC Waterfowl Program coordinator, says applicants may want to consider the day they apply for as well as the field.

“The second day usually won’t have as much action, but your odds of drawing are usually better for the Sunday hunt,” Leach said. “Also, the sunflower fields are always more popular for good reason; they work really well to attract doves and they last a much longer time,” Leach said. “Top-sown wheat can be great, but if you get a rain right before the hunt, it can germinate and lose its appeal to doves.”

Bulice shows the size of the sunflower heads that will be producing excellent seed sources for mourning dove as they migrate through Arkansas in a month. AGFC photo.

Leach explains that top-sown wheat fields essentially serve two purposes: as a long-term source of browse for deer and other wildlife as green vegetation in winter, and as a short-term boost of energy for migrating doves when the seeds are on top of the ground.

All permitted fields will open to hunting on a first-come, first-served basis the Monday after opening weekend and be available throughout dove season.

“You may be able to find a few doves on these areas, especially the sunflower fields, after opening weekend, but after opening weekend, we don’t see many hunters using the areas,” Leach said.

Leach said there are many other fields being prepared on WMAs for people who don’t want to apply or do not draw one of these controlled hunt fields. Most of these fields will be prepared with top-sown wheat. A list of those fields will become available in the weeks leading to the dove opener at www.agfc.com/dove.

The 2026-27 Arkansas dove season is Sept. 5-Oct. 25, 2026, and Dec. 8, 2026-Jan. 15, 2027. The daily bag limit for mourning dove and white-winged dove is 15, with a possession limit of 45. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit for Eurasian collared dove, but all Eurasian collared doves must remain fully feathered for identification purposes while in the field and during transport from the field. Dove hunters 16 and older must have a valid Arkansas hunting license and must register with the Harvest Information Program. Visit www.agfc.com/license to apply for a dove hunt today.