Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
Iowa’s pheasant population is forecast to match 2025 levels, when the state reached a 20-year high. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources uses a weather model with 50 years of data and roadside counts to predict populations. Biologist Todd Bogenschutz expects regional differences, with best counts in northern and central survey regions.
Hunters who did not apply in 2026 for a license or permit can purchase a preference point and/or bonus point beginning today, July 1.
As a reminder, preference points are used for drawing Nonresident Combination Licenses. Preference points move you ahead in line for the drawing. Hunters with the most preference points are drawn before hunters with fewer preference points. However, 25 percent of Nonresident Combination Licenses are issued through a random drawing to applicants who have no preference points. Any accumulated preference points are lost when the hunter draws a Nonresident Combination License or if they do not apply in consecutive years.
Bonus points are used in other drawings. They offer additional chances of being drawn for a first-choice license or permit for a given species. Bonus points are only used in first-choice drawings. Unlike preference points, bonus points do not guarantee a license or permit to the applicants with the most bonus points.
Think of bonus points as extra raffle tickets. If you apply for a license or permit without any bonus points, you get one “raffle ticket.” The number of “raffle tickets” you have in the drawing goes up with the number of bonus points you have.
Points and chances can be purchased online at FWP’s Online Licensing Service, at a License Ambassador location or at any FWP office that offers license sales. Most FWP offices with license sales are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. FWP offices will be closed July 3.
For more information about preference points and bonus points, click here.
Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
If you didn’t draw a buck deer or bull elk permit during the hunt drawing earlier this year — and you’re still interested in hunting deer or elk this fall — your last chance to obtain a big game permit begins next week.
The permits are first come, first served, and you must have a valid hunting or combination license to purchase a permit.
“If you happened to miss the big game drawing or were unsuccessful, this is your last opportunity for a chance to hunt big game in Utah this fall,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Administrative Services Section Assistant Chief Lindy Varney said. “Don’t forget that you can mentor a youth during these hunts, making it a great opportunity to pass on your love of the outdoors to the next generation.”
The sales dates for the permits can be found on the DWR website, and are as follows: Read more
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted $97,806 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation. The majority of these funds come from WTU’s Dream Sheds program. Since 2006, Whitetails Unlimited has provided grants totaling more than $950,000 to the Catch-A-Dream Foundation.
The Dream Sheds concept began when Mark and Terry Drury, who have produced extraordinary hunting videos and television shows for over 30 years as Drury Outdoors, approached Whitetails Unlimited with an innovative idea. They had collected a large number of exceptional shed antlers from their properties in Iowa and Missouri and were willing to donate them to use as a fundraiser for a worthy cause. Working with WTU, the Catch-A-Dream Foundation was identified, and the program came together.
Catch-A-Dream is a national, charitable foundation, that provides once-in-a-lifetime dream hunting and fishing trips to children across the United States and Canada, age 18 and younger, who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Through these adventures, and exposure to outdoors-minded people who care, the program instills in these children a message of encouragement at a time when they need to know that hope does exist. For more information about the Catch-A-Dream Foundation, visit catchadream.org. Read more
Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
If you are looking for a unique experience in Utah’s outdoors, consider applying for a permit for the chance to hunt greater sage-grouse, sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse or tundra swan this fall. The 2026 application period for these four Utah bird hunts opens on Tuesday, June 30.
Obtaining permits
Qualifying to hunt most bird species in Utah is simple: buy a combination or hunting license and head afield. However, some bird species also require a special permit in addition to a hunting license. Those species include:
Permits for greater sage-grouse, sandhill crane, tundra swan and sharp-tailed grouse are available through the Utah hunt drawing. You can apply for permits from June 30 at 8 a.m. MDT to July 14 at 11 p.m. MDT for a chance to hunt these larger, unique birds this fall. The permits for band-tailed pigeon and white-tailed ptarmigan are available for free, starting July 30, and you can obtain them online or from any license agent. Read more
During the 2025-2026 fiscal year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted $125,620 to 4-H programs around the country. 4-H, which stands for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, is a youth development organization focused on hands-on learning and leadership development. 4-H offers a wide range of programs, including STEM activities, agriculture, healthy living, and shooting sports.
Whitetails Unlimited is proud to support the continued success and growth of various shooting programs, including 4-H shooting sports programs, as part of their staying on Target Program. The WTU program focuses on allowing youth to gain experience in shooting sports which, in turn, helps to preserve the hunting tradition for future generations. Read more
Starting today, tens of thousands of applicants for Michigan’s highly coveted bear and elk licenses can learn whether they will be participating in this year’s hunts.
Annual drawing results for bear and elk seasons are now available. Learn whether you’re one of the lucky hunters 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.
With more than 100,000 people in total applying every year to hunt bear and elk, the $5 applications are wildly popular.
For some hunting periods, the odds of landing a license are long, although each unsuccessful applicant earns credit for future hunts. Bear hunters can get a license sooner by applying for the second or third hunting periods in most Upper Peninsula units.
This year, 6,278 bear licenses and 200 elk licenses are available.
After announcing the expansion of its industry-leading lineup of cellular trail cameras at SHOT Show earlier this year, Stealth Cam has announced that another updated model in its core camera line is now available for purchase online and at various retailers nationwide.
The all-new Spectre 4K Pro Dual-Core Cellular Trail Camera combines dual-core processing that simultaneously captures and sends photos, with dual image sensors, one optimized for enhancing daytime imagery and another optimized for nighttime imagery, and revolutionary Command AI features to elevate scouting year-round.
Three onboard AI functions drive performance: Read more
Now officially available for purchase, the Defender Pro Scout Max HD Solar is built for users who want dependable cellular performance with power that lasts. Designed for long-term deployments and minimal maintenance, the HD Solar provides consistent image delivery while reducing the need for frequent trips into the field.
Built-In Solar Power for Extended Deployment
The heart of the 2026 HD Solar is its highly efficient solar panel. Designed for a seamless, integrated look, the panel is built directly into the top of the camera. This all-in-one design continuously charges the internal batteries, helping keep the camera powered even in low-light conditions or partially shaded environments.
By eliminating the need for battery changes, the HD Solar is well-suited for remote properties, hard-to-reach locations, and long-term monitoring where reliability matters most. Read more
Stealth Cam, the leader in cellular trail camera technology for over two decades, has announced the availability of the Revolver PRO 3.0, one of the cams included in its newly launched 3.0 series trail camera lineup.
Now available online and through select retailers nationwide, the updated camera delivers the equivalent of six cameras’ worth of coverage in a single device, enhanced with three powerful new AI-driven features, including: