Hunting Seasons & Draw Deadlines by State

November 7, 2026: Kauaʻi access and New York deer updates

Hawaiʻi: Kauaʻi game bird and mammal hunting units

Official access notice, checked November 7, 2026. For the November 7 game bird opener, DOFAW lists Units B, E1, E2, H and I as open; Units A and L remain closed until further notice. For game mammals, Units B, C, D, E1, E2, F, G, H, J and K are open or cleared to reopen. Unit G hunters must also check State Parks restrictions affecting the Kalalau Trail and park areas. Recent storms left tree and trail hazards. These access notices do not replace species, method, bag-limit or hunting-day rules. Confirm current conditions with Kauaʻi DOFAW at (808) 274-3433. Official Kauaʻi unit notice (PDF).

New York: Livingston County deer containment area

Agency response announced November 6, 2026. After detecting CWD in a wild deer, DEC announced a containment area covering Conesus, Groveland, North Dansville, Sparta, Springwater and West Sparta. DEC says all deer harvested there require tissue sampling; whole deer may not be transported out, and deer taken to outside processors or taxidermists require a DEC transport permit. Consult DEC before moving a carcass. On-site sample collection begins November 12; locations and hours are to be posted by DEC. Hunters harvesting earlier should save the head and contact DEC using the official notice. The announcement also describes forthcoming regulatory notice; it does not supply an exact effective clock time or an end date. DEC announcement and collection guidance.

Change log — November 7: added the official Kauaʻi access update and New York containment-area announcement. No new draw deadlines or 2027 season dates inferred.

November 5, 2026: New Mexico bear closure and November deer and duck seasons

Change log: added six official notices: the New Mexico closure, Maryland and Georgia seasons, New York road closure and check station, and Wyoming open-house timing discrepancy. These are 2026 closure and hunt-date updates, with Georgia's second duck segment extending into 2027. They are not draw application deadlines.

New Mexico: Bear Management Zone 14 closed effective November 3

Agency-confirmed closure. The department's November 4 notice says Bear Management Zone 14 closed effective November 3, 2026 after its harvest limit was reached. It lists zones 1, 2, 3, 9, 10, 12 and 14 as closed. The notice supplies no closure clock time or reopening date. Before hunting, verify your zone's current status through the department or its Bear and Cougar Closure and Harvest Hotline, 877-950-5466; an unlisted zone still requires the appropriate season, license and access permission. Official zone-closure notice.

Maryland: deer firearms season November 28–December 12

Announced 2026 season. Maryland DNR lists November 28–December 12 for the two-week sika and white-tailed deer firearms season. Antlerless dates, bag limits and Sunday opportunities vary; check your county and the current hunting guide rather than assuming every day and deer category is open. Sika hunters also need the sika hunting stamp. Official season notice, Sunday rules and licensing links.

Georgia: duck season opens November 21; special hunts November 14–15

Announced 2026–27 dates. Georgia WRD lists duck hunting November 21–29, 2026 and December 12, 2026–January 31, 2027. A separate November 14–15 opportunity applies to qualifying youth age 15 or younger, active military and veterans for specified migratory birds. Youth must have an adult aged at least 18 accompanying them; the youth-hunt rule permits only the youth to hunt. Review the separate military/veteran eligibility rules and species limits before participating. License, migratory-bird and applicable federal duck-stamp requirements still apply. Official announcement and current migratory-bird regulations.

New York: Arab Hill Forest Road vehicle closure affects hunting-season access

Temporary road closure. DEC's November 4 notice closes the northern section of Arab Hill Forest Road, from Housington Road to Lewis Road in Boutwell Hill State Forest, Chautauqua County, to vehicles while new gravel settles. The agency expects the vehicle closure to last until June 1, 2027; that is an anticipated date. Roadways and trails remain available for the recreational uses described in the notice, subject to conditions. This is not a closure of the entire forest or a new hunting-season restriction. Official road section, access details and alternatives.

New York: voluntary Holland deer and bear check station November 21–22

Scheduled voluntary check. DEC's Region 9 station on northbound Route 16, about one mile south of Holland in Erie County, is scheduled for November 21, 2026, noon–8 p.m., and November 22, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The notice does not label a time zone. Participation helps biological research and does not replace mandatory harvest reporting. E-tag users must immediately report their deer, bear or turkey harvest through HuntFishNY, following the separate carcass-tagging requirements when leaving the animal out of their possession. Official station and reporting instructions.

Wyoming: confirm the November 10 Alta open-house start time

Public input event; time discrepancy unresolved. Game and Fish invites discussion of hunting seasons and wildlife management on the west side of the Tetons at Alta Elementary School gym, 15 Alta School Road, on November 10, 2026. The notice's narrative says 5 p.m., while its Dates & Times field says 6 p.m.; neither labels the time zone. Confirm with the Jackson Regional Office at (307) 733-2321 before traveling. The informal meeting has no formal presentation or preset agenda and does not adopt a hunting season. Official event listing.

Find official resources for your state · New Mexico 2027–2028 license fees

November 3, 2026: urgent access changes and deer-season preparation

Change log: reviewed five agency notices published November 2. Added the Montana HD 502 sheep closure, Colorado flood-related access and license-return guidance, Missouri Eagle Bluffs reopening, and Minnesota and Vermont deer-season reminders. The earlier Eagle Bluffs suspension notice is now marked historical.

Montana: HD 502 closes to all bighorn sheep hunting November 3

Commission-ordered closure. All bighorn sheep hunting in Hunting District 502 closes one-half hour after sunset on November 3, 2026. Use the current legal district description and local sunset time; this is not a statewide sheep closure. Official closure order.

Colorado: southwest flooding affects access before third rifle season

November 2 emergency advisory. CPW strongly discourages travel to GMUs 74, 741, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80 and 81. Parts may remain open, but roads, evacuations and local closures can restrict access. Devil Creek, Higel, Hot Creek, Rio Grande and Shriver-Wright state wildlife areas are closed under this notice.

CPW offers refunds and restoration of preference points to pre-draw levels for the specific hunt codes listed in its notice. Match your exact license code; eligibility does not extend automatically to every license in these units. Return eligible licenses before the season opens, following the agency's postmark or office close-of-business instructions. Mark both refund and point-restoration boxes and enter “SW FLOODING” on the form. The notice advises OTC bull elk hunters to avoid these units during third rifle season, which begins November 7. Conditions can change; consult the official flood notice, exact hunt-code list and return instructions before travel or a return.

Missouri: Eagle Bluffs waterfowl hunting can begin November 7

Agency-announced reopening update. Restored pumping capacity allows waterfowl hunting at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area beginning November 7, 2026, the Middle Zone duck and coot opener. In-season reservation applications become available November 3 for the week of November 17; the notice does not state an opening clock time or guarantee a reservation. The River Parking lot remains closed until the pump project is finalized. Check the area hotline at 573-446-6743. Official November 2 update.

Minnesota: prepare your deer license before the November 7 opener

Current-season licensing reminder. Ahead of the November 7, 2026 firearms deer opener, DNR urges hunters to buy early and sign into its licensing app or print their license before leaving. Every harvested deer must be registered within 48 hours and before processing or removing antlers. Offline app records still need to upload when service returns; check the Submitted tab to verify submission. The agency also offers online quick registration without an account. Official license, validation and registration guidance.

Vermont: November 14–29 deer season requires in-person reporting

Announced 2026 season and reporting rules. Vermont's regular deer season runs November 14–29. Antlerless deer require an antlerless permit distributed through the earlier lottery; a hunting license alone does not authorize them. Legal-buck definitions vary by wildlife management unit. All deer taken during November 14–29 must be reported in person at a big-game reporting station, including archery deer during those dates; online reporting will not be available. Official season, unit and reporting details.

Find official resources for your state · 2027 Utah sportsman draw · 2027 Maine spring turkey

October 31, 2026: waterfowl hunt days, field precautions and hunter preparation

Change log: added the Maryland and Colorado agency notices published October 30, a Missouri hunter-education session, and an October 31 observation of New Hampshire's deer-registration service. Each item has its own scope; these updates do not establish 2027 seasons nationwide.

Maryland: special waterfowl hunts November 7, 2026 and February 6, 2027

Announced hunt dates. Maryland DNR lists two special days for ducks, geese and coots on designated public and private land: November 7, 2026 and February 6, 2027. Eligible hunters are youth age 16 or younger, qualifying military veterans, and active-duty Armed Forces members, including National Guard and Reserves on active duty other than training. Youth must be accompanied by an unarmed adult age 21 or older, or eligible military personnel also participating.

Hunting-license or exemption requirements apply to hunters and adult mentors. Youth need a Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp; the federal duck-stamp exemption applies only to those under 16. Adult participants need both stamps. Regular bag limits apply except the notice specifies two black ducks, two scaup, two Canada geese in the Atlantic Population zone, and five Canada geese in the Late Southern and Western Maryland Resident Goose Zones. Check the agency's zone and public-land guidance before hunting. Maryland DNR special-hunt notice and requirements.

Colorado: lower Arkansas River water-contact precautions for waterfowl hunters

Field advisory, published October 30, 2026. Following the August 26–27 Pueblo sewage spill, CPW advises hunters along the Arkansas River and adjacent state wildlife areas to check current water-quality information and posted contact advisories. Conditions vary by location and after rainfall. CPW recommends avoiding waters with active contact advisories, cleaning affected clothing and equipment, carrying clean water and soap, and protecting harvested birds and retriever dogs from potentially contaminated water.

The sewage-related contact advisory at John Martin Reservoir State Park was lifted September 4; that does not establish safe conditions throughout the river. This notice is a water-contact advisory, not an announcement of a statewide hunting closure. Read CPW's precautions, affected-area context and link to current CDPHE testing.

Missouri: November 12 hunter-education skills session in Jefferson City

Scheduled education event. MDC announces a session for participants age 11 and older at Runge Nature Center, 330 Commerce Drive, Jefferson City, on November 12, 2026, from 5–9 p.m. The announcement gives local event times without an explicit time-zone label. Registration is required; availability must be checked with MDC. Complete the knowledge portion beforehand, either online for a fee or through the student-manual review questions. Bring the completed booklet if using that route. MDC identifies this session as the final certification step before the November firearms deer portion opens November 14. MDC event details, registration and prerequisites.

New Hampshire: check deer-registration service before relying on online reporting

Updated November 2, 2026: The agency online system now displays “Register Your Deer” again. The October 31 observation below is historical. We verified the restored registration link, not a completed harvest submission; check the agency system and current reporting requirements before relying on online registration.

Service status observed October 31, 2026. The Fish and Game online license system displayed a notice that deer game check was unavailable that day and directed hunters to register in person at a deer registration station. Recheck the agency service for current status; this observation does not establish an ongoing outage or extend any reporting deadline. New Hampshire Fish and Game online system.

Continue to the state directory for official state sources. Alert delivery remains inactive while signup and preference handling are being tested.

October 30, 2026: Colorado commission review and Minnesota access restrictions

Reviewed October 30, 2026. Meeting proposals are not adopted hunting regulations; access restrictions below apply only to the stated places, dates and users.

Colorado November 4–5 commission meeting: fees and hunting proposals

Scheduled review and final consideration, not confirmation of adoption: The commission will meet in Fort Morgan November 4–5, 2026. Its agenda includes review of season dates, limited-license areas and methods of take for deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bighorn sheep. Prairie-dog limits and public-land methods, including a possible public-land season closure, are also under review.

Items scheduled for final consideration include preference-point fees for bear, elk, deer, pronghorn and turkey; inflation-related license-fee adjustments; and regulations for a new licensing/registration system planned for June 2027. Final consideration is a meeting stage, not an enacted fee. The notice also discusses turkey regulations and adding GMU 26 to an OTC hunt code. It explicitly labels that turkey item “2026”; we are not relabeling it as a confirmed 2027 season. Check the agenda materials and subsequent commission action before relying on a change.

Source: CPW November commission announcement, October 29.

Minnesota deer-season OHV restrictions: November 2026

Current agency restriction reminder: In rifle-hunting areas, recreational OHV use is prohibited on state-forest trails and access routes during the applicable firearms deer season; state-forest roads remain available. The notice lists November 7–22 for 100-series deer permit areas, November 7–15 for 200- and 300-series areas, and restrictions on all southeastern Minnesota OHV trails beginning November 1. It does not give a separate southeastern closing date.

Licensed deer hunters using these trails for their hunt may operate OHVs only before legal shooting hours, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., or after legal shooting hours. The notice defines those shooting-hour boundaries as one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. It does not label the midday window’s time zone. Verify your permit area, trail status and local hunting hours before riding. The firearms deer opener is November 7, 2026.

Source: Minnesota DNR deer-season safety and OHV notice.

Minnesota seeks 2027 policy topics at December 2 public meeting

Advisory input opportunity: Minnesota’s Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee will hold an online public meeting December 2, 2026, from 5:30–7 p.m. to gather ideas for its 2027 policy work. The announcement does not label the time zone; confirm it through the linked meeting information. This is an opportunity to suggest hunting, fishing and habitat priorities, not an announcement of final 2027 hunting seasons. The committee makes recommendations to DNR and the legislature.

Source and meeting access: Minnesota DNR advisory-committee announcement.

Change log: Added the Colorado agenda scope, Minnesota OHV restrictions and Minnesota advisory input meeting. Earlier updates retain their original review dates.

October 29, 2026: bear closure, Maui reopening and 2027 application updates

Reviewed October 29, 2026. Current closures, final calendar notices and proposed changes are identified separately below.

Montana BMU 420 black-bear closure: October 30

Official closure: Bear Management Unit 420 closes to all black-bear hunting one-half hour after sunset on Friday, October 30, 2026. Use the applicable local sunset rather than a statewide fixed clock time.

Source: Montana FWP closure order notice.

Maui game-bird access reopens November 7; reservations begin November 2

Confirmed limited reopening: Kula Forest Reserve, Kaonoulu Ranch Cooperative Game Management Area and the Papa‘anui Tract of Kahikinui Forest Reserve reopen for game-bird hunting on November 7, 2026. Access is for hunters on Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Call 808-359-0604 on Mondays from 8–9 a.m. to reserve a day for the upcoming weekend; if Monday is a state holiday, call the next workday. Reservations start Monday, November 2. The notice does not label the phone window’s time zone; confirm with the Maui Nui office before calling. This notice does not reopen hiking or game-mammal hunting. Follow the applicable species and season rules.

Source: DLNR Maui reopening notice, October 28.

Wisconsin 2027 bear applications: December 10, 2026 deadline

Agency-confirmed application deadline: Wisconsin DNR directs hunters seeking a license or preference point for the 2027 bear season to apply in Go Wild or through an authorized license agent before the December 10, 2026 deadline. The announcement supplies no closing clock time or time zone. Apply early and verify those details in the licensing system. Applicants must apply at least once in each period of three consecutive years to retain accumulated preference points. The 2026 harvest results in the same release are preliminary; they do not establish 2027 quotas or draw odds.

Source: Wisconsin DNR bear-season report and next-year reminder.

Montana 2027 deer, elk and turkey proposals: comments through November 11

Proposals, not adopted seasons: The December 10, 2026 commission agenda includes proposed changes to permits, quotas, quota ranges, season lengths and open areas for the 2027 deer, elk and turkey seasons. It also includes 2027–2028 Flathead Indian Reservation nonmember fishing and bird hunting. FWP accepts advance comments through November 11. The meeting starts at 8 a.m. at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena. Zoom registration opens November 25 and closes at noon December 9. The announcement does not label these times with a time zone or specify a closing time for November 11 comments; confirm with FWP before relying on a deadline.

Separately, the commission overview says its October 29 special meeting has been rescheduled to mid-November, without an exact replacement date in that notice. Do not confuse that special meeting with the December 10 meeting.

Sources: FWP December commission agenda and comment notice; commission overview and special-meeting update.

California November 2026 bird-season calendar

Published agency calendar, subject to change: The Imperial County Special Management Area white-goose season opens November 4 and runs through January 31, 2027. Statewide fall wild turkey opens November 14 through December 13; general pheasant November 14 through December 27; and late dove November 14 through December 28. Northern Brant Special Management Area dates are November 29–December 14; Balance of State Brant Special Management Area dates are November 30–December 15. The latter dates are all in 2026. Check the species regulations, bag limits and current area closures before hunting.

Source: CDFW November 2026 calendar.

Wisconsin November hunting openers: distinguish hunting from trapping

2026 opening-date reminder: Crow and gun-deer seasons open November 21; muzzleloader opens November 30. The agency’s November 7 and November 9 entries for beaver, mink, muskrat and otter are trapping-only opportunities in the specified zones, not hunting openers. Confirm the full season dates, license requirements and hunting hours for your planned hunt.

Source: Wisconsin DNR November opening notice.

Wyoming Deer Hunt Area 156: first CWD detection reported

Agency disease-surveillance notice: Game and Fish reported the first CWD detection in Deer Hunt Area 156 in the Jackson Region on October 26, following a positive adult mule-deer buck. The notice encourages free testing, especially in priority or mandatory testing areas; it does not announce a hunting closure or say testing is mandatory for every Area 156 hunter. Check current testing and carcass-transport requirements for your hunt.

Source: Wyoming Area 156 CWD notice.

Change log: Added seven reviewed notices covering the Montana closure and commission process, Maui access, Wisconsin bear applications and November openers, California bird dates and Wyoming surveillance. Earlier entries retain their review dates.

October 28, 2026: New Mexico fees, youth deer and fall turkey updates

Reviewed October 28, 2026. The notices below distinguish published license fees, confirmed 2026 hunt dates, and current access restrictions. Check your exact hunt unit, license and land-access rules before leaving.

New Mexico publishes 2027–2028 draw and over-the-counter fee tables

Status: agency-published fee schedules for 2027–2028. The draw table lists standard mature-bull/either-sex elk licenses at $100 resident and $773 nonresident; quality/high-demand mature-bull/either-sex elk at $100 and $998. Standard deer draw licenses are $60 resident and $398 nonresident; quality/high-demand deer are $60 and $623. Listed draw fees include the nonrefundable application fee of $7 resident or $13 nonresident. Nonresidents cannot apply for antlerless elk or WMA draw hunts.

The separate OTC table lists game-hunting licenses at $25 resident/$90 nonresident and turkey licenses at $35/$125. These are individual license prices, not an all-inclusive hunt cost. Other required licenses, stamps or validations may apply. These tables do not establish a draw opening date or application deadline.

Sources: 2027–2028 draw license fees (PDF); 2027–2028 OTC license fees (PDF).

Compare all listed 2027–2028 New Mexico draw and OTC fees in our detailed resident/nonresident guide.

Maryland junior deer hunt: November 14–15, 2026, with Sunday exceptions

Status: confirmed 2026 hunt dates. November 14 is open on private and designated public land statewide. November 15 is open on private land except in Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s counties; designated public-land opportunities that Sunday are limited to Allegany, Cecil, Garrett, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

Participants must be 16 or younger with a valid hunting license, accompanied by a licensed adult age 21 or older. Mentors cannot carry a hunting device. Sika hunters also need a sika stamp. Youth bag limits are one white-tailed deer in Region A; three in Region B, at most one antlered; and one sika deer. These deer do not count toward regular-season bag limits. All hunters must wear blaze orange or pink on these youth-hunt dates. Review the agency’s full rules and designated-land information before hunting.

Source: Maryland DNR junior deer announcement, October 27.

Pennsylvania fall turkey: October 31 opening, WMU-specific closing dates

Status: confirmed 2026 season. Fall turkey hunting is closed in WMUs 5C and 5D. The other units have the following dates:

• 1A, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B, 4D: October 31–November 15.
• 1B, 3D, 4C, 4E: October 31–November 8.
• 2A, 2F, 3B, 3C: October 31–November 15 and November 25–27.
• 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E: October 31–November 20 and November 25–27.
• 5A, 5B: October 31–November 3.

The Thanksgiving segment is Wednesday through Friday, only in the listed applicable units. Use shotguns with fine shot or archery equipment; single-projectile firearms are prohibited. Tag the bird immediately before moving it and report the harvest within ten days.

Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission fall turkey announcement, October 27.

Northwest Montana: check 2026–2027 permission and license restrictions

Status: current FWP season reminder. Montana’s 2026 general deer and elk season runs through November 29. In Region 1, antlerless elk B licenses are valid only on private property for 2026–2027. SPP lands now have three separate Block Management Areas with individual access requirements; SPP and Flathead Ridge Ranch users should check current maps and permission rules. Stop at every hunter check station you encounter, whether or not you harvested an animal.

Source: Montana FWP northwest-region notice, October 27.

Missouri: Reifsnider shooting range closed until further notice

Status: temporary range closure. MDC closed the unstaffed shooting range at Reifsnider State Forest near Warrenton because of misuse and safety concerns. No reopening date has been announced. This notice applies to the shooting range. MDC identifies William R. Logan Conservation Area, August A. Busch and Jay Henges ranges as alternatives; check each range’s hours and rules.

Source: MDC Reifsnider range closure, October 27.

Missouri 2027 permit changes: final commission approval confirmed

The commission’s October action record confirms final approval of the nonresident public-land deer permit, unstaffed shooting-range permit requirement and MDC camping permit changes described in our October 27 update. This adds approval evidence; it does not change the previously reported effective periods.

Source: October 2026 Conservation Commission action record.

Change log: Added the two New Mexico fee schedules, Maryland youth hunt details, Pennsylvania WMU dates, Montana access reminder and Missouri closure; added commission confirmation for the prior Missouri update. Earlier entries retain their original review dates.

October 27 updates: bear closure, 2027 permits and deer reporting

Checked October 27, 2026. Closure orders, approved future rules and participation deadlines have different effects.

South Carolina: Game Zone 4 bear closure October 27

Agency closure order: the 2026 Game Zone 4 bear season closes one hour after official sunset on October 27, 2026. Use official local sunset rather than a fixed clock time. The notice covers private land in Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Williamsburg counties and the named Cartwheel Bay, Lewis Ocean Bay, Little Pee Dee River, Waccamaw River and Wee Tee WMAs. Bears harvested before closure must still be reported. The reporting system remaining open through October 30 does not extend hunting permission. Official source and full requirements.

Missouri: approved additional nonresident public-land deer permit for 2027

MDC reports final Commission approval October 23. For the 2027 deer season, nonresidents will need a $165 Nonresident Public Land Deer Hunting Permit in addition to their regular deer permits to hunt deer on public land, including state and federal lands. It also applies to nonresidents hunting small game with a nonresident archery permit on public land. Private-land hunting does not require this additional permit. The notice gives no sale-opening date. Official source and full requirements.

Missouri: camping and unstaffed-range requirements start March 2027

Approved future camping rule: camping on MDC areas will require a $5 permit covering up to five days and up to 10 people; fewer days or people do not reduce the fee. Camping remains first-come, first-served, with labeling, annual/consecutive permit limits and additional requirements for larger groups. The agency states March 2027, not a specific day. Official source and full requirements.

Missouri: unstaffed firearms ranges

Approved future rule: starting March 2027, users of MDC-owned unstaffed firearms ranges need a valid small-game permit unless covered by the retained age/disability exemptions. Partner ranges and MDC staffed ranges are excluded. This is a range-access requirement, not a new hunting season. Official source and full requirements.

Vermont: in-person deer reporting November 7–8

For the 2026 youth and novice deer weekend, harvested deer must be reported in person; online reporting will not be available. The agency encourages using a biological check station. Youth must be 15 or younger; novices must be at least 16 and have bought their first-ever hunting license within the preceding 12 months. Hunter education, required license/tag, qualifying unarmed adult supervision and private-land permission apply. Consult the full eligibility rules before participating. Official source and full requirements.

Missouri: southeast mandatory CWD sampling counties

The October 26 reminder identifies Iron, Reynolds and Wayne counties for mandatory sampling of deer harvested November 14–15, 2026. This is a regional subset of the statewide rotation, not the full county list. Voluntary sampling remains distinct. Use the official locations and current requirements. Official source and full requirements.

Colorado: register for virtual Commission comments by October 30

The Commission page lists noon Mountain Time on October 30, 2026 as the virtual-comment registration deadline ahead of the November 4–5 meeting. This is a public-participation deadline, not a hunt application deadline or rule adoption. Use the agency-linked registration form and current agenda. Official source and full requirements.

Change log — October 27: Added seven sourced notices. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 26 update: Michigan 2027 spring turkey dates

Agency-published hunt dates for 2027. Michigan DNR’s season calendar now lists the following spring turkey hunts. These are hunting dates, not application dates.

• TMU M, Hunt 0110: April 17–May 31, 2027.
• TMU NN, Hunt 0134: April 17–30, 2027.
• Statewide TMU, Hunt 0234: May 1–31, 2027.
• TMU ZZ (private land), Hunt 0301: April 17–May 31, 2027.
• TMU ZZ, Hunt 0302: April 17–30, 2027.
• TMU ZZ May, Hunt 0303: May 1–31, 2027.

Check the official season calendar and DNR turkey guidance for unit boundaries, license eligibility, access and current rules. This calendar does not establish a 2027 application deadline or cutoff time; do not substitute a prior-year deadline.

Change log — October 26, 2026: Added the newly observed 2027 calendar entries with hunt numbers and the listed private-land restriction. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 24 update: Utah proposal meetings and source documents

Scheduled public meetings; hunting proposals remain unapproved. Utah DWR has posted the November 2026 RAC agenda and proposal packet. The agenda covers 2027 CWMU recommendations, Landowner Association recommendations and bighorn hunt structure changes. A proposal packet is not an adopted season or an application opening.

The official meeting page lists Central RAC on November 10, Northern on November 12, Southern on November 17, Southeastern on November 18 and Northeastern on November 19, 2026, all at 6 p.m. MST. The Wildlife Board meeting is December 3, 2026 at 9 a.m. MST in Farmington. These are meeting times, not the advance-comment deadlines described in the October 22 notice below.

Confirm the Southern Region address before travel: both sources name Southern Utah University's Hunter Conference Center, Charles R. Hunter Room, but the webpage lists 351 W. University Blvd. while the agenda PDF lists 646 N. Main St. in Cedar City. We have not resolved which street address attendees should use.

Read the official meeting schedule and feedback links, November agenda, pages 1–2, and proposal packet. Check the agency for updates before attending or applying.

Change log — October 24, 2026: Added confirmed meeting dates/time zones, newly reviewed document links and the unresolved venue-address discrepancy. No hunting-rule adoption or permit availability is inferred. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 23 updates: limited hunts and wildlife-disease notices

Checked October 23, 2026. These official announcements concern specific areas and requirements, not statewide permission to hunt.

Alabama: registration open for accessible deer hunts in Hale County

Agency-announced 2026–27 hunts: The M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area is accepting first-come registrations for hunters with physical disabilities. Call (334) 901-6964; availability is limited and each hunter may register for one hunt. A hunting license and Conservation ID are needed before registration, and a Disabled Hunter Permit Application is required before hunting. An assistant may accompany the hunter.

Dates are November 25 and 28 and December 2, 12, 16 and 23, 2026; January 20, 23, 27 and 30, 2027. No registration closing time is announced; call to confirm an available place. Harvests must be reported through Game Check within 48 hours. Official dates, registration and permit instructions.

California: Eden Landing lists ten no-entry-fee waterfowl hunt dates

Announced 2026–27 access dates: CDFW lists November 21 and 24; December 5, 8 and 19, 2026; and January 2, 5, 16, 19 and 30, 2027, at Congressman Pete Stark Ecological Reserve in Alameda County. Check-in is listed at 4:30 a.m.; the release does not state a time zone. Its introductory reference to Tuesday/Thursday opportunities conflicts with the explicit Saturday/Tuesday date list, so confirm your intended day with CDFW before travel.

No entry fee does not mean no license or validation requirements. Adults need the listed California license, federal duck stamp, state duck and HIP validations. Juniors need a junior license, a federal duck stamp if 16 or older, and an accompanying adult aged at least 18. The field limit is 25 shells and nonlead ammunition is required. Rain and tides may limit access. Official date list, requirements and agency contact.

New Mexico: new screwworm notice affects trip and livestock planning

October 22 agency advisory: The department reports new detections announced October 21 in Grant and Otero counties. Hunters traveling out of an infested zone with horses, mules or other livestock must consult the Livestock Board's current movement requirements and the linked zone map. This notice does not announce a hunting-season closure. It supersedes the situation described in the department's older October 2025 notice.

The agency instructs hunters who suspect an affected animal not to eat, handle or transport it and to contact wildlife officials promptly at 888-248-6866 during business hours, or the local conservation officer after hours. Livestock questions go to 505-841-6161. Current official advisory, map, reporting and movement-rule links.

Wisconsin: Marinette County baiting and feeding ban extended

Agency-announced restriction update: DNR's October 22 release confirms a first positive CWD result in a wild deer in Marinette County near Peshtigo. The existing county baiting and feeding ban will extend for three additional years; the release supplies no exact expiration date. Existing adjacent-county bans are not changed by this detection. This is not a new deer-season closure. Official notice and current baiting/feeding regulation links.

Change log — October 23: Added Alabama registration, California's site-specific date list and its weekday discrepancy, New Mexico's current advisory, and Wisconsin's ban extension. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 22 updates: sheep closure, waterfowl suspension and upcoming permits

Checked October 22, 2026 against the official sources below. Closures, scheduled sales, season reminders and proposals have different effects; use the exact hunt area and current agency rules.

Montana: HD 500 bighorn sheep closes October 22

Commission-ordered closure: Hunting District 500 closes to all bighorn sheep hunting one-half hour after sunset on October 22, 2026. Use the current legal district boundary and local sunset; the order supplies no fixed clock time or reopening date. Official HD 500 closure order.

Missouri: earlier Eagle Bluffs suspension — superseded November 2

Historical notice: See the November 3 update above for the announced November 7 reopening. The following describes the earlier suspension.

Agency-announced suspension: Waterfowl hunting opportunities at Eagle Bluffs Conservation Area in Boone County are temporarily suspended while water-supply pumps are replaced. At the time of the earlier notice, MDC had not given a definitive reopening date. This concerns waterfowl hunting at the named area, not a statewide closure. Check the area hotline at 573-446-6743 before traveling. Official suspension and status contact.

Missouri: use the revised duck-zone map for 2026–27

Adopted framework reminder: MDC identifies changes to the North/Middle duck-zone boundary affecting parts of the Lincoln, Warren, St. Charles, St. Louis and St. Louis City area, and the Saline, Cooper, Chariton, Howard, Randolph and Boone area. The Middle/South boundary is unchanged. Do not infer a whole county’s zone from this list; consult the official map.

For the 2026–27 duck season, North Zone dates are October 31–December 29; Middle Zone dates are November 7–December 13 and December 19–January 10, 2027; South Zone dates are November 26–29 and December 7–January 31, 2027. Other waterfowl species and special hunts need their own schedules. Official notice, zone-map link and current digest.

Montana Roundup: limited archery mule-deer licenses on sale November 4

Scheduled sale for a 2026–27 management hunt: Fifty either-sex mule-deer licenses are scheduled for sale November 4, 2026, with a maximum of two per person. Online sales begin at 5 a.m.; in-person sales begin at normal business hours. The release does not label a time zone, so confirm the online opening time with FWP. Residents and nonresidents may qualify; Conservation, Base Hunting and Bow & Arrow licenses are required.

The hunt runs November 30, 2026–February 15, 2027 and permits archery equipment only. City permission is required at 406-323-2804, and hunters may be assigned specific sites on designated city/county property. Licenses cost $10 for residents and $75 for nonresidents. This is an announced allocation, not proof of remaining supply. Official sale, permission, reporting and mapped hunt rules.

Utah: proposed Pilot Mountain sheep hunt and 2027–29 private-land programs

Proposed, not approved: DWR recommends restoring the Box Elder, Pilot Mountain bighorn sheep hunt with proposed dates September 1–November 30, 2027. It also proposes CWMU renewals/additions and Landowner Association vouchers for 2027–29. These recommendations do not establish an open hunt or permit availability.

Online comments for Central/Northern RAC meetings are due November 5 at 11:59 p.m.; Southern/Southeastern/Northeastern RAC comments are due November 12 at 11:59 p.m.; Wildlife Board comments are due November 24 at 11:59 p.m. The release does not state deadline time zones. Meetings are in November, followed by the December 3 board meeting. In-meeting comments require in-person attendance; advance online feedback uses DWR’s forms. Official proposals, meeting venues and comment instructions.

Idaho Unit 1: food-storage requirements on state endowment lands

Current land-manager requirement reminder: Overnight visitors on Idaho state endowment lands in Unit 1 must secure food, garbage and other bear attractants. The agency describes approved bear-resistant containers and permitted alternatives, including locked hard-sided vehicles, specified hanging distances and approved electric fencing. This land-ownership-specific notice is not a new hunting season or a blanket rule for every property in Unit 1. Official storage requirements and agency contacts.

Wyoming: arrange Lander mandatory checks during October 22–23 road work

Office-access advisory: Vehicle access to the Lander Regional Office is cut off October 22–23, 2026, while pedestrian access remains available during its 8 a.m.–5 p.m. business hours. The notice does not label a time zone. Hunters needing mandatory bighorn sheep, mountain lion, black bear or gray wolf checks, or CWD sampling, should call (307) 332-2688 before arrival so staff can arrange a nearby vehicle-accessible meeting point. Road reopening October 24 is weather dependent; mandatory reporting obligations are not waived. Official access and checking arrangements.

Missouri: distinguish mandatory deer sampling from voluntary options

MDC’s regional reminders identify mandatory CWD sampling on November 14–15, 2026 in selected counties, with a four-year county rotation. Central-region counties named are Audrain, Callaway and Montgomery; northeast counties named are Monroe, Pike and Ralls. These are regional examples, not a complete statewide list. Voluntary sampling is available more broadly during the season. Check the current county requirements and collection locations before hunting. Central-region notice · Northeast-region notice.

Change log — October 22: Added eight notices covering closures, duck-zone dates, a scheduled limited-license sale, proposed Utah opportunities, storage rules, office access and deer sampling. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 21 updates: hunting hours, permit access and upcoming bird seasons

Checked October 21, 2026. Document corrections, current service advisories, announced hunt dates and future public-input dates are identified separately below.

Indiana: revised 2026–27 migratory-bird hours summary

Official PDF revision first observed October 21: The migratory-bird table on page 2 now lists hunting hours from one-half hour before sunrise through sunset; the copy retrieved October 20 listed sunrise through sunset. The table covers mourning dove, snipe, woodcock and sora rail. This is a change to the published summary; we have not verified a new legal effective date. The separate waterfowl note still retains sunrise-to-sunset hours for the early-teal season. Use the current species, season and property rules rather than applying one hours statement to every hunt. Current Indiana hunting and trapping seasons PDF, page 2.

Illinois: firearm deer permit sales and vendor printing problems

Current agency service advisory: IDNR says over-the-counter firearm deer permit sales began October 20, 2026, but some vendors have limited ability to print permits and licenses following software updates. Use the agency-linked vendor locator and check with the vendor before traveling. This notice does not guarantee remaining permits for a county, hunt or residency category. The deer page separately links remaining permit quotas and current season information. Official Illinois deer page and advisory · Official vendor locator.

Leftover-permit conditions: Remaining county-specific firearm and muzzleloader permits are sold first-come, in person at designated agents, until the quota is exhausted or that season closes. Online and phone purchases are not offered for these OTC permits, and Special Hunt Area permits are excluded. The post-lottery quota is a starting allocation, not proof of stock remaining today. Official leftover-permit conditions and quota page.

Utah: pheasant and quail dates differ for youth and general hunts

Agency-announced 2026 season dates: General ring-necked pheasant hunting runs November 7–December 6; California and Gambel’s quail run November 7–December 31. The statewide youth pheasant hunt is October 31–November 5, while youth quail runs October 31–November 2. Youth eligibility uses age 17 or younger on July 31, with hunter-education requirements or qualifying Trial Hunting participation, plus a hunting license and the applicable upland rules. Some WMAs require nontoxic shot. Walk-in Access properties require a free authorization number, and private land requires documented permission. Official Utah dates, eligibility and guidebook links. For the separate 2027 permit drawing, see our Utah sportsman permit application guide.

Wisconsin: 2027 conservation resolutions and spring input dates

Public-input schedule, not adopted hunting rules: Wisconsin residents may submit up to two proposed resolutions for the 2027 Spring Hearings by February 8, 2027. The agency says “midnight” but does not label a time zone or clarify which midnight boundary; submit early or confirm the cutoff with the organizer. Resolutions must meet the stated statewide-impact and other criteria. In-person and online input is scheduled to begin April 12 at 6 p.m.; online input continues through April 14 at midnight. Those times likewise have no stated time zone in the release. These are participation dates, not hunting application deadlines or finalized seasons. Official Wisconsin notice and submission links.

Change log — October 21: Added the Indiana document revision, Illinois permit-printing advisory, Utah bird-season distinctions and Wisconsin 2027 public-input schedule. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 20 updates: deer restrictions, youth applications and fall access

Checked October 20, 2026 against the official notices linked below. These updates concern 2026 applications and hunts or the 2026–27 season, as specified.

North Dakota: immediate antlerless whitetail restrictions and license-return options

North Dakota Game and Fish announced on October 19 that antlerless white-tailed deer harvest is prohibited effective immediately in deer gun units 3C, 3E1, 3E2 and 3F2. The restriction covers youth, muzzleloader, deer gun, deer bow and gratis licenses. Antlerless whitetail gun licenses for these units are no longer valid; holders will receive automatic refunds.

A separate voluntary return option applies to whitetail licenses (any antlered, any antlerless, antlered whitetail and antlerless whitetail) in units 2H, 2I, 3B3, 3C, 3D1, 3D2, 3E1, 3E2, 3F1, 3F2, 4D, 4E and 4F, and to muzzleloader license holders. Hunters may return eligible licenses for a refund and restored bonus points, or donate the fee and earn a bonus point where applicable. Returns must be made before deer gun season, with the chosen option indicated. The notice does not specify an exact clock-time cutoff. Consult the agency before returning a license. Official October 19 EHD season-change announcement.

Idaho: Gold Island access closure planned for October 20

The Gold Island segment of Fort Boise Wildlife Management Area is scheduled to close to public access October 20 for aerial herbicide application. Weather may change the schedule, and staff will post updated notices at area boat ramps. The announcement gives no reopening time; check posted notices or call the WMA office at (208) 722-5888 before visiting. Official Idaho closure notice.

Oklahoma: apply by October 25 for guided youth waterfowl hunts

Youths ages 12–15 with proof of certified hunter education may apply by October 25, 2026. An adult guardian must accompany the selected youth; only the youth hunts. Applicants rank locations, and selected participants arrange their hunt date with the agency guide. Locations include Packsaddle and Hackberry Flat WMAs, Fort Cobb State Park, Fort Gibson Lake, Keystone Lake and Vann’s Lake. The announcement does not state a cutoff time, time zone or residency restriction; check the application requirements directly. Official eligibility and application notice.

Vermont: antlerless muzzleloader season October 29–November 1

Vermont’s four-day 2026 antlerless deer muzzleloader season runs October 29–November 1 for antlerless permit holders. A hunting license, muzzleloader license and antlerless permit are required. Only one antlerless deer may be taken per permit. Muzzleloader-season harvests must be reported within 48 hours; online reporting requires photos. Review the deer regulations and permit conditions for the location you plan to hunt. Official Vermont season notice.

California: most waterfowl zones open October 24

CDFW confirms the 2026–27 waterfowl season begins October 24, 2026 in most zones. This is not a single opening date for every species, zone or special hunt. Use the regulations and public-area reservation information linked in the agency notice to check exact season dates, limits, licenses, validations and passes before traveling. Check refuge and wildlife-area emergency closures as well. Official California waterfowl opening notice.

Change log — October 20: Added the North Dakota EHD restrictions and license options, Idaho access notice, Oklahoma application deadline, Vermont muzzleloader dates and California waterfowl opening reminder. These summaries do not replace unit-specific regulations.

October 17 updates: closures, permit boundaries and Hawaiʻi hunt announcements

Checked October 17, 2026. These notices apply only to the named species, areas and seasons. Check current agency status before hunting.

Montana: all bighorn sheep hunting closes in HD 303

Commission-ordered closure: Hunting District 303 closes to hunting of all bighorn sheep one-half hour after sunset on October 17, 2026. Use the current legal district boundary and local sunset; the notice does not provide a fixed clock time. This is a district-specific closure. Official October 16 closure order.

New Mexico: Bear Management Zone 1 closed

Effective October 16, 2026: BMZ 1 closed after its closure limit was reached. The agency's update lists bear zones 1, 2, 3, 9, 10 and 12 as closed. Other zones or special areas are available only when their own schedules allow hunting. Before departure, check the Department's current status or call its Bear and Cougar Closure and Harvest Hotline, 877-950-5466. No reopening date is supplied. Official closure and harvest update.

Montana HD 101-50: antlered elk permit restrictions are in effect

2026–2027 season rule reminder: Only HD 101-50 permit holders may hunt antlered elk in the North Tobacco portion. Those permit holders may hunt elsewhere in HD 101, but cannot hunt antlered elk in another district. The permit area applies during archery, general and heritage muzzleloader seasons. General-license holders may hunt antlered elk in the rest of HD 101, excluding North Tobacco, subject to other regulations. FWP says this change was approved in December 2025 and is now effective; it is not a new application opening. Official permit-area reminder and regulation link.

Hawaiʻi: 2026–2027 game-bird season and a limited feral-pig hunt

Announced season: The general game-bird season runs November 7, 2026–January 31, 2027, but mourning dove hunting ends January 10. Legal days, closures and access vary by island and unit; these dates do not authorize daily hunting. Kauaʻi Units A, E, H and J remain closed pending hurricane recovery; Unit L remains closed pending a cooperative agreement. Oʻahu wild turkey hunting remains prohibited. A hunting license and game-bird stamp are required on public and private lands. Official five-page announcement and island exceptions.

A separate feral-pig hunt with dogs covers the named Puʻu Mali and Kaʻohe restoration areas, not all of Units A and G. During November 7–January 31, it is limited to non-bird-hunting Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays that are not state or federal holidays; it then runs daily through February 28, 2027. Individual permits and the designated paper check-in/out sheets are required; OuterSpatial is not accepted for this special hunt. Dogs with rifle or knife are permitted; shotguns are prohibited. Follow the attached access maps and locked-gate limits. Official special-hunt conditions and maps. See our Hawaiʻi hunting guide for island planning.

Wisconsin pheasants: opening weekend and property-hour exceptions

Announced 2026–2027 season: Opens October 17 at 9 a.m. and ends January 3, 2027. DNR's release does not label the time zone; use the property's official shooting-hour rules. The daily limit is one rooster October 17–18, then two beginning October 19. Some properties close at noon on weekdays October 19–November 3. Regular stocking ends November 19; Richard Bong is the stated exception for stocking during the week of November 30 and requires daily pheasant permits. Official season, stocking and property-rule links.

Change log — October 17, 2026: added two closure alerts, the Montana elk permit-area reminder, Hawaiʻi bird and special-pig announcements, and Wisconsin pheasant details. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 16 checks: Utah date correction, Alabama sampling and upcoming draws

Checked October 16, 2026 against the official sources below. An expected application window is not a final deadline, and sampling requirements do not create a new hunt season.

Utah youth deer guide correction: October 17–25

Official correction posted October 15: Utah DWR's guidebook corrections identify October 17–25, 2026 as the correct early any-legal-weapon youth deer dates in the page 20 box, correcting the printed October 18 start. DWR says the online guide has been updated. Check the guide's youth permit eligibility, unit and weapon conditions; this correction does not authorize every hunter to start October 17. Official guidebook and corrections.

Alabama CWD sampling: different weekends by zone

2026–27 mandatory sampling schedule: Alabama's High-Risk Zone requires testing for deer harvested November 21–22, 2026, January 16–17, 2027 and February 6–7, 2027. The Buffer Zone requires testing January 16–17 and February 6–7, 2027. The High-Risk Zone covers Lauderdale and Colbert counties and a defined portion of Franklin County; use the official map for the Highway 24/U.S. 43 boundary and remaining Franklin County Buffer Zone.

Deer from Freedom Hills, Lauderdale and Seven-Mile Island WMAs, Cherokee Physically Disabled Hunting Area and Riverton Community Hunting Area require sampling throughout the season. December 26–27 (High-Risk) and January 23–24 (both zones) are listed as alternate weekends if needed, not additional confirmed sampling weekends. Separate carcass-transport restrictions apply. Official schedule, map, sampling locations and transport rules.

Wisconsin elk: 2026 opener and tentative 2027 application window

Confirmed 2026 opener: The state-administered elk hunt starts October 17 for selected license holders. Tags are unit-specific; this is not an open opportunity to buy a leftover tag. Expected 2027 application schedule: DNR says applications for Wisconsin residents are expected March 1–May 31, 2027, with the drawing in early June. Final harvest quotas and eligible units or unit groups are still to be determined before applications open. The notice supplies no exact closing time or time zone and no specific June drawing day. Recheck before setting a final application reminder. Wisconsin DNR announcement.

Tennessee mid-season waterfowl quota hunt applications

Agency-announced application dates: TWRA's October 15 news listing announces October 21–November 10, 2026 for applications for mid-season Tier 2 WMA waterfowl hunts. These are application dates, not hunt dates. Applicants must be at least 16; parties need four to eight members. Each person may submit one application with up to 48 distinct hunt choices. No mailed applications are accepted. Selected party members must individually claim permits by November 23. The notice prints the claim cutoff as “11:59 CST” without specifying a.m. or p.m.; confirm that detail with TWRA. Unclaimed sites are allocated through in-person leftover drawings December 7 at 6 p.m. local time; consult the guide for locations. The notice does not specify the November 10 application cutoff time. TWRA news listing · Full application notice.

Change log — October 16, 2026: Added the Utah guide correction, Alabama zone-specific sampling dates, Wisconsin's confirmed opener and tentative 2027 window, and Tennessee's announced application dates. Follow each agency's current instructions before hunting or applying.

October 15 checks: Maryland deer dates, Idaho proposals and Montana reminders

Checked October 15, 2026. Final season reminders, proposed rules and scheduled habitat work have different implications for your trip. Confirm your hunt district, species and license before acting.

Maryland early muzzleloader deer: October 22–24

Final season reminder, 2026–27: Maryland DNR announces the first muzzleloader deer segment October 22–24, 2026 statewide. Region B has an additional October 26–31 antlerless deer segment. Sika deer have an either-sex October 22–24 segment followed by antlerless-only October 26–31, with the sika muzzleloader season open statewide. Sika hunters need a Sika Deer Stamp in addition to the Muzzleloader Stamp; the sika muzzleloader limit is three, no more than one antlered. The Bonus Antlered Deer Stamp cannot be used during the early muzzleloader season. White-tailed deer antlerless limits and other restrictions vary by region; check the guide for the exact hunt. Maryland DNR announcement and 2026–27 guide links.

Idaho tagging and CWD proposals: comments through October 28

Proposed rules, not adopted changes: Idaho Fish and Game is taking comments through October 28, 2026 on possible electronic tagging for certain game birds and a change that would prohibit moving animal carcasses between game management units within a CWD management zone, whether salvaged or harvested. The notice does not identify a closing time or time zone. A commission vote is scheduled for November 17–18; approval would advance the rules to pending status. It would not by itself prove the rules are effective. Keep following current tagging and transport rules. Official proposal summaries and comment links.

Idaho Unit 76: scheduled helicopter work October 25–31

Planned habitat work, weather dependent: Low-level herbicide and seeding flights are scheduled near Mahogany Ridge and Bear Lake in portions of Unit 76 from October 25 through October 31, 2026, subject to weather and wind. The BLM/Idaho Fish and Game work covers designated public and private treatment areas and may temporarily affect hunters. This notice does not announce a unit-wide hunting closure. Check the agency's treatment map before choosing your route or hunting location. Treatment notice, map and local contacts.

Montana: youth deer October 15–16 and general deer/elk October 24

2026 season reminders: FWP's October 14 licensing notice identifies October 15–16 as the early youth deer hunt and October 24 as the general big-game opening. Confirm youth eligibility and your district's species, sex and permit restrictions in the current regulations. License ambassadors offer local access to the online licensing system, but payment there requires a debit or credit card; cash/check users should visit an FWP office. Call ahead if you need printing. Official licensing options and participating locations.

FWP also reminds deer, elk and moose hunters that CWD sampling is voluntary in most of Montana, while certain CWD-management licenses and permits near Libby and Kalispell require testing. Priority sampling areas do not automatically mean mandatory testing. Check the specific district and license, and use the agency's carcass-disposal guidance. FWP sampling distinctions · Current hunting reminders.

Utah: November regional meetings and December board meeting

Published meeting schedule: Utah's calendar now lists Regional Advisory Council meetings November 10 (Central), 12 (Northern), 17 (Southern), 18 (Southeastern) and 19 (Northeastern), all at 6 p.m. MST, followed by the Wildlife Board on December 3, 2026 at 9 a.m. MST. These are meeting dates, not hunting seasons or application deadlines. Check the calendar for venues, agendas and participation details; December board materials were not yet available when checked. Official Utah meeting calendar.

Change log — October 15, 2026: Added these five updates from official agency sources. See the 2027 Utah sportsman draw guide for its separate October 20–November 10 application window.

October 14 checks: Utah draw dates, Hawaiʻi proposals and hunting access

Checked October 14, 2026. Announced application dates, proposed rules and local access changes are labeled separately below.

Utah 2027 sportsman permits: apply October 20–November 10

Announced drawing schedule: Utah residents can apply from October 20, 2026, at 8 a.m. MDT until November 10, 2026, at 11 p.m. MST. Results are scheduled for November 19. Applications are in 2026 for 2027 permits; bonus points are not used or earned. Read the 2027 Utah sportsman draw guide, eligibility and species list. Official Utah DWR announcement.

Hawaiʻi Island and Oʻahu: proposed temporary hunting changes

Proposal, not verified as adopted: DLNR has posted a November 13, 2026 meeting notice for proposed feral-goat bag-limit changes in specified Hawaiʻi Island units, wild-turkey changes on Hawaiʻi Island, and game-bird hunting-day changes plus proposed kalij pheasant and Indian peafowl take on Oʻahu. The meeting is listed at 9 a.m. at the Kalanimoku Building, with online options; the notice does not state a time zone. The draft exhibit includes November 23 as an effective date, but the board meeting is still ahead. Do not hunt under these proposed changes unless adoption and the effective rules are confirmed. Official meeting and proposal notice · Hawaiʻi hunting updates.

Idaho Winchester Lake: reserve a waterfowl hunting location

Agency access reminder: Idaho Fish and Game's October 13 notice requires advance registration for one of six designated Winchester Lake hunting locations, with no more than four hunters per location. Reservations may be made one week ahead, up to three times per week, and hunters must carry proof of registration. The state-park fee area is excluded. Review the map, current waterfowl regulations and the notice's water-quality advisory before bringing hunting dogs. Official rules, registration link and advisory.

Wyoming: three-county Commission-land fire ban lifted

Access-related change announced October 13: Game and Fish lifted the fire ban on Commission-owned and managed lands in Sublette, Teton and Lincoln counties. This does not establish the fire restrictions on neighboring federal, state, county or private land. Check the owner and current restrictions for your exact campsite. Wyoming Game and Fish notice.

North Carolina: Buncombe County bear-feeding rule proposal

Temporary-rule proposal: Public comment closes November 6, 2026; the agency page does not specify a closing time or time zone. A hearing is scheduled for October 21 at 6 p.m. at Ferguson Auditorium, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; the page does not state the time zone. The proposal concerns negligently feeding or attracting bears in Buncombe County, with specified exceptions. The page says an identical emergency version was adopted by the Commission October 1 and submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings; that statement alone does not verify its effective date. This is not an announced hunting-season change. Official proposal, hearing and comment instructions.

Change log — October 14, 2026: Added five sourced updates and a detailed Utah 2027 drawing guide. Recheck agency pages before applying or hunting.

October 13 checks: bird and deer openings, sampling and draw points

Checked October 13, 2026. These are agency notices or clarifications, not all newly adopted rules. Hunt dates are separate from application deadlines; local access and hunt-specific restrictions still apply.

California quail and chukar: statewide opening October 17

Final season reminder, 2026–27: CDFW's October 12 notice says all quail species and chukar open statewide October 17, 2026, with the general season continuing through January 31, 2027. Some quail zones opened earlier. The daily limits are 10 quail combined across species and six chukar. Check the zone and current licensing, validation and nonlead-ammunition requirements before your trip. CDFW notice and official regulation links.

Georgia firearms deer season: October 17 opening

Final season reminder, 2026–27: Georgia's October 13 notice announces the October 17, 2026 firearms opening. The season ends January 10, 2027 for most hunters, but extended-season counties and wildlife management areas require their own date checks. Confirm your county's either-sex days and the specific WMA schedule rather than treating the general season as permission for every hunt. The agency also reminds hunters to obtain the required licenses and harvest record and report harvested deer within 24 hours. Georgia DNR notice and current hunting-guide links.

Minnesota southwest deer sampling: November 7–8

2026 requirement: Minnesota DNR's October 12 notice says hunters in the southwest surveillance block must have harvested deer aged one year or older sampled for chronic wasting disease on November 7–8, 2026, the firearms opening weekend. This is a defined surveillance area, not a statewide sampling requirement. Locate your hunting area and sampling option through the agency's linked CWD information before opening weekend. The notice also explains the new carcass-disposal rule; restrictions on importing deer harvested outside Minnesota remain separate. Minnesota DNR sampling notice and maps.

Mississippi draw points: group-size eligibility matters

Current agency clarification, first observed October 13: MDWFP now explicitly states that applicants marked “Ineligible - Group Size” do not earn bonus points for the Pelahatchie Bay alligator or deer group draws. An unsuccessful eligible application is different from an ineligible group. Check the required group size before applying; this clarification does not announce a new application window, minimum group size or future deadline. The page does not give a separate publication or effective date for this added wording. MDWFP bonus-point rules.

North Dakota fall advisory meetings

Published meeting schedule, 2026: The advisory board's fall meetings run October 20–November 23. The first two are District 1 in Ray on October 20 and District 2 in Bottineau on October 22, both at 7 p.m. Central Time. District 8's October 29 meeting in Dickinson is at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. Districts 4 and 6 still show time and location details as to be determined. These are public discussion meetings, not adopted season changes or application deadlines. All eight districts, venues and updated meeting details.

Change log — October 13, 2026: Added these five notices after reviewing the linked official sources. For applications and hunts, recheck the agency page immediately before acting.

October 10, 2026: bear closure, pheasant rules and public hearings

Checked October 10 against the official sources below. Hearing dates are not hunt dates or application deadlines; proposed rules are not presented as adopted.

New Mexico — Bear Management Zone 10 closed

Official closure effective October 9, 2026. The harvest limit has been reached in BMZ 10. The same agency notice lists bear zones 2, 3, 9, 10 and 12 as closed. Check current zone status before hunting at the agency website or the Bear and Cougar Closure and Harvest Hotline, 877-950-5466. No reopening date or clock time is specified in this notice. Official closure notice.

Idaho — resident and nonresident pheasant openers differ

Confirmed 2026 rules. Residents open October 15 statewide; nonresidents open October 20. The daily limit is three roosters, with no more than two taken on Upland Game Bird Permit Release Areas. Those release areas have a two-bird daily and six-bird possession limit, special hours and hunter-orange requirements; hunters 18 and older need the release-area permit. Youth hunting runs October 8–14 for eligible hunters 17 and younger. Check the October 9 agency reminder for permit validation, Clearwater reservations and shooting-hour exceptions. A statewide opening date does not make all properties available.

Idaho — Big Grass Fire access remains conditional

Fish and Game directs deer and elk hunters to check BLM closures before travel, including Unit 42 bull hunters planning to visit Juniper Mountain after October 15. BLM’s current notice keeps burned public lands and specified routes closed while allowing identified unburned areas and county-maintained roads. Its anticipated October 15, 2026, 11:59 p.m. lifting date is not a confirmed reopening; the page does not label that time zone. Review the mapped boundaries and any superseding order in BLM’s Idaho closure notices and the October 9 hunting-access guidance.

Wisconsin — proposed elk application rule hearing October 22

Proposed permanent rule. The online hearing is October 22, 2026 at 2 p.m., as listed by DNR; the notice does not specify a time zone. The proposal would provide separate antlered and antlerless applications/drawings, while allowing only one license to be issued. DNR says companion emergency rule EmR 2602 is already in effect. Do not mistake this hearing for a new application opening or approval of the permanent rule. Official hearing, proposal and participation details.

Wisconsin — migratory-bird framework hearing October 22

Rulemaking hearing. DNR lists an online hearing October 22, 2026 at 4 p.m. for permanent rule WM-14-25 and associated emergency rule WM-13-25 (E), concerning the 2026–2030 migratory-bird framework. The notice does not label a time zone. Its background references earlier 2026 selection deadlines; this posting alone does not establish new hunt dates or bag limits. Consult the proposal and current hunting regulations separately. Official hearing notice.

Wyoming — Park County Commission-land fire ban lifted

WGFD announced October 9 that it lifted fire bans on Game and Fish Commission-owned and managed lands in Park County, including Sunshine and Sunlight Wildlife Habitat Management Areas. This does not establish the fire rules for other owners or counties. Conditions remain dry; check current local restrictions before using campfires or grills. Official fire-ban update.

Vermont — deer tooth submissions requested

Fish and Wildlife asks hunters who harvest a deer in 2026 to submit a middle incisor for population research. Envelopes are available at reporting stations, with mailing instructions linked by the agency. This is a voluntary data request, not a new season or application deadline. Official October 8 request.

Change log: October 10 — seven notices added. Earlier updates keep their original review dates; always recheck emergency closures before hunting.

October 9, 2026: pheasant clarification, canceled hunts and 2027 turkey dates

Verified against the linked official sources October 9. These are season, access and cancellation notices; none is an invented future application deadline.

Montana — correction to our October 7 pheasant notice

FWP clarified on October 8 that the nonresident October 20 restriction concerns pheasants on public land and private land enrolled in FWP hunting-access programs, including Block Management. Nonresidents may hunt pheasants October 10 on other private land with permission. Other upland species—including turkey, mountain grouse, sharp-tailed grouse and gray partridge—are currently open to residents and nonresidents, subject to their rules. We corrected the broader wording in our October 7 entry below. FWP clarification.

Alabama — October 10–11 hunt cancellations and local office closures

ADCNR’s October 8 notice cancels youth dove hunts in Fairhope and Dozier October 10 and Elberta October 11; the Fred T. Stimpson Small Game Hunt October 10–11; and Little River SOA’s deer-hunt scout day October 10. The District 5 office and Perdido River WMA office/check station are closed, with reopening dates pending. This is not a statement that all Alabama hunting is closed. Official closures and cancellations.

Maine — 2027 spring turkey dates verified

The agency calendar lists May 3–June 5, 2027 for the general spring turkey hunt and April 30–May 1 for youth days. Sundays are excluded. District limits differ; see our 2027 Maine spring turkey dates and WMD guide, with the official sources and planning checklist.

Minnesota — optional three-duck limit will not be implemented

DNR announced October 8 that it will not implement the optional three-duck limit at this time. The existing six-duck structure continues, with applicable species limits. Do not treat another state’s participation in the experimental option as a Minnesota rule change. DNR decision.

Pennsylvania — pheasant season and WPRA exclusions

The junior/mentored season is October 10–18, 2026; the regular season is October 24–December 24 and December 26–February 28, 2027. No pheasant season opens in the Central Susquehanna or Franklin Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas. Elsewhere, the daily limit is two and possession limit six; a general license and applicable pheasant permit are required. The agency’s proposed February stocking remains conditional. Official season and permit details.

Wyoming — drought changes pheasant stocking, not a blanket closure

No pheasants will be released on Walk-In Areas in Goshen, Platte or Laramie counties this fall because of inadequate cover. Springer’s special hunt runs October 15–31, 2026; its general season extends through November 30, but areas around Bump Sullivan Reservoir and south of Road 42W close to pheasant hunting after November 13. Table Mountain stocking may move if waterfowl return. Site-specific permits, youth days and hours still apply. WGFD site requirements and dates.

Change log: October 9 — six notices added; Montana’s October 7 wording corrected in place. Maine’s dates are newly verified here, not necessarily newly announced by the agency.

October 8, 2026: new season, tag and licensing updates

Verified October 8 against the linked agencies. Dates below are hunt dates unless labelled as application, access or public-comment dates.

North Carolina — Light geese: 2026–27 regular season and 2027 conservation-order pause

Official agency notice. The agency’s October 7 update confirms the Light Goose Conservation Order will not operate in 2027. North Carolina’s regular light-goose season runs November 7, 2026–March 10, 2027, with a daily limit of 25 and no possession limit. A Conservation Order permit is not needed for this season; this does not waive ordinary licensing requirements. Check the current regulations digest for methods and other waterfowl dates. Official source and full details.

New York — Doodletown antlerless-deer tags: remaining supply must be confirmed

Official agency notice. DEC’s October 7 distribution event has passed. Any remaining DMAP tags may be picked up at Region Four Headquarters in Schenectady; call (518) 357-2154 first to confirm availability and arrange pickup. A valid New York hunting license is required, and these tags apply only to antlerless deer on Doodletown Wildlife Management Area in Columbia County. The notice is not a live inventory count. Official source and full details.

Montana — General antelope season: October 10–November 8, 2026

Official agency notice. FWP confirms these general-season dates. Check your hunting district, license and access permissions in the official regulations and Hunt Planner; this announcement does not mean an unlicensed hunter can obtain a tag or hunt any district. Official source and full details.

New Hampshire — Muzzleloader deer: October 31–November 10, 2026

Official agency notice. Fish and Game confirms the 11-day season and requires regular hunting and muzzleloader licenses. Online deer registration will be unavailable October 31–November 1 and November 11–13; deer must be registered in person on those dates. Confirm wildlife-management-unit rules before hunting. Official source and full details.

New York — October deer dates and youth-hunt restrictions

Official agency notice. The Northern Zone’s early muzzleloading deer season is October 17–23, followed by the regular firearms deer season October 24–December 6, 2026. The October 10–12 youth big-game hunt is for ages 12–15, excluding Suffolk, Westchester and bowhunting-only areas. Ages 12–13 may participate only in counties that adopted the required local law; experienced licensed adult supervision is required. Bear dates vary by WMU—use DEC’s full schedule. The notice also explains adopted antlerless-deer incentives and eligible unlimited-DMP units. Official source and full details.

Idaho — Telephone license-sales service scheduled to end November 30

Official agency notice. The official purchase-options page now labels telephone service as ending November 30, 2026. Online sales, regional offices and license vendors are listed as other purchase channels. The page does not state an exact cutoff time; this is a service change, not a statewide hunting deadline. Official source and full details.

Wyoming — Sheridan Region youth and family pheasant dates

Official agency notice. Bud Love WHMA’s November 14, 2026 pheasant hunt is restricted to youth ages 17 and under; accompanying adults may not hunt pheasants there that day. Fort Phil Kearny’s family hunt is November 27–29, with adults allowed to participate. Both require a Pheasant Special Management Stamp; residency, hunter-education and other rules still apply. Outside the family event, permission slips are required at Fort Phil Kearny. Applications for the November 30–December 31 pheasant slots open November 3 at 8 a.m.; the notice does not label a time zone, so confirm it with the regional office. Supply is limited, not guaranteed. Official source and full details.

Wisconsin — Draft turkey plan: comments through November 20, 2026

Draft / public input. This is a draft management plan, not finalized season dates. DNR plans in-person open houses October 12 in La Crosse, October 13 in Merrill and October 14 in Appleton, plus a virtual session October 15. Use the official notice for times and participation links. The comment deadline has no exact time or time zone stated in this notice. Official source and full details.

Washington — Okanogan prescribed burns: conditional access impacts

Tentative / weather dependent. WDFW plans burns from mid-October through late November at Golden Doe, Carter Mountain and Driscoll Island wildlife-area units, subject to weather and other conditions. Watch official signs and temporary access restrictions. These are planned operations, not confirmed closures on fixed dates. Official source and full details.

Washington — Species-listing process proposal: comments through November 23

Proposed. WDFW is accepting comments on proposed listing and recovery-planning procedures through November 23, 2026. A virtual information session is planned October 14; registration is required. This proposal does not establish hunting seasons or change a species’ hunting eligibility. See the official notice for comment channels, meeting details and the separate SEPA process. Official source and full details.

New York — Targeted CWD surveillance request

Official agency notice. DEC asks hunters harvesting deer in Columbia, German Flatts, Litchfield, Warren or Winfield in Herkimer County, or Richfield in Otsego County, to submit deer heads for testing. Use the official notice for designated collection sites and alternatives; this is a surveillance request, not a new hunting season. Official source and full details.

Wyoming — Sheridan disease sampling: voluntary CWD participation

Official agency notice. The October 7 notice says Sheridan Region has no mandatory CWD submission areas in 2026. Focus deer areas are 1, 3, 19, 21, 24, 25, 27–33, 163 and 169; focus elk areas are 35–38. Other Wyoming regions may differ. The same notice explains separate brucellosis sampling for targeted elk hunters; follow agency instructions supplied with a kit. Official source and full details.

Change log — October 8: added fifteen notices from Alaska, North Carolina, New York, Montana, New Hampshire, Idaho, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Washington. Older sections retain their original review dates. Personalized email delivery remains inactive.

October 7, 2026: deer opener, tag delivery and field notices

Arizona — scheduled deadline passed: The official spring 2027 draw booklet sets October 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time as the application deadline. That time has passed. We have not verified an extension. A newly linked agency “deadline tonight” article has an inconsistent date label; do not use that headline as evidence that applications remain open. Check AZGFD’s current draw information and your application record. The conditional November leftover schedule below does not guarantee permits will be available.

Georgia — confirmed 2026 opener: Primitive-weapons deer season begins October 10. Wildlife management areas can have separate hunt dates and restrictions; check your property and county before planning a hunt. The October 6 agency notice also reminds deer hunters about their hunting license, big-game license, current harvest record and reporting through Game Check within 24 hours. Youth participation has separate equipment and eligibility rules. Read Georgia DNR’s notice and current-regulation links. This is a hunt opener, not a draw deadline.

Idaho — allow time for mailed tags: Fish and Game recommends allowing 10 business days for online tag delivery. A license that can be printed or synced to the app is not the same as receiving a mailed tag. For an approaching trip, review the agency’s in-person office and vendor options, subject to the tag’s availability and your eligibility. October 6 delivery reminder and vendor locator. This is planning guidance, not a new application cutoff or a delivery guarantee.

Utah — Zion-unit check-station dates: DWR’s voluntary scavenging-wildlife program lists October 7, 10–11, 17–19 and 24–25, 2026, from 9 a.m. to dusk, at Yellowjacket Road and Hancock Road north of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The release does not explicitly label the time zone. Confirm logistics with DWR; these are check-station dates, not hunting-season dates. Read the official program notice.

Wyoming — carcass-disposal access: An October 6 notice announces expanded carcass-dumpster service, including Tensleep, Sundance and Hulett. Use the linked current map for locations and availability. These dumpsters take carcasses, not household garbage; current transport and disposal rules still apply. Wyoming Game and Fish notice, rules and location map. No new hunt season is created by this service.

Change log — October 7: marked Arizona’s published cutoff as elapsed without inferring an extension; added Georgia, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming agency notices. Older entries preserve their original review dates. Personalized email alerts remain inactive.

October 6, 2026: Minnesota youth deer and Maryland fall hunting

Minnesota — confirmed 2026 season: Youth ages 10–17 can hunt during the statewide October 15–18 youth deer season. DNR recommends buying the standard youth deer license early because initial setup in the new licensing system can take extra time; children 12 and under must have an account linked to an adult. Check youth supervision, firearms-safety and permit-area requirements before hunting. Early antlerless deer hunting shares these dates only in designated permit areas, not statewide. Counties may retain shotgun-only ordinances following repeal of the former statewide shotgun zone; check the county where you plan to hunt. Minnesota DNR notice and links to youth, licensing and county rules.

Maryland — confirmed 2026–27 season reminders: Rabbit hunting opens November 7, 2026, with a daily limit of four. Squirrel season is already open with a daily limit of six; the protected Delmarva fox squirrel is excluded. Both seasons end February 28, 2027. Fall turkey hunting runs October 31–November 8, 2026, in Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties, with one turkey per hunter. Bobwhite quail hunting remains closed on public lands east of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Verify property access, legal hunting days, methods and license requirements in the current guide. Maryland DNR announcement and hunting-guide links.

Arizona deadline rechecked October 6: Applications for the 2027 spring turkey, javelina and bison draw close October 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. This is the application deadline, not a season opener. See yesterday’s draw and conditional leftover-permit details.

Change log: Added two October 5 agency notices and rechecked Arizona’s published deadline on October 6. Dates above are agency-confirmed; local eligibility and access conditions still apply. Personalized alert delivery remains inactive.

Upcoming draw deadline and rulemaking — October 5, 2026

Arizona: 2027 spring draw closes October 6, 2026

Confirmed application deadline: October 6 at 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. The spring 2027 schedule lists turkey, javelina and bison, with a separate falconry raptor-capture drawing. Apply through the official online draw system. The application year is 2026; assigned hunts occur in 2027. Bear appears in the booklet title but is not listed in this draw schedule. Match your hunt number, unit, method and eligibility to the current rules.

The official booklet, printed page 1, separately schedules first-come applications from November 2 at 8 a.m. Arizona time and office purchases from November 9 at 8 a.m., if permits remain; raptor capture has no office-sale date. These are conditional leftover opportunities, not guaranteed inventory. Check the current draw page before acting.

Virginia: input sought for 2027–28 wildlife regulations

Public input, not adopted rules. DWR is accepting ideas through November 18, 2026 for potential changes affecting the 2027–28 seasons. The notice gives no closing time or time zone. This is a regulatory comment period, not a hunt application window. Read the official notice and submission instructions; submitted information becomes public record.

Change log — October 5: Added Arizona’s approaching spring-draw deadline and conditional leftover schedule, plus Virginia’s public-input notice. Earlier entries retain their own review dates.

Idaho pheasant access update — October 4, 2026

Agency notice for the 2026 season. Stocking at Sterling WMA and the Zollinger Access Yes! property will start in time for the October 8–14 youth season. Portneuf WMA stocking starts only after the regular deer season ends October 24. Zollinger requires an online reservation before pheasant hunting; check the official reservation instructions.

Sterling’s project adds melanistic (black) pheasants alongside traditional stocking. Color does not change eligibility: Idaho has no hen-pheasant season. Hunters aged 18 or older need the Upland Game Bird Permit on stocked properties, and harvested pheasants there must be validated on it. Hunter-orange and special shooting-hour rules also apply. Read the October 3 Fish and Game notice and linked 2026–27 regulations for the full requirements. Stocking dates do not create a new hunt season or guarantee birds or reservation availability.

Change log — October 4: Added the reservation requirement, separate stocking timing and species-identification reminder. Earlier notices retain their original review dates.

New notices checked October 3, 2026

Hawaiʻi: 2027 Lānaʻi axis deer applications open October 12

Agency-announced hunt. Apply October 12–November 13, 2026; the closing cutoff is 4 p.m. HST. The hunt itself runs on assigned archery, youth, muzzleloader or rifle dates in 2027. Our 2027 Lānaʻi axis deer application and dates guide explains the units, fees, drawing date and official lottery-document differences. Applications are not yet open as of this update. Source: October 2 DLNR announcement.

New Hampshire: fall turkey shotgun season October 12–18

Confirmed 2026 hunt dates. Fall shotgun hunting is open only in WMUs D2, H1, H2, I1, J2, K, L and M. The fall limit is one turkey of either sex; hunters who took two spring turkeys cannot participate in fall. Separate archery dates run September 15–December 15 in WMUs B–M and through December 8 in WMU A. Check license eligibility, unit boundaries, shooting hours and the 24-hour harvest registration requirement in NH Fish and Game’s October 2 notice.

New Mexico: GMU 34 elk CWD collection station October 17–21

2026 agency notice. Voluntary sampling will be available at Sunspot Highway and Cox Canyon Highway (State Road 130). The department asks hunters to bring heads within 48 hours of harvest, with cooling guidance in the notice. Sampling is voluntary; carcass-removal restrictions in GMU 34 are mandatory. Read the official notice and permitted carcass-parts list before transporting deer or elk. This is a disease-monitoring notice, not a new general hunt application deadline.

North Carolina: Buncombe bear-feeding rule awaits final approval

Commission-approved, not verified effective. The October 1 agency notice says an emergency rule still requires Office of Administrative Hearings approval. Do not treat commission approval as an effective-date announcement or a statewide hunting-rule change. The agency describes exceptions and a separate temporary-rule comment process; see the official status and scope.

Oklahoma: 2027 rule proposals open for comment

Proposed, not adopted hunting rules. ODWC is taking comments through November 6, 2026, with an in-person hearing November 5 and possible commission action December 7. Topics include a nonresident deer-license waiting period, youth furbearer licensing and lifetime-holder bear licenses. The release gives a 4:30 p.m. November 6 cutoff without explicitly naming a time zone; confirm timing with ODWC before relying on a reminder. Read the October 2 announcement and full proposed Title 800 rules and comment instructions. These dates concern 2026 participation in 2027 rulemaking, not a hunt application window. The two-day nonresident deer-license wait also appears on ODWC’s current seasons page. The proposal summary does not explain that overlap; do not interpret it as permission to disregard the current agency requirement.

New notices checked October 2, 2026

Maryland: light-goose conservation season paused; printed hours corrected

Agency-confirmed 2026–27 update. Maryland will not hold the additional Light Goose Conservation Order season this cycle. Regular light-goose hunting remains scheduled statewide November 7–27, 2026 and November 30, 2026–February 6, 2027, with an Eastern Zone-only segment February 8–March 10, 2027. DNR also corrects a printed-guide error: hunting hours for every segment are one-half hour before sunrise through sunset. Check the October 1 DNR notice, linked online regulations and zone map for exact boundaries, species, limits and license requirements. These are hunt dates, not application deadlines. Do not apply Maryland’s dates to other states.

New Mexico: Bear Canyon weekday access closures begin October 5

Announced local closure. Bear Canyon Wildlife Management Area near Mimbres will close to all public access Monday–Thursday beginning October 5, 2026 while mitigation crews work. Friday–Sunday access remains open for regular recreational use, subject to applicable rules. The department expects work through year-end and projects regular access resuming in January 2027; that is an estimate, not a guaranteed reopening date. Review the official notice and posted restrictions before visiting. This access schedule does not create or extend a hunting season.

Change log — October 2: added Maryland’s light-goose schedule and printed-hours correction, plus New Mexico’s upcoming Bear Canyon access closure. Earlier notices retain their original verification dates.

New notices checked October 1, 2026

Hawaiʻi: storm access notice updated

Reopening with exceptions. DLNR’s September 30 announcement replaces the earlier broad closure notice for many areas. Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Molokaʻi still have named closures, while much of Kauaʻi remains closed except specified areas. A reopening does not establish a hunting season or waive permits. Read our Hawaiʻi hunting planning and access guide and recheck the official reopening notice before travel.

Wyoming: Deer Hunt Area 65 opens October 20

Final 2026 season reminder. The general deer season in Area 65 near Glenrock and Douglas runs October 20–31, 2026. The opener is five days later than the former October 15 date. This change was made during April season-setting; the September 30 notice is a reminder, not a new application window. Check your exact license and area in the Wyoming Game and Fish notice and current regulations.

Oklahoma: nonresident deer licenses require advance planning

Current agency warning. ODWC’s seasons page says nonresident deer licenses purchased after the deer season has started carry a two-day waiting period and must be purchased at least 48 hours before hunting. Nonresidents also must check in and out at designated public areas. These requirements do not mean every public property or deer season has identical rules. Read the official seasons page and linked instructions for your hunt.

Mississippi: understand bonus points before choosing a group

Implemented in 2026. MDWFP describes bonus points for WMA draws, alligator draws and the nonresident public-land turkey draw. Points add random draw chances, not priority guarantees. An unsuccessful applicant earns one point per year for the relevant draw type; drawing a hunt resets that category to zero. A group uses its lowest member’s point total. Failure to claim or purchase an awarded alligator or nonresident public-land turkey permit does not earn a point. Review the official explanation and account instructions; this page does not announce a new deadline.

Pennsylvania: statewide archery deer opener October 3

Agency-announced 2026–27 hunt dates. The statewide archery deer season runs October 3–November 20, 2026, then December 26, 2026–January 24, 2027. Confirm any unit-specific opportunities and license requirements in the current digest. The Game Commission’s September 30 notice also explains Sunday-hunting and CWD-rule changes; migratory game birds and particular properties have separate restrictions.

Change log — October 1: updated Hawaiʻi storm access; added Wyoming Area 65, Oklahoma nonresident requirements, Mississippi bonus points and Pennsylvania archery dates. Older notices keep their original verification dates.

New notices checked September 30, 2026

Alabama: youth deer and duck hunt registration opens October 2

Official application window: October 2–16, 2026. ADCNR announced youth hunts at the M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area in Hale County. The drawing is October 16; selected applicants must accept by October 20. The notice gives no cutoff time or time zone. Youth must be 15 or younger and accompanied by a qualifying adult. Registration must be made by a parent or adult aged at least 21 with a Conservation ID. Licensing requirements apply at acceptance and hunting. These are local permit hunts during November 2026–February 2027, not statewide seasons. See the official notice, exact hunt dates and registration link.

California: October bird openers differ by zone

Agency-announced 2026 dates. Northeastern Zone general duck/goose hunting opens October 3; the Colorado River Zone follows October 23, then Balance of State, Southern San Joaquin Valley and Southern California zones on October 24. General quail in Q1/Q3, statewide chukar and statewide snipe open October 17. Pheasant’s early archery-only season begins October 10. Check species exceptions, closures and current regulations through CDFW’s September 29 calendar. These are hunt openers, not application deadlines.

Minnesota: buy deer licenses early for the new licensing system

Licensing advisory, September 29. DNR recommends allowing extra time for the first purchase in its new electronic system; some hunters need assistance reconciling older account records. The 2026 firearms deer opener is November 7. Youth and early antlerless hunts run October 15–18, subject to their separate eligibility and area rules. Buying early is a recommendation, not a newly announced application deadline. Read the DNR notice, purchase options and current deer regulations.

Idaho: CWD-zone testing and transport reminder

Current agency requirements reminder. Units 14 and 18 and a designated portion of Unit 1 are CWD Management Zones. Deer harvested there require a sample within 10 days of harvest. Carcass-transport restrictions also affect elk and moose, including restrictions on whole carcasses and uncleaned skulls leaving a zone. Review the exact boundaries, exceptions and sampling instructions in Idaho Fish and Game’s September 29 notice before your hunt.

New Mexico: proposed 2027 license-purchase and hunt-code rule changes

Proposal, not an adopted rule. The Manner and Method rulemaking notice schedules a hearing for November 13, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Red River. Written comments are due November 11 at 1 p.m.; the notice does not specify a time zone, so confirm the cutoff with the department. The proposed rule targets April 1, 2027 as its effective date and addresses license-purchase timing, hunt-code definitions, protected-species definitions and written permission. The vote is still pending. These dates concern rulemaking, not a hunting application window. Read the official rulemaking notice and proposal documents.

Tennessee: October commission hearing remains a decision to watch

Scheduled meeting, not a rule adoption. The October 9, 2026 commission agenda includes continuation of the hearing on rule 1660-01-08, relative to hunts. The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m.–noon Eastern Time at Bristol Motor Speedway; times may change. The committee meets October 8, 1–4 p.m. Eastern. Review the commission agenda and meeting updates. No new season or application deadline is established by these agendas.

Change log — September 30: added Alabama’s local application window, California’s zone-specific bird openers, Minnesota’s license-purchase advisory Idaho’s CWD-zone reminder, New Mexico’s proposed rule hearing and Tennessee’s commission agenda. Older notices retain their original verification dates.

New notices checked September 29, 2026

Colorado: proposed 2027 big-game changes; feedback through October 15

Proposed, not adopted. CPW is seeking input on 13 potential Northwest Colorado big-game regulation changes. Examples include the S44 bighorn sheep boundary, antlerless elk license changes for the E-2 and E-6 herds, and E14 muzzleloader hunt codes. The survey closes October 15, 2026; the announcement does not specify a cutoff time or time zone. This is a feedback deadline, not a hunt application deadline. Selected proposals would first go to the commission in November, with adoption review in January; changes would apply to the 2027 hunting season only if approved. Read CPW’s September 28 announcement and survey link.

Oregon: limited Jackson-area access reopening

Agency access notice, September 28. Within the Jackson Cooperative Travel Management Area (JACTMA), Green Dot roads are open for travel to public lands. Named BTG Pactual, Lone Rock/Juniper and Manulife/Hancock lands within JACTMA have reopened for walk-in access while fire restrictions remain at Moderate or below and the industrial precaution level remains 1. Silver Butte lands remain closed to walk-in access during fire season, although Green Dot road travel through them is allowed. This is not a statewide reopening, and other lands managed by these companies outside JACTMA remain closed. Check signs, current restrictions and the ODFW notice and map before departure.

Wisconsin: October openers vary by zone and hunter eligibility

Agency-announced 2026 hunt dates. Southern Zone duck/coot and Mississippi Goose Zone seasons open October 3. The statewide youth gun deer hunt is October 10–11. Open Water Zone duck hunting opens October 17. These are selected dates; hunting and trapping have different schedules, and additional species, property, license and method restrictions apply. Read Wisconsin DNR’s September 28 notice and linked regulations.

New York: two local, free mentored pheasant events

Scheduled events, not statewide season dates. DEC lists the Washington County Women’s Pheasant Hunt on October 3, 2026 (8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.) and the Chesterfield Fish and Game Club youth pheasant hunt on October 4 (8 a.m.–4 p.m.) in Essex County. The latter is for ages 12–15. A valid New York hunting license is required; registration and participation details are in the official September 28 announcement. Times are reproduced as announced; the notice does not state a time zone. Confirm with the organizer before travel.

Update log: September 29 — added these four September 28 agency notices. Recheck official sources before applying or traveling.

Current hunting access and season notices

Checked September 26, 2026. These are selected verified notices, not a complete list of closures or season changes. Recheck the agency before travel; access can change between daily checks.

Hawaiʻi: September storm notice superseded for many areas

Updated October 1. The September 24–25 broad closure notice has been followed by DLNR’s September 30 reopening notice with exceptions. Use the newer notice and island access guide before planning travel. Lānaʻi’s earlier advisory is not confirmation of present access.

Idaho: 2026 youth pheasant hunt, October 8–14

Agency-announced season: Idaho Fish and Game’s September 25 notice confirms October 8–14, 2026 for licensed hunters age 17 and younger. The general-season delay for nonresidents does not apply to this youth hunt. Adult accompaniment and hunter-education or Hunting Passport requirements depend on the young hunter’s circumstances. Stocked locations have additional hunter-orange and daily opening-hour rules; check the specific location and current regulations. See the official youth pheasant announcement and linked rules. These are hunt dates, not an application deadline or 2027 calendar.

Update log: September 26 — added the Hawaiʻi closure/advisory distinction and Idaho youth pheasant dates from official September notices.