Latest Game News

A dogger’s goal while pushing deer is to drive the prey into a pocket formed by others in his gang, those hunters who are posted about a hundred yards apart along strategic locations up to a half-mile away from the dogger’s starting point. When everyone is in position, the dogger weaves his way through the woods into the wind and pocket formed by the other hunters. The approaching sound of the dogger snapping twigs and crunching leaves alerts unsuspecting deer.

It takes too much time, effort and money to hunt Cape buffalo to rush a shot.

The New World Screwworm (NWS) invasion, and the potentially devastating impact it could have on wildlife populations and the ranching industry has stalled, at least temporarily. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is confident enough in its defenses—coupled with the cooperation of officials in Mexico—that livestock from Mexico is scheduled to resume entry through the Douglas, Ariz., port on Aug. 24.

Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Atlanta Braves held a Hunting & Fishing Night in Truist Park. It’s back by popular demand for 2026, sponsored by RealTree, and takes place on Aug. 29, with ticket sales are helping fund conservation efforts in the state.

On July 7, North Carolina’s governor signed legislation authorizing two elk hunting permits to be issued in 2027—the first since the animal was reintroduced 25 years ago. Elk vanished from The Tarheel State nearly 200 years ago, but today biologists estimate the state is home to roughly 250.

The proposed petition in Oregon that would ban all hunting and fishing, as well as ranching and more, failed both its signature checks to get on the November ballot, according to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office.

When the grizzly bear in the Lower 48 was given Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection as a threatened species in 1975, it was supposed to be a temporary protection that would be lifted once populations met or exceeded specific goals. Now more than a half century later, grizzly populations have spread and met or far surpassed the goals set in 1975.

I am heartened by this year’s entries. In addition to fabulous photographs, almost all of you delivered exceptional narratives of your hunts. We used your very words wherever possible because it’s an honor to see you all rise to such an occasion as sharing a special moment with your fellow hunters. You now know a little bit about what drives an outdoor writer. —J. Scott Olmsted, Editor in Chief

On July 17 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) published a proposed rulemaking change on the Federal Register that, if approved, would allow western states to better manage their grizzly bear population. Despite their burgeoning population the big bruins remain on the “endangered” list under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), a fact that has paralyzed regional conservation efforts, impacted other wildlife populations and dramatically increased human/bear conflicts.