Why the Great Western Big Game Rebound is Missing a Generation ❄️

The weekend might not be here just yet, but your favorite dispatch from the great outdoors is. 

So grab your coffee or whiskey (no judgement) and let's get caught up on the outdoor news and views from the past 24-or-so hours. 

Here's what's worth reading about today:

THE LOST GENERATION
WESTERN BIG GAME POPULATIONS ARE BOOMING BUT THE RECOVERY HAS A MISSING MIDDLE

Just three years ago, the narrative surrounding Western big game was one of apocalypse. The winter of ‘22-’23 will live in infamy as the “70-year winter" that hammered both mule deer and elk populations across the Northwest. As pictures of starving fawns and zombie herds dominated headlines, wildlife managers responded with the only tool they had: catastrophic cuts to hunting licenses, which included up to 90% in some Colorado units.

Fast forward to today, and suddenly we’re looking at a script that has been seemingly rewritten. As we stare down the start of the 2026 western hunting season, we are no longer talking about recovery but rebound. Driven by a remarkable, back-to-back run of mild, short winters that has triggered a population explosion, big game numbers are surging faster than even the most optimistic biologists predicted.

And while this is all great sounding news, there is a biological twist that defines this entire rebound…

Turkey Hunting Changes for Spring in New York State: If you’re new to turkey hunting in New York State, or just need a refresher, there are some important regulations to keep in mind.  Read the full story.

CWD Cases Remain Localized in Northwest Alabama: The results of CWD (chronic wasting disease) monitoring from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division include nine whitetail deer that tested positive in the 2025-2026 season. The good news is the disease remains localized in northwest Alabama with eight additional positives in Lauderdale County and one new in Colbert County. Read the full story.

Rule changes proposed for this hunting season in Ohio: While some of the changes are routine, like setting season dates, others include updates to the endangered and threatened species list, bag limit changes and adjustments to public hunting areas. Read the full story.

DEC wants NY hunters to harvest more doe. How changes would work: Proposed changes include modifying the deer management permit process and expanding the September antlerless season. Officials are also considering an "Earn-a-2nd-Buck" system, requiring hunters to harvest an antlerless deer first. Read the full story.

Nebraska Proposes New Tax on Gamebird Hunting Operations: As Nebraska scrambles to patch a massive budget deficit, state senators have a new target: gamebird hunting. A proposed tax on hunting operations is buried in a revenue bill fast-tracked for Governor Jim Pillen’s desk by Wednesday, March 25. Read the full story.

Gov. Healey supports expanding hunting in Massachusetts: Governor Maura Healey announced plans to modernize the state's hunting laws. The legislation would expand hunting opportunities and access across Massachusetts and legalize hunting on Sunday. The move follows months of overwhelming support at public listening sessions. Healey said hunting plays a large and important role in the state's economy.  Read the full story.

🐈‍⬛ When you call in a bit more than you bargained for. Watch as these turkey hunters in Florida call in a few birds and a little extra.

Should we split the birds or…?

The pull of the weekend.

📸 by: @levi.glines

Oh, and one more thing…