Today’s briefing covers hunting access funding, northwest Montana check-station results and a fatal kayaking incident. Use the linked reports to check local requirements and keep safety part of your plans.

Illustrative white-tailed deer photograph from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. NPS / Chad Allmendinger. National Park Service photo. Not a photograph of the Montana check stations, newly funded access projects or Arizona kayaking incident. No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Hunting and Seasons

• United States: new funding supports voluntary hunting and fishing access: TRCP’s November 3 report details $21 million for 10 new Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program projects supporting public hunting and fishing access on participating private lands (Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership). The projects span Arizona, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming, bringing this year’s NRCS investment to $70 million across 29 projects (Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership). Before you enter a property, check the participating state or Tribal program’s current maps, permission requirements and access dates; a funding announcement is not blanket permission to enter private land (Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership).
• Northwest Montana: check-station counts are lower after two weekends: FWP’s November 2 report says 3,235 hunters passed through four northwest Montana check stations through the second weekend of general season, about 7 percent fewer than last year (Montana FWP). Reported harvest includes 183 white-tailed deer, 24 mule deer bucks and 23 elk; these check-station counts sample the harvest rather than measure the complete regional total (Montana FWP). The report gives November 29 as the end of the 2026 general season and reminds you to stop at any check station you encounter, whether or not you harvested an animal (Montana FWP). Check your hunting district’s individual restrictions and private-land access requirements before your hunt (Montana FWP).

After checking your hunting district’s rules and the permission requirements for your destination, review your trip essentials in our Hunting collection.

Water Safety

• Arizona: two adults died in lower Salt River kayaking incident: A November 3 AZFamily report carried by KOLD says a married couple drowned while floating on Arizona’s lower Salt River in an inflatable kayak on October 31 (AZFamily via KOLD). According to the sheriff’s office, the two adults were sharing one kayak and neither was wearing a life jacket; the deaths remain under investigation (AZFamily via KOLD).

As you check the conditions and equipment for your next trip on the water, browse our Boating collection.

Featured Gear: Review the Full Throttle Adult Nylon Life Jacket, L/XL, Black/Red as you review your personal flotation equipment. Check the manufacturer’s sizing and suitability for your activity before choosing a life jacket.

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