Before you head out, check Montana’s black bear hunting cutoff and Minnesota’s upcoming deer-season OHV restrictions. North Cascades hikers also face new snow and seasonal bridge removals.

Illustrative white-tailed deer photograph from Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. NPS / Chad Allmendinger. National Park Service photo. Not a photograph of current hunting or access events in Minnesota or Montana. No claim to original U.S. Government works.

Hunting and Seasons

• Montana: BMU 420 black bear hunting closes tonight: Montana FWP’s October 28 notice says Black Bear Management Unit 420 closes to hunting of all black bear one-half hour after sunset on Friday, October 30, 2026 (Montana FWP). If you plan to hunt this unit, observe that cutoff, which was ordered by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission (Montana FWP).
• Minnesota: deer-season OHV restrictions approach: Minnesota DNR’s October 29 release flags the November 7 firearms deer opener and additional OHV restrictions: in rifle-hunting areas, recreational riding is prohibited on state forest trails and access routes during the applicable restriction period, but remains allowed on state forest roads (Minnesota DNR). Restriction dates are November 7 through 22 in 100-series deer permit areas and November 7 through 15 in 200- and 300-series areas; restrictions begin November 1 on all OHV trails in southeastern Minnesota (Minnesota DNR). Trails remain open to licensed deer hunters using them for their hunts, with OHV use limited to before legal shooting hours, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or after legal shooting hours; the release defines shooting hours as one-half hour before sunrise through one-half hour after sunset (Minnesota DNR).

After checking your unit’s current rules and access conditions, review your trip essentials in our Hunting collection.

Trail and Access Closures

• Washington: North Cascades reports snow and bridge removals: NPS’s October 29 North Cascades update reports the season’s first heavy snowfall, with several inches covering high mountain passes and trails above 4,000 feet (National Park Service). Seasonal bridges near Stehekin have been removed for winter, requiring creek fords on affected routes; the October 29 entry specifically reports removal of the seasonal Maple Creek bridge on the Agnes Creek, Bridge Creek and Old Wagon Trail listing (National Park Service). Before you venture in, NPS advises checking forecasts, trail conditions and closures, carrying suitable equipment and having the training needed for snow travel, and leaving a detailed itinerary with someone (National Park Service).

After checking the forecast and selecting a route appropriate for your equipment and training, browse our Hiking collection.

Featured Gear: Review the Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp, Black/Grey as you plan your hiking and campsite lighting. Check its specifications against your needs before choosing your gear.

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