Fall seasons are here. New York opens early bear and deer hunting today, NOAA closes Oregon coho retention tonight, and trail closures from Grand Canyon to the Pacific Crest Trail remain in effect. Here is your full update for September 12, 2026.

Hunting and Seasons

• New York: Early bear and antlerless deer seasons open today (Sept. 12). The early antlerless deer season covers 23 Southern Zone WMUs, including 10 newly added units this year. A Deer Management Permit (DMP) or antlerless tag is required. NY DEC
• Michigan: Small game seasons open Sept. 15. Multiple species seasons kick off next Monday under the 2026 small game regulations. Review the rules before you head out. Michigan DNR
• Montana: Region 1 archery elk rule update. Hunters in Region 1 should review revised antlerless elk and Elk B license rules before drawing their bows this fall. Montana Outdoor
• Montana: BMU 700 black bear archery closure. The archery black bear closure for BMU 700 went into effect after sunset on September 9. Montana Outdoor
• Wyoming: Hunter survey underway. Wyoming Game and Fish is collecting input on archery vs. firearm season allocation. Your responses shape future season structures. Wyoming G&F

Fall season is your best window to fill the freezer. Browse our full Hunting and Fishing collection for archery gear, firearms accessories, game bags, and everything else you need in the field.

Fishing and Regulations

• Oregon: Coho retention closed starting tonight. NOAA has closed coho retention for recreational ocean salmon fisheries south of Cape Falcon, effective September 12 at 11:59 p.m. Check regulations before you launch. NOAA Fisheries
• Pacific halibut: Commercial window opens Sept. 15-17. A commercial halibut fishing period is open with a 5,000-pound vessel limit in effect. NOAA Fisheries
• Michigan: Inland trout, salmon, and sturgeon rules updated Sept. 10. Regulation changes for inland trout, salmon, and lake sturgeon are now in effect. Review the new rules before your next trip. Michigan DNR
• Wyoming: Green River voluntary fishing closure lifted. Wyoming Game and Fish has ended the voluntary warm-water fishing closure on the Green River. Wyoming G&F
• NOAA: Gulf red grouper quota proposal open for comment. NOAA is proposing to withhold 275,000 pounds of the 2027 commercial Gulf red grouper quota. Public comments are due by October 13. NOAA Fisheries

Heading out on the water this fall? Our Fishing Accessories collection has rods, reels, line, tackle, and all the essentials for a productive day on the water.

Wildfire and Fire Restrictions

• Oregon: Deschutes NF Stage 1 restrictions through Nov. 30. Stage 1 public-use fire restrictions remain in effect across the Deschutes National Forest. USFS
• California: Mendocino NF Lucas Fire closure Sept. 11-20. A fire-area closure is in effect in the Mendocino National Forest. USFS
• Oregon: Klamath NF wilderness restrictions eased. Some wilderness fire restrictions in the Klamath National Forest have been lifted. USFS

Trail and Access Closures

• Grand Canyon: Inner-canyon closures ongoing. Multiple inner-canyon trail closures remain after the August 29 flash flood that destroyed footbridges over Bright Angel Creek. Check the NPS status page before any rim-to-river trip. Grand Canyon NPS
• Rocky Mountain NP: Glacier Gorge Trailhead closes Sept. 28. The trailhead and parking area will close through early October for erosion repairs. Plan alternate access if you are visiting the area. NPS
• Washington: Pacific Crest Trail closure from Miners Fire. A section of the PCT in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest remains closed due to the ongoing Miners Fire. USFS

Water Safety

• Southern California: Kayakers airlifted after offshore incident. Two kayakers were rescued and airlifted to safety after running into trouble in open water. Officials are reminding paddlers to carry a VHF radio or a backup communication device whenever they head offshore. Paddling Magazine
• North Carolina: Kayaker recovered at Lake Waccamaw. A missing kayaker was recovered following a search operation. Always file a float plan and, when possible, paddle with a partner. NC DNCR

Featured Gear

With fall salmon and trout seasons in full swing across the country, a reliable downrigger puts your lure exactly where the fish are. The Scotty 1050 Depthmaster Compact Manual Downrigger ($206.76) is compact, versatile, and built for smaller boats. It is Scotty’s all-time best-selling downrigger model, and it is in stock now and ready to ship.

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