What are your 2026 Outdoor Plans

[Birdbander]

I'm surprised to have not seen a thread of this nature started late last year & being already a month into 2026. I like hearing of the different places & game being pursued.

This will be a quieter year for me:

Already took a trip to Kansas for birds that was a bust right after New Year.
Nothing planned until spring turkey at home in Michigan. Purchase a WY pronghorn point. I may make a run to Texas for dove opener, something I've always wanted to do. I'll be going back to Colorado for blues & another crack at ptarmigan, solo this year with both dogs in September. Any remaining days off will be used for grouse camp in the UP.

A few pike spearing outings near home while ice lasts & a trip to LSC for perch/pike as well. Lots of crappie fishing throughout the upcoming open water season.

Please share what you have hopefully coming up & follow up with pics from your adventures! Have a safe, successful and fun year everyone!

 

[npaden]

After a crazy 2025 hunting year I don't have anything "planned" in 2026 but a few crazy draw odds could change it.

Already applied in Alaska, about to in Wyoming and Arizona, then New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming and Arizona again. Might apply for Idaho or Montana but probably not.

Spend some time up at my new whitetail property here in Texas getting it setup, think I will work on some bedding areas and add a couple water holes. Put in a couple new nice blinds.

If I end up with a bust year on the draws I think I'm going to line up a Mountain Lion hunt in Nevada or Arizona with an outfitter.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Taking my daughter Mule deer hunting in Utah.

So far she’s got an elk, whitetail buck, black bear and a turkey scratched off of her list. We need a mule deer, antelope, mule deer, gator and a hog.

Then off to college she goes.

 

[BuzzH]

Not real sure until after the draw results.

But the for sures are:

Alaska, annual fishing trip late August.

Wyoming elk x 3 or 4, pronghorn, deer x 2, will have bear and lion tags too.

Montana elk, deer OTC NR.

Arizona, coues deer.

Will have applications out in AZ, NV, CO, UT, MT, WY with a crap load of points.

The good thing is I will have October through December off to hunt everyday.

 

[WapitiBob]

OR Turkey hunting and maybe Bear if one steps into the road.
OR Elk has decent odds for 2nd choice, next year will be a lock.
OR Pronghorn is a lock.
Idaho pronghorn is less than 50% odds, not a fan but partner is pushing it and I caved.
AZ Elk, decent odds.
WY Deer is a lock, WY Elk is a lock but debating that one to concentrate on the partners Deer/Pronghorn.
A few years out on UT Elk.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

Waiting for the draws, so likely a moose tag, a couple sheep tags and at least one goat tag.

This is my year.

 

[WyoCoalMiner]

Have not done much hunting over the last couple years. Building a house, son's going off to college, work. etc. just took a bunch of time and attention. Planning on that to change this year.
Hunting Plans
WY Turkey this spring
WY bear, just doubt I will shoot one.
WY elk with a cow tag thrown in for good measure
WY mule deer for sure.
WY whitetail.
WY Pronghorn.
Not sure I want to use my 26 Bighorn Points just yet.

Fishing Plans
Exploring the Salt River
Getting my trout pond going.

This should keep me out of the bars.

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

Comes down to draws as usual but for this year;

Spring bear in Montana and Idaho… maybe throw in a turkey

Montana general deer/elk- maybe get lucky and draw something

Wyoming- should cash in the deer points this year.

Colorado- going to burn the few points I have and go home and do an elk/deer hunt with dad and little brother. One of these days I’ll draw my sheep tag and complete the Colorado big 9. Be cool to do it before I turn 40

Texas/Arkansas- go hunt whitetails and ducks down at mom and dads place come winter as usual

 

[The_Jim]

I’ll do an elk and a couple deer hunts with my oldest son. We got a bird dog a few weeks ago, so hopefully do a lot more upland hunting.

I love hunting but I really look forward to taking my family camping as much as we can squeeze in each year. We already have plans for the black hills & or favorite spot in Colorado this summer.