Across the Northwest, hunters are storing their rifles and archery equipment and grabbing their shotguns. It’s the season for waterfowl and upland birds now that most big-game hunting is finished. In Washington, a few select units remain open for black-tailed deer with archery equipment. The most widespread hunting opportunity is currently in Montana, where the statewide muzzleloader heritage season opened Dec. 13 and runs through Dec. 21. This marks the fourth year of this relatively new opportunity, which gives hunters with unused general deer or elk tags one last shot. But hunters have their work cut out for them. The equipment is limited to traditional muzzleloaders, and after six weeks of archery season and five weeks of the general season, deer populations have felt the pressure. It doesn’t help that the rut is pretty much finished. Bucks have disappeared from mule deer herds in favor of bachelor groups or solo outings. The whitetail rut has also gone cold. Daylight activity has dwindled, especially among mature bucks. Trail cameras are snapping far fewer buck photos, with most of activity returning to twilight hours.

While hunters begin to store their equipment, many are already prepping for 2026 — especially nonresident hunters who frequent the Northwest. Traditionally, Idaho Fish and Game puts nonresident elk and deer tags up for sale in early December. Historically, it’s been first-come, first-serve. But in recent years, the online system created major headaches for the agency and hunters. After system crashes and hours-long wait times, the agency is moving to a draw system for the first time. Nonresident hunters must purchase a non-refundable Idaho state hunting license to put in for 2026 tags. The application period closed Dec. 15, and results will be announced in early 2026.

Don’t Miss: Hunt the Holidays Like a Champion

Montana is also making changes to its 2026 draw system for nonresident hunters. The Fish and Wildlife Commission recently cut nonresident deer licenses by about 2,500 tags. The application period will open early next year. The decision is in response to declines in mule deer populations, EHD die-offs among whitetails and increased hunting pressure from out-of-state hunters.

With the end of the year quickly approaching, activity in the field has decreased. Bucks are resting after the rut, and hunters are also taking a break from pursuing big game. December is the season for packing equipment away, making plans for next year, spending time in the duck blind or catching up on time with family as the holidays approach.