The Changing Landscape of Western Hunting
September 2026 SOAPBOX
ROBERT HANNEMAN | HUNT ADVISOR
How Hunting Gear Has Changed
It’s early August, and I am preparing to guide a couple of Alaska Dall sheep hunts. Going through all my gear, I cannot keep my mind from wondering about all the changes I have seen in gear over my hunting career. I am packing high-quality, lightweight hunting gear that I would never have believed was possible twenty-plus years ago. It is truly amazing how much better the gear has become. I laugh when I think about how my boys and the rest of the younger generation will never know how good they have it or how tough we had it back in the day. With better gear, we can hunt longer, stay warmer, and really just be a lot safer than we were in the past.
Testing New Hunting Gear and Freeze-Dried Meals
Just like every year, I always test out new gear to see if it is better than what I currently use. This year I decided to focus on freeze-dried meals, as a lot of companies are currently making them. There are a lot of good options, and I will be taking many of them on hunts this fall. Despite all the different freeze-dried meals on the market, I still think there is room for improvement. I believe that is why so many hunters are buying freeze dryers and making their own. I really am excited to see what the freeze-dried companies come up with in the future; with so many producing meals, the competition should really improve the quality and taste.
Idaho Deer and Elk Draw Changes
But as I think about my fall hunt schedule, I am a little sad. For the first time in fifteen years, I will not be hunting Idaho for deer or elk. It’s not that I didn’t want to hunt Idaho this year; it’s because I could not draw a tag. Idaho decided to go to a draw for 2026, meaning all the general deer and elk tags were issued in a new draw that took place last December, and all the unclaimed tags were rolled into a January draw. It is hard to believe that it was just a couple of years ago that I was able to purchase two deer tags in the same year. We will have the Idaho general deer and elk information written up in the November magazine. I think most people are going to be shocked at how low the draw odds were for a lot of the units. If you are thinking of applying in Idaho this coming year, you’ll really want to check out the information in the November magazine.
Changes to Alaska Caribou Hunting
Speaking of changes, it wasn’t too long ago when caribou were doing great in Alaska. But those days are gone, and Alaska is having a bit of a tough time with its caribou herds. Most herds are on a steady decline, and a lot of hunting areas where people have been taking nice bulls have been shut down except to allow subsistence hunting. The Haul Road caribou hunt has been very popular with hunters, as it does not require the use of a transporter. This makes for a cheaper caribou hunt, but the herd that lives in the area is roughly twenty-five percent of what it was a decade ago. I have some friends going up the Haul Road in August, and I sure hope they have a good hunt. Huntin’ Fool Adventures does not book self-guided caribou hunters due to the lack of available transporters and the difficulty of getting a quality experience. There are still a couple of good, outfitted caribou hunts available that produce quality bulls. I took my middle boy, Caleb, up there last year while I was guiding him, and he was able to take a great bull.
Staying Up to Date on Western Hunting Changes
Ultimately, the only thing that is consistent about hunting is change. Here at the Huntin’ Fool, it is a full-time job for me and the other Hunt Advisors to keep up on all the change that happens across the West. That can include states making big changes to their drawing system and rules, or it can include population swings caused by everything from winters to predators. It takes a lot of work to keep up with all these changes, but our team works hard to make sure Huntin’ Fool members are up-to-date on the latest information.
Don’t Put Off the Hunt You Want to Do
With all the changes that are constantly happening, I recommend people don’t put off a hunt they want to do. As things change, you never know if a hunt will be available or reasonably priced in the future. My advice is to go hunting, because none of us know how many more years we will be able to hunt the mountains. Don’t forget to send us your pictures and stories from your hunts this fall. We love seeing the Huntin’ Fool community enjoying the outdoors.
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