National Wildlife Outlook: How This Week’s Weather Shapes Game Movement Across the United States

Buckhannon, West Virginia; December 14th, 2025

Across the United States, the coming week presents a readable but dynamic winter pattern, one that rewards attention to timing rather than raw temperature alone. From Sunday the 14th through Saturday the 20th, wildlife behavior will be driven by subtle shifts in weather: the easing of rain, the passage of wind, short warming trends, and brief calm periods between systems. What follows is a region by region look at how small game, large game, and fowl are expected to respond to those conditions, based on direct pattern interpretation and seasonal behavior.

Pacific Northwest

Persistent moisture continues to define the landscape in the Pacific Northwest. Repeated waves of rain and mountain snow keep the ground saturated and cover noisy, with only short breaks between systems. Small game activity compresses tightly into those breaks; squirrels and rabbits feed quickly and briefly when precipitation eases, then retreat into dense cover. Extended daylight movement is unlikely, but sudden bursts of activity are common during lulls.

Large game respond by prioritizing shelter and energy conservation. Deer and elk bed deep in timber during steady rain and wind, favoring leeward slopes and benches that offer both protection and efficient travel. Movement typically spikes immediately after storms pass, sometimes for only a few hours, as animals take advantage of improved scent conditions and calmer weather. Waterfowl shift repeatedly with each system, stacking into protected sloughs and backwaters during storms, then dispersing aggressively to feed once conditions improve.

California

California presents a more varied picture, with northern portions of the state influenced earlier by Pacific systems and southern areas potentially seeing improvement later in the week. Small game exhibit classic pre storm feeding behavior, increasing surface activity ahead of rain before going quiet during active weather. Once storms pass, edges, clearings, and exposed ground quickly come back to life.

Large game in foothill zones benefit from cool, damp conditions that encourage daytime movement, while accumulating snow at higher elevations pushes animals down toward lower benches and winter ranges. This concentrates deer and elk into more predictable travel corridors. Waterfowl respond strongly to inflows, with refreshed wetlands and flooded agricultural fields drawing birds rapidly, often producing the strongest activity the day after rainfall rather than during it.

Mountain West

Winter conditions remain firmly in control across the Mountain West. Periodic snow and wind events define the week, with valley floors occasionally seeing mixed precipitation while higher terrain continues to accumulate snow. Small game behavior is dictated almost entirely by the snow line. Above it, activity tightens sharply around cover and food; below it, south facing slopes and rocky exposures remain productive.

Large game adjust elevation quickly in response to snow depth and crusting. Elk and mule deer increase use of migration corridors and winter range following each accumulating event, seeking reliable footing and accessible forage. Waterfowl concentrate on open water wherever it persists, with storms pushing birds into sheltered valleys before they spread out again during calmer periods.

Southwest

The Southwest experiences a more moderate and variable pattern. Some areas remain dry, while others see brief disturbances later in the week. Small game activity increases noticeably after rainfall, even when amounts are modest, as softened ground and renewed plant response improve foraging. During dry stretches, movement shifts toward early morning and evening.

Large game benefit from cooler, cloudier periods that allow more daytime travel, while warm and dry conditions push activity toward shaded drainages and nighttime hours. Waterfowl behavior hinges on water availability; fresh inflows quickly concentrate birds on shallow habitat, while stable conditions preserve predictable local patterns.

Northern Plains

The Northern Plains begin the week colder, then trend toward moderation as a midweek system introduces wind and precipitation. Snow is more likely north and west, with blowing snow possible where wind aligns with accumulation. Small game clamp down during wind and snowfall, but the first calm morning afterward often reveals concentrated movement corridors etched clearly into fresh snow.

Large game favor windbreaks, low draws, and sheltered cover during colder periods, then spread out as temperatures rise and travel improves. Waterfowl respond decisively to freeze up pressure, moving south when water locks up, but staging longer when open water persists.

Southern Plains

Milder conditions dominate the Southern Plains, punctuated by frontal passages that bring wind and shifting temperatures. Small game activity narrows during warm and windy conditions, favoring dawn and dusk, while calm cool mornings widen movement windows.

Large game reduce extended daytime travel during warm spells, bedding more and moving less, but often respond strongly to the leading edge of a front and the first calm period behind it. Waterfowl migration slows under warmth, leaving birds patterned and predictable until a meaningful pressure change arrives.

South Central

Warmth prevails across the South Central region, with Gulf moisture supporting intermittent rain chances as the week progresses. Small game respond to barometric changes ahead of rain with increased feeding urgency, then retreat during wet conditions.

Large game shift movement toward nighttime during extended warmth, making short frontal windows particularly valuable for daytime movement. Waterfowl distribution depends less on temperature and more on water levels, with fresh sheet water quickly concentrating birds where it appears.

Midwest

Early week chill gives way to moderation across the Midwest, with a mid to late week system spreading precipitation. Snow remains more likely in northern areas and near lake influence, while rain dominates farther south. Small game stay quiet during wind and wet conditions, then rebound sharply when calm returns.

Large game concentrate movement early around food sources and thermal cover, then spread out as temperatures rise, increasing midday activity but reducing predictability. Waterfowl respond to lake effect and cold early, then hold during warmer intervals, with system passage sometimes triggering short relocation bursts.

Northeast

The Northeast begins with chill and wind before trending milder ahead of a mid to late week system. Interior elevations may start mixed or snowy before turning wetter. Small game feed heavily ahead of rain, quiet during damp periods, and become more visible again during mild afternoons.

Large game movement improves as moderation arrives, particularly midday, but animals retreat into thick leeward cover during wind and driving rain. Waterfowl reposition inland with water and wind changes, while coastal birds respond more to wind strength than temperature alone.

Southeast

The Southeast experiences a cool start followed by steady moderation. Early week remains relatively quiet, with better rain chances later. Small game take advantage of cool mornings early, then shift activity back toward low light as warmth returns.

Large game increase bedding during warm spells, reducing long daylight travel, but often move well just ahead of late week rain and immediately after it clears. Waterfowl migration slows, leaving local birds consistent and patternable unless a stronger front intervenes.

Alaska

Cold remains the controlling factor across Alaska. Wind driven cold episodes matter more than snowfall totals for wildlife behavior. Small game restrict movement tightly around shelter and food, with midday offering the best opportunity for activity.

Large game travel short distances, relying on consistent corridors and heavy cover. Bird movement remains limited, with concentration around open water and reliable food sources.

Hawaii

Hawaii maintains a trade wind regime with periodic shower bands and steady temperatures. Small game activity remains consistent, increasing after rain breaks. Birds shelter on leeward sides during stronger showers and wind, then forage openly once conditions ease.

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