Weekly Wildlife Report

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest remains under a progressive Pacific pattern, with repeated moisture waves moving inland. Low elevations stay wet while mountain zones continue to see snow, keeping ground conditions saturated and noisy. Winds fluctuate with each system, limiting prolonged daylight movement.

Small game movement is compressed and abrupt. Squirrels and rabbits emerge quickly during rain lulls to feed, then retreat back into dense cover as precipitation resumes. Expect short, intense bursts of activity rather than extended surface movement.

Large game remain shelter-focused during rain and wind, bedding deep in timber, benches, and leeward slopes. Movement improves immediately after frontal passage, particularly once winds relax. These windows are often brief but repeatable, as animals rise to feed and reposition.

Waterfowl stack tightly into protected bays, sloughs, and backwaters during storms. Once rain ends and winds ease, birds disperse aggressively to feed, with the most consistent flights occurring shortly after weather improves.

Best times to hunt: Late morning through early afternoon after rain tapers off, especially during calm breaks between systems.

California

California continues to show a split pattern, with northern areas influenced by Pacific systems and southern areas experiencing longer dry intervals. Timing remains the primary driver of wildlife movement.

Small game activity increases ahead of incoming weather as pressure falls, then drops sharply during rain. Activity resumes quickly after storms pass, particularly along edges, openings, and exposed ground.

Large game benefit from cool, damp conditions that support daytime movement, especially in foothill zones. Snow accumulation at higher elevations continues to push animals downslope, concentrating travel along lower benches, saddles, and established corridors, improving predictability.

Waterfowl respond rapidly to refreshed habitat. Rainfall replenishes wetlands and flooded fields, drawing birds into feeding areas once conditions stabilize. Peak activity often occurs the day after rain rather than during it.

Best times to hunt: The morning ahead of storms and the first clear or overcast day after rain, especially midday.

Mountain West

Winter conditions remain firmly established across the Mountain West. Periodic snow and gusty winds define the pattern, with brief clearing periods between systems.

Small game movement is dictated by snow depth. Below the snow line, south-facing slopes and rocky exposures remain active. Above it, activity tightens sharply around cover and food sources.

Large game respond quickly to accumulating snow by shifting into winter range and migration corridors. Movement becomes shorter but more concentrated, with animals conserving energy. Midday movement improves during calmer periods.

Waterfowl cluster wherever open water persists. Storms compress birds into sheltered valleys and rivers, while calmer periods allow limited dispersal before the next system.

Best times to hunt: Midday during calm periods, especially after snowfall when winds ease.

Southwest

The Southwest experiences generally moderate conditions, interrupted by occasional disturbances that bring cloud cover, wind, or brief precipitation.

Small game activity increases noticeably after rainfall, even when amounts are light, as softened ground improves foraging. During dry periods, movement shifts toward early morning and evening.

Large game move more during cooler, cloudier days that allow extended daylight activity. Warm, dry conditions push animals into shaded drainages and nocturnal patterns.

Waterfowl distribution depends more on water availability than temperature. Fresh inflows quickly concentrate birds; stable conditions preserve local patterns.

Best times to hunt: Early morning following rain and cool, overcast days.

Northern Plains

The Northern Plains begin colder and windier before trending toward moderation later in the period. Wind remains a major suppressor of movement early.

Small game activity is limited during wind but increases sharply once conditions calm, particularly following light snowfall that reveals travel corridors.

Large game shelter in low terrain, draws, and windbreaks during colder periods. As temperatures rise and winds diminish, animals spread out and increase daytime movement.

Waterfowl respond decisively to freeze pressure. Open water allows birds to stage locally; expanding ice pushes migration southward in pulses.

Best times to hunt: The first calm morning after wind events and midday during moderating temperatures.

Southern Plains

Milder conditions dominate the Southern Plains, punctuated by frontal passages that bring wind shifts and temperature swings.

Small game activity narrows during warm, windy periods, favoring dawn and dusk. Calm, cooler mornings widen movement windows.

Large game reduce extended daytime movement during warmth but respond strongly to approaching fronts and the calm period immediately behind them, producing short but productive windows.

Waterfowl migration slows under sustained warmth, leaving birds patterned and predictable until a stronger system forces movement.

Best times to hunt: Early morning behind cold fronts and calm periods following frontal passage.

South Central

Warmth prevails across the South Central region, supported by intermittent Gulf moisture and periodic rain chances.

Small game increase feeding ahead of rain events, then retreat during wet conditions. Movement resumes quickly once precipitation ends.

Large game shift movement toward nighttime during extended warmth, making brief cooling periods and frontal passages especially valuable for daylight activity.

Waterfowl concentrate quickly where fresh sheet water develops, often producing localized movement surges.

Best times to hunt: The day ahead of rain and the first cool morning after weak fronts.

Midwest

Early-period chill gives way to moderation as systems move through mid to late period. Wind and precipitation initially suppress movement before calmer conditions return.

Small game remain quiet during wet and windy conditions, then rebound sharply once calm resumes, often concentrating near cover and food.

Large game initially focus on food and thermal cover during colder periods. As temperatures rise, animals increase midday movement but range more widely, reducing predictability.

Waterfowl respond early to cold snaps, then hold during warmer intervals. System passage can trigger short relocation bursts.

Best times to hunt: After systems pass, especially during calm, mild afternoons.

Northeast

The Northeast transitions from colder, windier conditions toward milder weather ahead of incoming systems. Interior elevations may see mixed precipitation before turning wetter.

Small game feed actively ahead of rain, quiet during damp periods, then reappear during mild afternoons and breaks in wind.

Large game movement improves with moderation, particularly midday, but animals retreat into thick leeward cover during wind and driving precipitation.

Waterfowl reposition inland with water and wind changes, while coastal birds respond more to wind strength than temperature alone.

Best times to hunt: Mild afternoons following weather improvement and calm periods ahead of rain.

Southeast

The Southeast experiences a cool start followed by steady moderation. Rain chances increase later in the period.

Small game take advantage of cool mornings early, then shift activity toward low-light periods as warmth builds.

Large game increase bedding during warm spells, reducing long daylight travel, but often move well just ahead of rain and immediately after it clears.

Waterfowl migration slows, leaving local birds consistent and patternable unless a stronger front intervenes.

Best times to hunt: Cool mornings early in the period and the first clear window after rainfall.

Alaska

Cold remains the dominant influence across Alaska, with wind-driven chill often more impactful than snowfall totals.

Small game restrict movement tightly around shelter and food, with midday offering the best opportunity for activity.

Large game travel short distances along consistent corridors, relying on heavy cover and predictable routes.

Bird movement remains limited, concentrating around open water and reliable food sources.

Best times to hunt: Midday during calmer wind conditions.

Hawaii

Hawaii maintains a trade-wind regime with periodic shower bands and steady temperatures.

Small game activity remains consistent, increasing after showers pass.

Birds shelter on leeward sides during stronger showers and wind, then forage openly once conditions ease.

Best times to hunt or observe wildlife: After showers clear, particularly on leeward terrain.

The Outdoors section of the Appalachian Post provides general, non-instructional information about outdoor traditions, foraging, hunting, fishing, and land use for educational and leisure purposes only. We do not provide safety, medical, legal, or consumption advice, and readers are solely responsible for verifying identification, legality, and safety through their own research and qualified sources before acting.