Fall migration is underway, and the skies are filling with birds heading south. Some will travel thousands of miles along ancient routes, guided by weather, instinct, and the availability of suitable habitat.
Between September and November, hundreds of millions of birds will make their way across North America, many traveling along four major migratory flyways: the Pacific, Central, Mississippi, and the Atlantic. These broad migration corridors stretch across the continent, connecting northern breeding grounds with warmer wintering habitats farther south.
For those who venture outdoors, fall migration offers one of the country's great seasonal spectacles, and places like Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and waterfowl areas are among the best places to experience it. WMAs, waterfowl areas, and other conserved lands provide essential stopover habitats, giving birds places to refuel while offering hunters, birdwatchers, and wildlife enthusiasts a front-row seat to the journey.
Many of the Nation’s WMAs and waterfowl areas have been purchased, enhanced, or maintained with support from federal excise taxes paid by manufacturers of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment through the Pittman-Robertson Act. Investments in these wetlands, shorelines, grasslands, and forests, offer migrating birds places to feed and rest before continuing their journey.
Here are a few places where the annual migration is particularly worth experiencing, each supported and maintained in part by Pittman-Robertson funds:
California’s Central Valley Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Just west of Sacramento, the nearly 17,000-acre Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area lies along the Pacific Flyway, where its wetlands, ponds, grasslands, and agricultural fields provide important habitat for migrating and wintering birds. Fall brings an impressive variety of wildlife, including snow geese, ducks, shorebirds, raptors, and other migratory birds moving through California’s Central Valley. Visitors can explore the area and bird watch, while hunters can pursue waterfowl during designated seasons. Whether you arrive with binoculars, a camera, or your hunting gear, Yolo Bypass offers an opportunity to experience the remarkable concentration of wildlife along the Pacific Flyway.
New Mexico’s Bernardo Waterfowl Area Bernardo Waterfowl Area encompasses 1,700 acres along the Rio Grande River, forming part of New Mexico’s Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex. The area was established to provide habitat and food for waterfowl migrating along the Central Flyway. Each fall and winter, the area’s fields create resting and feeding habitat for birds. As the Rio Grande corridor fills with migrating birds, visitors can watch waterfowl gathering across the wetlands and agricultural fields, with the possibility of seeing flocks of sandhill cranes that use the river valley during migration. The area is a popular destination for wildlife watchers and photographers and hunters can take advantage of harvest opportunities during the hunting season.
Minnesota’s Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area
Nestled in the Minnesota River Valley, Lac qui Parle Wildlife Management Area is a popular destination for birdwatchers and hunters with more than 24,000 acres of wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, and open water, including Lac qui Parle Lake and Marsh Lake. Its name, French for “lake that speaks,” is particularly fitting in autumn, when the calls of thousands of migrating birds fill the air. Located along the Mississippi Flyway, the area provides critical resting and feeding habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds making their seasonal migration. Each fall, thousands of Canada geese and ducks gather creating an impressive spectacle of sight and sound. By November, migrating tundra swans, also known as whistling swans, arrive, adding their distinctive calls to the seasonal choir.
Arkansas’ Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area encompasses more than 33,000 acres of hardwood forests, wetlands, lakes, and seasonally flooded habitat in central Arkansas. Each fall, thousands of acres are flooded to provide food and shelter for migrating and wintering waterfowl, making Bayou Meto a premier destination for duck hunters and bird watchers.Look for wood ducks, geese, and other waterfowl moving through the Mississippi Flyway. The area also supports deer, turkey, and a variety of other wildlife. Bring a pair of binoculars, a camera, or your hunting gear and experience one of Arkansas’ iconic wetland landscapes during the height of the fall migration.
Cape May’s Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area:
Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area is roughly 1,100 acres of state-managed land featuring dunes, forest, scrub-shrub, and fields that conserve habitat for wildlife. Cape May is known world-wide for its spectacular fall migrations that result in millions of birds stopping on the peninsula during their journey along the Atlantic Flyway. You can expect to see a plethora of birds on the WMA, including songbirds, raptors, and shorebirds. During the fall migration season, Higbee Beach is famous for its morning songbird flight with thousands of birds passing overhead. Bring binoculars and field guides to make the most of your visit, as the WMA is renowned for its rich biodiversity.
Plan Your Migration Visit
Federal excise tax funding helps conserve and maintain Wildlife Management Areas and other conservation lands that provide essential habitat for birds along their migration routes. They also give people places to experience the journey firsthand, whether that means watching waterfowl gather on a wetland, spotting hawks overhead, or heading out for a morning hunt.
Before you go, check local area regulations, access information, weather conditions, and recent bird sightings. Migration can change quickly and a cold front may bring new arrivals, while wind and other weather conditions can influence when and where birds move. Check seasonal hunting rules and plan accordingly if you intend to hunt.
ScentLok introduces redesigned Climafleece base layers featuring an optimized warmth-to-weight ratio with microfleece lining, flat-lock seams, and all three of ScentLok's odor-control technologies: Carbon Alloy, Fusix, and Silver Alloy. Women's-specific cuts and men's options available starting at $99.99.
Muddy launched DV8 and Timber Recon Xtreme (TRX) women's hunting apparel systems featuring complete layering solutions designed for late-season cold-weather conditions. The waterproof, windproof gear includes base layers, jackets, bibs, and insulation pieces rated for temperatures well below freezing, available online and through retailers nationwide.
As whitetail season kicks into gear across the country, hunters are looking for every possible edge against one of the most wary game animals in North America. With the Barnett Hyper Raptor T-Rex™ crossbow, they now have a powerful, ready-in-an-instant option built to perform.
Easton Archery announces the new 4MM X4, a premium Acu-Carbon target arrow for competitive archers. Available in Standard Grade and Match Grade options, the X4 features advanced carbon construction and dimensional consistency for high-level target competition across multiple disciplines.
The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) honored Mark Haldane of Zambeze Delta Safaris, Mozambique, with the 2026 Markhor Award for three decades of conservation work, including recovering buffalo populations from 2,300 to 30,000 and reintroducing lions in the Zambeze Delta.
Hook & Barrel Magazine announces its third annual Top Shelf Awards, a reader-driven event celebrating top outdoor brands, products, and personalities across 23 categories. Voting runs through November 30, with winners announced in January and select category winners receiving awards at SHOT Show 2027.
Hayden Walkush, a master's student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, received the Boone and Crockett Club Fellow Outstanding Achievement Award for his research on Wisconsin's black bears. His work, conducted under advisor Dr. Cady Sartini at UWSP's Wisconsin Center for Wildlife, studies bear movement through working forests and hunting areas in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
The USA College Clay Target League National Championship will be held October 30–November 1 at Brittany Shooting Park in Bunker Hill, Illinois, featuring 189 athletes from 25 colleges across 10 states. Sponsored by The 1791 Foundation, Winchester, Ducks Unlimited, and others, the event determines top college clay target shooting athletes and teams nationally.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte visited PROOF Research's new Columbia Falls headquarters to celebrate the company's expansion and growth as a Montana manufacturer. The visit included a ribbon cutting, facility tour, and demonstration of PROOF Research's carbon fiber barrels, precision rifle systems, and the Elevation MTR FDX rifle.
Primary Arms Optics announced the promotion of Carson Heck to Director of Manufacturing and Quality. Since joining as a Product Engineer in 2020, Heck has led design and development of optics and mounts, including the PLx® HTX-1 enclosed pistol red dot sight, the company's first U.S.-made optic.
German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced a partnership with MWS Associates, Inc. to represent GPO product lines across 37 states. MWS Associates brings 50 years of shooting sports industry experience and established retail relationships to support GPO's dealer network expansion in the eastern market.
Armanet, a programmatic advertising platform built for the firearms, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor industries, launches with eight integrated channels including programmatic display, video, Connected TV, and email. Founded by Nick Morissey, the platform uses ArmanetID and multi-touch attribution to help brands measure sales impact across all marketing channels.
The Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation are hiring a Regional Director for California Coast and Central Valley to lead volunteer chapters, expand fundraising, and cultivate donors. The remote position, based in California, offers $67,000–$74,500 salary plus benefits, with applications due November 13, 2026.
Pulsar has launched the Thermion 3 LRF thermal riflescope in XR60 and XT60 configurations, featuring extended laser rangefinding up to 1,312 yards, improved HD sensors, refined traditional controls, and enhanced battery life while maintaining the familiar riflescope design.
ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Thrive X 3-12x44 hunting riflescope with five reticle options including Zeroplex, Mildot, G4, PHR 3, and PHR 4. The scope features MOA or MRAD adjustments, parallax adjustment from 10 yards to infinity, and an Adjustable BDC Turret on select models.
ZeroTech Optics USA announced its Adjustable BDC Turrets, featuring five customizable Adjustable Impact Markers that allow hunters and shooters to personalize distance references without tools while retaining traditional elevation markings. Compatible with select Thrive X and Thrive HD riflescope models, the system enables marker repositioning when ammunition or conditions change.
Dallas Safari Club and The World Gunmakers' Evening announced a new international partnership to connect their communities, expand industry engagement, and celebrate sporting heritage. The collaboration includes joint promotional initiatives and event sponsorships, with DSC hosting conventions in Atlanta and Dallas, while WGE holds events in London and Philadelphia.
EOTECH made a monetary donation to the American Warrior Association, a faith-driven nonprofit dedicated to healing moral injury among service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through programs like R3, Warrior's Refuge, and Virtus Project.
The Wild Sheep Foundation congratulates Dr. Ryan Brock, its Youth Education Program Coordinator, for being selected as Nevada's Outdoor Teacher of the Year. Brock has dedicated over two decades to outdoor education, inspiring thousands of students through hands-on learning and programs like the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience and S.H.E.E.P.
The Wild Sheep Foundation reaffirmed its support for constitutional hunting and fishing rights, with CEO Gray N. Thornton noting these traditions are cornerstones of conservation heritage. WSF supports states enshrining these rights in their constitutions, with Colorado voters considering Amendment 83 on November 3, 2026.
The Wild Sheep Foundation's President and CEO Gray N. Thornton received the 2027 Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award from the Dallas Safari Club. The award honors individuals whose sustained contributions have advanced wildlife and habitat conservation while protecting hunting traditions. Thornton has led WSF for eighteen years and distributed over $77 million to mission programs.
Apex Ammunition and 24.7 Hunt have partnered to launch the Cold Front™ Waterfowl series of shotshells in 12- and 20-gauge, featuring graphite-coated, zinc-plated steel shot and a Limited Bore Contact WAD System designed for improved pattern consistency and velocity retention during waterfowl hunting season.
Mossy Oak has partnered with STITCH Golf to introduce the SL2 Golf Bag featuring Mossy Oak's iconic Original Bottomland camouflage pattern. The collaboration combines both brands' appreciation for the outdoors and tradition, with the bag retailing for $398 and available online and at select country clubs nationwide.
Federal Ammunition has expanded its Fusion and American Eagle rifle product lines with new 22 Creedmoor loads featuring 75-grain bonded soft point and total metal jacket options, both delivering 3,300 feet-per-second muzzle velocity. The loads are now being delivered to dealers nationwide.
Ol' Man Outdoors has introduced the OST-100 Steady Eddie Tripod Shooting Stick, a field-tested rifle rest designed for deer gun season. Weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz. with an adjustable height range of 8 to 65 inches, the tripod supports multiple shooting positions and is compatible with crossbows and spotting scopes.
Tink's Nose Candy introduces three olfactory blocker options—Sweet Apple, Anise, and Vanillin—designed to mask human odor while stimulating deer curiosity. Matt Kinamore, Senior Director of Product Development at Tink's, explains how these scent products complement comprehensive hunting strategies including scent elimination and wind awareness.
Millennium Treestands announces its complete Antler Shak Series of ground blinds — the Antler Shak 7 Mag, Antler Shak 30/30, and Antler Shak 30-06. Together, the series sets a new standard in concealment and visibility, giving hunters a blind built for every style of ground hunting, from spacious multi-hunter hub blinds to a durable, adaptable all-arounder.
NEXTORCH North America announces the P09 Multi-Function Duty Flashlight featuring white, UV, red, and blue LEDs with up to 2,000 lumens and 240-yard beam distance. Designed for law enforcement and emergency response, it includes tactical strobe, ceramic glass breaker, and IP67 durability at $79.99 MSRP.
Federal Ammunition has expanded its Fusion Tipped rifle ammunition line to include the 25 Creedmoor cartridge with a 130-grain load featuring 2,850 fps muzzle velocity. The new offering delivers improved ballistic performance with reduced drift and drop, while 125-grain American Eagle and 135-grain Sierra MatchKing loads are coming soon.
Whitetail Institute announces the Obsession Block, a nutritional supplement featuring 17% protein and essential minerals designed to support whitetail deer year-round while providing strong attraction to encourage consistent deer activity on hunting properties.
Santa's Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's locations across the U.S. and Canada starting November 7, offering FREE studio-quality photos with Santa, kids' crafts, and holiday giveaways through Christmas Eve. Now in its 18th season, this beloved tradition provides families with complimentary holiday experiences and festive activities.
Bass Pro Shops celebrates its fifth New York location opening in Victor with an Evening for Conservation on November 12, 2026, featuring legendary anglers Jimmy Houston, Kevin VanDam, Bob Izumi, and George Poveromo. Fifteen percent of sales will benefit local conservation organizations, with festivities including live entertainment, meet-and-greets, and family activities.
The National Field Archery Association will host its inaugural 3D Challenge during ATA Show Week, January 7-10, 2027, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The event runs January 8-10 alongside the NFAA Rushmore Rumble and welcomes archers of all ages and experience levels to compete for fun, awards, or cash prizes.
Media members can now register for credentials to attend the 2027 DSC Convention & Sporting Expo, held January 7-10 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. DSC is providing a dedicated pressroom with amenities for the sporting press. Contact Stephanie Mallory at Mallory Communications to pre-register.
WTU President Jeff Schinkten announces that Memory Mount, connecting the trophy to the memories, has joined as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor.
Nukem Hunting, maker of portable and lightweight hunting blinds created by Pat Newcomb, has joined Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised the partnership, noting that Nukem Hunting's stake-free blinds make ground hunting easier for hunters.
Sellmark Corporation is running a $20,000 sweepstakes from November 2-30, 2026, featuring products from Sightmark, Pulsar, KJI, Dark 30, INFORCE, and other brands. The grand prize package includes thermal imaging devices, shooting supports, tactical gear, and a $1,000 Everest Gift Card.
Outdoor Channel dedicates Saturday evenings to the MeatEater franchise with a three-hour "Prime Cuts" block featuring Rinella's Field Notes, MeatEater Season 14 premiere on November 14, and MeatEater's 12 in 26 cinematic presentations showcasing hunting, fishing, and outdoor adventures with Steven Rinella and crew.
Pursuit Media showcases its extensive programming across Pursuit Channel and Pursuit UP, featuring shows like Wiebe Trapline Adventures, Higdon Outdoors, Argo's How to Hunt with Ryan Kohler, and The Fish Guyz. The dual-platform approach provides outdoor enthusiasts flexible access to premium content via linear television and free streaming across major platforms.
Field & Stream TV announced its Q4 2026 broadcast schedule featuring thirteen weeks of original fishing and hunting programming beginning September 28. The lineup includes Spanish Fly – The Next Generation, Sport Fishing TV – State of the Ocean narrated by Guy Harvey, Scott Martin Challenge, In Season with Gregg Ritz, and Wingshooting USA across FAST channels.
Ralph, Vicki, RJ, and Aubrey Cianciarulo invite viewers to tune into the 26th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel, beginning Monday, September 28th at 11:30 PM EST. Ralph returns to J&M Whitetails in Kansas seeking redemption after previous unsuccessful encounters.
