If you’re a big game hunter in Eastern Washington or North Idaho, you may have already spent time out in the woods scouting, setting up stands or, if you’re an archer, actually hunting. If not, what’s keeping you?

Deer and elk hunters should see plenty of game in Idaho during fall hunts as mild winters have helped mule deer herds hit hard in recent years to rebound, and elk herds continue to soar and harvests have come roaring back over the past six years.

Wingshooters who take advantage of Washington bird-hunting seasons can pursue quarry somewhere in the scablands to forested mountain peaks from Sept. 1 through Jan. 18. That’s five months of sweaty bliss.

Washington offers a wide variety of waterfowl hunting options, ranging from deep saltwater areas to dry land agricultural fields. The many types of habitat in the state support opportunities for waterfowl ranging from mallards, Canada geese and snow geese, to sea ducks and brant.