Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Manufacturing Company, received the 2026 Dallas Safari Club Foundation Legacy Award on July 25, 2026, for his conservation leadership and advocacy for science-based wildlife management and hunter education.

Whitetails Unlimited named Dan Vogt and Darel Martin as Field Directors of the Year for fiscal year 2025-2026, while Brian Kittrell received the Pathfinder Award for the third consecutive year. Executive Director Chris Konop praised the honorees' dedication to the organization's conservation mission.

Paul Butski, a longtime GSM Outdoors staff member, has been inducted into the Legends of The Outdoors Hall of Fame for his decades of conservation work and contributions to the outdoor industry. Butski is a decorated turkey calling champion with three NWTF Grand National Championships, six U.S. Open Championships, and two Levi Garrett Opens, and developed signature turkey calls for GSM and the Mantis 25 Turkey Call for Hunting Made Easy (HME).

Silencer Central, founded by Brandon Maddox, has been ranked No. 1801 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, marking its fourth consecutive year on the list. The Sioux Falls-based suppressor retailer's ranking reflects revenue growth measured over a three-year period.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department urges hunters to submit harvested deer and elk for chronic wasting disease testing during the 2026 hunt season. CWD is 100% fatal to infected animals, and continued monitoring helps Game and Fish understand disease impacts and evaluate management actions. Hunters can submit samples at game check stations, regional offices, or collect samples themselves following online guidelines.

The 50th Annual Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational will be held Sept. 26 at Pressey Wildlife Management Area in Custer County. This free event is open to youth ages 11 and older who have completed Hunter Education and have not graduated high school, with first-time shooters receiving complimentary ammunition.

Pyramyd AIR concluded the annual Pyramyd Cup at Cardinal Shooting Center in Ohio, featuring elite airgun competitors in Benchrest, Gunslynger, and Field Target disciplines. Winners included Thayne Simmons in Benchrest, Nic Gregoris in Gunslynger Springer, and Brian VanLiew in Field Target Open PCP.

Beretta is bringing the prestigious Beretta Gold Cup to the United States for the first time during its 500th anniversary celebration at the 2026 NSCA U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship in Hudson, Wisconsin, August 11-16. The inaugural U.S. champion will receive an invitation to compete at the 2027 Beretta Gold Cup in Italy, with top finishers receiving Beretta competition shotguns including the DT11, 694, and A400 L Sporting models.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins to determine if semi-automatic rifles are protected by the Second Amendment. Lower courts have paused related lawsuits nationwide, and the Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation will file an amicus brief arguing semi-automatic bans harm sportsmen.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court in Defense Distributed v. Attorney General of New Jersey, challenging the state's prohibition on publishing computer files for 3D printing firearms. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue that computer code is protected First Amendment speech, no different from gunsmithing textbooks.

The AGFC and Ozark personality Joe Wilson are hosting the World Champion Squirrel Cookoff on September 12 at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center in Springdale. The event features cooking competitions, outdoor education courses, and demonstrations including the K-9 Unit and a cave experience trailer.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick recommends high-elevation fishing in areas like the Uinta Mountains and Boulder Mountain from July through early October. These Blue Ribbon Fisheries offer diverse trout species including cutthroat, brook, brown, rainbow, and Arctic grayling in thousands of miles of publicly accessible streams.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on all FWP-managed lands in Lake County beginning August 7, 2026, following similar restrictions by Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Campfires are prohibited except in designated steel fire grates at FWP sites.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry's Community & Urban Forestry program, funded through the USDA Forest Service, is accepting applications for urban forestry grants with a Sept. 11 deadline. Fundable projects include tree planting, inventories, canopy assessments, and storm response planning, requiring a 1:1 match.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) funded a new adaptive mobility vehicle for Lake Guntersville State Park through the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA). The specialized all-terrain vehicle enables visitors with mobility challenges to explore trails and experience the park's scenic beauty with greater independence.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that waterfowl hunting blinds cannot be placed on state waters before the first Saturday in September. Blinds must display the owner's name and address and be removed by May 15, or February 15 for Lake Champlain blinds.

The Boone and Crockett Club, the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, and the UWSP Foundation established the Stephens Family Foundation Boone and Crockett Wildlife Professor position at UWSP with a $1 million endowment. The professorship, led by associate professor Cady Sartini, will expand black bear conservation research and education across Wisconsin through the Searle-Dew-Thomas Boone and Crockett Wisconsin Black Bear Fellowship.

The Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation (SAF) demands the removal of four Washington Fish and Wildlife Commissioners after an independent investigation vindicated SAF's claims of public records violations and legal misconduct by Commissioner Melanie Rowland, including intentional withholding of records and false court testimony.

Outdoor Mentors announced expansion into New Jersey with the hiring of Haley Faith as the organization's first New Jersey Program Coordinator. Faith, a marine biologist and New Jersey native, will lead the nonprofit's youth mentorship efforts as part of its broader eastern seaboard growth strategy.

Celerant Technology and Slingit announced a new integration to help FFL dealers streamline used firearm sales. The partnership allows dealers to quickly appraise, list, and sell used firearms across Celerant's eCommerce platform and GunBroker, reducing manual data entry and accelerating inventory turnover.

Mossy Oak and premium headwear brand melin announced a limited-edition collaboration featuring the iconic Bottomland camouflage pattern. The collection, retailing from $79 to over $180, will be available through melin.com, melin Customer Experience Labs, and select retail partners, combining both brands' commitment to quality and authentic outdoor living.

The award-winning "Wildtalk" podcast features Rachel and Eric discussing fire with plant ecologist Jesse Lincoln, followed by segments on Carolina wrens and gray foxes. Listeners can enter a wildlife quiz for exclusive podcast camp mugs by emailing DNR-Wildlife@Michigan.gov with subject line "Mug me" by August 15.

The Houston Safari Club Foundation's Hunting Matters podcast features wildlife biologist Matt Garrick discussing waterfowl conservation, hunting traditions across North America and New Zealand, and the future of game bird management. Garrick shares his career journey from Iowa State University and Texas A&M University's Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute to his current role as Game Bird Specialist for Fish and Game New Zealand.

Travis "T-Bone" Turner joins host Michael Waddell on The Michael Waddell Podcast to discuss his archery career, innovations in bow technology, and his recovery from cancer. Turner, a Hoyt shooter and co-host of Bone Collector on Outdoor Channel, emphasizes the importance of practice and shares insights on modern archery advancements.

MDT is releasing the CRBN rifle stock in Hunter Blaze colorway for Tikka T3/T3X and Remington 700 short action left-hand platforms as a limited production run. The lightweight carbon fiber stock features adjustable ergonomics and an integrated ARCA rail, available starting August 11, 2026.

Auto-Ordnance unveiled the T1SB50DH Short Barreled Rifle, a U.S.-made Thompson variant chambered in .45 ACP featuring Prohibition-era styling with modern engineering. The compact semi-automatic rifle includes a 10.5-inch finned barrel, American walnut furniture, and ships with both 50-round drum and 20-round stick magazines at an MSRP of $3,086.

Custom & Collectable Firearms presents the Horizon Firearms Exclusive .22 Creedmoor, a limited-edition precision rifle with only 100 consecutively numbered units. The rifle features an 18" carbon fiber barrel, Bronze Cerakote magnesium chassis, TriggerTech trigger, and Amend2 magazine for refined performance and collectability.

Firearms News released its August 2026 issue featuring Executive Editor David M. Fortier's cover story on Ruger's new Harrier AR-15-type rifle chambered in 5.6x45mm NATO. The issue includes reviews of Smith & Wesson's 940-3 revolver, Wilson Combat's Bulwark pistol, and Thunder Beast Arms' Spiro suppressor, plus Second Amendment news coverage.

Forensics Source, a brand of The Safariland Group and Cadre Holdings, Inc., will exhibit at the International Association for Identification Conference in St. Louis, Missouri from August 16-22, 2026. The company will showcase forensic supplies and equipment at Booth 131 to support crime scene professionals and forensic laboratories.

Legacy Sports International, a leading firearms importer based in Reno, Nevada, will exhibit at Sports Inc.'s 2026 Fall Semi-Annual Market in Nashville from August 13-15. The company will showcase its HOWA, POINTER, and CITADEL brand firearms, featuring popular models including the HOWA Superlite Gen 2, POINTER over-unders, and CITADEL Boss25 shotguns.

Sarsilmaz will exhibit at the Sports, Inc. 2026 August Outdoor Show, August 13-15 at the Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The company will showcase the SAR9 Gen 3 family, SAR9 SOCOM series, 7/24 Series, and K-12 Sport handgun product lines at Booth #155.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications for the Region 5 Citizen Advisory Collective in south-central Montana. The CAC meets several times yearly to advise FWP on resource management and serve as ambassadors to outdoor interest groups. Applicants must live in Region 5 counties and submit applications by September 14.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department's Commercial Fishing Boat Advisory Board will meet August 13 via Zoom livestream. The board will discuss two recommendations for the interim Joint Travel, Recreation, Wildlife, and Cultural Resources Committee: creating an independent Fishing Outfitters Board or amending legislation to join the Wyoming State Board of Outfitters and Professional Guides.

The Utah Geological Survey and Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources published the first formal geologic map of the Oljeto 7.5' quadrangle, developed collaboratively to address groundwater priorities in the hyper-arid Colorado Plateau region. Led by Dr. Matthew Morriss and Trevor Schlossnagle, the project was funded through the USGS STATEMAP program.

Jackie, the beloved bald eagle from Big Bear Valley, died on August 9, 2026, at the Ojai Raptor Center after three weeks of intensive medical care. Despite efforts by veterinarians and specialists, including a blood transfusion from Spirit at the California Living Museum Zoo in Bakersfield, Jackie's condition deteriorated due to blood clots and kidney issues. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Ojai Raptor Center mourned the loss of the eagle who inspired global conservation awareness.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department data shows sage-grouse lek attendance declined 13% in 2026, with an average of 27 male birds per active lek. Biologist Nyssa Whitford attributes the decrease to natural population cycles and habitat conditions, noting Wyoming's sage-grouse population cycles every 7-9 years.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reports increased black bear activity across the state as bears enter hyperphagia, consuming up to 20,000 calories daily. Dan Thompson, large carnivore supervisor, advises securing attractants like garbage, fruit, and bird feeders to prevent human-bear conflicts. Residents can report unusual bear activity to Game and Fish at 1-877-943-3847.

Eddie Smith Jr. could have sold Grady-White Boats for more than $400 million.

At 83, after 58 years of owning the North Carolina boatbuilder, he had earned the right to cash out. Instead, Smith has transferred the company into a structure designed to keep it independent and direct its future profits to charity.

To understand why Smith's decision is significant, it helps to understand why Grady-White commands such loyalty among its owners.

Talk to Grady-White owners and the same themes come up repeatedly: ride, construction, reliability, thoughtful layouts and customer service. The company's SeaV² hull has a particularly strong following among people who routinely run offshore. Owners describe the boats as solid, dry and predictable in rough water, with a ride they consider better than many competing boats of similar size. They also point to substantial hardware, good fit and finish, practical fishing features and a construction philosophy that favors durability over chasing the latest styling trend. Owner’s have learned to expect strong support from the factory and dealers when something does go wrong.

That reputation comes with a price. Grady-Whites generally sell at a premium to many competing fiberglass fishing boats. But that premium, along with their reputation for offshore capability and longevity, has helped create unusually strong customer loyalty.

That loyalty is a big part of what Smith has spent 58 years building.

He was 26 years old in 1968 and knew relatively little about boatbuilding when he met Grady-White co-founder Don White. The company was struggling, still committed largely to wooden boats as fiberglass was taking over recreational boatbuilding. White was considering shutting it down.

Smith saw an opportunity.

His father, Edward C. “George” Smith Sr., had built a successful mail-order textile business—in panty-hose, among other delicates. He loaned his son the money to buy Grady-White.

Smith went to work.

He pushed the company toward fiberglass, concentrated on boats that fishermen actually wanted and put his own savings into the business. During the early years, he reportedly sometimes worked 80 to 100 hours a week.

The gamble paid off. Grady-White became one of America's best-known builders of offshore and coastal fishing boats, with a reputation for quality and customer service that has endured for decades.

Smith's decision about the company's future came after a series of personal losses.

He had expected his son, Chris, to eventually take over Grady-White. Chris died of ALS in 2021. Smith's wife, Jo, died the previous year.

With the family succession plan gone, Smith began considering what should happen to the company after his own retirement. He had reportedly received offers exceeding $400 million, but selling would have put Grady-White's future in somebody else's hands. Smith wanted to protect the employees, management and culture that had developed during his ownership.

His solution was inspired in part by Patagonia.

In 2022, Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard transferred the company's voting stock to a purpose trust and its non-voting stock to the Holdfast Collective, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit. Excess profits are directed toward environmental and political causes.

Smith has adopted a similar structure. Grady-White's voting stock has gone into the Grady-White Boats Perpetual Purpose Trust, which is intended to keep the company from ever being sold. Its non-voting shares have gone to a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that will receive future profits for charitable purposes.

There is an important difference between the two companies.

Patagonia's charitable operation is explicitly environmental and activist, and its nonprofit structure can engage in lobbying and political activity, most of which trend Liberal. Grady-White's stated charitable purposes are broader, including conservation, education, health care and community needs, particularly in eastern North Carolina. And Smith reportedly leans Conservative.

NRS, the Idaho-based paddlesports company NRS also arranged an unusual succession. Founder Bill Parks chose employee ownership rather than selling the company to an outside buyer, and NRS became 100 percent employee-owned in 2014. The structure is different, but the goal of preserving the company and the people who built it is similar.

At Grady-White, employees don't own the company, but can look forward to a long, stable future there. The trust controls it while the nonprofit receives its economic benefit. President Kris Carroll remains in charge, daily operations continue in Greenville, and Smith becomes CEO emeritus.

With the arrangement, Smith earns the satisfaction of knowing his hard work will result in a lot of good for future generations of Americans, a safe harbor for his many employees and a continuation of the brand he worked so hard to build.

The name on the boats remains Grady-White, but for all who know and appreciate the brand, Eddie Smith is—and will remain--the man who gave the company its soul.

– Frank Sargeant, Editor, The Water Wire