In observance of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend there will be no Weekend Edition on Saturday, October 10, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, October 12. We will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, October 13. If you have important news to distribute prior to the holiday weekend, it should be submitted by 4:00pm Eastern on Thursday, October 8.
Hunt Monkey offers task-specific gloves, socks, and headwear designed to work together as a system for bow hunters facing temperature swings. Products include the HUNT TEC Medium Weight Windproof Hunting Glove, Task Hunt Fleece Hunting Glove, Back Country Medium-Weight Boot-Crew Merino Wool Socks, and Wooly Head beanie to keep hunters warm and comfortable during extended sits.
Whitewater Fishing introduces the Thermoclyne Hooded Jacket and Thermoclyne Vest, featuring Sorona® Aura insulation and DWR-treated nylon shells. Both garments pack into their own pockets and earn high customer ratings for lightweight warmth and versatile layering options.
VIKTOS, a veteran-designed performance apparel company, announces its Fall 2026 Collection featuring waterproof jackets, the Johnny Combat S2 Leather Waterproof Boot, fleece essentials, and the Gunfighter RR Jean in new Faded Blue. The collection combines weather protection, durable construction, and everyday comfort for range and workday use.
Carbon Express announced the signing of Team USA compound archer MaKenna Proctor to its professional shooting team. Proctor, a World Cup bronze medalist from Ohio and the first Black woman named to a USA Archery World Championship team, will compete using Carbon Express arrows at national and international events.
Mission Archery introduces the 2027 Range HD hunting bow featuring the MB Switchweight Cam for adjustable draw lengths and weights, Mathews' 3D Damping technology for reduced noise, and speeds up to 325 feet per second. The bow is available in four finishes and as part of the Mission Bowhunter Pro Kit with premium accessories.
Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) presented its 2026 Premier Partner Awards to Galls (USA), Antero Lopes (Portugal), and ASCiM (Turkey), recognizing exceptional distributor partnerships. ASP also introduced its inaugural Subject Matter Expert Award to Chris Patzer of Handcuff Warehouse for outstanding product knowledge and customer service.
Idaho Fish and Game's Clearwater Region reminds hunters about chronic wasting disease regulations in designated CWD Management Zones. Hunters harvesting deer in Game Management Units 14 and 18, and a portion of Unit 1, must submit samples for testing and follow special carcass-transport requirements to prevent disease spread.
Team Beretta earned five podium finishes at the 2026 NSCA South Central Regional Championship in Jackson, Mississippi. Zach Kienbaum won the Main Event High Overall title with the Beretta DT11 Sporting, while Connor Daniel, Desirae Edmunds, and Anthony Matarese Jr. also secured podium positions across multiple disciplines.
Connor Thigpen of Team Remington swept the High All Around and High Over All titles at the 2026 NSSA World Championship, missing only five targets out of 1,100. Teammates Mitch Holmes and Sheaffer Stanfill also delivered standout performances, while Alison Turner won the Ladies High Over All title at the event held in San Antonio, Texas.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and The Peregrine Fund are operating an October check station in the Zion hunting unit where hunters can enter to win an $800 gift card by using lead-free ammunition or removing animal remains. The Hunters Helping Condors program aims to protect California condors and other scavenging wildlife from lead poisoning.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is accepting entries for the 2027 Vermont Student Fish Art Contest. K-12 students are invited to submit illustrations and creative essays on Vermont fish species, with winners selected across five grade categories and featured in the 2028 Fishing Guide and Regulations publication. Entries are due by February 28, 2027.
SLG2, Inc. is bringing its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 10-11. The event features a mobile range with firearm safety simulators by FATS by InVeris, archery instruction, and demonstrations from brands including GTM Original and Black Rifle Coffee.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider amendments to sportfishing orders on October 16 in Kearney, including changes to daily bag limits, possession limits, and open areas. Proposed amendments include statewide regulations for Open Fields and Waters program lakes, catch and release provisions, and restrictions on shovelnose sturgeon harvest by archery.
Whitetails Unlimited distributed $810,321 in grants during Q3 2026 across its four pillar programs: Outdoor Education, Hunting Preservation, Habitat Enhancement, and Shooting Sports Advancement. The Hunting Preservation program received the largest allocation to support increased hunting opportunities and outdoor experiences.
Arkansas duck hunters face mixed prospects as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports breeding populations largely unchanged from 2025, though mallards declined 11 percent. Brett Leach, AGFC's Waterfowl Program Coordinator, notes that while habitat conditions improved slightly, Arkansas's 14-month drought threatens winter water availability critical for duck survival and hunting success.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces regulation changes for north-central hunting districts HD 426, HD 447, and HD 471 affecting mule deer buck harvest and elk antlerless opportunities. Changes respond to survey data and hunter feedback indicating declining buck numbers. Contact FWP Region 4 at 406-454-5840 for details.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department expands big game carcass disposal options with support from the Wyoming Chapter of the Dallas Safari Club and Wyoming Sportsman's Group, adding dumpsters in Tensleep, Sundance, and Hulett to help mitigate chronic wasting disease transmission.
Hunters can prepare for unexpected situations in Idaho's woods by knowing their surroundings, carrying maps and compasses, informing others of their plans, dressing appropriately for weather changes, and prioritizing warmth, shelter, and water if lost.
Youth hunters under 18 can participate in a special three-day deer gun season October 16-18 with an adult mentor before the regular November season. Youth must have a youth annual super hunting license and be accompanied by an adult with a current hunting license, who may archery hunt but cannot gun hunt deer.
Idaho Fish and Game Southeast Region partnered with Idaho for Fish and Wildlife to run a pheasant surrogator project at Sterling WMA, rearing and releasing melanistic black pheasants alongside traditional stocking efforts. The project aims to evaluate cost-effective pheasant supplementation methods and improve hunter experiences through harvest tracking.
Tactacam reports 40-percent retail growth and 36-percent increase in dealer applications heading into Q4 2026, driven by the successful launch of REVEAL 4.0 Cellular Trail Camera line and DEFEND's new AI-powered security features. The company now operates in approximately 7,000 brick-and-mortar retail locations across North America, including major retailers like Walmart, Bass Pro Shop, and Tractor Supply.
Murray Road Agency and Outdoor Life's video series "Catching Em' Old School with The Griz" featuring legendary angler Dick Grzywinski has exceeded 1 million YouTube views. The six-episode series documents Grzywinski's six decades of fishing knowledge and techniques, with additional episodes in production for fall 2026.
Delta Waterfowl launched a new Planned Giving Department to help members secure waterfowl conservation's future through legacy gifts. Eric Lindstrom and Bob Benson lead efforts offering estate planning options that provide tax advantages while funding habitat conservation, duck production research, and hunting access initiatives.
The Mule Deer Foundation and Infinite Outdoors announced their Access Granted partnership has generated $92,805 year-to-date, potentially unlocking access to 185,610 acres of landlocked public land. The initiative supports habitat restoration and wildlife corridors while connecting outdoor enthusiasts with conservation opportunities across western landscapes.
Tom Beckstrand, Rifle and Optics Editor for Guns & Ammo and decorated U.S. Army Special Operations veteran, joins host Michael Waddell on The Michael Waddell Podcast to discuss his military career, faith, and philosophy on focusing on life's simple pleasures. Beckstrand shares insights from his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, his upcoming docuseries The Ghost Bounty with Outdoor Sportsman Group, and his perspective on meaningful service.
Lodestar Technology announced three new LNK9 optics configurations featuring 2 MOA Green, Red, and Gold Dot reticles. CEO Shawn Campbell stated the expansion reflects the company's philosophy of giving firearm owners greater control over customization. The new options are available through authorized FFL dealers and the Lodestar website at $1,865 MSRP.
Zanders has been selected as the first and exclusive distributor of Cloak Industries, Inc. The partnership brings Cloak Industries' products to Zanders' extensive nationwide dealer network, supporting the brand's growth in the firearms and outdoor sporting goods marketplace.
Millennium Treestands, based in Pearl, MS, is promoting its full lineup of ladder stands designed specifically for firearm deer season, featuring models like the L110, L125 Lite, L325 Wide Load, L366 Revolution, L-220 Double, and L225 Lite with adjustable shooting rails and ComfortMAX seats for stability and all-day comfort.
MDT has expanded XRS chassis compatibility to the Ruger American right-hand long action, offering traditional stock profile with modern adjustability. The chassis features V-block bedding, adjustable length of pull and cheek riser, AICS-pattern magazine compatibility, and M-LOK forend with integrated barricade stop. Available in Black and FDE starting October 6, 2026.
XS Sights launched the XS ACRO optic plate for Glock Gen6 pistols and R3D 2.0 night sights for Glock 43X/48 COA pistols. The company's 'Glocktober' sale runs through October 31, offering 20% off all Glock products and a free optic plate with orders over $175.
Hardcore Waterfowl introduces oversized Rugged Series Canvasback Duck Decoys designed for open water hunting. The foam-filled decoys feature true-to-life drake and hen paint schemes, WhaleTail™ Keel technology, and measure 16.5" L x 7.5" W, with six-packs including four drakes and two hens at $119.99 MSRP.
CZ-USA announced the launch of the CZ DUTY, a new striker-fired pistol platform featuring a serialized modular chassis, advanced safety systems, and direct-mount optics compatibility. Available in four 9mm configurations starting October 6, 2026, with an MSRP of $729.
Ballistic's Best 2026 Hunting Edition evaluated seven Ready-To-Hunt crossbow packages from Ravin, TenPoint, Barnett, CenterPoint, Wicked Ridge, Excalibur, and Killer Instinct across nine categories. The competitive field revealed capable hardware in today's crossbow market, with testing focusing on practical performance questions beyond advertised specifications.
HeadHunters NW, an executive recruitment firm specializing in firearms and outdoor industries, announces President Shaylene Keiner will attend the 2026 NASGW Expo on October 13-14 in Phoenix, Arizona, available for strategic meetings with companies seeking to strengthen leadership teams.
Chris DiCenso, founder of Growth Strategy Partners, will hold one-on-one meetings with shooting sports industry executives at the 2026 NASGW Expo on October 13–14. DiCenso brings 30+ years of consulting experience, including leadership roles at SDS Arms and Camfour, and will discuss growth strategies, business valuation, and sale readiness.
Bond Arms will showcase its America 250th collection at the NASGW Expo and Annual Meetings, October 13–15 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Granbury, Texas-based manufacturer will feature handcrafted commemorative handguns including the Cyclops 'Merica, Black Cerakote, and America 250th models at Booth #905.
The Southwest Lion Ecoregional Population Objective Panel convenes October 19-20 in Whitehall to discuss mountain lion management in southwest Montana. The seven-citizen panel will balance interests of hunters, livestock producers, wildlife enthusiasts, and ungulate conservation advocates, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks incorporating recommendations for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Buck Commander returns for Season 17 on Outdoor Channel, premiering Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET. The show features Willie Robertson, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Tyler Farr, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Langerhans, Tombo Marin, and Ryan Busbice hunting across Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, the Midwest, and South Texas.
Kyle Green and The Green Way Outdoors partnered with Safari Club International Foundation's Bell Family Blue Bag Program to deliver school supplies and food to South African schoolchildren. The team harvested over 600 pounds of wild game meat through sustainable hunting, which was donated to provide protein for the children's families.
Robinson Preserve on Tampa Bay is a classic example of the coastal restoration projects funded by the Deepwater Horizon settlement funding, still ongoing.
Sixteen years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf, BP's $20.8 billion settlement and other payments stemming from the spill continue to finance conservation and restoration projects, and results are now obvious to even casual observers.
The $20.8 billion settlement announced in 2015 resolved federal and Gulf-state civil claims, including Clean Water Act penalties, natural-resource damages and economic losses. The settlement, along with other penalties and restoration funds, created an unprecedented source of money for repairing the Gulf's damaged environment.
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which parcels out funds each year, approved $403.654 million in June this year for 19 restoration projects and programs, bringing its commitments under the RESTORE Act to more than $1 billion. Separately, the Deepwater Horizon natural-resource trustees reported $3.34 billion allocated to 384 approved restoration activities through 2025.
Louisiana's Chandeleur Islands, a famed speckled trout and redfish destination, are among the major beneficiaries of this year’s funding. The Council's June funding package included $90.8 million for restoration of the barrier-island chain east of New Orleans. The work will rebuild and stabilize beaches, dunes and marshes while protecting seagrass beds and habitat used by fish, sea turtles and nesting birds. The Chandel eurs historically had great trophy trout action on the beach side along with endless trout and redfish action on the grass flats behind.
Alabama has a smaller but practical proposal at Boggy Point in Orange Beach. The $5.34 million project would install segmented offshore breakwaters, rebuild shoreline and establish intertidal wetlands with native marsh plants. It would also improve water circulation between Perdido Bay and adjacent wetlands. The funding was still awaiting a Council vote as of the October 6 public-comment deadline.
The Chandeleur Islands off the Mississippi Delta are an outstanding flats fishing destination, preserved in part of BP funding for restorations.
Texas has a proposed $19.32 million investment in coastal wetland migration corridors. Rather than rebuilding a single marsh, the project would acquire land inland of existing wetlands so habitat has room to shift as sea levels rise and coastal conditions change.
The June funding package also included $38 million for restoration of Dauphin Island's western end, with plans to rebuild dunes and beach habitat and protect surrounding seagrass beds, oyster reefs and marshes.
Successes Already On the Ground
In Louisiana's Upper Barataria Basin, restoration crews used about 8 million cubic yards of Mississippi River sediment to create 1,259 acres of wetland habitat, along with ponds and tidal channels. Monitoring reported in March 2026 found that native plants were taking root and that blue crabs, shrimp and red drum were using the new habitat. The project exceeded its original wetland-creation target by 76 acres. A 20-year monitoring program will track how well the marsh holds up over time.
Florida's Robinson Preserve on Tampa Bay offers another example. Once degraded farmland, the 700-acre preserve now includes mangroves, seagrass, shellfish habitat and salt- and freshwater wetlands. A restoration phase supported by Deepwater Horizon funds created nearly 135 acres of coastal habitat, with particular attention to nursery areas for snook and tarpon. This is particularly important in a heavily developed estuary like Tampa Bay, where thousands of acres of shoreline that was once mangrove and marsh is now concrete.
Dauphin Island’s west end, chronically damaged by hurricanes, has been restored repeatedly with BP funding to the Alabama DCNR.
NOAA-funded monitoring found high numbers of juvenile snook, red drum and sheepshead using the restored wetlands. Snook grew as fast as, or faster than, those in other natural or restored habitats in the region. Tagged snook left the preserve during summer spawning season and returned later, suggesting that the nursery habitat contributes to the wider Tampa Bay fish population.
The Gulf's restoration work is far from finished. Agencies will continue monitoring whether marshes persist, seagrass expands and juvenile fish survive to populate surrounding waters. The results so far, however, show that the investment can produce more than acres restored on paper--and the money will keep on coming for decades to come.
For anglers, healthy marshes and seagrass beds mean nursery habitat for the fish that populate Gulf bays and nearshore waters. The work at Robinson Preserve and Upper Barataria offers evidence that restoration can benefit fish and wildlife while supporting recreation and local economies. The long-term effects on Gulf fish populations will take more time to measure, but the habitat being rebuilt today should serve generations of anglers.
