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FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 2025

- COMPETITION -
Mark Shen, of Menlo Park, California, earned the titles of 2025 USA Shooting Junior Olympic Champion in both Men’s Sport Pistol and Air Pistol in Talladega and Anniston, Alabama, April 13-18, hosted by the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
- EVENTS -
Breek Arms will showcase its latest innovations at the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits Booth #1027 inside the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
Stoeger is heading to the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, April 25–27, with a lineup built for those who demand performance with an accessible price. At Booth #2236, stop by to get a hands-on look at the STR-9 Combat XS and the streamlined STR-9 Thinline—both built for everyday carry and serious protection.
Remington Ammunition will attend Reed's Gun Fair May 2-4, 2025, at the scenic Rice Creek Hunting & Recreation Area near Little Falls, Minnesota. This one-of-a-kind event offers firearm enthusiasts an unparalleled opportunity to try-before-you-buy, featuring hands-on demonstrations of ammunition from Remington.
SK Rimfire will be making an appearance at the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Known and trusted by competitive shooters, trainers, and enthusiasts worldwide, SK will be at booth #1916 on April 24-27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

HEVI-Shot will attend the upcoming try-before-you-buy event at Reed's Gun Fair, May 2-4, 2025. The event will be held near Little Falls, Minnesota, at the scenic Rice Creek Hunting & Recreation Area.
Benelli USA will be exhibiting at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Georgia, taking place April 25–27. Located at Booth #2236, Benelli invites attendees to experience firsthand the industry-leading performance, innovation, and craftsmanship behind its legendary shotgun and rifle lineup.
Regal Products announced its attendance at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta. Visitors can find Regal at Booth #4938, where they can view live demos of SecureMe by Regal, the company’s movement-triggered smart security system designed to enhance safe firearm storage without compromising access.
Join Franchi at Booth #2236 during the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, April 25–27, for an up-close look—and hands-on feel—of what’s next in premium firearm design. Be among the first to experience the newly redesigned Affinity semi-auto shotguns, featuring refined ergonomics and performance-driven upgrades.

Breek Arms is pleased to announce its attendance at the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Annual Conference on April 23-27th at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions.
European American Armory (EAA) announces the release of the BRAT Witness2311, now featuring an Optic Ready Slide compatible with RMSc footprint optics, unveiled during the 154th NRA Annual Meeting.
Dead Air Silencers is set to make noise at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits — not with volume, but with the launch of its most advanced suppressor line to date: RXD Suppressors. Visit Booth #2863 to witness firsthand how Dead Air and Ruger are redefining silence with this game-changing new series.
Magpul announced several new products, just in time for the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings, with many products available soon. These include new variants of AMAG magazines for the SIG P365 pistol, new grip sizes for the RXM pistol and more.

Custom and Collectable Firearms is preparing for an unforgettable exhibition at the 2025 NRA Convention in Atlanta, where they will unveil several new limited-edition firearms. This exclusive event will mark the first time many of these stunning, one-of-a-kind creations are available for public viewing.
- FACILITIES -
The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will temporarily close or reduce services at recreation areas across Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa beginning May 15, 2025. USACE is currently managing seasonal staffing and resource limitations that affect its ability to safely open and maintain all recreation sites at normal levels of service.
- GEAR -
As turkey hunters head into the field for season openers across the country, Avian-X reveals its top products for 2025, pairing a line of Heavy-Duty Realism decoys with a motion base that adds the natural appeal of movement to any setup.
- GIVEAWAYS -
Guns.com announced the launch of the Battle Rifle giveaway at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees and online customers alike can enter to win the battle rifle package worth over $4,000.

- HUNTING -
Utah’s spring general-season turkey hunts are about to get underway, and if you like the idea of getting outdoors and harvesting your own delicious bird, now’s the time to buy a permit and research an area to hunt.
- INDUSTRY -
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies announces its expanded distribution of top-selling firearm brands by adding Diamondback Firearms to its extensive lineup. Dealers will now have greater access to Diamondback’s firearms, including their sought-after pistols and rifles.
Colt's Manufacturing Company’s Blued Python revolver has earned the 2025 NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Handgun of the Year by American Rifleman,
Austin Dillon will pilot the No. 3 Winchester Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing during the Jack Link’s 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on April 27.

Colt’s Manufacturing Company announces it is “fully funding” Georgia’s Give It Shot program with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The program offers hands-on firearms training with certified instructors. Colt is also offering “Colt Safety Scholarships” providing eligible residents with free enrollment in the program over the course of the next 12 months.
- INSTRUCTION -
GRITR Range, a shooting range and training facility, is inviting DFW gun owners looking to refine their shooting and handling skills to join their upcoming pistol proficiency classes – Pistol Marksmanship 1 and Pistol Marksmanship 2.
- JOBS -
Gunsite Academy, the world’s premier firearms training academy located in the Prescott, Arizona area, is in search of a Marketing Specialist to manager social media, video, market class advertisements, media interaction and more.
- NEW PRODUCTS -
Henry Repeating Arms introduces the HUSH Series. The new line of suppressor-optimized lever-action rifles is the debut release from the company’s Special Products Division (SPD), a new R&D initiative focused on forward-thinking innovation.
Garmin announced the Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition, its newest lineup of tactical smartwatches, now offered with a crisp AMOLED display or solar-powered display for maximum battery life. Designed for any mission, Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition adds a metal-reinforced bezel for extreme durability, rucking activity for training, and built-in LED flashlight on both 45mm and 50mm units for low-light conditions.
Rossi’s new lever-action pistol format delivers all the features of their R95 Triple Black rifle in a compact, maneuverable platform ideal for versatility in the field or at the range.
Streamlight Inc. introduced the TLR-1 HP-X USB/TLR-1 HP-X, a high-candela weapon light for full-size and compact railed handguns. The multi-fuel light gives users the choice of using either cost-saving SL-B9 USB-C rechargeable battery packs or 3-volt CR123A lithium batteries.
- ORGANIZATIONS -
Safari Club International announced its upcoming SCI Lobby Day, scheduled for May 15th, in Washington, D.C. SCI’s Lobby Day brings together hunters, conservation advocates, and SCI members for a unified presence on Capitol Hill.
The Second Amendment Foundation announced that Taurus Holdings Inc. has renewed their commitment to the organization as a Platinum-level corporate partner. Along with renewing their Platinum-level partnership, Taurus also supports SAF through other avenues such as the monthly sweepstakes program.
Wildlife Forever has named the national winners for the 2025 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest, a program that unites the practice of art and conservation to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. This year’s contest received 6,315 entries from students in grades K–12 across 47 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and 44 countries around the world.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and various partners allotted $5,083,371 in 2024 to enhance wildlife habitat, bolster wildlife management and support youth shooting sports organizations, hunter education and mentored hunts in Oregon.
- PRODUCT NEWS -
Wild turkey enthusiasts and land managers alike are turning to Whitetail Institute’s Full Strut seed blend to create thriving habitats for turkeys. This high-protein, nutrient-rich forage mix is designed to boost turkey health, reproduction, and survival—making it an essential component for anyone committed to supporting wildlife.
- RADIO -
This week, Outdoors Radio features Blain’s Farm & Fleet fishing and marine buyer Karl Curfman, audiologist Dr. Alli Anderson, and Fishing Has No Boundaries volunteer Bob Kuphal. Dan gets his new Crestliner ready for spring fishing.
- SPONSORSHIPS -
The Precision Rifle Series announces Lapua as the Official PRS Rimfire Ammunition of the 2025 season. Renowned for its exceptional quality and performance, Lapua’s rimfire ammunition will provide PRS competitors with the consistency and precision needed to excel in the fast-growing world of rimfire competition.
The Precision Rifle Series announced Leica as an official affiliate partner for the 2025 season. This new partnership with PRS highlights Leica's commitment to providing the best tools to competitive shooters and supporting the growth of precision rifle sports.
Burris Optics announced its sponsorship of the 2025 Precision Tactical 2-Rifle Match, taking place April 26–27, 2025 at the NRA Whittington Center in Coal Canyon, New Mexico.
Winchester Long Beard® TSS is the official ammunition of the incredible Sea to Sea Turkey Slam, powered by Game & Fish Magazine and The Outdoor Channel. Starting on Friday, April 18, Game & Fish Magazine and The Outdoor Channel will be spotlighting exciting hunts, expert tips, and excellent gear from industry sponsors, like Winchester Ammunition.
The Precision Rifle Series (PRS) announces Garmin, a leading provider of precision-shooting technology, as the official Chronograph and Ballistic Smartwatch Provider for the 2025 season.
- STATE AGENCIES -
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is among more than 60 local, state and federal partners responding to the Plum Creek Fire, which escaped containment during a prescribed burn April 21 west of Johnstown in Brown County.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hunter education classes and field days for online students are being offered across central and eastern Montana.
- STATES -
The defending state champion and plenty of contenders for this year’s Senior Division State Championship will tangle this weekend as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Youth Shooting Sports tournaments kick off at the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation Shooting Sports Complex.
STAR Financial Bank has awarded $10,000 to the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation in support of the Discover the Outdoors field trip grant program. Offered in partnership between Indiana State Parks and the INRF, Discover the Outdoors encourages educators from all K-12 schools to take students on field trips to an Indiana state park.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department has launched a newly enhanced Fish & Boat AZ application, designed to provide a more intuitive and efficient user experience for anglers and boaters exploring Arizona’s waterways.
 

Today’s feature is from our companion service Shooting News Weekly.

I was initially hesitant when Garamont Tacticle asked if I wanted to field test the new T8 Athena women’s boot. For over a decade, I have had the opportunity to wear numerous tactical and hiking boots on the range or while competing in shooting sports. Oftentimes, they were men’s boots in size 8, which are similar in size to my women’s 10. These were usually too wide and cumbersome and felt huge and boxy on my feet.

Over the years, I’ve owned a few pairs of boots apparently designed for a woman’s foot, but honestly, I’m not sure which woman. These weren’t comfortable.

Sometimes, the cut of the boot landed on the back of my ankle at just the perfect spot to rub and create a painful blister. While wearing some, I could not even bend my foot to walk. As you can imagine, I didn’t get my hopes up about the fit of Garamont Tacticle’s T8 Athena. Boy, was I surprised.

Designed for Women

Since I had so many bad experiences with women’s hiking boots, I wanted to know what features made the T8 Athena specific to females. According to the information I got, female feet have specific anatomical and biomechanical differences compared to male feet. A female foot is smaller, of course, slimmer and has more tapered toes than men’s feet.

How were these ever going to fit me? I wear a size 10 and don’t have slim feet. However, I don’t need to purchase wide shoes.

Also, the sole of the foot is narrower with a more pronounced arch. Again, I wouldn’t consider my feet narrow and certainly don’t have a high arch. Finally, according to the info from Garmont, women distribute their weight more on the front of their feet while walking because they take shorter strides than men. All these sound like valid points to me; however, by this point, I was certain the T8 Athen boot would be too narrow and tight for my feet.

Putting the T8 Athena to the Test

I immediately noticed something different about the T8 Athena when I first slipped them on. First, they were very lightweight. My size 10 only weighed 468 grams (just over a pound) on my kitchen scale. Also, my foot felt really comfy. As Goldilocks would have said, “The toe box was not too big and not too small. My toes felt just right.”

If you’ve ever tried to get your foot into boots that are too narrow, you know what I mean. It took me a little time to adjust the laces, but I wanted to ensure I had the right tightness (is that a word?) from the start. Oh, and I also used a long shoehorn I have for boots. Although using it may make me feel old, that little tool makes all the difference in the world.

I only wore the boots around the house for the first few days. I wanted to make sure nothing rubbed my feet and caused hot spots or blisters. The cushioning in the soles of the T8 Athena boots felt like walking on a new, well-cushioned carpet. I cannot say enough about how comfortable my feet felt wearing these boots.

When it came time to wear them outside, we had a warm spell which had me concerned that my feet would get too hot. Again, these boots didn’t disappoint. When I returned home from outings, my feet felt just as cool as when I first put them on.

The treads on these boots also impressed me. This particular style has a Diamante sole, which is said to deliver a high level of comfort on long hikes. I wore them walking down paths, up hills and standing on small and large-sized gravel. I had no issues slipping or getting debris stuck in the tread pattern. The cushioning also provided comfort while walking over larger, sharper gravel pieces that, with past boots, made the soles of my feet sore.

Final Thoughts

Now that we’re into nicer weather and I’ve had time to wear the T8 Athena for some time now, I am confident these are the boots I will grab on my next hiking adventure. Not only are they comfortable and durable, but my ankles feel very stable while walking, which is a huge plus when traversing rocky terrain. If you are interested in these boots and are still a little hesitant about the fit, here are a couple of other pluses. They are available in half sizes and wide widths, which is almost unheard of in women’s boots.

Notes

I field tested the T8 Athena regular coyote in size 10 (MSRP $165). A law enforcement version is also available in black (MSRP $155).

If you would like to receive a weekly rundown of stories from Shooting News Weekly you can subscribe here to the Friday newsletter.

— Michelle Cerino

 
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