New Mexico archers achieved exceptional results at the 2026 NASP® Western National Bullseye Tournament in Sandy, UT, with standout performances across all divisions. Highlights include Ashlynn McGinnis's 7th-place national finish, Hugo Hashagen's 4th-place middle school boys ranking, and strong team placements from Early College High School, Sams Academy, and Red Mountain Middle School.
Federal Ammunition received the 2025 Gold Award for Best Shotshell from readers of Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer. The award recognizes Federal's commitment to quality, performance, and innovation across their shotshell product lines, including Gold Medal, Black Cloud, Prairie Storm, and Custom Shop TSS loads.
Leapers received the 2026 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Optic of the Year Award for the Integrix iXF 4.5X28 Service Rifle Scope. Developed with professional competitive marksmen and featuring German Schott glass, the fixed-power scope is available on Leapers.com for $999.97 before a July 2026 price increase.
CCI has been awarded the 2026 Gold Award for Rimfire Ammunition by Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer readers. The reader-driven awards recognize CCI's quality, performance, and innovation in rimfire ammunition products including Clean-22 Sub-Sonic and Suppressor Max.
Emergency motorized watercraft restrictions on the Indian Lake Chain, including Witmer, Westler, Dallas, Hackenburg, and Missick lakes, have been rescinded as water levels lowered. Normal boating operations may resume.
Mason Sobotka of Norris shot a perfect score and won a shoot-off with nine others at the 56th Cornhusker Trap Shoot at Doniphan on May 1. Cayla Peterson of Paxton won the ladies' title with a 74, while Norris One claimed the high school team championship and Wilber 5 Clovers won the 4-H team crown.
Barrett Debrie of Smile City 4-H in Gibbon, Nebraska, won the junior high competition at the 56th Cornhusker Trap Shoot by breaking 99 of 100 targets. The Fairbury team claimed the overall team title with 457 points, while Wilber 5 Clovers won the 4-H team competition and Tailyn Slama captured the ladies' individual title with a 96.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources partnered with Shirley Heinze Land Trust to expand Lydick Bog Nature Preserve by 93 acres, protecting rare sphagnum bog habitat and extending the trail system. The $250,000 conservation easement, funded by the Next Level Conservation Trust, was supported by St. Joseph County Council, Commissioners, and the St. Joseph Community Foundation.
Georgia's Department of Natural Resources announced the Georgia Red Snapper Project, expanding recreational fishing opportunities with a two-month season in July and August 2026. The federal Exempted Fishing Permit, supported by a $300,000 Yamaha Rightwaters grant, requires mandatory trip registration and catch reporting through a mobile app to improve data collection for sustainable management.
President Trump approved exempted fishing permits for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina to advance state-led red snapper management and expand recreational access in 2026. The permits will test improved data collection strategies through pilot programs, with Florida implementing a 39-day season and the other three states coordinating a 62-day season using a Yamaha-funded app.
The Gulf Council is seeking input from fishermen and constituents about ecosystem issues affecting Gulf fisheries, including environmental problems, habitat concerns, and species interactions. Responses submitted through the Fisherman Feedback Tool will inform the development of the Gulf Fishery Ecosystem Plan by the May 31, 2026 deadline.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for 2027–2028 at a public meeting May 11 at Billings Public Library. Comments can be submitted online or by mail through May 31.
The fifth annual North Dakota Fish Challenge invites anglers to explore North Dakota's fisheries through multiple challenges, including the new 100 Fish Challenge, Total Catch Challenge, Rough Fish Challenge, Sportfish Challenge, and inaugural Classic Challenge. Participants submit photos through the North Dakota Game and Fish website by August 15 to receive a decal and certificate.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is increasing Local Sportsmen's Group grant funding to $100,000, a $25,000 boost since 2007. The grants support organizations providing mentored projects for recruiting and developing new hunters and anglers, with applications due June 14, 2026.
The Utah Wildlife Board approved 2026 big game hunting permit numbers, including an increase of 6,425 general-season deer permits to 86,625 total. Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle emphasized that buck harvesting does not drive deer populations, with survival rates of adult does, fawn production, and fawn survival being the most important factors.
Michigan elk and bear license applications are available through June 1, with drawing results on June 22. The Pure Michigan Hunt program offers chances to win additional licenses and prizes; past winner Jerry Peak of Crystal harvested two 6-by-6 bull elk using this opportunity.
Tisas Arms USA announced a nationwide sales representation partnership with Jones & Company to strengthen its U.S. distribution network. The company also appointed Matt Fuller as Vice President of Sales and Auburn Flores as Vice President of Marketing to support continued growth.
The U.S. House passed the Farm Bill with the Sportsmen's Alliance successfully removing anti-hunting language that would have banned certain hounds and sporting dogs. The organization now focuses on ensuring the Senate version remains free of similar restrictions pushed by animal-rights groups.
Trijicon, Inc. announced a new 2.5 MOA Green Dot version of its popular SRO reflex sight, available in Black and Coyote Brown finishes. The green dot design offers enhanced visibility in daylight, reduced eye strain, and improved performance in various lighting conditions for competitive and target shooting applications.
ATN Corp. announces the TICO 6 Thermal Clip-On, a next-generation thermal device that mounts in front of existing daytime riflescopes to provide thermal hunting capability in seconds. Designed for hog hunters, predator hunters, and night hunters, the TICO 6 preserves shooters' preferred optics and rifle setups while adding thermal detection for low-light and nighttime hunting.
The Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation has intervened in a lawsuit filed by Washington Wildlife First against the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife to protect hunters' interests. The organization defends the 2026 Game Management Plan's alignment with Washington's "wise use" conservation mandate and the public trust doctrine.
Steelhead Outdoors introduces the Drifter 1 pistol lock box for $99, a lightweight, American-made secure storage solution featuring TSA-compliant design and high-security anti-pick locks. Co-Founder Corey Meyer highlights the product as an ideal Mother's Day gift for families prioritizing firearm safety and security while traveling.
Davidsons and Hi-Point Firearms unveiled an exclusive limited-edition Burnt Bronze HP22 Hush-Point 22 suppressor available through Davidsons to dealers nationwide. The lightweight, user-serviceable rimfire suppressor features an aluminum body, 17-4 stainless steel host cap, and distinctive burnt bronze Cerakote finish, weighing just 4.9 ounces.
The Project ChildSafe Foundation announced winners of its annual Safety Sweepstakes, which raised funds for the firearm safety education program through donations from industry companies. Nearly 3,000 donors participated, with prizes including firearms, safes, and training courses donated by sponsors like Colt, Beretta, and Gunsite Academy.
The High Road with Keith Warren releases a new episode featuring host Keith Warren and co-host Johnny Piazza hunting Spanish Goats with Angry Goat Outfitters in West Texas. The adventure follows the San Angelo Safari Club International Banquet and Fundraiser, showcasing an unusual free-range archery hunt for elusive wild goats.
MyOutdoorTV launches the Just Dropped Channel, a limited-edition live streaming channel featuring all-new episodes from popular shows including Bone Collector, Everything Eichler, Jim Shockey's Shock Therapy, MeatEater Hunts, and Tracks Across Africa. The channel is part of MOTV's rotating Seasons Channels offering dynamic programming available 24/7 across multiple streaming platforms.
Ralph, Vicki, RJ, and Aubrey Cianciarulo invite viewers to their 26th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel, beginning May 4th. The family hunts Osceola turkeys in Florida with Browning's Shaundi at Osceola Outfitters, attempting to achieve the Grand Slam in one spring.
Outdoor Sportsman Group premieres Arctic Untamed, a film featuring David Draper, Seth Swerczek, and Shawn Skipper hunting wolves in Canada's Northwest Territories to support threatened barren-ground caribou populations. The documentary is available on Petersen's HUNTING, YouTube, MyOutdoorTV, and GAME & FISH TV.
Until just two days before SHOT Show 2025, I had never owned a pickup. Before pulling the trigger on the truck I already knew I would be installing a DECKED drawer system to keep “belongings” secure inside the bed, and that has proven to be a fantastic choice. A truck cap / topper was absolutely on the wish list as well, but I found most of them to be cost-prohibitive.
Sure, there are fiberglass and plastic ones, but even those were generally priced higher than I could afford or wanted to spend on something that didn’t look or feel quite right for my use. There are a couple of soft caps — canvas over a metal frame — but even those hit $2k pretty quickly and weren’t my jam. I wanted locking. I wanted metal.
While looking yet again at the truck topper products from a South African company and trying to figure out how to find a used one or sell some plasma to come up with the over $4000 asking price, I found OPENROAD 4WD. OPENROAD’s truck caps checked all of my boxes, but came in at a beyond-competitive price (especially when I was shopping around last Labor Day), and here we are today after over six months of ownership.
In case you’re an extreme impulse buyer I’ll put this right up top: when I informed OPENROAD of the YouTube video and soon-to-come SNW review they provided a coupon code for our viewers/readers. Use code SNW10 on their website for 10% off (I believe it works on all OPENROAD products, from camp chairs to battery-powered coolers to winches to truck caps).
Made from powder coated aluminum with tempered glass windows front and rear — the rear is security tinted — the cap is both strong and lightweight.
In fact, its 440-pound dynamic and 1,100-pound static load ratings are comparatively very high, though its 123-pound total weight is quite low. Most of the steel ones I was originally lusting after weigh 200-300 pounds, and I don’t recall seeing one with higher load ratings.
This is exactly as the cap comes from OPENROAD, with none of the many available accessories added. There’s one fold-down step included so you can step onto the bumper or tail gate and up onto the step, then access whatever’s up top. I chose solid aluminum side doors, which include an accessory panel with slots for attaching jerry cans, a high-lift jack, traction boards, etc.
Up top are two rails running front-rear. Cross bars are an optional accessory as are other roof-mounted things like tents and awnings.
This big ol’ swing-out awning is likely the first accessory I’m going to pick up. When Dan and I are out on the range under the Texas sun, a little shade goes a long way.
I wish I [still] did, but these days I can’t put a tent or awning side walls to use so those are off the list. Cool, though! There’s even a version of the truck cap (here) with a very slick looking pop-up tent built in.
While I very much enjoy being able to access the bed through the side doors, I’ll likely install a storage box in one of them. Driver side, I guess? It seems like a darn handy place to keep certain go-to items.
Anyway!…enough with the wishlist and future plans and back to what I actually own and have used for over half a year.
I haven’t yet tested the limits of the OPENROAD truck cap’s load bearing capacity, but I have had a couple of mattresses up there. The side rails made them really easy to tie down.
I had some initial concerns about capacity with the DECKED drawers in the bed and the topper over it, but after some house remodeling I’ve now had two shower enclosures, two bath tubs, tons of lumber, bed frames, construction debris, children’s bicycles, and all manner of other crap in there. It fits much more than I expected.
It’s so dang handy to have a mobile, let’s say, “shooting range kit” in the back of my truck at all times. I have a firearm for every use, all the typical gun-related tools (and then some), hunting supplies, targets, staple gun, ammo, chronograph, spotting scope, and more inside of the DECKED drawer. Inside the truck cap there are almost always a couple of camping chairs, a shooting mat, a tripod, and whatever other random crap.
Sometimes there’s more stored in there and I really appreciate the ability to lock each of the doors. Two locks on each; one key operates all six locks. Push the button on the lock to open it, lift up slightly on the door, and the hydraulic struts do the rest.
My truck cap showed up flat packed on a pallet. The box was a little worse for wear but thankfully that didn’t extend to the contents.
It was about 5:30 PM but I couldn’t wait and I dove right into the assembly process. I started by laying the roof panel upside-down on top of a sheet of foam from inside the box.
It didn’t take long to have an assembled truck topper! There’s more of the process in the video, but it’s basically a clamshell situation with a top, front, rear, left, and right panel, all of which bolt together along mating flanges.
Fit was pretty darn precise and all of the mating flanges met up with each other nicely. My best recommendation for anything like this is to get all of the bolts through all of the holes and all of the nuts lightly threaded onto the bolts before you tighten any of the nuts down. That said, the OPENROAD cap wouldn’t have given me too much trouble had I tightened as I went, since the alignment and fit was fairly impressive.
A tube of heavy-duty silicone caulk with application tool was included (along with a bunch of other tools). I applied it along the seams around the front and rear panels where they meet the roof and side panels. Given how well the flanges clamped against each other I don’t believe the caulk was actually necessary except in two of the corners where the sheet metal bending process leaves a BB-sized gap.
A friend helped me lift the cap onto my Tacoma and we were immediately impressed with the fit at the front, in particular. The tight gap between cap and truck is perfectly even top-to-bottom and the little clearance area for the roof fin thing is dead-on. It looks great!
I also dig the aesthetics of the truck cap itself. It’s modern, has some cool angles, looks a bit tactical in like a high-tech way, if that makes any sense at all? Big fan.
Multiple hardware options were included for securing the OPENROAD truck cap to my rig. I chose to use the aluminum T-Nuts that simply slid down inside the factory Tacoma rails and the truck cap brackets screwed directly into those. It was extremely quick and easy, it’s rock solid, and it’s 100% reversible. Zero modification was needed to the truck whatsoever.
I procrastinated on hooking up the CHMBL (center brake light), but finally did that about a month ago, so that’s good.
I suppose another thing on my to-do list is the interior lighting kit. New versions of this cap come with a 3-color (white, red, amber) interior lighting kit included, but I got mine before they added this. Seems handy.
After more than six months this thing has gone through a few severe Texas thunderstorms and a handful of drive-through car washes (Buc-ee’s takes the cake). It doesn’t leak. The stuff inside my DECKED drawer stays far cooler. My stuff is secure. The view in the rearview mirror is almost unchanged, believe it or not.
This is a really nice setup and I’m so dang glad I did it!
