Darton Archery, Black Eagle Arrows, and Conquest Archery earned multiple wins and podium finishes at the 2026 IBO World Championship. Brady Myers won Men's Pro Open, John Ball captured Pro Hunter, and archers from these companies collected podium finishes across professional, amateur, and youth divisions.

Fiocchi of America Pro Staff member Lanny Barnes won 1st Place Lady in the Open division at the 2026 Rocky Mountain 3-Gun Championship in Raton, New Mexico, while finishing 6th overall. The three-day championship at the NRA Whittington Center featured nine stages testing rifle, pistol, and shotgun skills across rugged terrain.

Wildlife for Tomorrow announces the return of 820 Day on August 20, Arizona's statewide day of giving for wildlife. The second annual event celebrates Arizona's approximately 820 wildlife species and encourages donations to support habitat restoration, conservation, and education projects through the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), alongside the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation, filed a federal lawsuit challenging New York's Senate Bill S9005C, which bans semiautomatic handguns with cruciform trigger bars. FPC seeks a declaration holding the law unconstitutional and an injunction against enforcement, continuing its nationwide campaign against similar Glock bans in California and Maryland.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host an expo on August 28 at the Benton Event Center featuring keynote speaker Craig Harper from the University of Tennessee. The event includes vendor displays, educational breakout sessions on wetland and wildlife management, and recognition of 2026 Natural State Landowner Conservation Award winners.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is confirmed as a speaker for the 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) 2026, scheduled for September 25-27 in Dallas. The event, co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, features numerous Second Amendment advocates, legal experts, and media personalities.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released the proposed 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan for public review. A Region 6 meeting will be held August 26 at Glasgow FWP Headquarters to discuss updates and address fish-related concerns, with comments due by September 16, 2024.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lands in Jefferson County will implement Stage I fire restrictions beginning August 15, prohibiting campfires and open flames except in specific circumstances. The restrictions follow Jefferson County's lead and remain in effect until further notice due to dry conditions and fire danger.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department's Private Land Open To Sportsmen (PLOTS) maps for 2026 are now available online at gf.nd.gov, featuring approximately 925,000 acres. Hunters can access maps through the Game and Fish mobile app or browser-based applications, with printed guides available in late August at license vendors statewide.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting the Michigan Furbearer Forum on Aug. 21 and the Michigan Bear Forum on Aug. 22 in St. Ignace. Both events will feature discussions on wildlife management, population estimates, and species updates for hunters, trappers, and interested community members.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources provides comprehensive guidance for 2026 deer and elk hunts, including specific season dates, population updates, and new regulations. Mike Wardle emphasizes scouting, equipment practice, and adaptive hunting strategies to maximize success while mule deer populations show positive trends across the state.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved fee increases for hunt, fish, and fur harvest permits effective with 2027 permit sales. The increases will support fish and wildlife management and conservation across the state, with amended fees detailed for various permit types and residency categories.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission approved a 2027 mountain lion hunting season with expanded units and adjusted harvest limits. The Niobrara Unit expands east to Highway 14 with a harvest limit increased to 10, while Pine Ridge and Wildcat Hills units see reduced limits. Season 1 runs January 2-February 28, 2027, with an auxiliary season possible in the Niobrara Unit.

North Dakota requires all waterfowl hunters to possess a state-issued electronic habitat restoration stamp while hunting. Federal duck stamps are required for hunters 16 and older beginning September 1, costing $25 plus $4 shipping. E-stamps are available through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website gf.nd.gov or registered license vendors.

CCW Safe announced Steve Blackford as Vice President of Marketing and Ecommerce. Blackford brings 13 years of experience from LifeLock, where he helped build identity theft protection into a household name. He will lead brand strategy, demand generation, and member acquisition for the self-defense legal services company.

GrabAGun Digital Holdings Inc. announced that Co-Founder and CFO Justin Hilty will retire effective August 14, 2026, after 15 years leading finance. Jonathan Terry, a veteran public company finance executive with 25+ years of experience including roles at YETI and RetailMeNot, has been appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer.

A federal court injunction in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF took effect August 13, 2026, barring the ATF from enforcing NFA registration requirements for suppressors against B&T USA customers. The ruling eliminates Form 4 requirements for covered purchases while maintaining state law, background checks, and dealer requirements.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is hiring a Chief Conservation Officer to lead conservation initiatives and partnerships. The position, based in Missoula, Montana, requires eight-plus years of natural resources experience and five years in senior leadership, with responsibilities including advocacy, governmental affairs, and representing RMEF with federal and state agencies.

Federal Ammunition released two new 20-gauge Master Class shotshell loads featuring a customized Podium wad, high-antimony lead shot, and straight-wall hull design for competitive sporting clay shooting. The competition-level loads are now available at retailers nationwide with eight total options priced at $16.99 per 25-count box.

German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced the GPO Setback™ Cantilever 3" extension mount designed for compact tactical 30mm riflescopes, allowing up to 3" forward or rearward positioning for optimal eye relief. The precision-machined aircraft-grade aluminum mount retails for $89.99 and is available through authorized dealers and gpo-usa.com.

EOTECH and Unity Tactical have partnered to introduce the EOTECH HHS UNITY I, combining the EXPS3-0 sight and G33 magnifier with Unity's FAST mounting systems. The system features a 2.26-inch optical centerline height and an FTC OMNI mount that stows the magnifier below the sightline for rapid CQB-to-distance transitions, available in Black or Tan at $1,599 MSRP.

Hodgdon Powder Company introduced Accurate High Country, a spherical rifle propellant engineered for Federal's new 7mm Backcountry cartridge and other modern magnums. The progressive-burning propellant delivers exceptional ballistic performance while providing handloaders with versatility across a broad range of rifle cartridges from .243 Winchester through 7mm Backcountry.

MDT is launching three limited edition custom colorways for its CRBN rifle stock: Kryptek Obscura Nox, Veil Summit, and Veil Flagship. Available in multiple configurations for Remington 700 and Tikka T3X platforms, these stocks feature carbon fiber construction and integrated ARCA rails, launching August 14, 2026.

The Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a lawsuit challenging New York's law banning Glock and Glock-style handguns. The law makes selling or transferring these firearms a felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, claiming the cruciform trigger bar makes them convertible to machineguns.

KDG is shipping new 3.25-inch and 6-inch rails for Grand Power Stribog 10mm and .45 ACP platforms beginning mid-September 2026. The Seymour, Connecticut manufacturer continues its aggressive product rollout following the recent Kinect ARCA Rail launch, with additional products planned over the next three months.

WOOX, an Italian-American gunstock manufacturer, announced the Vigilante Beavertail Grip, a premium AR-compatible grip handcrafted from Claro walnut in Italy. CEO Ben Fleming highlighted that WOOX is the first company to offer a Claro walnut AR grip with an engineered-polymer beavertail, featuring laser checkering and ambidextrous design at $99.00 MSRP.

RCBS has launched its new 7mm Backcountry Die Set, a three-die system designed for the high-performance 7mm BC cartridge. Developed alongside Hodgdon Powder Company's Accurate High Country powder, the die set delivers enhanced control and consistency for handloaders seeking precision ammunition reloading.

Defend Pepper Sprays, available exclusively on Amazon, provide college students with compact personal protection for back-to-school season. According to Teri Quinn, Director of Marketing at Defend, the product helps students carry confidence while focusing on their new experiences. Defend is owned by Arcus Hunting, which also operates Tink's and Dead Down Wind brands.

Benelli unveiled the M2-G1 Tactical, a semi-automatic shotgun featuring an innovative Rear Piston Operated gas system designed for defensive professionals and law enforcement. The platform earned a 4.54/5 "Gold Standard" rating from the National Tactical Officers Association and offers multiple configurations with MSRPs ranging from $1,829 to $2,149.

Remington Ammunition launched four rebate promotions offering big-game hunters up to 20% cash back on qualifying ammunition through November 30, 2026. The promotions cover handgun, centerfire rifle, premier rifle, and shotgun slug ammunition with a maximum rebate of $60 per person or household.

Umarex USA will exhibit at Nation's Best Sports 2026 Fall Market August 24-27 in Oklahoma City, showcasing 2026 product releases and brands including Umarex Airguns, T4E, Prepared2Protect, and Elite Force Airsoft. Attending dealers can access hands-on product demonstrations and speak with sales representatives about dealer incentives and stocking programs.

Blue Force Gear will exhibit at the 2026 Indo-Pacific Irregular Warfare Symposium in Honolulu, Hawaii, showcasing innovative tactical equipment including the Integrated Stealth Harness (ISH™), MARCO® HR marking light dispenser, and DRYOUT® moisture-removal technology designed for operational effectiveness.

Ronnie Adams, known for History Channel's "Swamp People" and "Swamp Mysteries," has joined Excalibur Crossbow as a brand ambassador. The partnership combines Adams' decades of hunting experience with Excalibur's reputation for manufacturing reliable and accurate recurve crossbows since 1983.

The Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program Advisory Council will meet in Conrad on September 14-15 to review program activities and tour local habitat projects. FWP regional staff will highlight work to improve upland game bird habitat and expand public hunting opportunities. Both the field tour and meeting are open to the public.

The High Road with Keith Warren premieres a new episode featuring G2 Ranch in Pearsall, Texas, showcasing a Nilgai and Rio Grande Turkey hunt. Co-host Johnny Piazza and G2 Ranch Manager Brock Wright guide hunter Vicky on her first Nilgai hunt using a Shaw Rifle chambered in 300 PRC with a Vortex Scope, followed by their own successful turkey hunt.

Although more dog days of late summer are still ahead, it won’t be long before an abundant adventures will be available in Alabama’s great outdoors. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division is providing a wealth of information and opportunities to help prepare everyone for the best experience possible once fall arrives.

Justin Grider, WFF’s R3 Assistant Chief, said every program on www.outdooralabama.com/Academy has a full slate of learning opportunities for outdoors activities and a link to On-Demand Learning. R3 is designed to promote recruitment, retention and reactivation.

“If you go to the Outdoor Alabama Academy webpage, you’ll find all the programs for fishing, firearms, hunting and trapping,” Grider said. “The new On-Demand Learning hub is recorded webinars or actual classes you can go in and take online. As more webinars are recorded, they will be posted on that hub.”

One On-Demand series that will begin soon is the “Discover Alabama’s Public Lands” virtual workshops. These will provide participants a look at all that is available to hunters, anglers and adventurers on land that provides access to all citizens. Access is one of the largest hurdles for people who want to pursue outdoor opportunities. The workshops will be held each Thursday from 6-7:15 p.m. starting August 27 and ending October 1, 2026. The workshops are free but registration is required.

“That series will obviously focus on public land in Alabama with context,” Grider said. “There are five different workshops, each a different topic. The series starts in north Alabama and works its way all the way down to the Gulf. This should be valuable for anybody who is interested in access. It’s a great chance to learn what opportunities are public – where you can go, where you can hunt, where you can hike, where you can fish, those sorts of things. The classes will also provide historical contexts about those places. Not only will they know where they can go, but they can also develop a deeper appreciation for the locations so they can be advocates and stewards for those places.”

Grider said the public lands classes follow a series done this past spring called “Homegrown Habitats,” which focused on habitat management for private landowners big and small.

“We specifically centered that class around wild turkeys in partnership with the National Wild Turkey Federation, so people could learn about gallinaceous species, birds that live on the ground – turkeys, grouse and quail,” he said. “The series explains how when you manage for gallinaceous species, it has a positive impact on everything else, from pollinators to deer, other wildlife including nongame species. Isabelle Bracell, Assistant R3 Coordinator, has done a great job administering and supporting this outreach effort.” Both series can be found at www.outdooralabama.com/OnlineLearningHub.

New outreach features include webinars for fishing and hunting workshops, which have not been available before.

“Instead of having to go to an in-person class, if you have a really busy schedule, you and the family can join the webinar after dinner and learn the basics on how to fish and interact with fishing experts,” Grider said. “If you want to do an in-person class, we still have those. These are all opportunities to build skills at people’s convenience.

“We’re doing that in conjunction with some of the hunting workshops. We’ll have opportunities focused on species as well as other outdoor recreation. We’re excited about collaborating with our private lands biologists and species-specific biologists, a group overseen by Courtenay Conring, Assistant Chief of the Wildlife Section.”

The highly successful Hunter Safety Education Program (www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/HunterEd) is headed to each Bass Pro Shops store in Alabama. Hunter ed has been taught for more than 50 years and has aided in a significant reduction in hunting accidents in recent years. Sgt. Katie Burks, Senior R3 Coordinator, oversees the Hunter Education program, BOW (Becoming an Outdoors Woman) and NASP (National Archery in Schools Program). Lt. Bill Freeman is the R3 Supervisor who oversees operations and supports the program efforts of each R3 Coordinator. Grider said Lt. Freeman has been instrumental in forging new partnerships.

“We’re real excited that we are partnering with Bass Pro Shops, and we are making sure there are hunter education classes at all the Bass Pro Shops in Alabama,” Grider said. “We hope to grow that partnership with any other sporting goods or retailers interested in collaborating to provide those opportunities. We’re working with Cabela’s in the Huntsville area to make sure there’s a class up there too.

“We want to do this every year so it’s an annual event and everybody in those communities knows when those classes are happening so we can coordinate efforts with our volunteers in those areas. People who need the hunter education classes can put them on their calendars and plan their attendance. We’re hoping it’s something students and families look forward to each year.”

Other big news for the Hunter Safety Education Program is a partnership with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) to provide hunter ed graduates with access to special pricing on a variety of outdoors equipment.

ADCNR has become the second state agency in the nation to launch IHEA PathPerks, joining the Iowa Department of Natural Resources in giving newly certified hunter education graduates access to pro-level gear pricing from more than 200 outdoor brands during their first year in the field. Co-developed by IHEA-USA and Guidefitter, PathPerks can be used by Alabama graduates at no cost to the state, to the agency’s license revenue or to the student.

Hunter education has been mandatory in the state since 1993 for anyone born on or after August 1, 1977.

“Alabama has been teaching hunter education since 1973, and we are proud of the strong foundation our courses provide in safety and ethics,” Burks said. “The greater challenge is helping students take the next step after they graduate a hunter education course. PathPerks provides meaningful support from the outdoor industry by giving new hunters access to discounts on the gear they need during their first season. This is at no cost to the state or the student.

“Completing the hunter ed course gives new hunters access to affordable gear, hands-on instruction and nearly 1 million acres of public land where they can put their new skills into practice.”

Grider said students will have one year after they complete the course to use the PathPerks program, and it might be beneficial for those who already have their hunter ed certification to take the hunter ed course again to take advantage of PathPerks. Those who complete the hunter ed course will receive an email from ADCNR with a link to access the PathPerks program.

“If you’ve already had the hunter ed course, it’s worth it to take it again for the educational content you’re getting as a refresher but also for access to this discount program,” he said. “That’s an exciting opportunity. These are great discounts. It’s a really good program. This was vetted by our staff before we decided to participate. People talk about the limiting factors to getting into hunting. Access is one of those things. Also, people feel like hunting gear can be cost-prohibitive, so this is an opportunity to make it a little less expensive and lower the cost of entry.

“With our programs, we want to make sure people know where to go. We want to make sure people have access to the gear and equipment they need with access to the places they need to participate in those activities and use those skills they are learning.”

– David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources