Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2026, marking the second consecutive year the publication honored Peak Alloy technology. The high-pressure cartridge delivers velocities up to 300 fps faster than conventional 6.5 Creedmoor while maintaining similar recoil and compatibility with existing rifles.

Dallas Safari Club announced Gray N. Thornton as the 2027 recipient of the Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award, recognizing his three decades of leadership in wildlife conservation with Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and the Wild Sheep Foundation, where he currently serves as President and CEO.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands recognized three outstanding sales representatives for 2026: Chad Bauman as Sales Representative of the Year, Bert Moore as Regional Representative of the Year for the Southeast, and Rocky Stewart as Regional Representative of the Year for the Northeast.

A white wagtail, a bird native to Asia and Europe, was spotted at Warm Springs WMA near Deer Lodge by expert birder Caleb Lashway in mid-September, marking Montana's first recorded sighting. The rare bird likely became lost after flying south from Alaskan or Russian breeding grounds, with a storm potentially pushing it off course into Montana. The discovery attracted approximately 70 birders from across the region, including visitors from North Dakota.

Lauryl Akenhead of Team Ruger earned High Lady honors at the 2026 MPA Last Chance Qualifier held October 10-11 at Cool Acres Sporting Camp in Georgia, competing with her Ruger American Gen II rifle chambered in 6mm Creedmoor. Hosted by the Oklahoma Territorial Marshals, the Precision Rifle Series event showcased Akenhead's disciplined stage management and accuracy.

The Winchester AA-White Flyer No. 3 NASCAR is displayed at the 2026 National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) Nationals in San Antonio, Texas, October 20-24. Winchester and White Flyer serve as the official ammunition and target of the NSCA Championship Tour, with Team Winchester members including Mike Wilgus, Zach Kienbaum, and Desirae Edmunds competing for the national title.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sank approximately 150 cedar and Russian olive trees at Bridgeport State Recreation Area lakes using its new Aquatic Habitat Barge. The brush piles enhance fish habitat, improve angler success, and increase bank access by removing shoreline vegetation.

Montana WILD has opened a new 3,600-square-foot Avian Walkway featuring raptors including eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls. The facility, funded by donations and grants including support from the Outdoor Legacy Foundation, provides enrichment for permanently injured ambassador birds while educating over 10,000 visitors and 8,000 students annually about conservation and the ecological importance of birds of prey.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that Section 1242 of the Federal Switchblade Act violates the Second Amendment in Knife Rights, Inc. v. Blanche. The court recognized switchblade knives as constitutionally protected arms and rejected the government's restrictions on their manufacture, transportation, and distribution.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in United States v. Cordova, challenging the use of historical death penalties to justify lifetime firearm bans. FPC argues that permanent disarmament must be based on demonstrated physical danger, not felony convictions or centuries-old punishments.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and Connecticut Citizens Defense League, faces opposition briefs in Supreme Court cases Viramontes v. Cook County and Grant v. Higgins challenging assault weapons bans in Illinois and Connecticut. Oral arguments are scheduled for December 2.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Mule Deer Foundation are offering up to $1,000 in combined rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the illegal killing of a mule deer buck in Game Management Unit 41 near Wellton, Arizona in September 2026.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources adjusted its 2027 Lake Michigan stocking plan, reducing chinook salmon stock from 275,000 to 200,000 to address declining baitfish populations and salmon size. The modifications allow larger winter-run steelhead yearlings and an additional 20,000 fall fingerling Skamania steelhead, according to fisheries biologist Ben Dickinson.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources warns of elevated wildfire risk in the Upper Peninsula despite recent containment efforts. DNR firefighters have battled the Rugged Terrain Complex fires, including the Ridge Fire, Craig Lake Fire, and Black River Fire, totaling nearly 1,400 acres. Residents are urged to obtain burn permits and follow fire safety precautions.

The Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park Fuels Reduction Project has begun tree removal operations to reduce hazardous fuels in the wildland urban interface. The thinning effort, which underwent public review and received a formal decision notice in July, aims to reduce fire risk while maintaining public safety and wildlife habitat throughout the winter.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the City of Roundup are hosting an archery-only mule deer management hunt from November 30 to February 15, 2027. Fifty either-sex licenses go on sale November 4 at $10 for residents and $75 for non-residents, with hunters required to obtain permission from Roundup City Offices.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) contributed an additional $20,000 to NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC, bringing its 2026 commitment to $45,000 and total support since 2024 to $70,000. Lawrence G. Keane, Protect Liberty PAC's Treasurer, praised NASGW's consistent support for the PAC's mission to elect candidates who will protect Second Amendment rights.

PTR Industries appointed Jones & Company as a sales representative group for its roller-delayed blowback firearms and VENT suppressors. John Cason and Derek Vest will support Jones & Company in dealer relationships and product training across assigned territories.

Henry Repeating Arms launched 50 custom "Team Zach" lever-action rifles through their Guns For Great Causes program to benefit Zach Bryant, a three-year-old from Cambridge City, Indiana, undergoing treatment for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Proceeds from rifle sales and auctions are expected to exceed $35,000 to help cover Zach's medical and travel costs.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is hiring Regional Directors for Kentucky, Tennessee, New England, Western Colorado, and Western Montana. Successful candidates will oversee volunteer chapters, lead fundraising events, and manage grant programs in their assigned territories.

Sightmark has launched the Wraith 2 LRF series, featuring two thermal riflescope models with integrated laser rangefinders: the Wraith 2 384 LRF and Wraith 2 640 LRF. Both models pair Vanadium Oxide thermal sensors with Class 1 laser rangefinders, eliminating the need for separate rangefinding devices in the field.

The Kids & Clays Foundation announced The 1791 Foundation as its national title sponsor. Both organizations share a commitment to the shooting sports and supporting families in need. Kids & Clays has raised over $50 million for Ronald McDonald Houses since its 1999 founding.

Custom & Collectable Firearms presents an exclusive limited run of 100 Kimber DS Warrior MOD 9mm pistols featuring Carbon Fiber Cerakote grips, grey Cerakote finish, and GT Performance Trigger. Each pistol includes a challenge coin and certificate of authenticity.

Taurus expands its TX9 pistol lineup with a new Flat Dark Earth finish option available across full-size, compact, and sub-compact models at $499.99 MSRP. The duty-rated, striker-fired 9mm features the T.O.R.O. optic system and is assembled and tested in the USA.

Warne introduces its Universal Receiver Red Dot Mount, a low-profile mounting solution for reflex-style red dot optics compatible with drilled-and-tapped shotguns, rimfire rifles including Ruger 10/22, and select rifle models. The mount features broad optic compatibility and flexible mounting options.

Remington Gun Care is expanding its product lineup with new Aluminum Rod Universal Cleaning Kits designed for rifle, shotgun, and handgun owners. The lightweight kits feature durable Mil-Spec 8-32 threads and include brass brushes, cotton mops, nylon jags, and patches, priced at $24.99 each.

Sarsilmaz will participate in CANCON West 2026 from October 22-24 at the Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club in Nevada, showcasing its expanding handgun lineup including the SAR9 SOCOM Series with threaded barrels and optic-ready slides.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks collected over 3,000 cans of expired bear spray during September's Bear Aware Month at 10 locations statewide. Wildlife stewardship outreach specialist Danielle Oyler highlighted the importance of safe disposal and replacing expired bear spray, which loses effectiveness after three to five years.

Pursuit Channel is proud to highlight its dual Sunday night programming lineups, giving outdoor enthusiasts two distinct ways to spend their evening with premium hunting and outdoor content beginning at 8:00 PM ET.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Hardware Wildlife Education Center in Cache County will host a free Turkey Tales exhibit in November featuring hands-on activities, educational walks, and opportunities to learn about wild turkeys. The center, located in Blacksmith Fork Canyon, will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on three weekends: November 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22.

The Oklahoma City Zoo's bears Woody and Maynard demonstrated how quickly bears locate food at campsites, illustrating the importance of proper food storage. Wildlife Department senior biologist Matt Hensley emphasizes using BearWise tactics to prevent food conditioning and human-bear conflicts, which have tripled this year due to drought affecting natural food sources.

The Gunsite Alumni Shoot, often referred to simply as the GAS match, took place Saturday, October 3, and was the official celebration of Gunsite’s 50th anniversary.

And the turnout was exactly what you’d expect for Gunsite, which has been setting student attendance records year after year for a decade.

There were 370 shooters who participated and another 150 volunteers, plus vendors and some special guests. This put the total close to 600, making this Gunsite’s largest event.

Among those in attendance were a number of industry people there for the match. At one point, I turned around to find Tom Gresham standing right next to me. Since I had one of the most respected and best-known members of the firearm media in front of me, I asked him what makes this event so significant that he’d travel to Arizona and forgo his usual Sunday live radio broadcast to attend.

He explained it this way: “For a half a century, Gunsite has been the centerpiece for the growth of concealed carry, of firearms made for concealed carry, and for training throughout the country,”

“Jeff Cooper saw something when no one else did, and it's been continued all the way up to Buz Mills, and now it has grown to a point where it's hardly even recognizable.”

That’s true.

For those who haven’t been to Gunsite in the last couple of years, there have been major changes. Buz Mills, Gunsite’s owner, and Ken Campbell, its CEO, have overseen a dramatic investment in the expansion of the facilities.

All of which was done in an effort to accommodate the constant influx of new and returning students, the need for more classes and classrooms, and, of course, their cadre of instructors.

But this was the annual match for alumni, so there was a competition.

As Ken Campbell says, quoting the late Jeff Cooper, the Gunsite Alumni Shoot is best described as “a social gathering briefly interrupted by gunfire.”

That was particularly true this year.

Shooters came from across the country to attend—and compete—during the anniversary celebration.

Naturally, there was a prize table.

A long prize table. Very long, in fact, thanks to the generous support of several longtime industry partners that recognize the important role Gunsite has within the industry.

But when not out on the range competing, everyone was socializing. When it comes to food at matches, the bar is usually set pretty low, but for this event, Gunsite rolled out the grills for both lunch and dinner.

Any event this big requires a podium and a microphone, and it was up to Ken Campbell to play emcee. Having served in elective office—sheriff—he’s no stranger to speaking in front of large crowds.

In addition to shooting, eating, and jawboning, the one thing every Gunsite student and visitor knows is there is shopping. The Gunsite Pro Shop is described as the most dangerous place on Gunsite’s 3,000+ acres. That’s because of the damage it can do to your bank account.

The Pro Shop wasn't the only place one could spend their life savings. Gunsite brought in several vendors, all of which were either local or had local representatives. 

If you missed the Gunsite Alumni Shoot, you missed a great time. If you have never been to Gunsite, well, I'll leave it to Tom Gresham to explain why now's the time to visit.

“There will only be one 50th anniversary at Gunsite, and it’s a privilege to be here. With more than 20 million people licensed to carry guns today, and maybe another 20 or 30 million who can do it in constitutional carry states, Gunsite remains the center point and the example for everyone.

"So, what it really means is that if you have not been here, you owe it to yourself to come out here at least once in your lifetime.”

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network