Federal Ammunition sponsored six athletes, led by four-time Olympic gold medalist Vincent Hancock, earned spots on USA National teams following the Fall Selection Match. The team includes Conner Prince, Amber English, Derrick Mein, Brian Burrows, and Kayle Browning, who will represent the U.S. at international competitions including the ISSF World Championships in Doha.

NSSF's Partner with a Payer program showcases how federal excise taxes from firearm and ammunition manufacturers fund conservation. The initiative featured Arizona's Ben Avery Shooting Facility, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, and Remington Ammunition, demonstrating how Pittman-Robertson Act funding supports wildlife restoration, hunter education, and public shooting access across all 50 states.

Safari Club International (SCI), the Coalition to Save Catalina Island Deer, and HOWL For Wildlife expressed disappointment after the Los Angeles County Superior Court denied a preliminary injunction to halt the Catalina Island Conservancy's mule deer eradication plan. The organizations allege the California Department of Fish and Wildlife approved the project without required environmental review and public process, and vow to pursue all available legal avenues to protect the deer.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host the 78th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival on September 19-20 at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Brownstown. The festival features waterfowl hunting competitions, a Monroe Decoy Show presented by the Monroe Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, wildlife art, archery, and family activities celebrating the 4,000-acre wetland refuge.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources awarded $892,200 in Fisheries Habitat Grants to ten conservation projects across the state. Funded by fishing license sales and state general funds, the grants support fish habitat conservation, dam removal, and restoration efforts through organizations including Michigan Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Rouge, and local conservation districts.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources is hosting hunter appreciation events across the state this fall at multiple locations. Hunters can bring harvested deer for aging, collect free hunting swag, and connect with DNR staff and fellow hunters at events scheduled for September 14, November 16, and November 21.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks released the 2026 hunting forecast for northeast Montana (Region 6), reporting improved elk and mule deer populations following mild winters and increased precipitation. FWP adjusted license quotas for elk and mule deer, while white-tailed deer populations remain low due to recent EHD outbreaks. Pronghorn populations increased to their highest levels since 2003.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department now allows hunters to report turkeys and some deer harvests online through their website. Turkeys and deer from muzzleloader and most archery seasons can be reported online or in-person, while deer from November 14-29 and bears must be reported in-person at regional stations.

NSSF® would like to share a message from ATF. The ATF has completed installation of a new FFLAlert notification system using the Everbridge BEACON platform to provide FFLs with time-sensitive information about firearm thefts, disaster preparedness, and administrative updates via text, email, and phone.

Real Avid has released the Range Ready Rifle series, an educational content platform presented by champion shooter Doug Koenig. The five-part YouTube series covers rifle preparation topics including optic setup, zeroing, optimization, and maintenance, releasing through September 27.

Realtree celebrates its 40th anniversary with the documentary Long Live Real, now streaming on YouTube. The film explores founder Bill Jordan's vision and traces four decades of innovation in camouflage design and outdoor products that built the globally recognized brand.

Burris Optics announces the redesigned 2026 Veracity riflescope lineup is now available at dealers nationwide. The new series features improved optics, enhanced ergonomics, five reticle options, and the innovative Burris Knob Synergy System for customizable turret configurations. MSRPs range from $1,019 to $1,559.

GrabAGun has renewed its corporate partnership with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and upgraded to Platinum level sponsorship. The firearms eCommerce retailer is also a badge sponsor of SAF's 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference in Dallas, September 25-27.

The Boone and Crockett Club verified the Sam Aiuppa/James Martin typical whitetail deer at 207 7/8 inches, making it the largest typical whitetail ever taken in the United States. The buck, killed in Illinois in 1991, surpasses the famous Jordan buck by 1 6/8 inches and ranks second worldwide behind Milo Hanson's record.

Guidefitter and the National Rifle Association announced a strategic alliance connecting the NRA's 150,000+ certified instructors and safety officers with Guidefitter's platform for verified outdoor professionals. NRA-affiliated members gain access to exclusive gear benefits, educational opportunities, and VIP-level benefits from over 300 leading outdoor brands.

Tikka U.S., distributed by Beretta USA, is expanding its T3x ACE rifle family with new left-hand configurations of the T3x ACE Target and T3x ACE Game models. These left-handed rifles feature the platform's modular chassis system, bolt-action accuracy, and extensive accessory compatibility for hunting and competitive shooting applications.

Custom & Collectable Firearms unveiled a limited-edition Colt 1911 .45 ACP to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11th. The stainless steel pistol features detailed engraving honoring first responders, with only 500 consecutively serialized units produced bearing serial numbers from "REMEMBER001" through "REMEMBER500."

Remington Ammunition announces two new 12-gauge loads for its Premier Nitro Sporting Clays line, featuring 1-ounce shot sizes 7.5 and 8 with 1,250 fps muzzle velocity. Shotshell Product Manager Ronnie Evans states the powered-down loads address customer feedback for tournament-winning performance.

Catalyst Arms has released the Apex Bag Rider 2.0, an upgraded rear stock accessory for Gen 1-Gen 3 Ruger Precision Rifles featuring a sleeker profile and refined angle for smoother elevation adjustments and improved stability. The product is now available with an MSRP of $44.95.

Apex Ammunition launched Waterfowl Stratified S³ Steel shotshells in 12- and 20-gauge with layered shot sizes designed for versatile waterfowl hunting performance. President and CEO Jason Lonsberry stated the shells deliver tight mid-range patterns and increased terminal energy at distance for confident kills on ducks and geese.

Bill Hicks & Co., Ltd. announces its Fall Sale Flyer featuring special pricing, promotions, and consumer rebates for sporting goods dealers. The Minneapolis-based distributor, in its 58th year of business, continues providing quality products and competitive pricing to retailers nationwide.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has partnered with SIG SAUER to offer dealers special sale pricing and entry into a drawing for SIG SAUER ZULU6 HDX binoculars through September 13, 2026. Dealers earn one entry for every $1,000 spent on SIG SAUER products with unlimited entry opportunities.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is offering free shooting at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range in Salt Lake City and the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan on National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 26, for those with valid hunting, fishing, or combination licenses. DWR Director Riley Peck emphasized hunters and anglers' crucial role in wildlife conservation funding.

ShellShock Protection announced its first brick-and-mortar retail partnership with Rainier Arms, making its eye and hearing protection products available at all Rainier Arms locations in Auburn, Oklahoma City, and Wichita. Founded by the team behind Pew Pew Tactical, ShellShock offers premium protective gear including EXO Pro earmuffs and SWITCH ballistic glasses.

Hoyt Archery has renewed its commitment as a national sponsor of Whitetails Unlimited, with WTU President Jeff Schinkten praising the bow manufacturer's innovation and heritage since its 1931 founding by Earl Hoyt Sr.

Season 19 of "Addicted to the Outdoors" premieres on Outdoor Channel with Raven Brunson taking over hosting duties from her parents Jon and Gina Brunson. The new season features Raven pursuing hunting and fishing adventures across multiple states, including whitetail deer in Kentucky, wild turkeys in Florida with Browning Trail Cameras' Tom Rainey, and spearfishing in Key West.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus in free-ranging white-tailed deer from Branch, Ingham, Jackson, and Lenawee counties. The public is encouraged to report sick or dead deer through the DNR's Eyes in the Field online system.

There are two—no three—things I learned from shooting the Ultimate Hunting Experience during the SilencerCo media event a little over two weeks ago in Idaho

But first, you’re probably wondering: What exactly is the Ultimate Hunting Experience, or UHE? I had the same question when SilencerCo told me I would be participating in one of its Expeditions.

I assumed—wrongly—that it was a conventional hunting competition format. Although UHE’s founders have backgrounds in Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and NRL Hunter competition, the experience isn’t built around shooters racing one another against the clock. Each UHE participant competes only against his or her own self with the goal of improving their hunting skills.

In the introduction to his Q&A with UHE co-founder Evan Dextraze, Jay Pinsky described it as “where the prey is inexperience and the trophy is success.”

Initially, I wasn’t very interested. But the absence of a timer, a complicated scoring system and a maze of divisions and classifications was refreshing. There were targets to shoot, realistic positions to negotiate and a spotter available to help. It was straightforward.

In the end, I found UHE to be a fun, highly enjoyable way to practice practical rifle shooting. That was quite a turnaround for somebody who had gone into the experience apprehensive. I didn’t merely like it. I really, really enjoyed it.

1) I Learned I Can Shoot at Distance

The first lesson was that I actually can shoot at distance. This was only my third opportunity to engage genuinely long-range targets. The first came in September 2022 at a Bushnell media event, where we shot from 400 yards out to a mile.

The second time was in October of 2022 at Gunsite, where Mossberg introduced their new Patriot LR Tactical. After zeroing the rifle at 100 yards, we moved to targets at 400 and 600 yards.

Since then, I hadn’t shot beyond 50 yards, aside from a possible 100-yard sight-in session that I only vaguely remember. In other words, long-range shooting isn’t exactly in my wheelhouse.

But…

While it took me five shots on the first stage to connect with a steel coyote at 880 yards, once that final shot hit, however, I found my footing on the UHE course at Day Mountain Ranch.

Next came an 828-yard bear, which I hit on the first try. I followed that with first-round hits on a coyote at 746 yards, another bear at 1,200 yards and a nutria at 200 yards.

I missed two shots at a second nutria positioned 512 yards away, then moved on and hit one at 453 yards on the first try. I’m still not sure what I did wrong at 512, but I was happy to move on.

Next came three trash pandas at 250 yards. I hit each one with a single shot, then scored another first-round impact on a wolf at 605 yards.

At this point, I was feeling myself—until I faced an elk target at 1,050 yards. I missed on the first shot and promptly gave up. There’s something about a downhill prone shooting position aiming at an uphill target that my neck doesn’t particularly enjoy—if the pain was any indication.

That ended our time on the UHE course. We didn’t have time to complete the full course of fire, but the point wasn’t to post a final score. It was to build confidence, and that’s exactly what the experience did for me.

We continued shooting later as part of the SilncerCo media event. I cleaned a three-rifle course, that began with a .450 Bushmaster at 200 and 300 yards, firing twice at each target. I then scored two hits at the same distances with an 8.6 Blackout. Both rifles were fired from a seated bench position.

For the final position, we stood at the bench and used a bag to engage an uphill target at 500 yards. The challenge was to hit it seven times with seven shots using an AR-15 chambered in 5.56 but zeroed for 100 yards.

According to the spotter, I hit all seven—presumably by using the Force, because I couldn’t tell you where I held on the reticle.

I quite literally eyeballed it, which the other shooters didn’t much appreciate when they asked where I had held.

2) I Learned How to Properly Hold and Shoot a Rifle

There’s a reason I shot so well. Actually, there are two reasons. Both are thanks to SilencerCo. 

The first is that SilencerCo pro staffers Clay Blackketter and Austin Orgain gave us some invaluable instruction. They explained that the harder you fight to control the rifle, the more difficult it becomes to maintain a stable sight picture.

Instead of leaning into the rifle and trying to force it to remain still, I needed to do the opposite and just relax and allow the gun to settle naturally. It worked brilliantly.

I can’t overstate how much that advice changed my understanding of rifle shooting. I wasn’t the only one who came away from the instruction with that revelation.

This is undoubtedly common knowledge among experienced rifle shooters, but it isn’t necessarily something a person picks up alone. Once I relaxed and let the rifle settle, whether it was supported by a bipod or a bag, the difference was night and day.

The second reason falls squarely on the shoulders of Chase Glenn, SilencerCo’s VP of Strategic Execution. Chase is a competitive rifle shooter, and more importantly served as the captain of our squad. Having him shoot first, and explain his hold, had a big impact on my own performance.

His coaching on the stage, coupled with the shooting technique lessons from Blackketter and Orgain, was the secret sauce for my success during the media event.

It was such a good feeling hitting targets with relative ease that I can’t wait to get out and shoot my Mossberg Patriot LR Tactical in 6.5 PRC. Paired with a Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30x56 FFP—and assuming I can zero it properly—it should make an excellent combo.

And yes, I’ll be shooting this setup suppressed.

3) I Learned Shooting Suppressed is the Way to Go

I often quote my friend Ethan Lessard of Q, who once told me, “Shooting without a suppressor is uncivilized.” 

No truer words were ever spoken, especially after my time in Idaho.

After shooting the UHE course with nothing but suppressed rifles, I can tell you this: If you live in one of the 41 states that allows you to hunt with a suppressor and you aren’t using one, you’re doing it wrong.

About halfway through the UHE stages, I suddenly remembered that every rifle was suppressed. I had completely forgotten, in part because it was so comfortable to communicate without talking over bulky hearing protection.

And don’t get me started on trying to get on the stock while wearing a pair of earmuffs.

Hunting suppressed—and just shooting suppressed in general—is the way to go.

Luckily, I hear there’s a bit of a suppressor gold rush underway, and getting your hands on one is both easier and faster than it used to be.

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