Victory Archery announces a partnership with Whitetail Fit, a bowhunting and fitness brand founded by Joel Burham. The collaboration unites two brands committed to hunter preparation and performance, combining Whitetail Fit's discipline and motivation with Victory Archery's carbon arrow engineering and technology.
Guns.com, North American Arms, and Walk the Talk America announced an exclusive benefit auction featuring six hand-engraved North American Arms Earl revolvers to support mental health education and suicide prevention. All proceeds benefit Walk the Talk America's mission to promote awareness and responsible conversations around mental health and firearm ownership.
Team Ruger competitors Randi Rogers and Gordon Carrell delivered strong performances at the 2026 MVSA Mountain Valley Melee Regional in Lonsdale, Arkansas, with Rogers earning High Lady honors in Carry Optics and Carrell placing fourth in the Senior category, both competing with the Ruger RXM pistol developed in collaboration with Magpul.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the federal ban on direct interstate handgun purchases violates the Second Amendment in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, a major victory for Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC). The court rejected the government's arguments and reversed the lower court's dismissal, holding that the constitutional right to keep and bear arms includes the right to purchase them.
Michigan's DNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program offers fall workshops at Pigeon River Country State Forest featuring grouse/woodcock hunting, fly fishing, and elk viewing. Additional Beyond BOW workshops cover foraging, archery deer hunting, backpacking, and waterfowl identification at various Michigan locations.
The Utah Wildlife Board approved updates to fishing regulations, elk hunting rules, and amphibian and reptile collection policies. Changes include new take methods for various fish species, protective slot limits at specific reservoirs, and increased flexibility for elk hunting weapon splits and permit options, effective during the 2027 hunting season.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission certified a new state record jaguar guapote weighing 3.02 pounds, caught by 16-year-old Xzavier Peon from Miami in the Westwood Lakes area. The previous record stood for nine years before Xzavier's catch was confirmed in September 2026.
Michigan DNR is hosting fall open houses at five managed waterfowl areas including Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area, Fish Point State Wildlife Area, Shiawassee River State Game Area, Harsens Island at St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area, and Pointe Mouillee State Game Area. Local staff will discuss hunting conditions and tour the Wetland Wonders areas.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department presents its 2026-2027 Small Game Forecast organized by species, including band-tailed pigeons, chukars, doves, dusky grouse, pheasants, quail, and rabbits. Larisa Harding, Ph.D., AZGFD's small game program manager, provides season dates, bag limits, and habitat information for each species with detailed forecasts based on recent weather and population conditions.
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has closed Black Bear Management Units 501 and 520 to all black bear hunting effective one-half hour after sunset on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources launched the Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard in 2025, replacing a paper survey. Hunters can submit field experiences to access near real-time data on flush rates and compare hunting experiences across counties, with over 1,100 submissions in the first year.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, praised President Trump's executive order protecting hunting heritage, which includes provisions protecting traditional ammunition use, expanding public land access, and increasing Sunday hunting opportunities. NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi attended the White House Rose Garden announcement and worked with the administration on the policy.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission confirmed invasive zebra mussels at Bellevue's American Heroes Park Pond on September 8. The discovery was made during routine maintenance by City of Bellevue park staff. Kristopher Stahr, the aquatic invasive species program manager, noted the low spread risk due to boating restrictions and emphasized the importance of prevention efforts.
Iron Valley™ Supply Co., a wholesale distributor representing over 150 leading brands in hunting and shooting sports, is expanding its sales team. The company seeks Account Representatives for positions in Downingtown, PA and Chapin, SC to manage existing accounts and develop new customer relationships.
President Trump hosted a Great American Outdoorsmen dinner at the White House with approximately 100 leaders from the hunting, fishing, and shooting sports community. He signed two Executive Orders: "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage" and "Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation." The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation praised the President's commitment to America's outdoor heritage and conservation efforts.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation President and CEO Kyle Weaver praised President Trump's Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage Executive Order, stating it aligns with RMEF's mission to sustain wildlife, habitat, and hunting heritage through public access expansion, habitat management, and science-based wildlife management.
Safari Club International applauds President Donald Trump's executive orders expanding hunting and fishing access on federal and state lands. SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin stated the orders demonstrate the Administration's dedication to America's sportsmen and anglers while respecting state authority and protecting hunting traditions.
The Boone and Crockett Club welcomes the "Reinvigorating America's Hunting Heritage" Executive Order announced at a White House dinner. Club President Mary Webster and CEO Tony Schoonen participated, with the order focusing on expanding hunting access to federal lands, growing new hunters, promoting game species populations, and increasing wild game donation.
The Second Amendment Foundation submitted formal comments to the California Department of Justice on proposed regulations for Senate Bill 704's barrel background check requirement. SAF Director of Legal Research and Education Kostas Moros and Executive Director Adam Kraut warned the system could wrongly reject law-abiding citizens, citing data showing 412 false rejections for every prohibited person stopped in the ammunition check system.
Darton Archery has been named the Official Bow Partner of Buckmasters TV Show. The partnership between the two hunting industry leaders will integrate Darton equipment across Buckmasters' multimedia platforms, content, and hunting experiences to reach bowhunters.
ShellShock Protection announced a partnership with The National African American Gun Association (NAAGA) to expand access to firearm safety equipment and education. ShellShock will serve as a bronze sponsor of NAAGA's 2026 Summit, offer 10% discounts to new NAAGA members, and provide protective equipment to NAAGA trainers nationwide.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. and World Whiskey Society announced the release of the Smith & Wesson 7-Year Classic Edition bourbon, an inaugural whiskey celebrating American gunsmithing heritage and premium spirits craftsmanship. The aged straight bourbon features vintage-inspired packaging with imagery of founders Horace Smith and Daniel Baird Wesson.
The International Hunter Education Association–USA (IHEA-USA) announced Hunterizer as its newest industry partner. Hunterizer's mobile app provides location-specific hunting regulations, season dates, and bag limits for 11 states, helping new hunters understand regulations between certification and their first hunting season.
MDT announced the DRT, a folding magnesium chassis system designed for predator hunting with clip-on thermal and night vision optics. Weighing 3.2lbs with adjustable length of pull and cheekpiece height, the chassis features a full-length 20 MOA night vision bridge and is available for Remington 700 short action starting September 18, 2026.
Blue Force Gear has partnered with DRYOUT to introduce the DRYOUT 1L, featuring patented Active Moisture-Removal Technology for tactical equipment. The reusable technology protects night vision devices, optics, and electronics from moisture damage without requiring electricity or batteries.
DeSantis Gunhide® introduces the Raptor® 2.0 SL, a Level II OWB Kydex holster featuring a self-locking security system trusted by Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. The holster accommodates GLOCK and Ruger firearms with or without weapon-mounted lights and red-dot sights, priced at $139.99.
J. Scott Rupp has retired from Outdoor Sportsman Group after 40 years editing outdoor and shooting magazines including RifleShooter, Handguns, Petersen's Hunting, and Guns & Ammo. A former U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit member and Eastern Kentucky University graduate, Rupp plans to continue writing and photography as a freelancer.
The Michigan DNR Education Services Section announced staff changes including Tracy Page's promotion to Education Services manager, Katie McGlashen as the new aquatic education coordinator, and Tamara Jorkasky joining as the Nature Awaits specialist.
South-central Montana state parks including Chief Plenty Coups, Cooney, Greycliff Prairie Dog Town, Lake Elmo, and Pictograph Cave are transitioning to winter schedules and amenities. Most parks implement reduced hours beginning September 21, with limited services such as closed comfort stations, restricted camping, and walk-in access only during winter months.
The High Road with Keith Warren features Timber Creek Outdoors, showcasing their American-made firearm accessories manufacturing in Camp Creek, Oregon. CEO Tyler Tiller guides host Keith Warren through the facility before they hunt mule deer in Oregon's high desert, testing a Timber Creek Outdoors chassis gun at extended range.
Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and MyOutdoorTV) unveil their fall programming with Premiere Week beginning September 28, featuring original premieres and new episodes including MeatEater Season 14 hosted by Steven Rinella, North American Whitetail, and numerous fishing and hunting shows across all networks.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public assistance to locate a hybridized female rocky mountain bighorn sheep that escaped from a private alternative livestock facility near Vaughn in early September. Officials are concerned the animal could transmit disease to wild bighorn sheep herds.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host an information session on mule deer in Malta on September 30 at Malta High School. The meeting will cover mule deer population surveys, research, and chronic wasting disease (CWD) status in northeast Montana, with time for questions and discussion.
Some holidays come with cake. Some come with fireworks. National Hunting and Fishing Day comes with muddy boots, tangled fishing line, early alarms, and the strong possibility that somebody will retell the story of “the one that got away.”
Every year on the fourth Saturday in September, National Hunting and Fishing Day celebrates two of America’s favorite ways to get outside. Admittedly, there are probably easier ways to spend a Saturday morning than waking up before sunrise, pulling on waders to step into cold water, or sitting quietly in the woods waiting for something to show up.
And yet, millions of U.S. residents willingly do exactly that.
For the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment, the holiday recognizes the outdoor traditions at the heart of our conservation work and celebrates the people who make hunting and fishing part of their lives.
For more than eight decades, the Office of Conservation Investment has partnered with manufacturers and state fish and wildlife agencies to conserve, research, restore, and manage fish and wildlife and their habitats for current and future generations.
The foundation for that work began with two landmark laws: the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, passed by Congress in 1937, and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, passed in 1950.
Together, these acts established a partnership that is now a cornerstone of America’s conservation work.
Manufacturers fund conservation and access through federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, and fishing tackle. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Office of Conservation Investment administers these funds, which are apportioned to state fish and wildlife agencies for conservation, habitat management, restoration, and opportunities for people to enjoy the outdoors.
Hunters and anglers are part of the partnership, too. They purchase licenses, stamps and tags, generating revenue that state fish and wildlife agencies use as a match for these federal excise tax funds.
The system works because each partner contributes to a shared investment in wildlife and wild places.
State fish and wildlife agencies bring local knowledge and on-the-ground conservation expertise. Federal partners provide coordination, technical guidance, and support. Industry partners help fund the system. Hunters and anglers support conservation through license fees and provide the connection between conservation and the outdoor experiences these investments help sustain. It is a partnership that has lasted for generations.
National Hunting and Fishing Day is a celebration of the system and people who make hunting and fishing possible. It is also an annual invitation to get outside. Pull on your muddy boots and head for the water or woods, knowing that you are part of a tradition much bigger than a single Saturday in September. Behind your outdoor experience is a partnership working to ensure people have places to go outdoors and healthy wildlife and habitats waiting for them when they get there.
So set that alarm. Check your gear. Bring sunscreen. Pack snacks. And if one gets away, don't worry. You have time to make it considerably larger before you tell the story.
