TUO is highlighting the Clement Puffy Jacket, featuring body-mapped Paralite™ Zoned Insulation with 80g in the core and 60g in sleeves for thermal efficiency without bulk. The technical jacket includes a wind-resistant 20D nylon shell, adjustable hood, and converts into a compact stuff sack for packability.

Barnett introduces the Hyper Raptor TREX crossbow for spring turkey hunting, featuring a compact 7.25-inch axle-to-axle design, 440 feet per second bolt speed, and TriggerTech trigger system. The lightweight 8.2-pound crossbow excels in ground blinds and run-and-gun hunting scenarios.

GunBroker.com announced a charity auction supporting the Special Operations Care Fund (SOC-F) featuring six custom Q platform rifles built by tactical influencers. All proceeds benefit SOC-F, a nonprofit supporting U.S. Special Operations Forces and their families with healthcare, mental health, and family support programs. Bidding runs through March 29th.

Marilyn Bentz, Executive Director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation since 2003, received the ATA's Industry Impact Award at the 2026 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis. The award recognizes her contributions to growing participation and promoting safety in archery and bowhunting.

Turner Parcell of Team Remington won the NSCA East Coast Championship at Hunters Pointe Sporting Clays with a two-day score of 187. Michael Luongo also contributed multiple wins for Team Remington, which competes using Remington Premier shotshells.

Hornady sponsored shooter Clay Blackketter won the Open Division at the Southern Iowa Showdown on March 14-15, 2026, in Diagonal, Iowa, using Hornady 25 cal. 138 gr. A-Tip Match bullets. Hornady Assistant Director of Engineering Joe Thielen placed third in the same division with the same ammunition.

Team Ruger's Lauryl Akenhead won High Lady honors at both the 2026 Clay's Cartridge Company Classic and the NRL Woodsviking Hunter Challenge, competing with a Custom Shop Ruger RPR in 6mm GT and a Ruger American Rifle Gen II in 6.5 Creedmoor respectively.

(402) Creamery and Nebraska Game and Parks launched Fox Tracks, a limited-edition ice cream benefiting conservation education. Beginning March 23, $2 from each pint sold supports the Wildlife Education Fund, with eight lucky customers winning outdoor prizes.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is launching a statewide tour of the documentary "Carrying Capacity: The Hunt for Resilience," featuring screenings and community forums across five Wyoming locations. The film explores management of the Jackson and Ferris-Seminoe bighorn sheep herds, with discussions on hunting's role in maintaining healthy, disease-resistant populations.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Shot Tec, and Grant Schmidt filed a reply brief with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in Schmidt v. Paris, challenging Pennsylvania State Police regulations and Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny's policy allowing warrantless searches of licensed firearms dealers without probable cause.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced that a Texas federal judge denied a DOJ motion challenging FPC's Second Amendment victory in FPC v. Bondi, which struck down the Post Office gun ban. The injunction will continue to apply to FPC members, with the case currently on appeal at the Fifth Circuit.

A Texas District Court ruled in favor of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and the Firearms Policy Coalition, confirming that all current and future SAF members are covered by an injunction preventing enforcement of the post office carry ban. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut called it a major victory for Second Amendment rights nationwide.

Indiana Conservation Officers rescued two people from floodwater in Pike County after they attempted to drive through rising water. The Pike County Sheriff's Department deployed a drone to locate the victims along River Road near Dodge City, and conservation officers transported both subjects to safety by boat.

Shell Tech, the ammunition branch of Shell Shock Technologies, announced sponsors and raffle prizes for the 2nd Annual Legends & Heroes Shootout on March 20-21, 2026 at Markham Park Shooting Range in Florida. The free public range day will feature live-fire demonstrations, Steel Challenge competition, and raffles including firearms from Dark Storm Industries and KAK Industries, with all net proceeds benefiting the Navy SEAL Foundation and K9 Heroes 4 Heroes.

Beretta USA will participate as a Platinum Sponsor at The Gathering, Palmetto State Armory's annual range event on March 20-21 in Clinton, SC. The company will showcase pistols, shotguns, and sporting firearms alongside Langdon Tactical Technology, with instruction from Lead Faucet Tactical's Dan Brokos, a retired Army Special Forces Sergeant Major.

Maxim Defense will participate in the 2026 Alamo Steel Challenge on March 21st at Louland Gun Club in Naples, Florida. Attendees can experience the SDX RFLX and PDX-SD integrated suppressor systems while competing on three professionally supervised steel stages.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will collect approximately 35.4 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River starting March 23 using electrofishing boats below Croton Dam. Collected fry will be stocked throughout the Lower Peninsula and reared to fingerling size for distribution to lakes and rivers statewide.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife awarded 10,127 Fish Ohio pins to anglers in 2025 for catching trophy fish across 26 species. Lake Erie led with 3,867 qualifying catches, while popular inland destinations included Mosquito Creek Lake, Buckeye Lake, and Alum Creek Lake. The program celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.

The Midwest Walleye Challenge's third year introduces County Captains and Weekly Challenges to boost participation and strengthen local pride. The Nebraska Walleye Challenge, running April 1-June 28, is a citizen science event where anglers compete for $10,000 in prizes while providing catch data to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation awarded $45,425 in grants from the L. Gary Stinson Grant Fund to six Arizona non-profits, including Southern Arizona Quail Forever, Arizona Council of Trout Unlimited, Arizona Outdoor Adventures, Arizona Elk Society, Arizona State Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation, and Into the Wild Outdoors for habitat, education, and youth programs.

The Michigan History Center and Historical Society of Michigan announced Round 2 awards totaling $1,020,882.66 for 45 communities and organizations across Michigan to preserve local history through exhibits, museum modernization, and cemetery preservation as part of the state's 250th anniversary commemoration.

Whitetails Unlimited issued $318,541 in grants through its HOPE for Wildlife Program, with majority funds supporting land acquisitions for public hunting access. The program partners with state and federal agencies to enhance deer habitat, increase hunting opportunities, and reduce poaching through initiatives like Deer Management and Whitetail Watch.

Two adult male mountain lions were harvested March 16 during the Pine Ridge Unit Auxiliary Season, closing Nebraska's 2026 mountain lion hunting season. The state harvested 18 mountain lions across three units this year, the highest total ever recorded.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that the application deadline for deer and elk permits and nonresident combination licenses is April 1. Hunters can apply through the FWP website, MyFWP mobile app, or by calling the licensing center at 406-444-2950.

Montana's spring male turkey season opens April 15, with licenses available at FWP offices, License Ambassador locations, and online. A new regulation requires nonresident hunters on public lands and hunting access program lands to wait 10 days after residents to hunt upland game birds except mountain grouse.

NSSF and Project ChildSafe launched "Project ChildSafe Tuscaloosa" in collaboration with the Tuscaloosa Police Department, Tuscaloosa Sheriff's Office, and local organizations including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and National African American Gun Association. The initiative distributes free cable gun locks and educational resources to promote responsible firearm ownership and secure storage practices.

Christensen Arms appointed John Fink as Director of Product Development. Fink brings nearly three decades of firearms and optics experience from previous roles at Trijicon and Remington Arms, where he led product development for magnified optics and rifle platforms.

High Speed Gear has been awarded a United States Army contract to produce specialized drone pouches for unmanned aerial system operations. The modular drone case systems were developed through the XVIII Airborne Corps' Dragon's Lair innovation pipeline with support from the Airborne Innovation Lab.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation confirmed the first Black Carp discovery in a McCurtain County private pond. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are tracking the invasive species through the "Keep, Cool, Call" initiative, offering Oklahoma anglers $100 per fish reported, up to 10 monthly.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources established a permanent invasive carp harvest permit effective December 2025 to enable large-scale removal of silver, grass, and black carp from public waters. The free permit allows commercial fishing using gill nets and seines while protecting native fish populations and recreational activities.

The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) is hiring a Compliance & Inventory Manager in Waterford, WI. The full-time position involves regulatory compliance, FFL administration, inventory management, and fundraising event coordination for the national youth shooting sports organization.

Kinetic Development Group's patented Kinect™ Series offers tool-free mounting for rifle accessories, allowing shooters to quickly install, remove, or reposition equipment like weapon lights and optics. The system benefits training, competition, hunting, and field use by eliminating the need for tools during configuration adjustments.

Athlon Optics announced the continuation of its partnership with Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors, a nonprofit dedicated to providing mentored hunting and fishing opportunities to youth. The collaboration expands access to safe, mentored outdoor experiences while supporting the next generation of hunters, anglers, and conservationists.

The Houston Safari Club Foundation's Hunting Matters podcast features George Blitch, host of Son of a Blitch Podcast, discussing his career in storytelling, land stewardship, and entrepreneurship. Blitch shares insights on his businesses Map My Ranch and American Made Maps, his work documenting Indigenous elders with Harvey Arden, and private landowners' role in wildlife conservation.

Olman Outdoors introduces the OST-100 Steady Eddie Tripod Shooting Stick, a versatile aluminum tripod weighing 5 lbs. 10 oz. with an adjustable height range of 8 to 65 inches. Designed for rifle hunting, tactical shooting, and long-range precision shooting, it features a ball head mount and inverted leg positioning for fast deployment and reliable stability across various shooting positions.

Ol'Man Outdoors announced its 2026 hub-style ground blind lineup featuring three models: The Buck Shot, Carnivore 270, and Bounty Hunter 270. Each blind offers distinct features for concealment, comfort, and visibility, with capacities ranging from two to three hunters and weights between 14-20 pounds.

Wiley X introduces the WX Zulu and WX Bravo lifestyle frames for 2026, featuring ANSI Z87.1+ rated impact protection, Triloid™ nylon frames, and Selenite™ lenses. CEO Dan Freeman highlights how these versatile styles bring trusted protection to everyday wear while maintaining the brand's performance standards.

Faxon Firearms announced exclusive pistol upgrade combos available through SCHEELS featuring Faxon Match Series barrels and EXOS compensators for Glock 19 Gen 5 and Glock 43X platforms. The combos deliver improved recoil management and faster follow-up shots as part of SCHEELS' March 2026 Shooting Sports Promotion.

Vortex and the Vortex Nation Podcast are hosting a contest through March 31, 2026, offering one winner a custom rifle build, two-day experience at Vortex HQ with Hunter Marksmanship Course, airfare, lodging, and meals. Entrants submit their build story via video or written format for a chance to be featured on the "Cartridge Talks" podcast with hosts Mark and Ryan.

Bass Pro Shops celebrates its third Arizona location opening in Tucson on March 25 with an Evening for Conservation. The 100,000-square-foot store will donate 15% of sales to local conservation organizations and feature appearances by legendary anglers Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Kevin VanDam, and Josh Bertrand.

Winchester and White Flyer announce their twenty-seventh year supporting Kids & Clays Foundation with ammunition, targets, and merchandise. The partnership has helped raise over $49,000,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities since 1999, while introducing non-shooters to the shooting sports.

Winchester Ammunition pledges $100,000 to Folds of Honor in 2026, marking the sixth consecutive year of support. Since 2021, Winchester has contributed over $500,000 to the organization, which provides educational scholarships to families of fallen or disabled U.S. military service members and first responders.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Historic Cane Hill announced winners of the 2026 Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp Art Contests. Mikki Young won the bobwhite category, while established wildlife artist Dan Andrews won the turkey category. The voluntary stamps have funded over $2.7 million in habitat work across 54 projects on Arkansas public lands.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including westslope cutthroat trout introductions, a Logan Public Shooting Range acquisition, Siskin Island Fishing Access Site development with the Trust for Public Land, and Upper Thompson Conservation Easement Phase 1 with Green Diamond Montana Timberlands LLC.

Indiana received $1 million in funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. to purchase 45 track chairs for all state parks, making Indiana the national leader in accessibility. Governor Mike Braun and DNR Director Alan Morrison announced the initiative to help visitors with limited mobility safely explore trails.

Primos Hunting released a documentary film "50 Years of Truth" celebrating the brand's 50-year legacy, featuring founder Will Primos and tracing the company's influence on hunting media since 1976. The film, produced by Wisconsin-based creative agency Sicmanta and led by Donnie Vincent and Kyle Nickolite, highlights Primos' commitment to authentic hunting storytelling and is available on the brand's YouTube channel.

Shooting USA features the Ultimate Hunter Rifle Challenge, a new shooting sport for hunters using their own equipment, with cash prizes available. The episode also includes the first installment of Colt ProTips with Mark Redl.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources provides guidance on safely encountering rattlesnakes this spring and summer. Native Herpetology Coordinator Alyssa Hoekstra emphasizes maintaining a safe distance and understanding rattlesnake behavior to prevent conflicts while recreating outdoors.

The final weights told one story at the Bassmaster Classic in Knoxville. The ages told another.

Consider the top five:
Dylan Nutt — 22
Trey McKinney — 19
Yui Aoki — 27
Easton Fothergill — 23
JT Thompkins — 24

That comes out to an average of 23years old. The five best anglers in the biggest event in bass fishing are, on average, just a few years out of college. Trey McKinney is just out of high school—he was the youngest ever to qualify for the Classic. Youth rules, absolutely.

It wasn’t always like this. Tournament fishing used to be a long accumulation of small understandings—seasonal timing, boat position, how fish used a piece of structure at noon versus morning. And of course what lures they eat best at which times and places. Those things came the hard way, and the leaderboards reflected it. Experience showed up as winnings in many of the big events.

Now, being tech savvy is a far bigger advantage than decades on the water.

Modern sonar doesn’t just give us clues as to where fish might be. It shows exactly where they are, how they’re positioned, how they move. The guesswork that once took years to refine has been reduced, if not eliminated, in many situations. A young angler may not have decades of time on the water, but with the right electronics package and knowledge of how to use it, he can watch fish behave in real time and adjust immediately. That kind of feedback changes how quickly someone gets good.

It also favors growing up in the internet age. The top five in Knoxville came up in a world where screens were already part of daily life. The iPhone arrived in 2007. The internet had gone mainstream a decade earlier. For anglers in their early twenties, interpreting a screen isn’t learned behavior—it’s instinct. They’re comfortable reading shifting images, tracking movement, making quick decisions off visual screen cues and converting them to pinpoint casts.

That shows up on the water in how naturally some anglers seem to process what they’re seeing. A fish appears, moves, reacts, disappears. The young guns are instinctive in visualizing the target and putting a bait on it. And they’re totally dedicated to moving fast and often until they come on fish ready to eat.

None of that replaces judgment. Fish still position according to season, weather, current and other factors. The right lures still have to be chosen and presented correctly. But the path to those decisions is shorter when the fish are visible. What used to be guessed at is now observed directly.

Also, the young anglers have almost totally left behind the idea that bass are shoreline fish—except in Florida, and sometimes not even there, most big tournaments are being won offshore with lunker bass that have lived unmolested for generations before the new iterations of live sonar began to scout them out about eight years ago—about when Dylan Nutt was 14.

The result is a leaderboard where age no longer tracks with success the way it once did. The advantage has shifted, at least for the present, from accumulated time on the water to information processing abilities—as with so much in our rapidly changing world.

The incredible success of young anglers in the Classic and in most other tournaments where the latest electronics are allowed has brought us leaps and bounds ahead in our knowledge of how bass and other sport fish live. And it has created an amazing boom in the sale of electronics for Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance.

It has also created more than a little hostility among those of us who can’t pony up five grand or so for the basic live sonar package required to be at all competitive. While the major tournament organizations are constantly tweaking the rules to try to keep traditional tactics in the game, there’s no putting the electronics genie back in the bottle, anymore today than when Darrell Lowrance and his dad Carl cobbled together the first recreational fish finder in their garage in 1957.

– Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com