Krieghoff revived the historic Krieghoff Trophy on June 13-14 at Dornsberg Shooting Ground in Germany, drawing 232 competitors from 13 countries. Frank Hasekamp of the Netherlands won the Challenge Cup and High Overall title, with the event now scheduled to return every two years.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources completed 133 habitat projects during fiscal year 2025, restoring or preserving over 114,277 acres across Utah with $55 million in funding from 49 partners. Projects included acquiring the Cook Wildlife Management Area in Daggett County and completing watershed restoration initiatives to improve mule deer populations and habitats.

The Second Amendment Foundation filed a motion for summary judgment in Harrington v. Crawford, challenging the unconstitutional search of high school student Jack Harrington's vehicle based solely on his legal firearm ownership. SAF Senior Director Bill Sack and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue school officials violated constitutional rights without reasonable suspicion or evidence of unlawful conduct.

The Gulf Council is developing an Amendment to establish electronic reporting requirements for federal for-hire reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic vessels. The Council invites public feedback through virtual hearings on August 13 and 17, 2026, where vessel owners and operators can learn about proposed trip declarations, electronic reports, and economic data submissions.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department partnered with Trout Unlimited to host Arizona Fish Camp, a seven-day summer program for youth ages 13-17 near the Mogollon Rim. Participants learned fly fishing fundamentals, visited the Tonto Creek Fish Hatchery with manager Bryce Sisson, and met the Arizona Game and Fish Commission to foster the next generation of anglers and conservationists.

Northland Tackle and legendary ice angler Brian Brosdahl have created the Tungsten Bling Jig, featuring integrated kicker blades for flash and vibration. Available in three sizes and eight colors, the jig targets crappie, bluegill, and perch and will be available this fall at retailers and Baits.com.

Bonehead Tackle has launched the Swim Stick, an upgraded version of its Slim Stick design featuring a paddle tail for natural swimming action. The 2-inch swimbait is available in 16 colors and comes 16 per pack, launching this Fall at retailers and Baits.com.

Northland Tackle introduced the Forage Fleck, a new ice fishing lure designed to imitate natural forage with realistic ABS finish and a single rear blade. Available in three sizes and ten colors, the lure triggers reaction strikes from panfish and will be available this Fall at retailers and Baits.com.

Big Bite Baits has launched the 3.5" Velo Craw, a versatile soft plastic available in six colors. Pro angler Mike McClelland endorses it as an ideal trailer for the McMoney, LS football jig, and swim jig, as well as effective on Carolina rigs.

Buckeye Lures has unveiled the Flow Hair Jig, featuring premium hand-tied hair with flowing feathers designed for pressured fish. Available in four sizes and six colors with a razor-sharp black nickel hook, the jig is now available at retailers and Baits.com.

Roboworm has launched the Robo Minnow, a 4.5" minnow bait featuring the brand's proprietary robotic hand-pour process for consistency and realism. Pro angler Robert Gee highlights its deep-keeled belly and secondary fluttering action, available in six-packs at Baits.com.

Buckeye Lures has launched the Propwash, an innovative topwater spinnerbait featuring an oversized blade designed to raise bass from depths. According to GSM Fishing Senior VP Crispin Powley, the lure produces a unique sound and is adaptable to various retrieves and cover types. The Propwash will be available this Fall at retailers and on Baits.com.

Northland Tackle, part of GSM Outdoors, introduces three Hardwater Hub House models for ice anglers this season. Available in insulated and non-insulated 300 sizes and a 600 size, the hub houses offer quick setup and comfort for 2-6 people. Products are available at retailers and Baits.com.

Bucca Brand, under GSM Outdoors, has unveiled the El Toro, a 1.5 oz, 7" jerkbait designed to target large bass. According to Jack Dice, Product Development Manager at GSM Fishing, the lure combines erratic darting action with unprecedented size. The El Toro is available in six colors this winter at retailers and on Baits.com.

Yamamoto has launched the Uni Max, a 24mm urchin-style fishing bait featuring a TPE formula designed for superior water displacement and big bites. Yamamoto pro Jake Lawrence praises the bait's movement and durability, noting it performs well with various hook styles and remains in an outstretched position during action.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions on its Wheatland County properties, including Haymaker Wildlife Management Area, Selkirk Fishing Access Site, Deadman's Basin FAS, Harlowton FAS, and Martinsdale Reservoir FAS, effective July 16, 2026. Campfires are prohibited, and cooking is limited to liquid petroleum gas or propane stoves.

MidwayUSA promoted Sam Price to Marketing Manager after 12 years with the company. Price will lead digital marketing analysts overseeing customer relationship, advertising, public relations, social media, and SEO processes. VP Marketing Ryan Cokerham praised Price's dedication and industry expertise.

The NSSF invites legal professionals to its second annual Legal Symposium on October 6–7 in Washington, D.C. The event features panels on Supreme Court decisions, FFL hiring practices, state firearm responsibility laws, product liability prevention, ATF regulatory reforms, and IP portfolio management, with an evening reception and full day of presentations.

We Buy Guns released its June 2026 Secondary Firearms Market Report showing 1,793 firearm offers totaling $977,332 and 609 completed purchases. Handguns dominated at 62.4% of submissions, with Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, Glock, and Ruger leading manufacturers, while the SIG Sauer P320 led individual model activity.

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) raised $18,000 for Project ChildSafe through an auction at its annual board meetings, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Project ChildSafe, the nation's most comprehensive firearm safety program, has distributed over 42 million free safety kits since its 1999 launch.

ZeroTech Optics has released the Vengeance 1-6x24 LPVO in Flat Dark Earth finish, featuring a 1-6x magnification range with illuminated RAR reticle and second focal plane design. The scope is designed for hunters, recreational shooters, and modern sporting rifle owners seeking fast target acquisition and precision at extended distances.

Safari Club International commends the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for a new rule granting Western states greater authority to manage expanding grizzly bear populations. The rule uses Section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act to provide states management tools addressing human-bear conflicts while maintaining conservation success.

Wildlife Forever and Major League Fishing provided 150 rods and reels to support the 38th annual Antler Down Cares Youth and Families Trout Fishing Derby on the Little Red River near Heber Springs, Arkansas. Participants 15 and younger received free rod-and-reel combos, with the winning catch being a 17-inch rainbow trout.

Range USA President Tom Willingham discusses the brand's origin story and mission of safe, responsible gun ownership in a new interview. The nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, with 50 locations and 300 certified instructors, emphasizes its customer-first approach and commitment to firearm safety education.

The Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees will hold its third quarterly meeting on August 6 at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge. The meeting will feature updates on program activities and tract assessments, with opportunities for public comment and land nominations.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled multiple August events including birding programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Nature at Nightfall at Platte River State Park, a family event with Glacial Till Vineyard & Winery, kayak cleanup at Zorinsky Lake, virtual science webinars, a Fossil Discovery Workshop with the University of Nebraska State Museum, and Becoming an Outdoors-Woman birding activities.

Outdoor Sportsman Group launched "Whitetail 201," a 10-episode educational video series presented by LaCrosse and featuring partners Browning, Millennium, Spypoint, Bowtech, and Excalibur. Hosted by Colton Bagnoli and Jace Bauserman, the series expands on "Whitetail 101" to help deer hunters improve their skills and knowledge.

The U.S. Geological Survey and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will conduct grizzly bear capture operations in the Madison Range from July 20 through August 28. The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team will use pre-baiting and scientific capture methods to monitor the Yellowstone Ecosystem population under the Endangered Species Act, with warning signs marking all active work areas.

In the past, a fish with common in its name has been practically non-existent in Alabama’s coastal waters. However, anglers are increasingly encountering the common snook along Alabama’s beautiful coast, quite a distance from its traditional range in south Florida.

As Alabama anglers started hooking these fish with a large mouth and long lateral line, Dr. Charlie Martin of the University of South Alabama (USA) and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) took interest and wanted to document the fish’s relative abundance in Alabama waters.

“The historic range was just north of Tampa to the south on the Gulf side,” said Martin, a north Alabama native. “I started on the staff at the University of Florida in 2016 working around Cedar Key. We started catching snook there, big ones, and I wrote a paper on that. I got my Ph.D. at the University of South Alabama and Dr. (Sean) Powers recruited me to come back to Alabama.

“Then all of a sudden, there’s all these reports of snook showing up in coastal Alabama. I followed the snook all the way to the northern Gulf. We’ve had reports in the Florida Panhandle, and we’ve had some reports from Mississippi. Of course, if you catch them at Dauphin Island, it’s not that far to Mississippi.”

Martin said anglers have reported more than 150 snook hooked in Alabama waters, which he thinks is a low estimate.

“That’s quite a bit, but that’s just what gets reported,” he said. “There’s likely way more that don’t get reported.

“There’s a lot of excitement around it, and a lot of the fishing guides are really excited.”

Kevin Anson, Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD), said it’s not that unusual for species that inhabit more tropical waters to find their way to Alabama.

“From time to time we have captured bonefish, considered more of a fish from tropical waters, and its occurrence usually coincided with periods of time when we’ve had warm winters for two or three winters in a row,” Anson said. “African pompano have been caught more frequently than in the past. We have some increase in species not routinely caught off Alabama in the most recent time period of 50 or so years.

“We will certainly be interested in any information on snook that Charlie and his staff and students are gathering. We just don’t have a lot of data. The state of Florida has done a lot of research, and that’s where we’ve gone to try to understand its biology and life cycle. That is what we’ve been using so far, but our habitat is significantly different than the habitat where most of the research has been conducted. There may be differences in age and growth and reproduction in the northern Gulf. It will take a while to build up a good body of that research, but we’re appreciative of any research they (USA) can do for that species."

Adam Rhodes of Elberta currently holds the state record for snook at 13.7 pounds, caught in February this year. A 72.6-pound snook was caught earlier this year off the coast of Costa Rica.

Martin said snook are particularly sensitive to water temperatures, which is why they are just now showing up off Alabama.

“At 10C (centigrade, 50 degrees Fahrenheit), they are not going to hang around,” Martin said. “Or if they are around, they’re going to find some warm water, some thermal refuges. What we’re finding, we think, is that some of these coastal rivers have deep spots where the water is stratified. The cold water will be on top and the more insulated water down deep, where they can survive one or two weeks of cold.

“Snook are a real interesting fish. Globally, that family of fish is more of a river species than a marine fish. The common snook we have here is kind of an outlier. We think of them as saltwater fish, but they can survive in full freshwater. When I was in Florida, we had snook reports coming from all the way up to the Okefenokee Swamp. In salinity tolerance, snook are more tolerant of freshwater than even redfish.”

Another surprise for Martin came after the epic winter storm that dumped 8 to 10 inches of snow on coastal Alabama in January 2025.

“We found that snook were still around after that cold weather we had in January last year,” he said. “That was a lot of snow. I never expected to see that in my lifetime. But, the next month, we took the electrofishing boat out and shocked snook in Weeks Bay and its tributaries. We get reports from all over our coastal waters, like Fowl River and Fish River. The highest concentration seems to be in Baldwin County around the Perdido Bay area.

“We don’t know if the range will continue expanding. We’ll see. Only time will tell, but with the all the snow we had last year, if that doesn’t kill snook, what will?”

Martin said the snook’s range is also increasing to other areas, like South Carolina, the Texas Gulf Coast and the east coast of Florida.

Martin and his team are doing extensive research, including tagging some snook with acoustic tags.

“Of course, we’re documenting their presence,” he said. “We also want to know where they go in the wintertime, those thermal refuges. They are probably like a manatee. Manatees have to find that warm water, so they could be in the same places. We’re tagging some fish to get movement patterns.

“Eventually, we want to start looking at what kind of impact they have because these are voracious predators. They’re a lot of fun to catch, and they eat just about everything. They have a big mouth, like a largemouth bass, and some people fish for them the same way. They like getting in structure with their head poking out, ready to ambush any kind of prey.”

Martin is asking all Alabama anglers who encounter snook to report those catches to hookedasnook@gmail.com or cmartin@disl.org or zhendrickson@disl.org. Martin is asking anglers to report approximate date of catch, general location, a size estimate and/or a photo.

Although not yet a regular catch, MRD established a size and bag limit for snook of a one-fish daily bag and 28-inch minimum total length.

“This was a preemptive way to regulate a fish, albeit a limited number of fish, compared to other traditional species here,” Anson said. “It was to make sure there wasn’t too much harvest as it appears to be establishing itself in this part of the Gulf.”

– David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources