ALPS OutdoorZ introduces two new pieces to its Evolution Merino Wool series: the 150 Hoodie and 250 Bottoms. Both garments feature Woolmark-certified merino wool designed for superior breathability, moisture management, and odor elimination for outdoor adventures.

NOMAD's Ambush collection features a camo button-down and pants designed for early whitetail season with 4-way stretch, laser perforated venting, and moisture-wicking technology. The lightweight, breathable gear provides comfort and mobility for hunters in challenging terrain and all-day stand sits.

Whitewater Fishing introduced the upgraded TORQUE 7.4V Heated Vest, featuring a 7.4V platform with two additional lower-back heating elements, 80g Sorona® Aura insulation, and three adjustable heat settings. The vest is now officially in stock and shipping at an MSRP of $229.99.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) presented its 2026 Golden Bowtie Award to Don Kilmer, a constitutional law litigator and Second Amendment advocate with over 25 years of experience. Kilmer, who has represented SAF in numerous cases and co-authored a law school casebook on firearms law, was honored for his significant contributions to the organization's mission.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) announced finalists for the 2026 Appreciation Awards recognizing top manufacturers including Glock, Ruger, SIG SAUER, Hornady, and others for their commitment to two-step distribution. Winners will be announced at the NASGW Annual Appreciation Reception and Dinner on October 12 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting two free sandhill crane viewing events on October 10 in the Uintah Basin. DWR Northeastern Region Outreach Manager Tonya Kieffer-Selby explains that participants can observe these 4-foot-tall migratory birds during auto tours near Jensen and at Pelican Lake and Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boat collision on the St. Joseph River in Elkhart County where a moving boat struck a stationary vessel, ejecting a juvenile passenger. Three individuals were transported to Elkhart General Hospital, and the operator of the moving boat left the scene before contacting 911.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reminds hunters that using deer lures containing deer urine or bodily fluids is banned to prevent Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) transmission. CWD is a fatal disease spread through prions in urine, and Vermont's deer biologist Nick Fortin urges hunters to use legal synthetic alternatives instead.

Gavin Carrizales of Scottsbluff won his fifth Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational championship on September 26, hitting 39 of 40 targets and surviving a shoot-off against Tristan Connell. The Wayne County Sharp Shooters No. 1 team won the high overall team award with 140 of 160 targets.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed a federal lawsuit challenging Colorado and Denver laws that deny non-residents the ability to carry handguns for self-defense. The case, Hoffman v. City and County of Denver, represents FPC's continued nationwide litigation against residency-based carry restrictions, following successful challenges in California, New York, and Louisiana.

Game Warden K9 Lucy and Game Warden Dory Kulis located missing Montville resident Michael McCoy early morning on 9/28/2026 in a wooded area near his home. McCoy, who left on foot with two dogs the previous evening, was found uninjured with one dog after heavy rain and wind. Maine State Police assisted in the search effort.

The Gulf Council will host a Law Enforcement Technical Committee meeting on October 14, 2026, in Miramar Beach, Florida, in conjunction with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. The committee will discuss hook limitations on commercial longline vessels, crew size restrictions, and joint enforcement activities between state and federal partners.

Jason Koontz of Frederick earned the 35th Master Angler Milestone Award from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources' FishMaryland program by catching 10 trophy-sized fish of different species, including a blue shark, striped bass, and smallmouth bass from the Monocacy River.

A free Hunter Education field day for online students ages 12-17 will be held at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area in Miles City on October 9 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants must demonstrate firearm safety proficiency using inert firearms to complete their certification before hunting season.

Silencer Central founder and CEO Brandon Maddox has doubled his commitment to NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC to $50,000 with a second $25,000 contribution, matching the company's 2024 support level and demonstrating confidence in the PAC's mission to elect candidates who will protect Second Amendment rights.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department urges the public to watch for New World screwworm after a horse in Grant County, New Mexico tested positive on September 17, 2026. The USDA, New Mexico Livestock Board, and New Mexico Department of Agriculture are investigating. Early reporting of suspected cases to AZGFD at 623-236-7201 or the Arizona Department of Agriculture is critical for protecting wildlife and livestock.

National Hunting and Fishing Day on September 26, 2026, celebrated America's 250th anniversary and the conservation contributions of sportsmen and women. The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation secured a presidential proclamation from President Donald Trump, 45 gubernatorial proclamations, and other recognitions highlighting hunting, fishing, and outdoor sports' importance to conservation and local economies.

Sightmark has launched two new Solitude HD spotting scope models: the 9-27x56 Micro designed for portability at 21.6 ounces, and the 15-45x65 Compact offering greater magnification and light-gathering capability. Both feature fully multi-coated glass, digiscoping-optimized eyepieces, and field-ready construction with nitrogen-purged, fogproof systems.

Sturm, Ruger & Co. has contributed over $1 million to MidwayUSA Foundation, supporting youth shooting sports programs nationwide. Every dollar raised has been matched by MidwayUSA Foundation, creating endowed funds for teams to receive sustainable annual grants for generations to come.

Savage Arms donated five limited-production Axis 2 Pro 250th Edition rifles to the International Hunter Education Association–USA to support hunter education nationwide. The first rifle will be offered through a raffle beginning October 1, with proceeds supporting programs, instructors, and educational initiatives across the country.

Whitetails Unlimited offers complimentary Whitetail Watch signs and decals as part of an anti-poaching initiative to improve hunter/landowner relations. PVC signs measure 11.25 inches and feature red and black printing, with matching 3.5-inch decals also available for nationwide use.

Franklin Armory announced Rabbit Rounds™, a patent-pending multi-projectile cartridge featuring four spin-stabilized projectiles designed for AR-style rifles. Available in 5.56x45mm, the ammunition achieves 3,150 feet-per-second muzzle velocity and maintains effective patterns beyond 40 yards for hunting smaller game.

Summit Treestands released a new 72" Climber Armpad in Mossy Oak® Original Bottomland® featuring full-length coverage, one-piece construction, and durable 50D Brushed Tricot fabric. Available now for $44.99 at Summitstands.com, the armpad offers hunters improved comfort and concealment for all-day sits.

Liberty Ammunition announced that Galveston County District Attorney's Office has adopted Liberty Ammunition Pro Series. CEO Gary Ramey stated the department sought ammunition with greater stopping power and lighter weight, which Liberty Ammunition's Pro Series provides while meeting FBI protocols.

Meprolight USA is relaunching its "Buy an Optic, Get a Can" suppressor rebate promotion from October 1 through December 31, 2026. Customers purchasing qualifying Meprolight optics receive a rebate card for a free Backdraft Suppressors Hunter suppressor valued at $189.99.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks proposes expanding public recreational shooting opportunities at Glasgow Shooting Range through a lease agreement with the City of Glasgow. The project includes improvements to existing rifle and archery ranges and long-term facility management. Public comments are accepted through October 23, 2026.

Colt will support the Colt Collectors Association's 2026 All Colt Show and Auction in Noblesville, Indiana, October 1–4. CEO Jillair Kubish will attend, emphasizing Colt's commitment to supporting collectors who preserve firearms history and the stories behind them.

Blue Force Gear will exhibit at SHOP Show 2026 on October 6 in Raeford, North Carolina, showcasing the Micro Trauma Kit NOW! and Nano ES medical equipment solutions designed for rapid access and compact carry.

Mark 7 Reloading is sponsoring the 2026 US IPSC Nationals, organized by the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA), taking place October 1-4 at Greater Pittsburgh Gun Club in Pennsylvania. Tom Carlson and Conor Craig will represent Mark 7 at the event featuring 21 dynamic competitive shooting stages.

Boyt Harness Company and Mud River have become national sponsors of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever in a three-year partnership supporting upland habitat conservation. The collaboration includes gold sponsorship at National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic, video projects, and chapter banquet programs reaching over 350,000 people annually.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on a proposed Hannah Ranch conservation easement to protect 3,652 acres of wildlife habitat and provide public access. The 99-year easement will be considered by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission at its October 14 virtual meeting, with comments due by October 9.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks seeks public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including prescribed fire projects at Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area, Travelers' Rest State Park improvements, Smith River boat camp restoration, bass removal at Sacajawea Lagoon, Baker Lake fish transfer operations, Hannah Ranch conservation easement, Glasgow Shooting Range development, and Stream Protection Act permitting through October 23.

Lake Lurleen State Park, located 15 miles from Tuscaloosa, offers football fans a full weekend getaway experience with upgraded campground facilities, new bathhouses, and recreational amenities. Park Manager Dee White and Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps highlight the park's 67-site campground improvements and 23 miles of multi-use trails, inviting visitors to extend their game day experience.

Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo continues its free "Trekker Kids" program series every Saturday in October at 11 a.m., featuring interactive activities like Living with Fire, Wild with Wolves, Candle Making, and Animal Wonders. Contact Luke Crews at 406-273-4253 for more information.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is seeking public feedback through November 1 on new management plans for Van Riper State Park in Champion and the 120-acre Michigan Iron Industry Museum property in Negaunee. Online surveys are available to help inform draft general management plans for these popular Upper Peninsula locations in Marquette County.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is seeking volunteers for a post-season cave cleaning on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will remove lint and dust from cave formations, clean algae, and repair trails. Interested participants should RSVP by emailing Lewis&ClarkCavernsStatePark@mt.gov by Friday, Oct. 2.

The Maryland DNR warns residents that black bears are increasing feeding activity in preparation for winter hibernation, consuming over 20,000 calories daily. Residents should remove food attractants and delay filling bird feeders to prevent human-bear conflicts and keep bears wild.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks removed 14 black bears from a Bozeman-area residence in late September after finding them heavily food-conditioned and habituated to humans due to alleged supplemental feeding. Game Warden Captain Josh Leonard stated the bears posed human safety risks and were humanely euthanized, with one cub sent to FWP's Montana WILD facility.

Northeast Alabama’s 69,000-acre Lake Guntersville is the quintessential bass tournament lake, and has been for many years. Many local businesses, including a half-dozen major tackle shops, boat dealerships, marinas, restaurants and accommodation rentals, have been built on the weekly comings and goings of tournament competition.

The headquarters of Bassmaster, the big daddy of them all, is just down the road in Birmingham, and the major domo of Major League Fishing, Boyd Duckett, lives on the shores of G’ville. Many well-known pros live either on the lake or just minutes away, and all these folks are pillars of the community. The widely-known and respected Alabama Bass Trail stops here every year.

But last weekend’s tournament crunch has many local anglers questioning if we are finally seeing too much of a good thing.

Four major tournaments hit the lake at once, putting literally hundreds of boats on the water running 70 mph at the crack of dawn from Friday through Sunday. And the majority were also here for a practice day or two prior.

Many of these visiting anglers were in a very big hurry to get to distant spots, and did so by taking the shortest route to their hopeful hotspots, even if that meant passing too close to the many pontoon boats, cruisers and ski boats on the lake at the same time.

There were also a hopefully small minority of tournament anglers who felt that, since they were fishing for money, they had more right to the known hotspots than did locals, and proceeded to push to within casting range of other boats. Not surprisingly, the local folks were not impressed.

One of the events left a much larger than usual number of dead bass floating near its Brown’s Creek weigh-in site, stirring the ire of many resident fishermen.

While up to 10 percent of bass frequently die in summer and fall as a result of weigh-in-type tournaments, in which they rattle around in the livewell of a mile-a-minute boat for hours before being bagged, carried to the weigh-in and flopped into the weigh-in basket, it’s unusual for larger numbers to die—and particularly for them to be left floating near the weigh-in site.

To be sure, every angler out there has the state-rule right to harvest 10 of these bass a day over 15 inches long—but virtually no bass anglers do. Largemouths, smallmouths and spotted bass are seen largely as gamefish throughout the state, and almost everybody releases them, hopefully to fight again and to make more sportfish like them.

But the live-weigh-in-type tournament definitely does far more harm to local fish populations than the MLF’s catch-weigh-and-immediate release format, with electronic Bubba scales in every boat.

On the other hand, when there’s big money on the line—and there often is at Guntersville—the release format would make it easier to cheat unless there is live, continuous video from every boat.

There’s also the element of transferring fish populations from one part of the lake to another. Heavy catches by exceptionally good anglers, often using live sonar, mean thousands of fish are pulled from the prime habitat that grows them, and transported many miles away to weigh-in sites. The two primary beneficiaries of this at Guntersville are Goose Pond at Scottsboro and Sunset Drive/Brown’s Creek at the 69 Causeway in Guntersville.

Many other parts of the lake, including productive waters like Honeycomb, Siebold, Town Creek and South Sauty, have hundreds of quality fish pulled from their waters and transported to the weigh-in centers every weekend from February through November.

Tagging studies elsewhere have shown that bass transported more than a mile or two from their point of origin never make their way back. So while areas like the waters around Goose Pond become known as the “Miracle Mile” for amazing catches due to these released fish, many other parts of the lake continuously lose most of their quality fish.

This is nothing new—it’s been going on for decades, but the huge growth of tournaments in the last 10 years has turned it into a whole new factor in fishery management, and one that states like Alabama may need to address.

Some states already do—Minnesota, for example, requires tournaments to register with the state’s fishery department months in advance, and controls multiple large tournaments on the same lakes during the same weeks. Wisconsin, California, Maine, Oregon and others have similar rules.

While nobody around Guntersville wants to kill the goose that lays the golden egg—which most see as tournament fishing—the true golden egg is the fish population, and if we harm that significantly, we all lose.

– Frank Sargeant, Editor, The Water Wire