TUO announces the Folcrum Hoodie, available summer 2026, featuring a 249g grid-fleece lining with Polygiene StayFresh™ and OdorCrunch™ odor-control technologies. The versatile hoodie includes an ergonomic 3-piece hood with built-in facemask, multiple pockets, and functions as both a standalone layer and midlayer for outdoor and everyday wear.

April is an ideal month to view sage-grouse on their leks in Wyoming. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, led by sage grouse biologist Nyssa Whitford, launched a Sage-Grouse Lek Viewing Guide to direct visitors to publicly-accessible locations and provides guidelines for responsible wildlife observation.

Federal Ammunition team member Cory Kruse won the Super Sporting event at the NSCA-sanctioned Browning Briley tournament in Houston, besting over 370 competitors. Kruse also placed in FITASC, Federal Prelim Sporting, and 5-Stand events, while teammate Jonathan Prince finished second in Prelim Sporting and third in FITASC.

Hornady shooter Lauryl Akenhead won Top Production honors at the Koenig-Ruger Precision Rifle Competition in Grand Junction, Colorado, using Hornady 6mm 110 gr. A-Tip Match bullets in her 6mm Creedmoor for consistent accuracy.

Brandon Powell and Madison Sharpe won Main Event Championships at the 2026 Browning Briley, with over 600 shooters competing at Greater Houston Sports Club. Powell scored 196 in the men's event while Sharpe claimed victory in the women's division, both competing for Team Remington.

Utah's Conservation Permit Program raised $6.5 million for 87 wildlife and habitat restoration projects during an April 1 funding meeting. Twelve conservation groups, including the Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Safari Club International, funded projects that will improve 132,000 acres of wildlife habitat across Utah's national forests and watersheds.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is accepting paintings for its 2027 Working Together for Wildlife Art Contest, featuring Pennsylvania shorebirds, with entries due July 31, 2026. The winning artist receives $5,000 plus 25 artist proof prints, with additional cash awards for second through fifth place finishers.

Wyoming Game and Fish will announce winners of the 43rd annual Conservation Stamp Art Show on April 24 at 5:30 p.m., featuring Arctic grayling as the 2027 contest species. The virtual event, broadcast on the Game and Fish YouTube channel and sponsored by the WYldlife Fund, will award $3,500 to the adult winner and include a People's Choice Award vote.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for summary judgment in Morris v. Savannah, challenging a City of Savannah firearm storage ordinance. FPC member Deacon Morris and attorney John R. Monroe of John Monroe Law, P.C. seek to affirm Georgia's firearm preemption law and block local gun control measures.

California filed opposition to Knife Rights' petition for rehearing en banc regarding a switchblade ban case. The state relied on procedural arguments rather than defending the law's merits under Second Amendment precedent established in Heller and Bruen, according to Knife Rights' analysis of the response.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department, in partnership with Gov. Mark Gordon and the Wyoming Sportsmen's Group, will host the 2026 Sportsperson's Conservation Forum June 26 at CAM-PLEX in Gillette. The full-day event features panels on mule deer conservation, public engagement, policy making, landowner partnerships, public access, and wildland fire recovery, with tickets available for $25.

The Gulf Council met in Mobile, Alabama in April 2026, taking final action on lane snapper catch limit increases and red grouper quota provisions. The Council also honored Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers Kyle Yurewitch and Matthew Rubenstein as the 2025 Law Enforcement Team of the Year and addressed shrimp stock assessments, recreational red snapper management, and proposed NOAA shark regulation changes.

Storm damage caused a power failure at the Little Manistee River Weir in Michigan, resulting in the loss of steelhead fish held for egg collection. The facility's main power, backup power, and notification system were damaged. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, led by Randy Claramunt, is working to collect eggs from remaining live fish to meet the 4.6 million egg quota for steelhead stocking.

The Go Fishing Fest on May 16 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area offers participants the chance to learn fishing, fly-fishing, bowfishing, and kayak fishing with help from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The free event features Community Fishing Trailers, equipment availability, and educational sessions on fisheries management and aquatic invasive species.

Austin Tomasek won Stop 1 of the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's National Walleye Tour on Lake Erie with 86 lb. 9 oz., earning a Ranger 620FS PRO boat and $15,000. Dylan Nussbaum finished second with a massive comeback, and David Yoder claimed the co-angler title with 78 lb. 1 oz.

Whitetails Unlimited granted $442,384 to over 150 organizations in Ohio for outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting preservation. Funds supported the Preserving the Hunting Tradition program and shooting sports groups including NASP, 4-H shooting sports, and clay target teams.

Colt has appointed Jillair Kubish as President and Chief Executive Officer effective April 1, 2026. Kubish brings over 20 years of firearms industry experience, including a decade at Colt in senior leadership roles overseeing Military and Law Enforcement programs, plus prior U.S. Government service and consulting expertise.

AmbassadorTrack unveiled its Shopping Cart Integration feature, enabling brand ambassadors to access exclusive discounts automatically while maintaining unique trackable discount codes for their audiences. The platform, founded by Graham Johnston, streamlines ambassador management across Shopify, WooCommerce, Big Commerce, and Magento.

Lesser celandine (Ficaria verna), an invasive spring ephemeral plant, is spreading across the Upper Midwest. The Midwest Invasive Plant Network, Michigan Lesser Celandine Coalition, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources are coordinating monitoring and management efforts. Community members are encouraged to report sightings via the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

HeadHunters NW has been exclusively retained by Heckler & Koch USA to conduct a confidential national search for a National Sales Manager — Commercial. The role offers autonomy and accountability leading H&K USA's growing commercial sales operations from Columbus, Georgia, across distribution and premium dealer networks.

Atrius Development Group has joined the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) as a Gold-level corporate partner. The firearm accessory manufacturer, known for its Forced Reset Selector for AR-15 platforms, supports SAF's legal advocacy work defending Second Amendment rights.

Daniel Defense announces the release of the Null9Ti suppressor, a 3D-printed titanium solution engineered for pistol caliber carbines. The ultra-lightweight suppressor weighs 4.4 ounces and delivers over 75% noise reduction compared to bare muzzle, now available through local dealers.

HOWA's new 25 Creedmoor rifles are now available through Legacy Sports International in 1500 barreled actions with 22" and 24" barrel options. The cartridge, dubbed the Triple Threat, serves varmint hunting, deer hunting, and precision shooting applications with ballistic performance comparable to the 6.5 Creedmoor.

Kinetic Development Group is advancing its optic mount development efforts guided by feedback from dealers and professional users. The company's SideLok series flagship platform continues to evolve to support diverse modern rifle configurations and optic setups, with new product development progressing beyond conceptual stages.

Hi Mountain Seasonings celebrates 35 years with a limited-edition anniversary bundle featuring seven fan-favorite products priced at $83.99, offering 16% savings. The bundle includes rubs, jerky cure kits, and bacon cure, complemented by a free 15-recipe collection available at himtnjerky.com.

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced the release of the Bodyguard 38 2.0, a compact .38 S&W Special +P revolver designed for personal protection. The 5-shot revolver features a 1.875" stainless-steel barrel, ambidextrous cylinder release, and is available with an optional Crimson Trace red laser at MSRPs of $449.00 and $549.00 respectively.

Daniel Defense announces the launch of the MUTE30Ti, a 3D-printed titanium suppressor engineered for precision bolt-action rifles. Weighing 8.3 ounces with a 1.55-inch diameter, the suppressor features a low-flow design, integral flash hider, and HUB mounting compatibility, backed by a lifetime warranty.

Wilson Combat announces the return of the Sentinel, its smallest 1911 platform, now joined by the all-new Sentinel XL. Both pistols feature hand-fit construction in Berryville, Arkansas, with the Sentinel XL offering a lighter aluminum frame and longer sight radius, available in 9mm or .38 Super.

Magpul announced three new M-LOK products: an Index Stop, Thumb Shelf, and SVG Grip designed to improve firearm control. All accessories are ambidextrous, available in May in multiple colors, and constructed from durable proprietary polymer with mil-spec hardware included.

Taurus introduces the Deputy Dual Cylinder, a single-action revolver featuring dual cylinders in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and 9mm with six-round capacity. The revolver combines classic Old West styling with modern interchangeable cylinder technology, allowing shooters to transition between three caliber options for recreational shooting and trail carry.

Springfield Armory is launching the Model 2020 Gear Up promotion, offering purchasers of select new Model 2020 rifles a free XD-M Elite 10mm pistol worth $674. The program runs from April 15 through August 31, 2026, and includes an online redemption process with dealer delivery.

Redding Reloading Equipment will exhibit at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, TX from April 17-19, 2026, at booth #3113. The company will showcase presses, dies, case preparation equipment, and other ammunition reloading products, with technical staff available to discuss features and connect with reloaders and enthusiasts.

EchoCore Suppressors will exhibit at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 16–19, alongside Silencer Shop at booth #3643. The company will showcase its premium suppressor lineup, including the award-winning Sector 5.56 models and the newly released Topo 22 rimfire suppressor.

MTM Case-Gard, a family-owned company since 1968, showcases its latest American-made storage and transport solutions at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas. New products include the Suppressor Protector 2, 250th Multi-Can Ammo Crates, Emergency Boxes, Chronograph Case, Pistol Range Kit, Molle Panels, and Truck Underseat Gear Crate at booth #2107.

Walther Arms will showcase its PDP platform and lineup at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas, April 16–19. The Fort Smith, Arkansas-based company will demonstrate its striker-fired pistols designed for personal defense, competition, and duty use.

CNC Firearms will debut limited edition custom firearms at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, including a collaboration to revive a rare historic design. The company's Kimber 1911 "Folds of Honor" .45 ACP partnership with Folds of Honor, endorsed by John Rich, will donate all net proceeds to support military families.

Kinetic Development Group will exhibit at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas (April 17-19) at Booth #913, showcasing its SideLok optic mount series, Kinect quick-detach M-LOK system, and firearm accessories. Exclusive show specials will be available to attendees and KDG newsletter subscribers.

Jaguar Silencers will exhibit at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits 2026 in Houston from April 17-19, showcasing three new suppressor systems: the CAF556H Fatty Series 5.56, NANO 9mm, and CAM762 MAX Series 7.62, all featuring the company's proprietary Intermittent-Flow Technology.

AirForce Airguns has been named Title Sponsor of the Big Bore Slug Challenge at the 2026 Rocky Mountain Airgun Challenge (RMAC), hosted by Utah Airguns at Garth Killpack Shooting Range in Springville, Utah, June 23–28, 2026. The event will feature steel targets out to 600 yards showcasing AirForce's Texan® and Tex-Rex® platforms, with Rapid Air Worx also participating as a Gold Sponsor.

TrueTimber will serve as the official camouflage sponsor for the 2026 Kansas One Shot Turkey Hunt in El Dorado, Kansas on April 16-18. Event attendees, including TrueTimber team members and ambassador Rob Keck, will receive TrueTimber turkey hunting apparel. The hunt honors the vision of former Governor Mike Hayden and former El Dorado Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Marv McCown.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife is seeking volunteers for a spring cleanup on May 16 at Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake. Education Specialist Hannah Lafont invites community members, scout groups, and student clubs to help with repairs, construction, landscaping, and maintenance to prepare the camps for the 2026 season.

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) released an updated State Nutrient Reduction Strategy to improve water quality and reduce nutrient runoff. The strategy, guided by the Indiana Conservation Partnership, documents conservation efforts and progress on soil health practices across Indiana.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission will hold its next meeting April 21-22 in Riverton at the Holiday Inn. The public is invited to attend in-person or via ZOOM, with opportunities to address the Commission. Season-setting recommendations will be reviewed on April 22.

Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area and Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area have been added to Nebraska Game and Parks' camping reservation system. Starting April 20, guests can reserve 50% of campsites at both parks for arrivals beginning May 1 through OutdoorNebraska.gov or by calling 1-844-NEPARKS.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a free bear safety workshop on April 20 in Bozeman, offering hands-on practice with inert bear spray, lectures on bear biology, and displays including grizzly and black bear mounts. Participants can practice using bear spray in a simulated charging bear demonstration, weather permitting.

Arkansas black bears are emerging from dens this spring to find new territories. Spencer Daniels, AGFC Bear Program coordinator, advises securing trash cans, removing wildlife feeders, and cleaning grills to prevent nuisance encounters. Making noise and maintaining distance typically encourages bears to move on.

Everything else is digital—but baitcasting reels have been living in an analog world. That appears to be changing now with at least two well-known reel builders offering reasonably-priced digital cast control models that promise to do away with the biggest reason spinning reels sell so well—backlashes.

Of course, a skilled angler with an educated thumb can take an old Ambassadeur 5000 and fire a quarter-ounce lure through a donut at 100 feet with never a thought of over-runs, but for us mortals anything that reduces backlash, especially with lighter lures, is big news.

Digital baitcasting reels have been inching into the mainstream for several years, mostly on the promise of fewer backlashes and smoother casts.

Until recently, that promise came with a trade-off.

The electronics helped control the spool, but often at the cost of distance, feel, or flexibility. For anglers who already knew how to cast, digital control sometimes felt like a governor rather than an advantage.

The best-known systems come from Shimano, whose DC (Digital Control) reels have been around since 2018. They use a microcomputer to monitor spool speed thousands of times per second and apply braking as needed, per the company.

Models like the SLX DC, Curado DC, and Metanium DC have become familiar sights on bassboat decks. Prices range from roughly $220 for an SLX DC to more than $500 for a Metanium DC, putting them in competition with high-end mechanical reels.

Shimano’s DC’s read what’s happening as the spool spins and step in to keep things predictable. That’s a real benefit when throwing lighter lures, changing baits frequently, or dealing with wind. It’s also why DC reels have developed a reputation as “confidence reels”—especially for anglers who want to spend more time casting and less time picking out overruns.

What they haven’t been known for is raw distance. The braking systems—as with most other braking designs—cut casting distance. Good casters can turn them down to the point that they don’t—but then, what’s the point of having the digital feature?

That’s where Abu Garcia’s new Revo X VoltiQ and Revo SX VoltiQ reels, about to be released, hope to find traction as the company’s first digital cast control platforms. Abu says that instead of applying steady resistance throughout the cast, VoltiQ adjusts braking dynamically as spool speed changes, using software designed to manage acceleration and deceleration differently depending on the selected setting.

At the center of the Abu system is a 10-setting digital brake. The lower end of that range—settings 1 through 3—effectively backs off braking during spool acceleration, then applies it sparingly as the lure slows, per the company. Abu Garcia refers to this as “Pro Mode,” and the idea is straightforward: let skilled casters access the kind of long, aggressive casts that digital reels have traditionally muted. There’s still a bit of finesse to prevent good casters from making bad casts at the lower settings—but this reel will most likely be helpful to us ham-and-eggers who are still feeling guilty about how often we put down the baitcaster and pick up the spinning rod because of the frequency of backlashes.

Settings 4 through 6 are said to apply braking more evenly throughout the cast, landing in a middle ground the company says will feel familiar to anglers used to traditional digital systems. The higher settings increase braking during both acceleration and deceleration, aimed at windy conditions, air-resistant baits, or heavier line where control matters more than distance. Setting 10 applies maximum braking across the entire cast. The one I’ll use when throwing anywhere but straight downwind, I’d guess.

But the company notes that VoltiQ is built to get out of the way when conditions and technique allow. That’s a meaningful distinction for experienced anglers who’ve avoided digital reels because they felt capped. Theoretically you get the range of a conventional baitcaster but not the backlash potential.

The system is also self-powered, requiring no batteries, and the brake unit is fully sealed and IPX-8 rated for submersion and saltwater exposure. That matters for longevity and peace of mind, especially for anglers wary of electronics near spray, rain, or rinse hoses.

Pricing places the VoltiQ reels directly into the heart of the digital market. The Revo X VoltiQ lists at $199.95, undercutting many DC reels, while the Revo SX VoltiQ comes in at $249.95 with upgraded bearings and frame materials. They’ll be showing up in tackle shops and online later this month, per Abu.

The company is hosting a hands-on intro soon, and we’ll have further details on the reels then.

– Frank Sargeant
Frankmako1@gmail.com