Fish Monkey launches its new Americana colorway in merino wool blend socks, available in No Show Tab and Mini Crew styles. The socks feature arch compression, moisture-wicking technology, and seamless toe construction, proudly made in the USA by one of the nation's oldest sock mills.
Darton Archery, Black Eagle Arrows, and Conquest Archery achieved dominant podium finishes across multiple divisions at the ASA Minden event in Louisiana. Notable winners included Chance Beaubouef in Men's Open Pro, Lauren Carver in Women's Pro, and Brian Stokes in Senior Masters, with the brands demonstrating strong performance across amateur and professional divisions.
Murray Road Agency has been nominated for the 2026 Best of South Carolina Awards in the Business & Creative Services category. CEO Tim Brandt highlighted the agency's commitment to delivering innovative, data-driven marketing solutions and meaningful brand storytelling for clients across multiple industries.
The Osprey Adopt-A-Nest program, a partnership between Audubon Great Lakes, the Michigan DNR, and Michigan Natural Features Inventory, invites volunteers to monitor osprey nests across Michigan. A 2024-2025 study found 56% of observed nests were built on cell towers, with over 97% on human-made structures, highlighting ospreys' remarkable adaptation.
Team Winchester and Team White Flyer achieved multiple top finishes at the 2026 World English Sporting Clays Championship in Clayton, MO, with five shooters competing on USA National Teams. Notable placements include Joe Fanizzi's 5-Stand Championship, Desi Edmunds' FITASC Lady Champion title, and Connor Daniel's FITASC Junior Champion victory.
Team Remington's Todd Hitch won the Mississippi State Sporting Clay Championships Main Event at Providence Hill in Jackson, defeating teammate Brandon Powell by three targets. Powell captured two event titles including the Super Sport and True Pair events. The championship drew 354 competitors from April 29-May 3, 2026.
Sheaffer Stanfill of Team Remington shot a perfect 500x500 to win the 30th annual Krieghoff Masters Championship at Forest City Gun Club in Savannah, Georgia. Stanfill's teammates Alessandro Vitale, Connor Thigpen, and Clay Baldwin also earned podium finishes, with Team Remington sweeping the Men's Doubles competition.
Clifford Kazanjian from Hopkinton won Best of Show in the 2026 Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp Contest with his acrylic painting "Resurfaced" depicting a red-breasted merganser. His work was selected from 78 entries and will represent Massachusetts at the National JDS Contest. The program is sponsored by MassWildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Second Amendment Foundation, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Baird v. Bonta, urging the court to strike down California's ban on open carry of firearms.
Registration is now open for the 41st Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), scheduled for September 25-27 in Dallas and co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Confirmed speakers include Jared Yanis, Joseph Greenlee, Kenyon Gleason, Shermichael Singleton, Jeff Folloder, Chris Boeck, and Fernando Nava.
Join law enforcement officers from local, county, and state departments for an evening fishing program on the Detroit River at Milliken State Park on May 13, hosted by the Outdoor Adventure Center. All equipment provided; participants 17+ need a fishing license. Preregistration required; $5 per family.
A family fishing trip makes a perfect Mother's Day celebration. Use Massachusetts' Go Fish MA interactive map to find scenic fishing locations, prepare gear in advance, purchase a fishing license as a gift, and plan extra activities like nature walks to create memorable outdoor adventures together.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary proposals for 2027-28 fishing regulations. FWP will host a public meeting in Bozeman on May 19 at 6 p.m. at their office to present proposed changes, answer questions, and collect angler feedback through May 31.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for the Josh the Otter Water Safety Grant Program from May 18 through June 18, 2026. The program supports nonprofit organizations educating children and communities about water safety and preventing childhood drowning through educational programming and resources like life jacket loaner stations.
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department reports that hunters who harvested bears during the 2025 season can now access age data for their bears on the department's website. Of 886 usable bear teeth collected, 822 bears received accurate ages through cementum analysis performed by a Montana laboratory, with the oldest female at 19 years and oldest male at 18 years.
Mike Stock, President and CEO of Hodgdon Powder Company, has been appointed to the NSSF Board of Governors. Stock brings over two decades of firearm industry leadership, including previous roles at Winchester Ammunition and service on the SAAMI Board of Directors.
VKTR Industries has acquired U.S. Patent No. 7,735,410 for the Combat Match Bolt from inventor Robert Clark. The company plans to bring the product to market in 2026, leveraging enhanced durability characteristics and improved reliability compared to standard bolt designs.
Governor Tim Walz and Wildlife Forever proclaimed May 9 as Minnesota Clean Drain Dry Day to prevent aquatic invasive species spread during fishing season. Conservation Program Manager Zach Burnside emphasized the importance of the Clean Drain Dry message, though recent budget cuts threaten county prevention programs.
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is hiring a Field Representative to cover Idaho, Utah, and Washington, managing Friends of NRA fundraising events, volunteer committees, and grant promotions across the three-state region.
The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports and IHEA-USA released PUP AI, an interactive chat tool designed to help users access information from the National R3 Clearinghouse. The tool makes recruitment, retention, and reactivation research more accessible to agencies, organizations, and professionals working to strengthen hunting and shooting sports participation.
Safari Club International (SCI) announces SCI Lobby Day 2026 on May 7, 2026, bringing members and conservationists to Capitol Hill to advocate for hunting rights, federal access, and Endangered Species Act reforms. The week includes a reception, Capitol Hill meetings, and a President's Dinner featuring U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik as keynote speaker.
NoSweat, a Minnesota-based performance headwear company, partnered with RepSpark to expand wholesale distribution of its PGA TOUR officially licensed hat liners. The partnership leverages RepSpark's B2B eCommerce platform to reach pro shops, country clubs, and golf courses nationwide with NoSweat's patented SweatLock Technology liners.
Winchester Ammunition introduces AutoBuck™, a new 12-gauge buckshot shotshell engineered for semi-automatic shotguns. Featuring #1 buckshot with 12 pellets, the load is designed for hunting, defense, and target shooting with reliable functioning across multiple shotgun types.
Safariland and Haley Strategic Partners unveiled the Incog XS, a minimalist inside-the-waistband holster designed for subcompact and micro-compact platforms. The new holster features microfiber suede-wrapped construction, passive retention, and adaptable carry positions for everyday concealed carry users.
GRITR Sports, an online gun store with a DFW, TX location, is offering select Beretta A400 Xcel target shotguns at special pricing through June 30. The shotguns feature oversized controls, Kick-Off Plus recoil reduction, and B-Link gas operating system for improved performance.
Range USA, the nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, is hosting special Lady Sure Shots women-only shooting club sessions on May 9 at all locations. Exclusive merchandise will be available, with $5 from each hat sold donated to Project ChildSafe, and new members can join for $5 their first month.
The Texas Trophy Hunters Association will host its second Hunting & Fishing Extravaganza on May 15–17 at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena, featuring hunting and fishing outfitters, gear brands, and outdoor businesses. The three-day showcase includes interactive elements for families and opportunities for attendees to connect with outfitters and plan upcoming hunts and trips.
Athlon Optics, a U.S. sports optics company based in Olathe, Kansas, will continue its partnership with Whitetails Unlimited as a National Sponsor. The company offers red dots, rifle scopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars backed by lifetime warranties, supporting Whitetails Unlimited's conservation and hunting tradition mission.
Vortex® has renewed its Silver sponsorship of the Vortex Outdoor Adventure Camps Fund with Boone and Crockett Club for 2026, supporting youth scholarships and gear for the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch programs. The partnership reinforces Vortex's commitment to fostering the next generation of conservation advocates and wildlife stewards.
Beretta and premium dealer Gray Rose announced their Silver Star sponsorship of Concert for the Heroes 2026, taking place May 8–9 in Bluffton, SC. The event features a private sporting clays range day and headline concert with Lee Brice to support veterans and first responders through OPFOB's mission.
CZ announced the addition of Brennah Gaston to its professional shooting team. Gaston, a rising star in practical shooting, earned a gold medal with Team USA at the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot and is the reigning Ladies Open National Champion. She will compete in major USPSA and IPSC matches throughout 2026 using CZ firearms.
The Arkansas Wildlife magazine's 2026-27 calendar introduces an innovative feature pairing wildlife photos with animal sounds accessible via QR codes. Graphic artist Jeanne Zaffarano developed the concept to help readers experience wildlife communication through their smartphones. Subscriptions are available at agfc.com for $12-$25.
Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commissioners accepted a $25,000 donation from the Sooner State Chapter of the Quail Coalition at their May 4 meeting. Funds will support removal of eastern redcedar and salt cedar at three wildlife management areas. Sooner State Chapter President David Thionnet reported the group raised over $100,000 at its first 2025 fundraising dinner and auction.
The Utah Geological Survey published the May 2026 issue of Survey Notes, featuring articles on green laser mapping of Great Salt Lake, new energy and minerals web applications, pozzolan as a sustainable cement alternative, Silver Reef mining history, and Utah's geology in Hollywood films.
Michigan's DNR visitor centers offer hands-on programs and family-friendly events including tours at Hartwick Pines State Park, Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery, and Saginaw Bay Visitor Center. The Outdoor Skills Academy and Becoming an Outdoors Woman program provide skill-building clinics in fishing, hunting, and seasonal activities through August.
Fly Fisherman Magazine's original film "The Shoals," directed by Ben Annibali and featuring Editor/Publisher Ross Purnell's journey to St. Brandon Atoll in search of Giant Trevally, premieres May 9 on Outdoor Channel. Supported by Patagonia, COSTA, G. Loomis, The Fly Shop, and Scientific Anglers, the film showcases one of the world's most remote and pristine fishing destinations.
World Fishing Network launches "Reel World Sundays" programming block featuring fishing adventures in Africa with shows like Hooked on Africa, Reel Africa, and Wildfly, plus culinary programs The Fishmonger with Tommy Gomes and Wild Fish Masterclass with Mike Robinson, starting at 6 p.m. ET every Sunday in May.
Massachusetts residents should watch for turtles crossing roadways from mid-May to early July as thousands travel to find food and nesting sites. Dr. Mike Jones, MassWildlife State Herpetologist, emphasizes protecting adult turtles during this vulnerable time, as losing females can lead to local population extinction. Residents should safely move turtles in their direction of travel and report busy crossing locations to MassWildlife.
When I was 10 years old, I bought my mom a tacklebox for Mother’s Day.
My mom didn’t fish.
But, she dutifully thanked me for the gift, which I had bought with money made by berry-picking at the local fruit farm.
But of course, as I deviously expected, the tacklebox was soon in my possession.
I hope that I’m a bit less self-serving in gifts bought for my family these days, but never the less it’s always a challenge to buy suitable gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and the seemingly endless round of birthdays of family and friends—particularly if they are serious anglers.
However, with ICAST now on the not-too-distant horizon a flood of new gear is crossing the transom, and some of it might just be a fit for your next gift-giving obligation—or for yourself.
For Mom, the Magellan Outdoors Caddo long-sleeve women’s fishing shirt is on sale right now for only about $15 bucks. Magellan is Academy Sports’ captive clothing brand, and they sell a lot of good stuff for cheap.
Huk Women’s Cover Up
Or for a bit more, consider the Huk Women’s Cover Up, a quick-dry, all poly pull over just the thing for heading to a waterfront restaurant after a morning on the boat or beach—it’s about $60.
For guys, the choices are much broader in the fishing/outdoors world, of course.
Jacob Wheeler Pro Jogger pant.
For guys, the Jacob Wheeler Pro Jogger pant is a winner. Super light, draw string top, water repellant and they actually look pretty cool, which is not something I can say about most of my fishing pants. They’re made of nylon and spandex for a stretchy feel, and the elastic waistband with adjustable drawstring stays in place. The company says the fabric is water resistant, which means it will keep you dry in fog or a bit of spray, but not in a downpour. I like that these pants are loaded with zipping pockets for cell phone, pliers and other stuff besides the usual wallet and side pockets. The L size roughly fits 36-38 waist, and the inseam is 29”, about right if you’re in the 5’10” range and like em low on the hips—about $45.
Shimano Torium and Rod
Shimano’s new 40-size Torium reel is mid-priced for heavy duty offshore reels at around $380, very useful for reef fish anglers who prefer conventional spool tackle, also good for big king mackerel, cobia, tarpon and other near-shore powerhouses. It matches well with their Grappler Series rods, also reasonably priced as these things go at about $300. Shimano reels are noted for dependability and for their USA repair/warranty service in South Carolina. Shimano also has a useful new Miravel Spinning Reel series with many of the features of their high-end Stradic reels at prices in the $140-$160 range—these reels are sized just right for freshwater bass and walleye as well as for seatrout, reds and back bay snook in saltwater.
Bluefin Sandal from Strike Footwear.
Fishing footwear is a whole category unto itself these days, and among the more impressive entries is the Bluefin Sandal from Strike Footwear. These things have the feel of a comfortable running shoe, but the sandal construction keeps ‘em cool and quick draining. The soles are non-slip, of course, and they’ve got a really good arch support. Price is around $100.
There are a lot of good shoe-makers out there, but Strike distinguishes itself by donating a portion of their sales to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), the official record-keeper of all sportfishing records as well as a major force in fisheries conservation.
Plano GoNow Box
There’s no such thing as too much tackle storage, but the Plano GoNow Box makes an impressive effort with a monster 8-gallon composite chest that comes stuffed with four Plano tackle boxes, a tackle tray, cutting board, two stout rod holders, gear net and assorted other stuff. The boxes are stackable, so useful for storage of your stash in the Man-Cave garage, as well, and lockable, so the kids can’t swipe your $50 wakebaits. The kit is $169.95.
The new Humminbird Xplore sonar/gps series.
If you just scored big on oil futures you might want to consider some pricier gifts, like the new Humminbird Xplore sonar/gps series, available in 9-, 10- and 12-inch diagonal screens. The series replaces the venerable Helix line in all but the smallest units, and has a lot more clarity and features, including a very crisp touch screen and available side-vu and forward scan with the appropriate transducers. And, the company is offering a discount on most units at present—the 9” model with a basic ‘ducer, normally $1499 is $1399.
To say the least, it’s all a bit of a candy story for anglers this spring, and your choices are limited only by your budget—and the chance of maybe getting your gift back for your own use.
