The Nebraska Big Game Society will hold its 15th annual meeting and auction on Feb. 26 in Lincoln, featuring a bull elk permit valid for 2026 open seasons. The organization has contributed over $1.2 million from 14 auctions to support wildlife habitat and big game conservation.
FightLite Industries earned the 2026 Action Target Safety Award at Industry Day at the Range for demonstrating the highest safety standards. Action Target, the award sponsor, recognized FightLite's commitment to hearing and eye protection, ammunition control, and safe firearm handling practices.
Vermont's Nongame Wildlife Fund, supported through state income tax checkoffs, funds conservation efforts for at-risk species including bumblebees, butterflies, mussels, and mammals. The program has successfully recovered species like common loons, ospreys, and peregrine falcons, with donations leveraging matching federal grants to maximize impact.
Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry exceeded $1 million in donations from hunting and fishing license buyers through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's online licensing system. The organization provides approximately 100,000 pounds of venison annually to food banks statewide, equaling 400,000 servings to needy Arkansans.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host an introductory hunting presentation at Billings Public Library on February 3 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. FWP staff will cover Hunter Education requirements, licensing, regulations, and permit applications. Multiple in-person Hunter Education classes are available for registration.
The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the American Suppressor Association, National Rifle Association, and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a response brief in Brown v. ATF, challenging the National Firearms Act's constitutionality following the elimination of the $200 tax provision by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife stocked over 36 million fish across eleven species at 233 locations statewide in 2025. Fish were distributed across five life stages to expand fishing opportunities for Ohio's 827,000 licensed anglers.
Michigan hunters harvested 153 elk during 2025 hunts despite challenging weather and storm damage from a March ice storm. A record 47,493 applicants competed for 260 licenses, with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources using hunting to manage the state's estimated 1,150-animal elk population centered in the Pigeon River Country State Forest.
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen & Conservationists (PFSC) is seeking a part-time Bookkeeper/Office Admin (10-20 hours/week) to manage financial records, bookkeeping practices, and administrative functions. The role requires QuickBooks experience, GAAP knowledge, and work from home flexibility with weekly mail runs to Harrisburg, PA.
Arcus Hunting announces the launch of Defend by Dead Down Wind, a new insect repellent brand featuring picaridin and permethrin formulas for protection against mosquitoes, ticks, and biting insects. The product line will be available in early spring 2026 through retailers including Quincy Farm and Home and DeadDownWind.com.
Burris Optics introduces its Rapid Engagement Design (R.E.D.), a brand-wide identifier featuring aggressive knurling, illuminated and non-illuminated reticles, and durable single-piece aluminum construction for hunting, competition, and tactical applications.
CCW Safe, founded by Mike Darter, Stan Campbell, and Kyle Sweet, is showcasing its Certified Partner Program at SHOT Show 2026. The program empowers firearms instructors, training facilities, and industry professionals with exclusive training, marketing resources, and commission opportunities to offer self-defense legal coverage to their customers.
MTM Case-Gard introduces the Crate Divider 5-8-12 (CD5812), an adjustable storage system compatible with MTM ACR5, ACR8, and ACR12 crates. The tool-free dividers organize ammo, gear, and accessories with customizable layouts, priced at $18.99 MSRP.
Gemtech, a Smith & Wesson brand, announced the release of the Nebula 5.7 Suppressor, featuring a 3D-printed titanium core optimized for 5.7x28mm ammunition. The compact suppressor weighs 9 ounces, measures 7.1 inches, and is compatible with Plan B style universal muzzle devices.
RETAY announces the Gordion Gamekeeper Edition shotgun for 2026, featuring Mossy Oak Original Bottomland and Shadow Leaf camouflage patterns. The partnership showcases RETAY's advanced inertia-driven technology with heritage aesthetics, debuting at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.
Streamlight, Inc. announced the launch of the PolyTac 1X, a compact multi-fuel tactical flashlight debuting at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. The rugged polymer light offers professional performance with multi-battery compatibility, including the Streamlight SL-B9 USB-rechargeable battery pack, CR123A lithium, and AA batteries, with MSRPs of $80.00 and $89.00.
Browning Trail Cameras introduces the Defender Pro Scout Max HD-DV, featuring instant video transmission via the Strike Force Wireless app, a foldable antenna for easier transport, and flexible month-to-month cellular plans with AT&T and Verizon coverage.
Vortex Optics introduced the Vortex Relay™ Network, a closed connectivity system for long-range shooting tools. New products include the Ace™ Ballistic Weather Meter and Talon® HD 10K Rangefinding Binocular, both featuring Vortex Relay™ connectivity and integrated GeoBallistics® Solver technology for seamless ballistic data sharing.
SK Guns, Silencer Central, Ruger, Glock and other brands are supporting the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation Forever Fund through a raffle with prizes valued over $15,000, including SK Guns' Early Italian Renaissance series produced with Springfield Armory. The deadline to enter is February 20, 2026.
Dylan Saladino, 26, of Jacksonville, Vermont won the 2025 Vermont Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Lottery, earning free hunting and fishing privileges for life. He was selected from 18,523 tickets purchased, with net sales of $37,046 supporting the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department's conservation efforts.
Outdoor Sportsman Group expanded GAME & FISH TV to Prime Video as a free, ad-supported streaming channel featuring Major League Fishing competitions, wilderness adventures, and wild game cooking content. The channel is also available on VIZIO, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung TV Plus, Plex, LocalNow, and Truth+.
A congregation of Second Amendment true believers.
It’s a trade show, for business purposes—but not everything you see and experience at SHOT Show is business. At least not business as usual. There is the lighter side, and here are a few examples that offer a glimpse for those who didn’t make it to Las Vegas.
You know you’ve arrived in Vegas during SHOT Show when the person waiting in line at the airport for their Uber has a backpack sporting a “Neighborhood Warlord” patch. According to this Eastern Shore, Maryland dealer, they’re available on Amazon.
But can you really call yourself a warlord if you’re not sporting your very own steel gladiator helmet, à la Maximus Decimus Meridius? No, you cannot.
Fortunately for you, one can be purchased for just $99.99 (MSRP). For those of you at SHOT Show, you can find Master Cutlery on the first (lower) level in booth #41132 and place your order.
Are you not entertained?
Up in the press room, the answer to that age old question was finally discovered.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? No, not that question.
Is there dairy in eggs? Well, now we know that hard-boiled eggs are dairy free.
Who knew?
One thing not in doubt, though, is that SHOT Show merch is a thing. Several attendees could be seen across the show floor making their personal fashion statements with slogans like “In Guns We Trust” and “Got Guns.”
Personally, I’d opt for the Amish Technical t-shirt from Black On Ammo Apparel (booth #43650 on the first level). Owner Shawn Menzie’s illustrations never disappoint.
Just ask Detroit Gun Works (Booth #71148 in the Caesars Forum), which had Menzie design a new t-shirt for them.
If you’re wondering, Menzie is open to collaborating with other companies. And based on the success of the Detroit Gun Works design (not shown), you might want to reach out to Black On Ammo before his dance card fills.
This next one required an official ruling.
The muzzle up presentation of the pistol display in the Black Rain Ordnance booth (#13027) is not quite a full High Sabrina—yet it’s also not not a High Sabrina. Hence the need for the ruling.
The term High Sabrina, if not coined by then, was certainly championed by Michael Bane. It references the gun-handling technique made famous by Sabrina Duncan—played by Kate Jackson—on the TV show Charlie’s Angels.
Upon further review, Bane ruled the call on the field stands: It’s a High Sabrina.
For those of you missing the reference altogether, congratulations—you’re young. And you have our deepest sympathy for never having known the joy of a Farrah Fawcett poster on the wall of your room.
Don’t feel bad for those younger attendees. Black Rifle Coffee had exactly what they needed in their promotional area just off the show floor—a tattoo artist.
Of all the things one expects to find at SHOT Show, very few had a tattoo artist on their bingo card. And yet…
And if that wasn’t enough, the Black Rifle Coffee service dog had people’s phones out as it walked around the booth. It’s the perfect dog, with the exception of the occasional accident and coming home to find a puddle of hydraulic fluid on the carpet.
Bad dog. Bad dog.
There are a lot of things Gunsite is recognized for in the training world. For the past 50 years, they’ve set the standard when it comes to teaching the way of the fighting gun.
Now, they’re just showing off.
At their 50th Anniversary press conference, they not only introduced the limited-edition 50th Anniversary guns that will be available this year, but they also managed to elevate the simple chamber flag into something much cooler.
Finally, much of the talk on the show floor centered on the business challenges of 2025—and whether they will continue into 2026.
The clearest sign of companies falling on hard times and slashing their marketing budgets? The total lack of advertising in and around the urinals in the men’s bathrooms of the Venetian Expo.
Yes, ladies, it’s actually a thing. And as you can see, the ads this year are conspicuously absent.
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
