Today's SHOT Show Special Edition coverage will consist of just a single morning edition. It. looks like most of you apparently ran out of SHOT-related news to send us. On Monday we'll run our final SHOT Show Special Edition, so please be sure to get any final SHOT Show news items to us by the Sunday deadline at 12pm ET. We will return to our normal publishing schedule on Tuesday when The Outdoor Wire, The Tactical Wire, The Archery Wire, The Optics Wire and The Knife Wire make their way back into your inbox.

To those of you that spent time with us over the last five days sharing your knowledge, explaining features of your new products, and updating us on the odd rumor or two, thank you very much for your time. Have a safe trip home, and a restful weekend.

Whitewater Fishing, a Nexus Outdoors brand, has launched the 2026 Slipstream Bamboo Hoodie, featuring a 70% bamboo and 30% polyester blend with flatlock seams, Lycra binding, and natural UPF 15 protection. The lightweight 149g hoodie offers moisture-wicking, antimicrobial, and thermal-regulating properties ideal for year-round fishing and boating.

Kim Rhode, a decorated U.S. Olympic athlete and shooting sports ambassador, received the NSSF Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award at the SHOT Show. Rhode has competed in six consecutive Olympic Games, earning six medals across three shotgun disciplines, and serves as Vice President of the International Shooting Sport Federation and board member of USA Shooting.

Safari Club International (SCI) named Michigan State Senator Jon Bumstead its 2026 State Legislator of the Year Award recipient for his leadership in hunting, conservation, and science-based wildlife management. Bumstead, a SCI Life Member and former Michigan Chapter president, founded the Michigan Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus and has advanced conservation funding and hunter education legislation.

Yamaha expands its matte brown outboard lineup with the F90 and F115 models, offering a low-sheen finish ideal for waterfowl hunters. The company also introduces Helm Master EX enhancements including Dock Hold docking control, expanded bow thruster compatibility with Sleipner and Lewmar, and a new default trim assist setting for Spring 2026 availability.

The 2025-2026 National Intercollegiate Rifle League resumed with Game 5, where University of Rhode Island posted 2,346.2 led by Alex Travison at 605.1. Georgia Military College's MacKenzie Sookhoo won the individual event at 612.4, with Georgia Military College leading overall standings at 2,297.7.

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation (CSF) testified as the only sportsmen's organization at a House Committee on Natural Resources oversight hearing examining the EXPLORE Act's first-year impacts on public lands access, shooting ranges, and conservation. Senior Vice President Taylor Schmitz represented hunters, anglers, recreational shooters, and trappers to ensure their priorities were documented in the Congressional Record.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks increased the reward to $31,000 for information on an illegally killed collared wolf near Gardiner. The Large Carnivore Fund and Wolves of the Rockies contributed $30,000 to the initial $1,000 reward. Game wardens believe the wolf was killed around December 25 in wolf management unit 313.

The 36th annual Arkansas Big Buck Classic, rescheduled for Feb. 6-8 at the Arkansas State Fairgrounds, features the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation's Kids Zone sponsored by Thacha. The free area offers children hands-on activities including an indoor trout pond, BB gun range, and archery shoot, with instruction from the Bowfishers of Arkansas and Arkansas Bowhunters Association.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Fisheries Division partnered with McAlpine Christmas Tree Farm to donate 200 Christmas trees for fish habitat in Lake Hamilton and Cox Creek Lake. Anglers can pick up trees on a first-come, first-served basis at designated boat ramps through the end of January.

Benelli introduces the M4 EXT shotgun, featuring a 7+1 round capacity, 5-position collapsible stock, oversized bolt release, and three finish options including H2O, FDE, and Multicam Black. The tactical shotgun maintains Benelli's trusted Auto-Regulating Gas-Operated system with an MSRP of $2,599.

Stoeger Industries introduces a new M3500 Waterfowl Special shotgun finished in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland camo with Patriot Brown Cerakote receiver and barrel. The 3.5-inch 12-gauge features an Inertia Driven system, oversized controls for gloved operation, and includes extended chokes and a color-matched paracord sling at $999 MSRP.

MTM Case-Gard® introduces MOLLE Panel Kits for ACDC30 and ACDC50 Crates, mounting to lid interiors to transform unused space into customizable storage compatible with standard MOLLE accessories. CEO Steve Minneman highlights how the panels maximize organization without reducing floor space.

Hunters Specialties announced three new grunt tubes for 2026: the True Talker X3 with built-in snort wheeze, the QuadGrunter X3 with four distinct call zones, and the BucGrunter X3 with expandable bellows. All feature upgraded internals for realistic deer vocalizations and will be displayed at SHOT Show booth #12669.

Muddy Outdoors announces the Cloak OZ3 and OZ5 Ozone Generators, high-output scent control devices delivering up to 500 mg/h of ozone in compact designs. Both models feature rechargeable batteries compatible with Muddy trail camera systems, Normal and Boost modes, and cracked mud camouflage patterns for field concealment.

Ameristep announced the launch of the Frontline Wide-Bottom Extreme hunting blind for 2026, featuring Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage and accommodating up to three hunters. The blind includes four silent-sliding shooting windows, ShadowGuard™ coating, and Spider Hub® frame system for quick setup, designed specifically for bowhunters.

Zink has launched the Paralyzer XR-1 duck and Paralyzer SR-2 goose call lineups, featuring hand-tuned acrylic construction and innovative designs for waterfowl hunters. Both product lines offer multiple color options and precise sound control, with displays available at SHOT Show booth #12669.

MTM Case-Gard introduces the Emergency Box Family with three rugged, high-visibility cases (EB1, EB2, EB3) featuring water-resistant O-ring seals and padlock tabs. CEO Steve Minneman emphasizes that preparedness requires customizable organization solutions for diverse emergency needs.

RCBS announces the MatchMaster Multi-Cartridge Reloading Block, a precision-machined tool featuring DualFit design that holds both .223 Remington and .308 Winchester cartridge families. Machined from 6061-T6 billet aluminum and made in the USA, the block holds 50 cartridges and is now shipping with an MSRP of $78.74.

Winchester Ammunition announces Long Beard Tungsten shot shells for 2026, available in 12, 20, 28 gauge and .410 bore. The new ammunition features tungsten shot with buffered payload technology for tighter patterns and extended effective range in turkey hunting.

Streamlight Inc. introduced the ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X and 1L-X Pro tactical lights designed for short-barreled rifles and submachine guns, delivering up to 850 lumens. The Pro model features a Jack Cap tail switch for dual operational redundancy, and both will debut at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.

Winchester has launched American Lever™ Range ammunition, purpose-built for lever action firearms with optimized bullet profiles, modern propellants, and precision-built bullets. Available in five calibers including 30-30 Win, 357 Mag, 44 Rem Mag, 45 LC, and 45-70 GOV'T, priced from $21.99 to $49.99.

Bond Arms' Snake Slayer is a compact, stainless steel defensive firearm designed for outdoor protection. Available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45 Colt/.410 shot shell configurations with interchangeable barrels, it features a 3.5-inch barrel, extended rosewood grip, and safety mechanisms including a cross-bolt safety and retracting firing pins.

Wisconsin Waterfowl Association retired executive director Bruce Ross urges listeners to contact state legislators supporting sandhill crane hunt bills. Outdoors Radio also features Now Outdoors Expedition Company owner Nick Gordon discussing winter camping and Snowflake Ski Club event coordinator Katy Frydenlund promoting the 103rd annual ski jumping tournament.

Legacy Sports International will display its 2026 firearms and accessories lineup at SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, January 20-23, 2026, booth #13831. The company will feature new products from HOWA, POINTER, CITADEL, and SCSA brands, including the new POINTER ST912 shotgun series starting at $979 MSRP.

Arsenal Inc. invites SHOT Show 2026 attendees to experience the DJT-47 AK-47, a one-of-a-kind custom firearm featuring premium materials, titanium nitrate parts, 14-carat gold accents, and diamonds. White-glove photo sessions are scheduled at Booth #12054 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. local time.

Waypoint TV, an outdoor entertainment network, announced its launch on Hisense smart TVs on Channel 294. The expansion brings Waypoint TV's free 24/7 live channel and on-demand outdoor programming, including hunting, fishing, and adventure content, to more viewers across the United States.

Waypoint TV announced its addition to the VIDAA smart TV platform on Channel 5245, expanding access to its 24/7 live channel and on-demand outdoor entertainment library. CEO Builder Brock highlighted the expansion as key to delivering authentic outdoor storytelling across connected TV platforms to passionate outdoor enthusiasts nationwide.

North Dakota Game and Fish Department's January midwinter waterfowl survey counted approximately 135,000 Canada geese and 9,500 mallards. Biologist Mason Ryckman noted that partial ice-free conditions on Lake Sakakawea allowed for 39,000-plus geese to be counted, though late November snow likely pushed some birds south before conditions improved.

At a private event during SHOT Show, Benchmade Knife Company announced a new knife that could be the one do-it-all blade that hunters can carry in the field. I got a chance to handle the knife during a private meeting in their booth before the launch event—but only after signing my life away that I wouldn’t talk about it until after the public announcement. Without actually using it in the field, it’s hard to know if the knife will hold up to the hype. However, I can say it was lightweight, gorgeous, and wicked sharp, and I have a feeling their proprietary technology used to make the blade could withstand the torture test that is field-dressing and deboning an animal in the backcountry.

So, what makes this knife different?

The knife is a riff off Benchmade’s well known Saddle Mountain Skinner, but what makes it different is its Codex87 Horizon Edge™. This is a brand-new concept in blade innovation that uses a first-of-its-kind application of a bi-metal blade technology through selective steel application along a single cutting edge. If you’re confused it’s OK, Benchmade explains this concept pretty clearly.

Unlike traditional single-steel blades, the Codex87 Horizon Edge™ introduces a fused bi-metal construction, in which the base blade steel Hakkapella™ Damasteel®, is combined with a separate steel, Rex121, applied specifically along the cutting edge. Benchmade’s patented blade design uses a laser to fuse a secondary alloy powder along the edge of the blade. This process creates one unified blade that behaves as a single structure while delivering two distinct performance advantages.

One section of the edge is engineered for high hardness and wear resistance, optimized for fine slicing and long-lasting edge retention. Adjacent areas are tuned for strength and toughness, providing the durability required for tasks such as prying or breaking down game. 

This selective use of materials directly addresses a common challenge faced by hunters: balancing precision cutting with strength without carrying multiple tools. Codex87 Horizon Edge™ solves that problem by integrating both capabilities into a single blade.

“At its core, the Codex87 Horizon Edge™ challenges the idea that a knife must rely on a single material to do everything,” said Vance Collver, Director of Knife Culture & Innovation at Benchmade. “Knives are among humanity’s oldest tools, but the way we make them doesn’t have to stay static. This technology allows us to selectively apply extreme materials where they matter most; pairing razor-sharp cutting performance with the toughness required for harder use and unify them into one working system.”

Having different knives for different applications has been the norm for breaking down an animal in the field, but carrying multiple knives in the field adds weight to a pack. As a result, many hunters have either carried all the cutting tools they may need—or made the decision that they’ll use the same knife knowing full well the precision for specialized meat cuts might be compromised when the same blade is dulled when cutting through a joint, or even using for miscellaneous tasks like cutting nylon or other random materials.

Despite being designed to be so purpose-driven, this knife is gorgeous. The handle is a lightweight wood that fits comfortably in the hand. The blade has a Damascus steel finish clearly conveying its strength and durability while also being beautiful. The sheath is a sueded leather stitched on the edges with leather lacing with a belt loop to keep it in close reach without it getting in the way.

As Benchmade’s press release concludes, “The innovation used to create the Codex87 Horizon Edge™ lies not in novelty for novelty’s sake, but in how high-tech methods are applied to solve real-world material challenges, allowing Benchmade to explore extreme steels and deploy them selectively for maximum performance. Currently unmatched in the market, the steels themselves are well understood and purposefully selected to create the perfect choice for those looking for a knife with extreme edge retention, high hardness, and high wear resistant material.”

Keep your eye out for the full announcement when the knife is officially released.

– Jodi Stemler