ScentLok introduces the Savanna Fuse 1/4 Zip, a lightweight hunting shirt featuring touch-activated cooling minerals and dual Carbon Alloy® and Silver Alloy™ odor-destruction technologies. The garment combines thermal regulation with moisture-wicking capabilities, designed for early-season whitetail hunting in hot conditions.
Sixteen-year-old James Lacy from Trout Creek, Montana won first place at the 2026 NASP Western National Tournament in Utah, qualifying him for the championship in Daytona, Florida. Lacy competed through TCAC Homeschool Archery, Montana's first and only homeschool NASP team, coached by Rachel Nottnagel.
The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission received the Commission/Board of the Year Award from the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Deputy Chief of Fisheries Dave Zafft won Professional of the Year, and Federal Aid Coordinator Christina Maleesa received Outstanding WAFWA Contributor of the Year for her grant writing work.
David Cunningham, winner of Nebraska's Birding Bowl Competitive Birder 150 Species level, donated his $1,000 prize to the Nebraska Wildlife Conservation Fund. The fourth annual Birding Bowl drew 750 participants in May, with prizes also awarded to Joseph Kouba, Nathan Heck, Tim Weak, Sarah Kitt, and others across multiple categories.
The 2026 Minnesota State High School Clay Target League Trap Shooting Championship is underway in Alexandria, Minnesota, featuring 7,724 student athletes from 340 high school teams competing across nine days. Presented by Alexandria Technical & Community College with sponsors including Do-All Outdoors, Ducks Unlimited, Federal Premium Ammunition, and the NRA Foundation, the event is possibly the world's largest shooting sport competition by participation.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources finalized the purchase of a 50,608-acre parcel in the Book Cliffs roadless area, funded by $50 million allocated by the Utah Legislature. The property will be managed as the Book Cliffs Roadless Wildlife Management Area, providing public hunting and fishing opportunities while supporting habitat for deer, elk, bison, black bear, and Colorado River cutthroat trout.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston's policies prohibiting permit holders from carrying handguns with red dot sights, flashlights, or single-action 1911-style pistols. SAF argues these restrictions violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments under Supreme Court precedent.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in United States v. Hemani that the federal ban on gun possession by marijuana users violates the Second Amendment. Firearms Policy Coalition, FPC Action Foundation, and the Center for Human Liberty filed supporting amicus briefs in the case decided June 18, 2026.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Hemani that a lifetime firearms ban for marijuana users is unconstitutional. The Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed amicus briefs supporting the decision.
A federal court ruling halted Exempted Fishing Permits for red snapper seasons in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, led by Commissioner Walter Rabon, will resubmit a revised application with partner states and federal officials, hoping to establish a red snapper season later this fall.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept paddlefish snagging permit applications from July 1-14, 2026. Permits are awarded through random drawing based on preference points, with results available by July 20. Successful applicants must complete permit purchases by August 5.
Morgan-Monroe State Forest is temporarily closed to public access following extensive storm damage. Additional updates will be provided as damage assessment and cleanup efforts continue.
Silencer Central announces Day 64 of its 100 Days of Silence promotion, offering a $3,500+ 9mm bundle including a Ruger PC Charger, BANISH 9 suppressor, ATN ThOR 6 Mini thermal scope, and additional gear. The giveaway runs through July 6, 2026, with daily prize packages available at PopularSuppressors.com.
Federal and Remington Ammunition, both part of The Kinetic Group, were awarded a $77.4 million FBI rifle ammunition contract covering all four product categories: Duty, Training Reduced Lead, Non-Jacketed, and Jacketed Frangible ammunition. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.
Beretta USA celebrated its Gallatin, Tennessee manufacturing facility's 10th anniversary with an employee and family appreciation event. Since 2016, the facility has become a cornerstone of Beretta's American operations, producing firearms for hunters, competitive shooters, and professionals nationwide.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed the America the Beautiful Act, led by Sens. Daines and King with support from the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation. The legislation seeks $1.9 billion annually over five years to address deferred maintenance on federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service.
ATN Corp announced the launch of the Odin 6 MFT, a 6th generation multi-functional thermal optic that operates as a handheld monocular, helmet-mounted viewer, thermal clip-on, and weapon-mounted sight. Available in 320 and 640 sensor configurations with detection ranges up to 1,700 meters, the device features SharpIR AI-enhanced imaging and up to 8 hours of battery life.
KDG (Kinetic Development Group) announced the Kinect Arca Rail, a tool-free Arca rail attachment for M-LOK equipped rifles featuring a 6-inch Arca rail section and patented quick-attach technology. The product allows shooters to instantly add or remove a stable Arca interface in seconds without tools or installation procedures.
Arcus Hunting, LLC and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced a new line of Smith & Wesson® branded pepper spray products manufactured in the USA. The product lineup includes jogger-style, keychain, and belt clip options designed for everyday personal protection and available through leading sporting goods and online retailers.
One Horse, a Brownstown, Indiana-based firearms manufacturer, announced the launch of the One Horse Express Rifle, the first factory-built production rifle equipped with Atrius Development Group's Forced Reset Selector (FRS). The rifle features components including THRiL RTG grip, THRiL CCS stock, and Breek Arms Warhammer Mod2, and will be available beginning June 19, 2026.
Paisley Williams of Louisiana received the 2026 Susie Konkel Ducks Unlimited National Scholarship worth $10,000. The high school student co-chaired and chaired her school's DU Varsity Chapter while volunteering with 12 local adult chapters. DU awarded 60 additional scholarships totaling $415,000 across nine years of the program.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the City of Madison celebrated the opening of the Clifty Connector Trail, a 1.5-mile asphalt multi-use trail funded by a $2,160,160 DNR grant. Governor Mike Braun highlighted the project's alignment with his commitment to health and outdoor recreation in Indiana.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission educators have scheduled multiple July events including Little Saplings nature programs at Schramm Education Center, Birds of a Feather birding sessions at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, firefly science webinars, and the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program at Holmes Lake.
Montana State Parks interns Ainsley Slocum and Kileigh Bartole evaluated 13 state parks over 12 weeks to assess accessibility and identify barriers for visitors of varying abilities. Their findings, guided by FWP parks and outdoor recreation planner Amber Lopatine, informed new Accessible Recreation webpages and recommendations for immediate improvements across Montana's state park system.
The 2026 Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour Zenni Stage 6 Presented by Toyota will air live on GAME & FISH TV from Grand Lake, Oklahoma, featuring 51 professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and $600,000 purse. Coverage of the Knockout Round and Championship Round airs June 20-21 on multiple streaming platforms including VIZIO, Prime Video, and Fire TV.
Deer & Deer Hunting TV premieres its 22nd season on June 30 on Pursuit Channel and PursuitUP app, featuring 13 new episodes hosted by Daniel Schmidt with contributors Mark Kayser and Josh Honeycutt. The show focuses on whitetail behavior, biology, and hunting strategies, sponsored by Easton Archery, SEVR Broadheads, TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, and other outdoor brands.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is requesting public reports of wild turkey sightings from July 1 through August 31 for its annual Summer Sighting Survey. Turkey Biologist Reina Tyl notes the data helps monitor wild turkey productivity and inform population management models, with reports submitted through the Game Commission's website.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department's 2026 spring pheasant crowing count survey recorded 23.2 crows per stop, up 9% statewide. RJ Gross, upland game management biologist, attributes the increase to outstanding overwinter survival and favorable nesting conditions across the state.
Freeblast, El Capitan, Yosemite. Photo by Billy Onjea/Unsplash
The U.S. Forest Service has taken a significant step toward formalizing how recreational climbing is managed on America’s public lands, announcing a proposed national climbing directive that would establish the agency's first nationwide policy governing climbing activities on national forests and grasslands.
The proposal, published June 17, opens a 30-day public comment period and provides guidance on the use, maintenance, and replacement of fixed anchors and other climbing infrastructure. While that may sound like a technical issue, the directive addresses one of the most important access questions facing the climbing community today: how climbers can continue to use and maintain routes on federal lands while preserving wilderness values and public safety.
The proposal arrives at a time when climbing has evolved from a niche activity practiced by a relatively small community into one of America's fastest-growing outdoor recreation pursuits.
From Fringe Activity to Mainstream Recreation
According to participation data cited by the Forest Service, nearly 10.3 million Americans participate in some form of climbing activity, including sport climbing, bouldering, traditional climbing, mountaineering, and ice climbing. Approximately 2.3 million people participate in sport climbing or bouldering, while another 2.4 million engage in traditional climbing, mountaineering, or ice climbing. Those figures have continued to trend upward as climbing benefits from increased visibility through social media, climbing gyms, and Olympic competition.
The broader outdoor recreation market continues to set records. The Outdoor Industry Association reports that outdoor participation reached 181.1 million Americans in 2024, representing nearly 59 percent of the U.S. population. Outdoor recreation participation has increased for nine consecutive years.
The growth of indoor climbing facilities has also introduced thousands of new participants to the sport. Industry analysts estimate the global climbing gym market exceeded $3.6 billion in 2025 and continues to grow rapidly as new facilities open across North America.
Many of those climbers eventually transition from indoor walls to outdoor crags, creating increasing demand for access to public lands.
Why Fixed Anchors Matter
At the center of the proposed directive is the issue of fixed anchors—permanent bolts, chains, and rappel stations installed in rock formations.
Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. Photo by Sean Benesh/Unsplash
To non-climbers, these pieces of hardware may appear insignificant. To climbers, they are often critical safety infrastructure that allows routes to be climbed and descended safely.
For years, land managers have struggled with inconsistent policies regarding the installation, maintenance, and replacement of these anchors, particularly within designated wilderness areas. Some local managers viewed fixed anchors as prohibited structures under wilderness regulations, while climbers argued they were essential components of established routes.
Congress addressed much of that uncertainty when it passed the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act, signed into law on January 4, 2025. The legislation specifically directed federal land management agencies to recognize recreational climbing—including certain fixed anchors—as an appropriate use within designated wilderness areas.
The Forest Service proposal is designed to bring agency policy into compliance with that legislation while providing a consistent framework nationwide.
A Significant Public Lands Issue
The stakes are high because National Forest System lands contain some of the country's most heavily used climbing destinations.
According to the Forest Service, nearly 30 percent of all outdoor climbing activity occurs on National Forest System lands. These include iconic climbing areas such as Colorado's South Platte, Wyoming's Wind River Range, California's Eastern Sierra, and hundreds of regional climbing destinations scattered throughout the national forest system.
Climbers on the El Capitan route Mescalito. Photo by Billy Onjea/Unsplash
Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz emphasized the need for consistency in the agency's announcement.
"Recreational climbing continues to grow in popularity, with nearly 30 percent of all outdoor climbing occurring on National Forest System lands," Schultz said. "This proposed directive provides much-needed national policy for climbing activities and gives local decision-makers the ability to work with partners, tribes, climbing organizations, and others to ensure visitors are having safe, responsible and accessible outdoor experiences."
Climbing's Economic Impact
The economic significance of climbing extends far beyond equipment sales.
Climbing destinations generate substantial tourism revenue for rural communities. Climbers typically travel significant distances to reach destination areas, spending money on lodging, restaurants, fuel, guide services, retail purchases, and park entrance fees.
Communities such as Moab, Utah; Bishop, California; Estes Park, Colorado; and Springdale, Utah have built thriving outdoor recreation economies that rely heavily on climbing tourism.
The broader outdoor recreation economy has become a major contributor to the national economy. According to federal outdoor recreation economic data, outdoor recreation contributes hundreds of billions of dollars annually to U.S. GDP and supports millions of jobs nationwide. Climbing represents a growing segment of that larger outdoor recreation economy.
Industry growth is also reflected in climbing-related retail sectors, including equipment manufacturers, guide services, climbing gyms, apparel companies, and destination tourism operators.
America's Top National Parks for Climbing
While national forests account for a large share of climbing activity, the National Park System also contains some of the world's most recognized climbing destinations.
Among the most prominent are:
Yosemite National Park – Widely considered the birthplace of modern American big-wall climbing. El Capitan and Half Dome attract elite climbers from around the world.
Joshua Tree National Park – Famous for traditional climbing routes spread across thousands of granite formations.
Zion National Park – Known for long sandstone big-wall climbs and dramatic desert scenery.
Grand Teton National Park – A premier destination for alpine climbing and mountaineering.
Rocky Mountain National Park – Offers everything from beginner routes to advanced alpine objectives.
These parks collectively attract tens of thousands of climbers annually and have become important economic drivers for surrounding communities.
Public Comment Period Opens
The proposed directive replaces an earlier draft released in 2023 and reflects changes required by the EXPLORE Act as well as broader federal efforts to streamline recreation management policies.
Climbing advocacy organizations, including the climbing-access nonprofit Access Fund, have long sought a consistent national approach to climbing management, particularly regarding fixed anchors and wilderness access.
For climbers, land managers, and outdoor recreation businesses, the proposal represents one of the most consequential federal climbing policy developments in decades.
As participation continues to grow and more Americans seek outdoor recreation opportunities, the challenge for federal agencies will be balancing increased access with stewardship of some of the nation's most heavily visited natural landscapes.
