eFormed Ventures has acquired Outdoor Life from Recurrent Ventures, integrating the 130-year-old brand with its proprietary AI-native marketplace called Resonance 2.0. The platform will combine Outdoor Life's trusted editorial content with advanced commerce technology to serve outdoor enthusiasts seeking gear, apparel, and accessories.

Ballistic's Best 2026 Hunting Edition Editors' Choice Awards, featured on Athlon Untamed, recognize outstanding hunting products across eight categories including All-Purpose Shotgun, New Spotting Scope, and Backcountry Precision Rifle. The selections highlight innovation and practical performance from Bleecker Street Publications' expert editorial team.

Century Arms received the Importer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) at the 2026 Caliber Awards dinner in Phoenix. The recognition, voted by NASGW wholesaler members, honors the company's exceptional service, partnership, and support within the shooting sports industry's distribution channel.

Canik USA's Prime Radian, developed in collaboration with Radian Weapons, won both Best New Handgun and Best New Overall Product awards at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Selected from over 100 entries, the Prime Radian was recognized by industry judges for its innovation, performance, value, and market impact.

The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education recognized four DNR educators: Mike Latus received the Julian Smith Award for outdoor education excellence, Michelle Serreyn earned the William Stapp Award for environmental education, Rose Menzies won the Rising Star Award, and Tammy Smith received the Recognition Award for her work with Salmon in the Classroom.

Norsk Lithium has launched a limited-time Power Recovery Program from October 1 through December 31, 2026, offering qualifying Dakota Lithium owners a Power Recovery Credit toward eligible products. The program features an online matching process to help customers transition to Norsk batteries and includes endorsements from professional anglers Dewey Hjelm, John Hoyer, Pat Schlapper, and Bobby Lane.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is asking hunters to voluntarily submit samples from harvested deer, elk, and moose during the general season opening October 24 to track chronic wasting disease (CWD) and inform management strategies. Proper carcass disposal and reporting sick-looking animals also help keep CWD prevalence low and protect future hunting opportunities.

Firearms Policy Coalition filed an appeal brief in Wehr-Darroca v. District of Columbia, challenging D.C.'s ban on magazines holding more than ten rounds. FPC seeks to overturn precedent that imposes heightened barriers on Second Amendment challenges, arguing gun owners shouldn't face felony prosecution to contest unconstitutional laws in court.

Michigan's Natural Resources Commission enacted regulation changes to Fisheries Orders 204 and 206, effective October 15, 2026. Changes include reopening Otsego Lake pike marsh year-round and adjusting daily possession limits on Au Sable Lake, Clear Lake, Gibson Lake, and Hanbury Lake to boost fishing opportunities.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources continues battling the Ridge Fire (434 acres, 30% contained) and Craig Lake Fire (604 acres, 50% contained) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The DNR also assumed management of the Black River Fire from the U.S. Forest Service, which is 50% contained at 382 acres near Wakefield.

Antelope hunters in southeast Montana reported improved numbers during the rifle season opener despite cold, rainy Sunday conditions. Check stations at Hysham, Broadus, and Mosby reported harvest success rates between 53-61 percent, with wildlife biologist Steve Atwood noting poor upland bird conditions due to drought and record July heat.

Nebraska offers abundant fur harvesting opportunities for furbearers and coyotes with long seasons statewide. Regulated harvest provides wildlife management benefits, outdoor recreation, and potential income. Residents ages 16 and older need a fur harvest permit and habitat stamp, available through OutdoorNebraska.gov or Nebraska Game and Parks' Lincoln office.

FWP game wardens provide 11 essential reminders for hunters as general deer and elk season opens October 24, including carrying licenses, obtaining landowner permission, following tagging rules, and wearing hunter orange to ensure legal compliance.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks operated biological check stations in Big Timber, Broadview, and Billings during the October antelope season opener. Winter weather impacted hunter participation, with the Big Timber station recording 213 hunters and 120 harvested antelope, while Broadview saw record-low numbers at 126 hunters.

Nebraska's 100th pheasant season opens Oct. 31 with optimism high following statewide spring counts that increased 11% from 2025. The Northeast, Panhandle, and Southwest regions should support the highest bird densities. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages hunters to use the Public Access Atlas and Stubble Access Guide to find over 1.3 million acres of publicly accessible hunting lands.

Brownells reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the European market, with Chairman and CEO Pete Brownell stating the company is not leaving Europe. The company is finalizing its European distribution strategy and will announce additional details regarding products, ordering, and distribution partnerships through official channels.

Silencer Central launched "Ship to Dealer," allowing customers to purchase suppressors online and pick them up at licensed dealers nationwide. The service follows ATF guidance eliminating NFA registration requirements for suppressors, available in 27 states alongside Silencer Central's traditional front-door delivery option.

Trijicon introduces a new Standard Green Duplex reticle option for its AccuPoint 1-8x24 riflescope, featuring the company's battery-free tritium and fiber-optic illumination system. The versatile 1-8x magnification scope is designed for hunters and shooters preferring traditional duplex reticles with reliable performance across varying lighting conditions.

Wild Sheep Foundation leadership presented to the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation at their 2026 General Assembly in Brussels, discussing collaborative conservation efforts and WSF's Women Hunt® Program. WSF provided $50,000 USD to support FACE's advocacy work against international anti-hunting initiatives.

The Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation hosted its 22nd Annual Wine, Wheels & Wildlife event at Childress Vineyards in Lexington, NC, co-hosted by Board Member Richard Childress. The gathering brought together lawmakers, industry leaders, and conservation partners to celebrate outdoor traditions and advance hunting, fishing, shooting, trapping, and wildlife conservation efforts.

Safari Club International (SCI) reports significant advocacy victories in Q1 FY2026, including restoring Florida's black bear hunt, advancing pro-hunting legislation through the House Natural Resources Committee, and securing court protection for hunters' personal information. SCI continues challenging restrictive policies and defending hunting rights globally.

Safari Club International leaders, including President Jeff Meyerl and incoming President Mike Crawford, joined President Trump and U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan in Alaska following SCI-PAC's endorsement of Sullivan's reelection campaign. Sullivan has consistently defended Alaska's wildlife management authority and supported hunting access and school hunting programs.

Lodestar Technology donated an LNK9 firearm to Walk the Talk America's October fundraiser with Pot of Gold Auctions. The partnership combines Lodestar's user-authorized firearm technology with WTTA's mental health and suicide prevention efforts led by CEO Michael Sodini.

Tactacam, a leading outdoor camera technology manufacturer, announced an official partnership with the Green Bay Packers. The multi-year partnership will feature Tactacam's REVEAL cellular trail cameras and DEFEND security cameras across Lambeau Field, the Packers Radio Network, and Wisconsin retailers, targeting the franchise's hunter-heavy fan base.

Wilson Combat launched match grade replacement barrels for Remington 700 pattern actions, precision button rifled from 416R stainless steel. Available in .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor with threaded muzzles and optional Armor-Tuff® finish at $399.95 MSRP.

Foxtrot Mike Products announces the ISU-9 Integrally Suppressed 9mm Upper Receiver, featuring eight years of patented suppressor development. The innovative system reduces recoil and reciprocating mass while delivering exceptional accuracy at an MSRP of $499, available through Foxtrot Mike Products, Primary Arms, and Silencer Shop.

Flux Defense released the KOMPAKT Universal IWB Holster, the smallest light-bearing holster compatible with Glock, Sig Sauer, and Springfield Armory pistols. Made from glass-reinforced nylon, it features adjustable retention and a concealment claw for reduced printing.

Federal Ammunition launched an updated Ballistic AE App featuring a modern interface and combined HUD and DOPE charts for improved user experience. The iOS ballistics calculator now supports Federal, Remington, Fiocchi, and Speer projectiles, including new Peak Alloy products like 7mm Backcountry and 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak.

Armageddon Gear, founded by 22-year Army veteran Tom Fuller, expands its hunting gear lineup with domestically made products including Turkey Chest Rig, Predator Chest Rig developed with Kyle Crikenberg and Jamie Terry, Gun Slinger Chest Rig, and Hunter's Rifle Sling, all built from USA-sourced materials in Georgia.

GRITR Outdoors, a Texas-based outdoor retailer, is offering seasonal discounts on select outgoing collection items including boots, jackets, hunting apparel, and gear for camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities through its Fall Sale.

ZeroTech Optics is offering free Vengeance 10x42 binoculars with eligible riflescope purchases from October 15 through December 31, 2026. The promotion applies to purchases from zerotechoptics.com or authorized USA dealers, with a $12.99 flat-rate shipping charge for dealer-purchase redemptions.

Montana's State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force will meet October 19 in Helena and via Zoom to discuss potential bills and finalize recommendations for shooting facility improvements across the state.

Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a new 110,000-square-foot destination retail location in Irmo, South Carolina, expected to open in late 2027. The store will mark Bass Pro Shops' fourth destination retail location in South Carolina and is expected to employ over 120 Outfitters to serve the greater Columbia region near Lake Murray.

Maxim Defense, a manufacturer of precision firearms and suppressors, will sponsor and exhibit at CANCON West 2026 in Boulder City, Nevada from October 22-24, 2026. The event will feature hands-on demonstrations of Maxim's Quantum Series titanium 3D printed suppressors, including the Quantum 22K Rimfire Suppressor, alongside products from industry manufacturers.

Lyman Products will showcase its Sonicore Suppressors lineup at Suppressed Fest 2026 on October 17–18 at Ares Firearms Training Center in Leesburg, Florida. The event, hosted by the NFA Review Channel and sponsored by the American Suppressor Association, features over 40 vendors and 100 percent suppressed shooting across three ranges.

Luth-AR and Stark's Metal Works of Menomonie, Wisconsin donated a new AR550 hardened steel White Buffalo target to the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. The 10-foot-wide target, positioned 1,123 yards downrange, replaces the historic original and is dedicated to Mike Benecke, a devoted NRA-ILA fundraiser who passed away in 2021.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife's 2027 calendar features photography by Roger Irwin, Tyler Pockette, Ken Hatch, and Peter Abu, showcasing Vermont species with hunting, fishing, and trapping season dates. Available for $15, with proceeds supporting the Habitat Stamp Fund.

Waypoint TV announced live coverage of the 2026 Super Retriever Series Crown Championship in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana, featuring elite retriever competition presented by Purina Pro Plan. The championship broadcasts include Retriever Trials on November 1 and Championship Day on November 4, showcasing top handlers and dogs competing for the sport's most coveted title.

Major League Fishing's Starlink Team Series Toyota Heritage Cup streams live on MyOutdoorTV from Manchester, Tennessee, October 18-23, 2026, featuring 12 two-man teams competing for $560,000 in prize money. Hosted by Experience Tennessee in partnership with local organizations, the event showcases Bass Pro Tour anglers with daily competition waters kept secret until anglers arrive at the boat ramp.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages mule deer through aerial surveys, fawn recruitment data, harvest information, and habitat assessment. Area biologist Sonja Andersen explains how multiple information sources build a clearer picture of each herd and its landscape.

Ella Langley has committed an unforgivable celebrity offense: being the person she sings about. Old photographs of the country star hunting deer, including with her father, have resurfaced, and the internet’s Department of Recreational Misery has opened an investigation. A daughter enjoying the outdoors with Dad? Better summon the compassion police. Somebody appears to be having a wholesome afternoon without their permission.

A successful, attractive young woman carrying a rifle presents a terrible casting problem for the anti-hunting scolds. Where is the slobbering villain? Why isn’t she ashamed? They ordered a monster and got a country star. Apparently, female empowerment expires at the sporting-goods counter. You may smash the glass ceiling, sweetheart, but don’t you dare sit in a deer stand.

One critic hoped she would learn from the past. Yes. Next time, take more pictures. These people call themselves a movement—by the numbers, apparently a very small one.

The reports identify online hecklers, not a proven PETA operation. But PETA’s published positions provide a useful tour of the ideological neighborhood. Its principle is that “animals are not ours to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way.” That's where dinner, your boots, and the rodeo go. Apparently, civilization needs to apologize and change into something hemp.

Citing overpopulation, PETA says, “We work hard to prevent more dogs and cats from being born.” It encourages adoption and says it doesn't want to confiscate well-cared-for animals, but it opposes buying from breeders. Your Labrador can stay. However, his family tree has been served with a cease-and-desist order. Try selling that platform at a Little League game. 

The medical position deserves attention. Asked about sacrificing ten animals in an experiment to save 10,000 people, PETA argues that animals deserve the same protection against sacrifice as humans. Its answer: “There is no logical reason to deny animals the same rights that protect individual humans from being sacrificed for the common good.” That’s not simply opposition to unnecessary testing. It’s an ethical veto even in the lifesaving hypothetical. Grandma, we regret to inform you that the laboratory mouse has better representation.

Outside this ideological terrarium, the country looks different. A 2025 national survey by Responsive Management found that 73 percent of adults approved of legal hunting; 86 percent agreed others should be allowed to hunt legally regardless of their own views. An angry comment section isn’t America. It’s a handful of people mistaking a keyboard for a mandate.

Nor should anyone confuse the movement’s appetite for attention with a shortage of money. PETA reported more than $110 million in contributions for fiscal 2025. Apparently, there is no closed season for collecting checks. Celebrity outrage strikes me as a splendid fundraising format: borrow somebody else’s fame, manufacture an emergency, pass the hat. The endangered species is perspective.

To my ear, these performances don’t establish moral authority. They reinforce the impression of a fringe crawling out from under its ideological rock to scold people who have better things to do. A father and daughter in the woods make a far better advertisement for humanity than strangers competing to be the ugliest voice under their photograph.

Maybe now is the time for country music’s hunters to step up and defend one of their own. There is certainly no shortage of them. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Tyler Farr have made hunting part of their public lives through Buck Commander. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert have hunted together on television.

Add Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, and Craig Morgan—all public about their hunting. That’s not a fringe. It’s a festival lineup. How about putting some of those voices together for Ella? Post the pictures. Tell the stories. Make it clear she doesn’t owe strangers an excuse for sharing a deer hunt with her father. Surely an industry that sells this much backbone can spare some for a young woman under attack.

And female artists—country, pop, rock, every genre—ought to be morally outraged by the personal attacks on women who hunt. This routine didn’t begin with Ella. PETA called hunter Kendall Jones a “small person who kills animals for fun.” PETA UK mocked Melissa Bachman as a “Lara Croft wannabe” and questioned whether hunting made her a “strong and powerful woman.”

Apparently, women are free to define themselves once the compassion committee approves their wardrobe and weekend plans. You don’t have to hunt to recognize bullying. You don’t even have to approve of hunting to defend another woman against personal abuse. Sisterhood shouldn’t require a vegan loyalty oath. Supporting women should mean something when a woman carries a rifle instead of a protest sign.

Which brings us to a question for Washington: Why should organized personal vilification receive a federal tax break? PETA identifies itself as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. I think it’s high time Congress examined whether the rules adequately distinguish legitimate charitable advocacy from organized bullying campaigns, and the IRS scrutinized documented conduct against those rules.

Organizations such as PETA should have to demonstrate that their activities satisfy the requirements for tax exemption, not simply point to the word nonprofit and expect everyone to stop asking questions. A nonprofit designation should not be a camouflage jacket for bullying law-abiding citizens.

That scrutiny must be fair. Preventing cruelty to animals is an expressly recognized tax-exempt purpose, and unpopular advocacy may qualify as educational. A few ugly statements do not, by themselves, establish grounds for revoking an organization’s exemption. The issue is not whether PETA disagrees with hunters or raises a great deal of money. The issue is whether its actual operations meet the standards attached to its tax privileges. Apply that test consistently—to organizations on every side. 

And there is already a relevant standard. The IRS’s test for educational advocacy flags distorted facts and substantial use of “inflammatory and disparaging terms,” with conclusions driven more by emotion than objective evaluation. It requires considering the full circumstances, not reaching a verdict based on one offensive sentence.  

Fine. Examine the circumstances. Ask where instruction ends and personal vilification begins. Calling a woman names and distributing the insult as a press release does not strike me as a graduate seminar. If organized bullying qualifies as legitimate nonprofit education merely because somebody puts a charitable logo on it, the tax code has become a punchline. Apparently, compassion means never paying taxes on your contempt.

So congratulations, Ella. Being denounced by this crowd belongs somewhere between a platinum record and a good venison supper. Consider this an open invitation: bring your father, come hunting with us, and we’ll film the celebration for television. We’ll supply the cameras and hospitality. Your critics can supply the publicity. They already seem willing to work for free.

– Chris Dorsey

Chris Dorsey is a Coloradan, 30-year media veteran, biologist, outdoor television producer and natural history filmmaker whose writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Forbes and dozens more national titles.