Accokeek, MD – The Point at Pintail in Queenstown, Maryland, welcomed shooters from across the country on September 26 for the 12th Annual Benelli USA Invitational. The event brought together participants for a day of competitive shooting, camaraderie, and support for America's veterans and their families.
The Benelli USA Invitational once again combined competition with a commitment to giving back. The event supported Freedom Hunters, a nonprofit dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for veterans and their families. Participants, sponsors, and supporters contributed to the cause through the Invitational and its companion online auction.
"The Invitational is a special day for everyone involved because it brings our industry, our customers, and our friends together for something bigger than the competition," said Tom DeBolt, CEO of Benelli USA. "Supporting Freedom Hunters gives us an opportunity to turn that shared passion for the outdoors into meaningful experiences for veterans and their families. We are grateful to everyone who showed up, contributed, and helped make this year's event such a success."
Founded in 2006, Freedom Hunters has provided outdoor experiences to veterans and their families, spanning 46 U.S. states and international destinations including Namibia, Canada, and Mexico. In 2025, the organization coordinated 98 outdoor adventures for more than 16,792 veterans and family members since the inception. Dedicated volunteers contributed nearly 53,851 hours of service, valued at over $1,946,175.
Through the 2026 event, the Benelli USA Invitational has raised over $1,215,000 for Freedom Hunters to date, including the $115,000 raised at this years' event. This continuing tradition is built around creating outdoor opportunities for those who have served. The 2026 Invitational included 200 participants.
Benelli Invitational Results:
- First place team: Joe Kukla Sr., Joe Kukla, Marty Gweke, and Brandon Gweke
- Second place team: Bill Siosios, Clive Watson, Chuck Wyvill, and Mona Robinson
- Third place team: Jim Burch, Harry Green, Charlie O Donavan and William Boykin
- High overall Male: Bill Siosios
- High overall Female: Amy Crow
Benelli USA extended its appreciation to the sponsors, donors, and partners whose support helped make the 12th Annual Invitational possible. Their contributions helped support Freedom Hunters and its work providing outdoor experiences to veterans and their families.
The 2026 sponsors included: Action Target, Anechoic, Aquila International, Armageon Gear, Banded, Basswood Lodge, Bay Roamer Charters, Benchmade, Benelli USA, Bently-Scott, Bob Hall, Brand Intellegent, Brandon Gweke, Bretmore, Burris, CB Charters, Chief Upland, Chene', Core line Marketing, Covey Marketing, Daniel Defense, Dark Energy, Decked, Decoy apparel, Delta Waterfowl, Demerbox, Eagle Lake Ranch, Eastgate Liqours, Easton Archery, Federal Ammunition, First Lite, Fowl Plains, Franchi, GATR, Geroge Nitzel party, Gunner, Habitat Flats, Harford Mututal, Hornady, Hunting Day Coffee co, InstaPrivy, Jack Daniels, Jeff McWaters, Kennedy Business Services, KUIU, Ledo Pizza, Lucky Duck, LWRCI, Lyman, M&T Bank, Mega Bite Fishing Charters, Meindl Boots, Mophie, MSP design group, Neilsen Enterprises, Nexus, Novix Outdoors, NSSF, OA Defense, Oakley, Owen J Brown& Assocs, Parkerville Firearms Training, Pepsi-Havre de Grace, Pestilli and Associates, Ray Bergman, Real Avid, RealTree CAMO, ScentLok, Scouts of Baltimore, SecureIt, Sig Sauer, Silver Stag Knives, SIMMS, Site Laser, Spartan, Steiner, Stoeger Industries, Streamlight, Tasmainian Tiger, Team one Network, The Fowlife, The Provider, Tom Borgan, Traditions, Trijicon, Turtlebox, Uberti USA, Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Vogt Silversmiths, Vortex, Walkers, Whiskey Myers, Whitewater, Wildlife Research Center, Wiley X, Williams Knives, Win Craft, Wingman Guide services, Winkler Knives, WoBraska Waterfowl, Work Sharp, Z Squared Strategics.
The Benelli USA Invitational continues to be more than a day of competition. It brought together members of the shooting and outdoor communities around a common commitment to veterans and their families. Benelli USA was grateful to everyone who participated, donated, sponsored, and volunteered to make the 2026 Invitational a continued part of the company's support for Freedom Hunters.
To learn more about Freedom Hunters and its mission, please visit www.freedomhunters.org.
For more information on Benelli USA's full line of premium shotguns and centerfire hunting rifles, visit BenelliUSA.com.