In observance of the Easter holiday, we will not be publishing any wires on Friday, April 3. If your news needs to be distributed before Monday, April 6, 2026, please get it to us no later than 4:30pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 1. News arriving later will not make Thursday's final editions for the week.

Five state records were broken at Nebraska's 20th annual National Archery in the Schools Program state tournament on March 21 in Lincoln, with 38 schools competing. Individual records were set by Aiden Jedlecki of Bellevue Cornerstone Christian and Camdon Roker of Lincoln Standing Bear High, while team records were achieved by Milford, Lincoln Pound, and Omaha Mater Dei Academy.

Luth-AR served as title sponsor of the 2026 Superstition Mountain Mystery 3-Gun Championship hosted by Rio Salado Sportsman Club, attracting 360 competitors. Luth-AR founder Randy Luth placed 3rd in the Grand Senior category, while sponsored shooters Mark Roth and Scott McGregor earned top finishes in their respective divisions.

The Second Amendment Foundation, National Rifle Association of America, and Independence Institute filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc v. Letitia James, challenging New York's law that undermines the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act and enables abusive public nuisance lawsuits against firearms manufacturers and dealers.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for summary judgment in Heeter v. James, challenging New York's body armor ban as unconstitutional. The lawsuit, represented by Nicolas J. Rotsko of Fluet, argues the state cannot criminalize personal protective equipment purchases.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocked approximately 3,050 retired adult trout from state fish hatcheries in the Huron River and Spring Mill Pond in southeast Michigan. The fish, ranging from 13 to 20 inches, include brown trout and rainbow trout, with special fishing regulations applying to each location through April.

NOAA Fisheries will distribute 545,576 pounds of withheld Deep-Water Grouper quota on April 1, 2026, as federal regulations require distribution if Amendment 58B implementing regulations are not finalized by June 1. IFQ shareholders will receive additional allocation based on their current DWG shares held.

Wisconsin angler Alan Hintz caught a 3-pound yellow perch on March 1 through the ice in Pelican Bay on Devils Lake, setting a new North Dakota state record. The previous record of 2 pounds, 15 ounces, was held by Kyle Smith since 1982.

Yamaha Pro Jason Christie won the 2026 Bassmaster Elite tournament on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway with 58 pounds, 2 ounces, earning his ninth Bassmaster victory and $100,000 prize. Yamaha pros dominated the event, taking seven of the top ten spots, including John Garrett in third and Wesley Gore in fifth.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released its 2025 Annual Turkey Program Report showing hunters checked 11,332 turkeys during spring season, a 22 percent increase from 2024. Turkey Program Coordinator David Moscicki attributes the increase to favorable reproduction and hunting conditions, with the Ouachita and Ozark ecoregions seeing the largest gains.

Shed antler hunters planning to enter Montana's Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area by vehicle on May 15 must register online April 1-19. A new 2025 law prohibits nonresidents from collecting antlers during the first seven days of seasonal openings on Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks WMAs and established a $50 Nonresident Shed Hunting License.

Southwick Associates offers market research and insights for the fishing, hunting, shooting, and outdoor recreation industries. The firm provides syndicated reports including the Hunting & Shooting Market Pulse, Angler Monitor, and Hunting & Shooting Monitor, plus custom primary research services. NSSF and ASA members receive 15% discounts on subscription reports.

Idea Ranch has been selected as agency of record for Nutrena, a division of Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health. The partnership will support brand strategy, creative development, and marketing execution across multiple animal nutrition categories and retail channels.

Kinetic Development Group (KDG) introduces its Optic Hub system, a purpose-built mounting and stabilization platform designed for Precision Rifle Series (PRS) competitors. The modular solution addresses key PRS demands including spotting scope stability, optic protection, and streamlined workflow for faster target acquisition in high-pressure competition environments.

ZeroTech introduces the THRIVE HD Digital 1x22 Red Dot, a compact red dot optic featuring digital brightness controls, auto on/off functionality, and Aimpoint® Micro compatibility. Built for fast target acquisition with a 2 MOA dot, shockproof and waterproof construction, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life.

Steiner Optics introduces the MPS-C, a compact red dot sight designed for concealed carry and compact-frame pistols. Featuring an enclosed emitter, hard-anodized aluminum housing, and weighing just 1.13 ounces, the MPS-C offers 46,125 hours of battery life with shake-awake technology at an MSRP of $574.99.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) offers black bear hunting resources including the Advanced Black Bear Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide, Mini 3-D Durable Foam Bear Model by Rinehart Targets, and the Bear Aware Pamphlet. NBEF Executive Director Marilyn Bentz urges hunters to review shot placement information for safer, more successful hunts.

Registration is now open for the 2026 International Hunter Education Association-USA Annual Meeting & Training, taking place June 1–4, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. The event offers in-person and virtual participation options, with support from industry partners including Recademics, Monologix, Federal Ammunition, PayIt, and Determinator Targets. Free virtual attendance is available for IHEA-USA volunteer members.

The Hunting Matters podcast, the official podcast of the Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF), features Kevin Comiskey, Senior Vice President at Brady, Chapman, Holland & Associates and Past President of HSCF. Comiskey discusses his 25+ years in commercial insurance, leadership roles with the Texas Wildlife Association, and commitment to hunting conservation and heritage.

Florida Sportsman Magazine's Action Spotter Podcast, hosted by Captain Rick Ryals, delivers weekly fishing reports covering Florida's regions with insights from regional experts and industry guests. The podcast is sponsored by Yamaha, D.O.A., Shimano, Strike-Zone Fishing, Tournament Master and Young boats, and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and Florida Sportsman.

Federal Ammunition is now shipping new Federal Subsonic target loads in 45-70 Government, 308 Winchester, and 30-30 Winchester, designed to deliver whisper-quiet shooting through suppressors at 1,000 feet-per-second velocities while maintaining precision and performance.

FALCO® Holsters has launched its new CarryArt™ series featuring the CX14 Pineapple and CX15 Strawberry leather OWB holsters. Handcrafted from full-grain Italian leather with custom-fit designs for 3600+ handguns, these unconventional holsters deliver traditional FALCO reliability with distinctive artistic styling.

Savage Arms introduces the 110 RF Core Tactical, a full-size 22 LR rimfire rifle featuring a Quick Set Dial stock, interchangeable reversible front baffle, and precision buttoned rifled barrel with custom 22 LR Match Chambers, priced at $1099.

Galco's Hawkeye IWB holster is now available for the Glock 19 with a protective shroud for compact carry-style optical sights. The holster features snap-on design, premium steerhide construction, and removable belt loops fitting belts up to 1 3/4", available in black or tan finish.

Ol' Man Outdoors unveiled the OF-300 Chuck Wagon Feeder, a 300-pound capacity deer feeder featuring a built-in sight glass, 12-volt motor, solar panel charging, and varmint-proof design for reliable hunting season performance.

Chattanooga Shooting Supplies (CSSI) announced that Peterson Cartridge premium brass is now available through its distribution network. Peterson Cartridge produces high-quality, American-made brass for precision reloaders and shooters, according to Melissa Dubiel, Vice President of Purchasing for CSSI.

Target Sports USA announces expansion of its exclusive New Republic USA ammunition line, manufactured in partnership with a leading U.S. producer. The house brand offers brass-cased, boxer-primed, non-corrosive rounds across 10 active SKUs in popular calibers, available exclusively through Target Sports USA.

The shooting range at Wilbur Wright Fish & Wildlife Area will temporarily close from May 11 through August 8 for facility improvements, including new shooting benches, accessible sidewalks, and enhanced dirt backstop enhancements.

Derya Arms announced a partnership with North 40 Outfitters, a family-owned retailer with 12 locations across Idaho, Montana, and Washington. North 40 Outfitters will stock Derya's DY9 and DY9Z pistols, manufactured in Jacksonville, Florida, while offering special orders for other Derya products.

Luth-AR announced Silver sponsorship of the 2026 Berry's Steel Open, held April 4–5 in Hurricane, Utah. The match features 18 stages across three steel shooting genres and expects over 300 competitors. Luth-AR will showcase products including the MCA-22™ Rimfire Chassis and MBA buttstocks at the vendor booth.

Maxview Optics, maker of the Maxcam7 point of view hunting camera, has joined Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised the innovative camera features and welcomed Maxview Optics to the organization.

Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, hosts of The Choice and owners of Content King Media Inc., announced a new partnership with RAM Blinds. The collaboration will integrate RAM Blinds into their content while maintaining their high-quality programming for audiences.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department Advisory Board will host public meetings this spring at eight locations across the state. These meetings allow citizens to discuss fish and wildlife issues with district advisors and agency personnel. The District 7 meeting in Bismarck will be streamed live on gf.nd.gov.

Rocky Ridge Whitetails, an Amish-owned operation in Carney, OK, has become the most respected deer breeding farm in the northern United States over 25 years. Owner John Ervin Stolzfus specializes in developing genetically CWD-resistant deer through selective breeding, earning trust from breeders nationwide for superior genetics and health.

Whooping cranes are migrating through North Dakota from Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in Texas as part of a population of about 550 birds. Sightings should be reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service offices or the North Dakota Game and Fish Department to help track these endangered birds and identify important habitat areas.

This past weekend, the Arizona Game and Fish Department hosted its Outdoor Expo.

The annual event traditionally draws upwards of 40,000 attendees over the two-day weekend. In 2019, attendance peaked at more than 50,000.

Attendance this year seemed… underwhelming.

The usual first-day crowds that clog the main concourse of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility—where the event is hosted—were reduced to a smattering of families.

The lack of attendance could be attributed, at least in part, to Arizona’s early heat, with temperatures reaching into the low 100s much earlier than usual. Following the previous weekend’s 100-plus-degree heat—which sent more than 400 people to seek medical attention during the Luke Days Airshow—AZG&FD shortened Expo hours from the usual 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

The ongoing impact of the economy may also have played a role. With local gas prices nearing $5 per gallon for unleaded and over $6 for diesel, some families may have opted to stay home.

The same might be said for exhibitors. The exhibit space—including the live-fire ranges—appeared less crowded than in previous years.

I wrote about the 2023 Outdoor Expo when the boating and RV industries were well represented. This year, despite their popularity in Arizona, neither segment was present on the Expo grounds.

That’s a shame—and potentially concerning if this isn’t just an anomaly, but the beginning of a trend.

Arizona is a great outdoor recreation state with plenty to offer families. Despite its reputation as a desert, it has a vibrant fishing and boating scene, along with excellent off-roading, camping, hiking—and, of course—hunting.

When it comes to shooting, Ben Avery is one of the finest examples of a state-run facility—one nearly every other state aspires to replicate. And there are many other places to shoot across the Phoenix Valley and beyond.

The Outdoor Expo is where all of this comes together. AZG&FD employees serve as excellent ambassadors, welcoming newcomers—especially youngsters—and introducing them to the opportunities available across the Grand Canyon State.
In addition to AZG&FD, various conservation groups are present, answering questions and inviting attendees to get involved.

Though the big boat and RV displays were absent, the off-roading community was well represented.

The Arizona State Parks and Trails was on-site promoting its Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) program. The Arizona 4 Wheel Drive Association—the rock-crawling Jeep crowd—was also present, promoting its organization and conducting driving demos.

There were also ATV rental and off-road rescue groups promoting their businesses.

Off-roading is big in Arizona, thanks to U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Arizona State Trust lands offering roughly 40,000 miles of trails.

It’s also big business. There are any number of ATV retailers around the Phoenix Valley ready to sell and service the latest in high-speed desert recreation. But for many, nothing compares to four-wheelers.

Rheal Tetreault of the Arizona 4 Wheel Drive Association (A4WDA) told me that getting into four-wheeling can start at just a few thousand dollars—assuming you already own a Jeep, Toyota 4Runner or Tacoma, or a Ford Bronco you’re willing to upgrade.

But, it definitely goes up from there. “I know somebody who spent as much as $100,000 upgrading a vehicle that he spent $70,000 buying,” he said.

Naturally, the firearms industry had strong presence on and around the firing line.

Arizona is a well-known pro-gun state. It’s also a horse country. After all, this is still the West—and there are still some honest-to-God cowboys here. There are also a number of Cowboy Mounted Shooting Association members, and the Outdoor Expo is when they put on a show.

Last but not least, while the number of food vendors definitely seemed to dwindle this year, there was still plenty to feast upon.

The dates for the 2027 Outdoor Expo have not yet been announced, but when they are—and if you can make it to Phoenix—you might want to make your way to the grounds of the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network