Victory Archery introduces the Rival and Rival X hunting arrows, engineered for extreme durability with 1.5K carbon weave construction and an innovative R.P.S. insert system. The balanced-diameter Rival delivers speed and penetration for versatile hunting, while the small-diameter Rival X maximizes kinetic energy and FOC for heavy-boned game.

FeraDyne Outdoors partnered with the NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge National Championship to introduce hundreds of youth and families to bowfishing through an interactive Muzzy Bowfishing Experience at the 2026 event in Bentonville, Arkansas, featuring realistic bowfishing platforms and custom-built tanks with fish targets.

Guns.com launched The Vault, an exclusive premium auction category featuring over 100 rare and collectible firearms including Smith & Wesson Model No. 3 Serial Number 1, World War II FP-45 Liberator pistol, and Winchester Model 1873 Musket. The curated auction runs through August 9 and offers no reserves and starting bids as low as one cent.

Maria Davidson, Large Carnivore Program Manager at Safari Club International Foundation, received the Excellence in Wildlife Conservation Award from the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for her work on bear safety and conservation. Davidson coordinated bear spray training for over 12,000 participants, installed 40+ bear-resistant food storage boxes, and produced bear safety videos reaching millions of viewers across Wyoming.

GSM Outdoors received the 2025 Outdoor Supplier of the Year award from Academy Sports + Outdoors, recognizing exceptional partnership and category leadership. CEO Eddie Castro highlighted the company's commitment to dependable service, innovation, and reliable delivery across hunting, fishing, and outdoor categories.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provides five essential water safety tips for summer boating, including avoiding peak sun hours, seeking shade, applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and staying hydrated. The article emphasizes the dangers of sun exposure and alcohol while boating, and stresses the importance of wearing U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

Desi Edmunds of Team Winchester and Team White Flyer secured Runner Up at the 48th FITASC World Sporting Clays Championship in Portugal. USA Sporting Clays teams won first place in Male, Lady, and Junior divisions, with Team Winchester members Connor Daniel and Joe Fanizzi contributing to championship victories.

Wildlife for Tomorrow, the official nonprofit of the Arizona Game and Fish Department, announced the return of 820 Day on August 20, celebrating Arizona's approximately 820 wildlife species. The statewide day of giving invites residents and businesses to support conservation efforts through donations and community participation.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is accepting entries for the 45th annual Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp Design Competition with a deadline of Aug. 31. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2027-28 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp, with revenue supporting waterfowl conservation efforts across the state. This year's subject is the white-fronted goose.

NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, invites target shooters nationwide to participate in the 10th annual National Shooting Sports Month in August with the tagline "Let Freedom Plink." The celebration features the #RangeChallenge, participating ranges and retailers offering events and classes, and opportunities to win prizes throughout the month.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is implementing daily hoot-owl restrictions on the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River beginning August 1 due to rising water temperatures. The restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight to prevent fish mortality in cutthroat trout waters when temperatures reach 66 degrees for three consecutive days.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions at multiple sites in Big Horn and Roosevelt counties beginning July 31, including Grant Marsh Wildlife Management Area, Arapooish FAS, Bighorn FAS, General Custer FAS, Grant Marsh FAS, Mallard's Landing FAS, Two Leggins FAS, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Rosebud Battlefield State Park, Tongue River Reservoir State Park, Lewis and Clark FAS, and Roosevelt County Centennial Acre.

TREE Fund opens Fall 2026 research grant applications on August 1st, offering competitive funding to advance scientific research benefiting arboriculture and urban forestry. Since 2002, TREE Fund has awarded over $6 million in grants supporting evidence-based solutions for the tree care industry.

Taxidermy and Trophy Solutions (TTS), founded by Richard Lendrum, offers full-service trophy management for African safari hunters, handling everything from collection and export documentation to taxidermy, shipping, and final delivery as a single point of contact.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation and Kalkomey Inc. launched the Today's Hunter and Today's Bowhunter Combo Manual, a 130-page resource for Hunter Education and Bowhunter Education classes. The color-coded manual covers wildlife identification, stand usage, shot placement, and hunting ethics, with an Instructor version available in October 2026.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is offering more than 50 in-person hunter safety education classes during Hunter Safety Education Week, Aug. 10-16. Registration is open for courses providing convenient certification required for hunting license purchases. Lt. Tom Wanless encourages early registration to avoid full classes closer to hunting season.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has posted 2026-2027 hunting regulations for dove, band-tailed pigeon, waterfowl, snipe, and trapping on its website. Hunters 18 and older must possess a valid Arizona hunting license and migratory bird stamp, with youth combination licenses available for $5.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the 2026-27 waterfowl hunting schedule for Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Areas. Permits for regular duck season will be issued by lottery in mid-September, with hunting allowed on specific days across three seasonal segments. Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days remain permit-free.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is reducing hours at Fish Point, Nayanquing Point, Shiawassee River, and Harsens Island Unit at St. Clair Flats due to declining revenues and increased costs. Draw opportunities will be limited to five days per week starting fall 2026, with reserved hunts continuing as planned.

Midwest Gun Works expanded its Full Auto Fulfillment program to all firearms industry businesses, offering e-commerce site design, order fulfillment, and customer support. The program leverages MGW's nearly 30-year expertise in navigating firearms regulations to help brands streamline operations and focus on growth.

NSSF, ATF, and DOJ launched the 26th annual "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" campaign in Indianapolis through early September to educate the public about federal penalties for illegal firearm purchases, including up to 15 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The campaign includes 18 billboards, 140+ transit displays, 1,300+ radio spots, and targeted digital impressions across the region.

CCI Ammunition and Henry Repeating Arms have partnered to introduce the Henry Golden Boy Edition 22 LR ammo, a 275-round collector's edition featuring 36-grain copper-plated hollow-point bullets at 1,260 fps. The ammunition is now shipping to retailers nationwide.

Steiner unveiled the MPS 2.0 Micro Pistol Sight, an enclosed emitter red dot designed for duty and defense with enhanced durability, longer battery life, and improved ergonomics. The optic features redesigned brightness controls, up to 90,000 hours of runtime, and compatibility with the industry-standard ACRO footprint for multiple weapon platforms.

Buckmasters releases its ninth edition record book this fall, featuring 25,000 whitetails with 7,000 new entries since 2021. The updated rankings now include inside spread measurements for the first time, offering hunters current data on prime hunting locations and timing for connecting with mature whitetails.

Yellowstone.ai has been selected as the new trail camera supplier for Snapshot Wisconsin, a major wildlife monitoring project run by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The partnership will deploy 1,000 Y2 trail cameras across Wisconsin counties, providing high-quality imagery and remote management capabilities to support wildlife population tracking and scientific research.

Michigan residents and visitors can ride 4,000 miles of off-road vehicle trails without an ORV license or trail permit during Free ORV Weekend on August 15-16. Holly Oaks ORV Park in Oakland County will waive its entrance fee, and all ORV laws and regulations remain in effect during the event.

TWN Industries has released ASIO Raptor Camo, a hydrographic film developed with ASIO Gear featuring an owl-inspired concealment pattern for whitetail hunting. The water transfer printing technology allows manufacturers and custom shops to apply the pattern to firearm stocks, bow components, and other hunting equipment.

Hi Mountain Seasonings encourages anglers to enhance their blue catfish catches this summer with flavored breadcrumb coatings using blends like Cajun Cowboy, Cajun Campfire, Trail Dust, and Gourmet Fish Seasonings. President Hans Hummel highlights how the company's premium seasonings help customize fillets with flavors ranging from mild to bold for memorable fish fries.

Hardcore Waterfowl introduces Rugged Series Wood Duck Decoys featuring FowlFlex™ one-piece construction and WhaleTail™ Keel technology. Each six-pack includes four drakes and two hens with true-to-life paint detail designed for close-range timber hunting. MSRP $79.99.

Mission First Tactical introduced the MFT AIWB WML Ambidextrous Holster, a versatile light-bearing, red dot ready holster compatible with Streamlight TLR series lights and RMR reflex sights. Handmade in the USA with adjustable retention and available for Glock, Sig Sauer, and Springfield models at $59.99.

Berger Bullets' 6.5mm 140 Grain OTM projectiles have been selected for USSOCOM's M1200 6.5 Creedmoor Special Ball Long-Range Ammunition. Capstone Precision Group will manufacture several million rounds at their Mesa, Arizona facility under the Special Operations Unique Munitions Requirements program.

Steelhead Outdoors, based in Shakopee, MN, has launched a line of American-made handgun storage solutions including stackable vertical and horizontal lockers, portable lockboxes, and tethering cables designed to accommodate modern duty guns with lights and optics. Co-Founder Corey Meyer emphasized the company's commitment to law enforcement agencies seeking customizable weapon storage options.

One Horse announced the Express 22 Rifle and Express 22 Pistol, dedicated .22 LR firearms featuring One Horse lower receivers and Atrius Development Group's Forced Reset Selector. Both models will debut at Gun Owners of America's GOALS 2026 summit in Des Moines, Iowa, on August 1-2.

WOOX announced the Gladiatore V2 Stock & Forend, a premium upgrade for compatible Mossberg pump-action shotguns. Handcrafted from American walnut with wraparound grip technology and ventilated butt pad design, the V2 enhances performance and ergonomics. Available as stock, forend, or complete kit with MSRP of $439.

EOTECH, a division of American Holoptics, announced the sale of 14,000 units of OGL systems, HWS, and compatible magnifiers to the U.S. Army through Transformation in Contact buys to support the PAE Maneuver Ground portfolio's surrogate optics project for M7, XM8 Carbine, and M250 Automatic Rifle.

Heritage Manufacturing is offering a FREE .22 WMR cylinder with the purchase of any Heritage Rough Rider, Rough Rider Rancher, or Barkeep revolver throughout August 2026. Customers can redeem the promotion through Heritage's rebate portal at HeritageMfg.com.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department invites recreational shooters to celebrate National Shooting Sports Month in August, created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to promote firearms safety and participation. The Ben Avery Shooting Facility and nine other state-owned ranges offer opportunities for both experienced and new shooters to enjoy this safe pastime.

Registration is now open for the 2027 ATA Trade Show and Archery & Bowhunting Supershow returning to Indianapolis January 7-10, 2027. ATA Show Week features the members-only trade show, public supershow, and competitions including the S3DA Indoor Open, World Archery Indoor World Series 500, and NFAA Rushmore Rumble.

Umarex USA will exhibit at the Mid-States Distributing 2026 Fall Rendezvous on August 11-12 in Phoenix, AZ. Retailers can meet Umarex representatives and view 2026 products and classic items at booth No. 208, featuring Umarex Airguns, T4E, Prepared2Protect, and Elite Force Airsoft.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking applicants for the Southwest Lion Ecoregional Population Objective Panel to advise on mountain lion population objectives in southwest Montana. The 12-member panel will attend meetings in October and January to develop management recommendations balancing interests of hunters, livestock producers, wildlife enthusiasts, and ungulate conservation advocates. Applications are due August 21.

Field & Stream TV's Q2 results confirm its dominance in outdoor media, reaching 90 million TV households weekly with an average single-airing episode reach of 151,450 households. Top performers included Linder's Angling Edge with 2,776,748 total households and Spanish Fly with 2,316,879 total households, demonstrating the network's unmatched scale for national outdoor advertising campaigns.

The High Road with Keith Warren features Keith Warren and Johnny Piazza hunting whitetails and feral hogs on the Texas coast using the new Excursion rifle by Shaw Barrels, Bering Optics thermal scopes, and Vortex Optics, demonstrating strategic game management and ethical harvest practices.

Outdoor Channel presents "Night at the Range" every Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, featuring firearms education and shooting sports programming including Guns & Ammo TV, Handguns, Gun Stories with Joe Mantegna, American Rifleman, Shooting USA, and Airgunner Challenge, hosted by experts from Outdoor Sportsman Group.

MyOutdoorTV presents "The MeatEater Team Shootout," a livestreamed event on August 3 featuring Steven Rinella, Ryan Callaghan, Janis Putelis, Clay Newcomb, and other MeatEater crew members competing in a skeet shooting competition while discussing conservation, shows, and upcoming projects.

“Outside is good for your inside” is something you’ll hear me say pretty often. Most usually I say or write that phrase sitting inside wishing I could be doing something outside.  

For the past week, we’ve been outside more than inside, traipsing around the Great Smoky Mountains and visiting little towns like Sylva and Robbinsville in North Carolina. The little towns that cause you to look askance at your navigation system when it tells you you’re forty miles from your destination, with an expected arrival time two-and-a-half hours later. Narrow roads, tight switchbacks, slow progress and great views, if you dare take your eyes off the narrowing road.

This part of the country is where I’ve come to regroup for more than 65 years, and it never fails to help me recharge. My father’s side of the family has been traipsing these hills for hundreds of years. My mother’s side came long after them, but have shared the feeling these hills and mountains (with apologies to my friends in the Rockies) really are special places.

The mountains are living entities. They go through seasonal changes that mimic our own circle of life, budding in the spring, blooming in the summer, then fading in the fall before going dormant in the winter. Unlike us, they repeat their cycles, reminding us that there really is a season to everything.

This week, we enjoyed the recharge, but were also reminded that nature isn’t always benign. An unexpected outbreak of storms spawned a line of tornados that reminded everyone at Snowbird Mountain Lodge (great place) that nature is still in charge. The line of storms that moved across the mountains downed trees and power lines, flooded roads, and severed power, communications, flooded rooms, removed shingles and isolated Snowbird. The staff pulled together a limited breakfast menu for the guests, then got busy clearing roads, rounding up stray umbrellas and trying to cope. As of Thursday, they still lacked power, phones and internet…but they were still smiling.

Their former guests moved on, while scheduled arrivals waited for word when they could start their decompression visits. 

Our recharge concludes today as we head home after a special birthday recharge visit to Long View Resort, home of the region’s only spa -and one of the best places in the mountains to relax -and take in a bit of the Perseid meteor shower. 

The recharge is nearly complete, and I’m convinced more than ever, that outside really is good for your inside.

– Jim Shepherd