Team Mathews dominated the fourth stop of the 2026 ASA 3D season in London, Kentucky, winning five of six Pro classes with 11 podiums overall. Kyle Douglas claimed first in Men's Known Pro, while Brady Myers, Sharon Wallace, Kaitlyn Bordwell, and Jack Wallace also secured victories for the team.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) student archers raised $35,152.09 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through the 2025–2026 NASP St. Jude E-Championship Charity Tournament Series. Eleven schools, including Centennial High School, Prosper High School, and Heritage Academy, each raised $500 or more, demonstrating NASP's commitment to developing compassionate, service-minded students.
The Wild Sheep Foundation announced Gervasio Negrete as the 2027 Conklin Award recipient, recognizing him as the 25th winner of this prestigious "Tough Man" award. Negrete, a dual citizen of Mexico and Spain, has hunted across all continents and achieved 39 Ovis species and 36 Capra species worldwide. The award presentation will occur at WSF's Legacy Night banquet during the 2027 Sheep Show in Reno, Nevada on February 5th.
Field & Stream selected the Wicked Ridge Commander 400 as the 2026 Best Value Crossbow, praising its accuracy, built-in ACUdraw cocking system, and American-made quality. The crossbow, manufactured by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies in Mogadore, Ohio, features Gordon Glass limbs and retails for under $600.
Wade Ramsey of Lapua secured 2nd place in the F-T/R division at the 2026 Vihtavuori V2 Finale, losing to James Crofts in a dramatic five-round shoot-off. Ramsey used Berger 30 Caliber 208 Grain Long Range Hybrid Target bullets, Vihtavuori N150 powder, and Lapua .308 Winchester Palma brass in brutal wind conditions.
The National Rifle Association announces the "Faces of Freedom" America's Rifle Challenge Regional Championships presented by 360 Precision, taking place August 1–2 at Pete Lien & Sons Shooting Sports Complex in Rapid City, SD. The event features eight stages combining ARC Levels and is led by Match Director Michael Kuzara and Assistant Match Director Bruce Schmidt with Prairie Thunder Action Shooting Club support.
Chad Heckler of Vihtavuori won the Tactical Division at the 2026 K&M Kahles Precision Rifle Competition in Tennessee, scoring 181 impacts out of 192 across 20 stages. Heckler cleaned 14 stages and currently ranks second in the Precision Rifle Series Pro Series Tactical Class standings.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture is accepting submissions for the 19th annual Indiana Agriculture Photo Contest during June 2026. Indiana residents can submit photos in four categories: On the Farm, Faces of Agriculture, Agritourism, and Conservation. Ten winners will be selected and recognized at the Indiana State Fair by Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith and Director Don Lamb.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a reply brief supporting its motion for summary judgment in Heeter v. James, challenging New York's body armor ban as unconstitutional. FPC President Brandon Combs stated the ban criminalizes personal protective equipment and violates Second Amendment rights. The case is proceeding in U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York with briefing continuing through June.
Tony Zimbelman, 23, was sentenced to suspended jail time, $3,000 in fines, and a two-year hunting privilege revocation for illegally shooting a trophy white-tailed buck with a rifle before archery season opened in September 2025. The Boone & Crockett-scored deer was discovered following a tip from a concerned citizen to Montana game wardens.
Landowners can attend a Deer and Wild Turkey Habitat Management Field Day on June 12, 2026, at Lexington Wildlife Management Area. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and Oklahoma State University Extension Natural Resources will present on habitat requirements, food plots, forest management, and prescribed fire demonstrations.
Women for Gun Rights announced its 2026 National Summit scheduled for September 12–14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The event will feature educational sessions, Capitol Hill engagement, networking opportunities, and keynote presentations led by founder Dianna Muller, bringing together advocates and grassroots leaders for Second Amendment advocacy and civic engagement.
Georgia's Department of Natural Resources announced that recreational and commercial oyster harvesting will close June 1, 2026, and reopen October 1, 2026, to comply with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program's Vibrio parahaemolyticus control plan protecting public health.
NOAA Fisheries announced a 43-day recreational fishing season for greater amberjack in Gulf federal waters from September 1 to October 14, 2026, up from 26 days in 2025. The season closure protects the overfished population, with a bag limit of 1 fish per person per day and 34-inch minimum fork length.
Bond Arms is offering a limited-time giveaway where customers who purchase qualifying 250th model firearms between January 1 and July 4, 2026, can win an LVRB from the first production batch. The winner will be announced July 6, 2026, and receive the firearm before public availability.
MidwayUSA Foundation is accepting grant applications with a June 15 deadline to support youth shooting sports programs. The foundation has awarded over $88 million in cash grants since inception, with $7.6 million distributed in 2026, helping teams like Heathwood Hall Highlanders cover ammunition, equipment, and event costs.
The application deadline for the 2026 deer gun season in North Dakota is June 3. Applicants for regular deer gun, gratis, youth, and muzzleloader permits can apply online through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department's website at gf.nd.gov.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has opened applications for permit-only white-tailed deer hunts on wildlife management areas through July 1. Hunters can apply online at www.agfc.com for youth, archery, alternative firearms, and modern gun hunts, with a $5 nonrefundable processing fee per application.
Ohio's wild turkey hunters harvested 15,887 birds during the spring 2026 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The Ohio State University collaborated with the Division of Wildlife on research studying hen turkey nesting and survival, as well as male turkey gobbling patterns to inform future management decisions.
Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources opens applications June 9 for 2026 antlerless hunts including deer, elk, moose, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. The application period closes June 23, with drawing results available by July 8. Antlerless permits help manage wildlife populations and provide locally sourced meat for hunters.
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission closed Black Bear Management Units 300, 301, 319, and 580 to all black bear hunting effective June 3, 2026, after these districts exceeded 37% female bears in the harvest.
Pennsylvania's Game Commission has established 2026-27 migratory game bird seasons selected from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service frameworks. Significant changes include increased Canada goose seasons in the Atlantic Population Zone and shifted light goose season dates. Hunters are encouraged to report banded birds at www.reportband.gov to support population management efforts.
We Buy Guns, a licensed FFL platform, reported record May 2026 activity with 1,773 offers totaling $1,048,360 in secondary market value. The Glock 19 led submissions while premium brands like Colt and Staccato commanded higher average values, with estate liquidations driving significant regional value spikes.
Derya Arms announced that Betul Polat has been promoted to Operations Director focused on Industrial Engineering, Process Improvement, and Lean Systems at the Jacksonville facility. With a Master's in Industrial & Systems Engineering and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, Polat will lead continuous improvement initiatives and oversee inventory systems and ATF compliance.
Celerant Technology and Action Target have integrated their range management systems to automate lane activation and improve shooter experience. The partnership connects Celerant's Range Management software with Action Target's SmartRange AXIS™ system, enabling automatic lane activation, personalized check-ins, and future in-lane ordering capabilities for dealers.
Steiner Optics has launched the eDiscovery 10x42 binoculars, designed for birders to capture 12MP still images and 4K video while observing. The binoculars feature high-definition optics, IP67 waterproofing, and Wi-Fi connectivity through the Steiner Connect 2.0 app for seamless documentation and sharing of sightings.
Leapers' premium optics brand Integrix is featured in Way of the Hunter 2, with the Integrix iX6 3-18X44 riflescope being the first in-game scope to offer an illuminated reticle. The scope remains the highest-magnification option available as the game expands to the Kilimaya Reserve in South Africa.
Realtree has joined the Retrieving Freedom, Inc. (RFI) Business Alliance as a Platinum Sponsor, supporting RFI’s mission to change lives through the training and placement of service dogs for veterans with disabilities and children with autism.
Atrius Development Group announced a "Together We Win" initiative for June, donating a portion of sales proceeds to the Second Amendment Foundation. The veteran-owned company, known for its Atrius Forced Reset Selector for AR-15 platforms, aims to support SAF's legal, educational, and advocacy efforts.
Pass It On - Outdoor Mentors announced support for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's proposed rule to expand hunting and fishing opportunities at 111 federal sites across 32 states, making over 92 million acres available. CEO Scott Petrie emphasized that increased access to public lands is essential for addressing barriers to youth participation in hunting and fishing.
Range USA, the nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, announced all 50 of its locations are participating in NSSF's first Gun Storage Check Week retailer pilot program. The campaign promotes secure firearm storage practices during June 1–7 and September 1–7, with participating locations receiving promotional materials from Project ChildSafe.
Shell Shock Technologies and CBC Global Ammunition announced a strategic collaboration to industrialize and commercialize Shell Shock's proprietary NAS3™ hybrid case technology across multiple military and commercial calibers. CBC will serve as a licensed manufacturing partner, supporting industrial-scale production and global market development, with formal signing planned at Eurosatory in Paris on June 15th.
Wayne T. Saunders, Executive Director of International Wildlife Crimestoppers and retired New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer, is featured on the Hunting Matters podcast discussing his 23-year career, a 1997 line-of-duty shooting, and his current work teaching future conservation officers and hosting the Warden's Watch Podcast.
Benjamin's redesigned Marauder Gen 3 PCP Air Rifle offers enhanced power and precision in .22 and .25 calibers, with velocities up to 1,200 fps and 1,150 fps respectively. The rifle features a 32 percent lighter cocking effort, adjustable regulator, integrated sound suppression, and all-weather stock with adjustable cheek piece.
CMC Triggers Corp reinforces its leadership in the firearms industry with its pioneering drop-in AR trigger line for AR-15 and AR-10 platforms. The company maintains robust inventory and offers multiple configurations with single-stage and two-stage designs to meet diverse shooter needs.
FALCO Holsters has expanded beyond firearm carry with a new collection of minimalist leather wallets, card holders, and an EDC tray. Handcrafted from premium full-grain Italian leather by the same craftsmen behind FALCO holsters, the collection includes four products ranging from $29.95 to $59.95, all backed by a lifetime warranty.
CMC Triggers Corp, the original innovator of drop-in AR triggers, reinforces its market leadership with its AR-15 and AR-10 trigger systems. Known for precision engineering, reliability, and consistent availability, CMC's lineup features multiple configurations designed for competitive shooters and firearm enthusiasts nationwide.
Galco unveils the Combat Master 2.0, a professional-grade belt holster for Glock 26 designed to accommodate carry-style optics while maintaining compatibility with iron-sighted pistols. The updated pancake holster features premium steerhide construction, hand-molding by Galco's craftsmen, and a raised sweat guard for enhanced concealment and durability.
Ranger Point Precision and LINE49 | RIFLE partnered to enhance Henry Lever Supreme rifles with M-LOK handguards, match-grade barrels, and modern caliber options including .556 NATO, .300 Blackout, and 6 ARC. Fully converted rifles and conversion kits are available at Line49Rifle.com with suppressor-ready configurations and custom options.
Outdoor Cap announced a new Red Dirt Hat Co./Mossy Oak collaborative collection combining Western style with camouflage patterns for independent retailers. The retail-ready program features low minimums, fast shipping, and premium construction, alongside expanded offerings from Lazy J Ranch Wear and American Cattle Co.
WATCHTOWER Defense announced a permanent price reduction on its APACHE Commander double-stack 1911 pistol to $3,299, passing $700 in manufacturing savings to customers. The veteran-founded company optimized operations at its new 24,000-square-foot Tomball, Texas facility while maintaining premium quality and match-grade specifications.
Liberty Ammunition showcased its new Pro Series ammunition at SOF Week in Tampa, Florida, demonstrating superiority over Federal, HST, Speer G2, and Hornady Critical Duty. Special Forces appreciated the ammunition's penetration depth options, lighter weight, stopping power, reduced recoil, and hydrostatic shock capabilities. CEO Gary Ramey noted strong reception and international interest from several countries.
General booth space selection for ATA Show Week 2027 opens June 9, following priority selection. The event takes place January 7-10, 2027, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, combining the ATA Trade Show, Archery & Bowhunting Supershow, and NFAA Rushmore Rumble.
PEET Dryer, maker of the original boot dryer founded in 1968, has renewed its national sponsorship with Whitetails Unlimited. The company offers various dryer models powered by electricity, 12V adapters, propane, and 220V outlets for boots, gloves, helmets, and waders. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised PEET's reliable solutions for keeping outdoor gear dry and comfortable.
SIGHTRON has partnered with NASSA and the SK Lone Star Cup Silhouette Championship to offer a limited anniversary-run Retro SII Big Sky Silhouette Riflescope, with only 75 manufactured. The 2026 SK Lone Star Cup will be held June 6-7 at Bayou Rifles in Houston, TX, featuring smallbore standard rifle matches and benchrest silhouette competitions.
An Indianapolis woman survived a near-drowning on Sugar Creek after bystander Cole Riggleman pulled her from the water. Dr. James Malenkos led CPR efforts that restored her pulse after 12 minutes. She was airlifted to IU Methodist Hospital with assistance from Bloomingdale EMT Casey Bault and multiple emergency agencies.
The Michigan DNR will remove the aging Roberts Lake Dam in Cheboygan County in August and replace it with a 16-foot-span bottomless box culvert. The project, funded by America's Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, involves the DNR, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Cheboygan County Road Commission, Huron Pines, J.E. Tiffany & Sons LLC, and Team Elmers.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources and the town of Otterbein celebrated completion of the 0.9-mile Dirk Studebaker Trail on May 29, funded by a $718,720 DNR grant. The multi-use asphalt trail connects the town, Otterbein Commons, and Otterbein Foods, providing safe pedestrian and bicycle access along Oxford Street in Tippecanoe County.
Hook & Barrel Magazine is giving away two Taurus GX2 TORO 9mm pistols through an exclusive sweepstakes running through June 30, 2026. Readers can enter via the Hook & Barrel website giveaway page for a chance to win the optics-ready concealed-carry pistol.
A new video features The Swamp Whitetails, Alabama's premier deer breeding operation owned by Chip and Mistie Burkes and managed by Rodney Ragon. The facility is known for producing genetically CWD-resistant whitetails and setting industry standards for excellence and animal welfare.
Sportsman Channel's "Monday Night Hunts" lineup features seven hunting shows airing Mondays 8-11 p.m. ET, including Night Crew, Steve's Outdoor Adventures with Steve West, Art of Wild with Nick Ventura, Predator Pursuit with Jeff Thomason, MOJO TV with Terry Denmon, Jim Shockey's The Professionals, and back-to-back MeatEater episodes with Steven Rinella.
MyOutdoorTV now offers over 200 episodes of Buck Commander featuring Willie Robertson, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Tyler Farr, Adam LaRoche, Ryan Langerhans, Tombo Marin, and Ryan Busbice. Season 16 and four seasons of JUST SHOT are available on the premier global subscription streaming platform from Outdoor Sportsman Group.
Pursuit Channel premieres Surviving Mann: All-Stars Season 4 this week, hosted by SEAL Team 6 veteran Don Mann. The season features high-intensity tactical challenges at Summit Point Training Facility in West Virginia, with judges including Jeff Tiegs of Skull Games, Sheriff Mark Lamb, Dr. Jenn, and Tim Harmsen of Military Arms Channel, while supporting the fight against human trafficking.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife urges boaters and anglers to protect nesting loons by maintaining safe distances and removing fishing gear hazards. Jillian Kilborn and Eric Hanson highlight threats from human disturbance and lead tackle, while the Vermont Center for Ecostudies coordinates conservation efforts including collection tubes for lead tackle disposal at over 30 boat access areas.
One of the most important initiatives that the National Shooting Sport Foundation (NSSF) has undertaken in recent years is its Gun Storage Check Week®.
NSSF launched Gun Storage Check Week in May 2024. The idea is to spotlight a time each year when gun owners can, and should, make sure their guns are securely stored when not in use.
As a reminder, it is not unlike the biannual reminder to replace the batteries in the smoke detectors in your home. Each is a simple yet critical step to prevent the tragic loss of life.
In launching Gun Storage Check Week Joe Bartozzi, President and CEO of NSSF, said, “The goal is to help prevent firearm accidents, especially those involving children, suicides and thefts. Hiding a gun on top of a refrigerator or a closet shelf or in some other location is not a substitute for secure, locked storage.”
The industry has long championed including a free cable lock with new firearms sold at retail. Today, almost every new gun sold includes one.
Through Project ChildSafe, which NSSF created in 1999 under the name Project HomeSafe, the industry has distributed over 42 million free gun locks. This is in partnership with 15,000 law enforcement agencies and more than 13,000 retail stores, conservation groups, hunting clubs, and safety instructors.
Gun Storage Check Week is a natural extension of NSSF’s laser focus on firearms safety. It also dovetails with another critical initiative spearheaded by Bartozzi: partnering with key organizations and investing resources in suicide prevention.
The annual number of firearm-related deaths is made up of essentially three main components. The first is accidental deaths. Thanks to the wide availability of free cable locks, along with educating gun owners of safe firearm storage, the number of accidental deaths has been reduced.
By definition, accidents can never be eliminated entirely, but there is little doubt that firearms manufacturers, NSSF, and Project ChildSafe have significantly reduced accidental firearm-related deaths.
The second category is the criminal misuse of firearms. Here, once again, the industry has taken the lead with a program called Don’t Lie For The Other Guy.
The vast majority of firearms in America are sold at retail by federally licensed firearms dealers, and as such require a background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The most common workaround is a “straw purchase,” in which a legal buyer purchases a firearm on behalf of a prohibited person.
Don’t Lie For The Other Guy, in partnership with the ATF, local law enforcement and prosecutors, and firearms retailers, has helped combat straw purchases to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals prohibited by law from owning firearms.
While these efforts have helped reduce illegal acquisitions, enforcement ultimately depends on prosecutors willing to pursue those cases. Instead, they prefer to target the legal manufacture and sale of firearms.
It's a bit like giving drunk drivers a pass while suing brewers and distillers.
The death statistics of criminal misuse of firearms are much more challenging to reduce when prosecutors take a laissez-faire approach to fighting violent crime. Naturally, the banning and confiscating firearms are the preferred tactics of many liberal-minded politicians and prosecutors.
Unfortunately for them, there is that pesky, old Constitution and its oft-quoted Second Amendment.
The third major component of annual firearm-related fatalities is death by suicide.
Suicide is a multifaceted problem with no single, one-size-fits-all solution. Its complexity means no single group or organization can tackle it. It’s only through a combined effort that any headway can be made.
Under Bartozzi, NSSF has put considerable effort into this difficult challenge. Partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA), NSSF co-hosted a series of Roundtables to address suicide prevention.
The first Roundtable in July 2022, followed by a second in September 2023, then a third in held in Washington D.C. in 2024, received strong support from across the firearms industry, with several major companies participating.
Suicide rates remain far too high, especially among active-duty military and veterans, but several programs are underway to help reach those in crisis. One such effort is NSSF’s Suicide Prevention Toolkit & Resources For Industry.
Last year, NSSF partnered with The American Legion and AFSP to mail a combined toolkit to more than 9,000 American Legion Posts in the country. The mailing consisted of the NSSF-AFSP suicide prevention toolkit that was modified for a veteran audience and The American Legion’s “Be The One” suicide prevention materials.
The goal of NSSF’s work in the area is “to have all segments of industry provide education about suicide prevention to employees, firearm owners and their families.”
At the retail and range level that means training staff and educating customers about preventing suicide—what NSSF termed ‘Have a Brave Conversation.’
Bartozzi recognizes the unique position NSSF and members of the industry have on this issue when it comes to firearms, noting that “they carry trust and credibility” with consumers and “can help change attitudes and behaviors about this difficult subject.”
When the message on suicide prevention and firearms comes from NSSF and the industry “firearm owners will understand that the message inherently respects and supports their right to own and use firearms responsibly.”
That’s a major hurdle that few others can clear.
Which brings us back to Gun Storage Check Week. Access to firearms by those in crisis is just one reason to audit your firearms and how they are stored. But it’s an incredibly important reason.
Any unauthorized use can quickly become a tragedy, and you don’t want to look back and say to yourself, “if only I had….”
So this week, check your guns. Check your safes, gun cabinets, and lock boxes. Update security codes on keypads—if you think there might be somebody with the code that shouldn’t have it.
And check the batteries on your electronic locks. Batteries are cheap. Getting locked out of your safe isn’t.
NSSF is doing its part, on multiple fronts, to reduce firearm-related deaths. During Gun Storage Check Week, take a few minutes to do yours. Check your firearms, your locks, your safes, and your storage procedures. The time investment is minimal. The consequences of neglecting them can last a lifetime.
And nobody wants that.
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
