ATN Corp. won the 2025 Gold Award in the Night Vision/Thermal Category and a Favorite New Product Award from The Shooting Sports Retailer at the NRA Show. The company launched its Generation 6 thermal platform, including the ThOR 6 Elite, ThOR 6 Mini, BlazeHunter thermal monocular series, and Binox 6 multispectral binoculars.

Alabama Audubon's sixth annual Black Belt Birding Festival runs July 31-August 2, 2026, featuring guided field trips, keynote speaker Nate Swick from the American Birding Association, and events at The Joe Farm and Perry Lakes Park. The festival celebrates the region's distinctive birdlife, civil rights history, and ecotourism opportunities.

Oliver Milanovic of Team Vihtavuori won the 18th Annual John Martin 500-Yard Prone Championship at Rio Salado Sportsman's Club in Mesa, Arizona, with an aggregate score of 597-30X using Vihtavuori N140 powder, Lapua Palma brass, and Berger Hybrid bullets.

Michigan's walleye possession season opens May 15 on Upper Peninsula inland waters. Lake Independence and Teal Lake in Marquette County now have protected slot limits requiring anglers to release walleye smaller than 15 inches and those between 18-23 inches, with a daily possession limit of five fish.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department announced the 2026 paddlefish snagging season will close Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m. Central time. A snag-and-release extended season will follow May 9-15, allowing anglers with unused tags to participate but requiring immediate fish release.

GRITR Outdoors is offering a limited-time discount on select Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) spinning, casting, and fly fishing rods through May 31 on GRITROutdoors.com. TFO rods are engineered for high-performance fishing with sophisticated designs and backed by a full lifetime warranty.

Sedrick Neinhuis of Lowell, Michigan caught a new state-record gizzard shad weighing 4.45 pounds on the Grand River in April. The fish surpassed the previous record of 4.12 pounds set in 1996 on Lake St. Clair and was verified by DNR fisheries biologist Matt Diana.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick explains how drought impacts fish species, fishing access, and stocking strategies. The DWR is adjusting fish stocking and raising warmwater species like channel catfish, walleye, and wipers at Logan Fish Hatchery to adapt to warmer water conditions.

Tisas Arms USA, the world's largest producer of 1911-type pistols, established customer service operations in Buford, Georgia. VP Operations Tim Mulverhill and CEO Erdal Kaya emphasized the company's commitment to its limited lifetime warranty and world-class customer support for all Tisas-manufactured pistols.

Southwick Associates released its April 2026 Hunting & Shooting Market Pulse, revealing that hunters and shooters are cutting discretionary spending due to economic concerns but increasing ammunition supplies and planning to spend tax refunds on hunting and shooting products. The quarterly subscription service provides market analysis and industry trends to executives and investors.

NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi will appear on Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew on Fox Business May 10 to discuss Project ChildSafe secure firearm storage and the Brave Conversations initiative, a partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Department of Veterans Affairs.

Target Sports USA has appointed Steven Blinn as Chief Marketing Officer. Blinn brings over 20 years of digital marketing and ecommerce experience, and was recently named a 2026 Top 100 Marketer by the OnCon Icon Awards. He will oversee marketing operations across ecommerce, digital growth, brand development, and emerging AI initiatives.

The Wild Sheep Foundation announced the Crow Tribal Fish & Game of Montana as its newest Affiliate, marking the tenth North American tribal partner. This partnership strengthens wild sheep and habitat conservation efforts by combining scientific expertise with traditional Indigenous knowledge and sovereign wildlife stewardship authority.

The Wild Sheep Foundation has appointed Aibat Muzbay of Kazakhstan as Central Asia Specialist for International Programs. Muzbay, Executive Director of the Arlan Foundation and Vice-Chair of the Wild Sheep Partnership for Central Asia, will lead regional wild sheep and goat conservation efforts under Kurt Alt's direction.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission named AFTCO as the official apparel partner of the Arkansas Legacy Lunker Program, which aims to enhance trophy bass genetics. AFTCO will provide co-branded apparel and specialized gear for program participants, joining corporate partners including Xpress Boats, PRADCO Fishing, Bass Pro Shops, and Harper's Pure Country Taxidermy.

Auto-Ordnance introduced the Lightweight M1 Thompson, a modern evolution of the classic .45 ACP firearm featuring a high-strength aluminum receiver and polymer furniture that reduces weight by approximately 34.8% compared to traditional models, with an MSRP of $1,246.

Henry Repeating Arms introduced the H23 Lever Action Supreme Rifle in .450 Bushmaster, expanding its Guns & Ammo Rifle of the Year-winning platform for big-game hunting in straight-wall cartridge states including Iowa, Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. The rifle features an 18" threaded barrel, match-grade trigger, and DuraMag 10-round magazine at $1,360 MSRP.

Kinetic Development Group's Kinect Series offers shooters a tool-free, spring-loaded locking mechanism for M-LOK equipped rifles. The patented system joins KDG's SideLok and BOM Series as practical solutions for modern rifle configuration and accessory mounting.

GForce Arms announced the expansion of its JAWBONE PCC with two new .45 ACP barrel options now shipping: a compact 5-inch and full-command 7-inch configuration. The American-manufactured hybrid pistol features an aluminum alloy receiver, 4140 steel barrel, Ace of Brace paddle pistol brace, and ambidextrous controls, priced at $599 MSRP.

Auto-Ordnance unveiled a commemorative 1911 pistol celebrating America's 250th anniversary, featuring matte gray finish with copper-colored infill, patriotic inscriptions, custom-engraved wood grips depicting the Liberty Bell and bald eagle, TruGlo® Combat Day Sights, and .45 ACP chambering at $1,494 MSRP.

20North Marketing has signed on as Platinum Sponsor for the 2026 NSSF Marketing & Leadership Summit, taking place May 12–14 in Hilton Head. The digital marketing agency will support industry discussions on AI-driven search, leadership, consumer behavior, and digital marketing strategies.

Beretta serves as title sponsor of the 2026 NSCA Northeast Regional Championship at M&M Hunting Preserve in Pennsville, NJ, May 12-17, showcasing competition shotguns including the 694 Black DLC, DT11 Super Sport, SL2, AX800 Suprema, and A400 L Sporting. Team Beretta athletes Connor Daniel, Desi Edmunds, Dominic Grossi, Zach Kienbaum, Diane Sorantino, and Jared Greenwood will compete.

FWP proposes accepting an 82-acre island complex donation from Trust for Public Land on the upper Yellowstone River near Livingston to create Siskin Island Fishing Access Site. The site will be managed for habitat conservation and public access, with float-in camping and hunting allowed under weapons restrictions. Final approval is scheduled for June 12 with public comments open through May 21.

Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Vern Gagnon to the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission's Region 5 seat in March. Gagnon, Dean of City College at Montana State University Billings and owner of Reel Therapy Charter Fishing, brings expertise in conservation, access, and resource management to the commission.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 15 at Lake Wilhelmina to announce the reopening of the 200-acre lake following major renovations. Infrastructure improvements included re-sleeving the outflow pipe, replacing water control tower gates, and adding a new fishing pier. The Fisheries team enhanced aquatic habitat by placing fish attractors and stocking forage and game fish species.

Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo will open "Ursus Horribilis: The Grizzly Bear Illustrated" exhibit on May 9, featuring 50 vintage prints by artists including Karl Bodmer and Frederic Remington. A bear aware event on May 23 will offer demonstrations, bear spray training, and activities from Wind River Bear Institute and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

GAME & FISH TV launches "All In The Family" Friday night programming featuring the 13th season of McMillan, following Kansas cowboy Tom McMillan and his family, plus the docuseries Kid Rodeo about young rodeo competitors pursuing the Junior Nationals in Las Vegas.

Up to 150 pro anglers compete in the 2026 Major League Fishing Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 4 on Douglas Lake in Tennessee, with a top prize of $135,000. The three-day tournament streams live on MLFNOW! via MyOutdoorTV, MajorLeagueFishing.com, and Rumble, hosted by Visit Jefferson County, TN.

May brings American Wetlands Month, and with it comes the familiar sounds of wings over cattails and the quiet ripple of backwaters alive with fish. It’s this time of year when wetlands remind us that beyond vital habitats, they also offer us places to go afield, reasons to return, and unforgettable outdoor opportunities. For outdoor enthusiasts, wetlands are more than just places on a map. They are where outdoor skills are sharpened, traditions are carried on, and the connection between people and resources are strengthened season after season.

From southern cypress swamps to prairie potholes and coastal estuaries, wetlands create habitat and outdoor access. These landscapes produce ducks, geese, and other migratory species, because they provide what these birds need at every stage of life. For hunters, these areas mean early mornings in blinds and harvesting waterfowl to feed families and communities. Without healthy wetlands, these waterfowl populations would decline, and with them, access to our outdoor pursuits.

For anglers, wetlands are just as essential. They are the sheltered nurseries of our fisheries, where young fish find food, shelter, and a chance to grow. Bass, trout, salmon, and many other species benefit from these productive waters. Beyond providing breeding and rearing habitat for fish populations, wetlands also improve water quality by filtering pollutants and stabilizing shorelines, creating better conditions for fishing.

Today, wetlands cover less than 6 percent of the lower 48 states with millions of acres having been filled or drained for agriculture and infrastructure. What’s left today is only a fraction of what once stretched across the country. Much of what remains has endured thanks in part to the American System of Conservation Funding. Central to this funding system is the industry-state-federal partnership created through two landmark conservation laws: the Pittman-Robertson Act and the Dingell-Johnson Act. Through these acts, federal manufacturer excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, archery equipment, fishing tackle, and a portion of the federal gas tax that is attributable to motorboats and small engines supports conservation efforts.  When these federal funds are matched with state hunting and fishing license dollars and other non‑federal contributions, they collectively flow into the restoration and management of millions of acres of habitat.

Wetlands across the country have benefited from this investment. Programs like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) have taken those federal excise tax dollars and turned them into millions of acres of wetlands acquired, restored, and enhanced for wildlife and people alike. Designed as a collaborative, continent-wide initiative, NAWCA embodies the integrated nature of wetland conservation combining federal funding, local partnerships, and science-based management.

Through NAWCA federal funds derived from manufacturer federal excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and select archery equipment are used to leverage additional financial support from non-federal partners. The vital contributions of these non-federal partners, including state governments, conservation organizations, and private landowners, enables the successful partnership. For every dollar of federal funding provided through NAWCA, partners typically contribute at least one matching dollar, sometimes more. This multiplies the impact of the program and encourages collaboration across sectors. To date, this $2.28 billion generated from federal excise taxes has been matched with an additional $4.53 billion in partner funding contributions benefiting wetlands across North America.

These wetland investments equal more birds in the flyway, enhanced hunting and fishing opportunities, and more days afield with family and friends. American Wetlands Month is a celebration of these productive landscapes and the conservation funding system that continues to sustain wildlife, support our outdoor conservation heritage, and protect the places where these connections thrive.

– Cindy Sandoval, USFWF