The Wild Sheep Foundation presented multiple awards at the Sheep Show® in Bozeman, Montana, recognizing individuals and organizations for conservation and hunting contributions. Recipients included Jim Travis, Brett Wiedmann, the Texas Bighorn Society, Chris Barker, and numerous others honored for their dedication to wild sheep conservation across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) announced JD Burrows as the 2026 Frank E. Green Award of Commitment recipient for his exceptional volunteer service since 2008, including serving as President from 2019 to 2020. Burrows and his wife Angie have demonstrated sustained commitment through leadership roles and sponsorships supporting HSCF's conservation and hunting heritage mission.

EchoCore Suppressors' Sector 5.56 Compact suppressor received On Target Magazine's 2025 Editor's Choice Award for exceptional innovation and engineering. The 12.9-ounce, 5-inch suppressor features advanced DMLS construction and XCR technology, earning recognition for sound performance and efficiency.

Traditions® Performance Firearms announced Steve Kirkpatrick of The WL Carter Company as the 2025 Sales Representative of the Year. Kirkpatrick has represented Traditions products since 2006, demonstrating outstanding performance and dedication to customer relationships and brand growth.

Winter and early spring offer the best opportunities to view large concentrations of bald eagles across Nebraska. Prime viewing locations include Sutherland Reservoir, Harlan County Reservoir, Lake McConaughy, and areas below Gavin's Point Dam, with Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District maintaining dedicated viewing facilities.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation confirmed a second chronic wasting disease-positive mule deer in Cimarron County's Panhandle, harvested near Felt. ODWC and the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry activated their joint CWD Response Plan, maintaining the existing Selective Surveillance Area.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are investigating an unlawfully killed bull elk found on private property off Horsethief Road, approximately 13 miles west of Roundup, between January 30 and February 1. Only the head and backstraps were removed, with all other meat wasted. Game warden Randy Hutzenbiler is seeking public information and offering rewards up to $1,000.

The Gulf Council is accepting applications for its Red Drum Advisory Panel and Coastal Migratory Pelagic Advisory Panel. Advisory Panel members serve three-year terms and receive travel expense compensation. Applications must be submitted by March 3, 2026, at noon for consideration during the April Council meeting.

Conservation First USA is offering 17 Arizona Special Big Game Tags through a raffle with $10 tickets and no purchase limit. Winners can hunt for 365 days, with all proceeds benefiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Arizona Habitat Partnership Committee for wildlife management projects.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting applications from landowners for 2026 hunting access programs including Block Management, Elk Hunting Access Agreements, and Unlocking Public Lands. Landowners retain control over access rules and receive liability protection and potential compensation.

RetailBI released its January Firearm Sales Index showing a -6.2% decline compared to January 2025. Gearfire's RetailBI provides data-driven retail performance metrics using point-of-sale transactions from over 2,000 U.S. firearms retailers, offering manufacturers, distributors, and retailers accurate consumer demand insights.

Kovix, a premium titanium suppressor manufacturer, relocated its headquarters from Lake Norden, South Dakota to Kalispell, Montana. CEO Luke Hanson stated the move enhances team synergy and positions the company more centrally for operations while maintaining seamless customer service.

Liberty Ammunition announced its selection by Brink's U.S. for executive protection services. CEO Gary Ramey expressed pride in supporting the world's oldest security firm, which has provided asset protection since 1859, with Liberty's advanced ammunition technology.

Spartan Precision Equipment announced a partnership with Hunter Outdoor Communications to strengthen its North American market presence through strategic public relations and brand development. The collaboration aims to expand brand awareness and deliver impactful messaging to the outdoor industry.

Whitetails Unlimited Inc. is hiring part-time Field Directors for territories in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Candidates should have event planning experience, Microsoft 365 proficiency, and knowledge of hunting and white-tailed deer. Interested applicants should email fieldoperations@whitetailsunlimited.com.

Samson Manufacturing offers vertical foregrips in multiple styles, sizes, and materials with various attachment methods including M-LOK, KeyMod, Evolution, and Picatinny. Available in polymer or aluminum with knurled or grenade textures, the two-piece design allows users to remove the grip while leaving the attachment lug in place.

German Precision Optics (GPO USA) announced that the free $95.00 custom Kenton Industries™ turret is now standard with select GPO CENTURI™ riflescopes. The custom turret allows shooters to dial exact yardage or ballistic data tailored to their specific rifle and ammunition at no additional cost.

MDT announces a limited 4th Anniversary Edition of the GRND-POD bipod in Flat Dark Earth, celebrating four years of the popular precision rifle accessory. The bipod features rapid deployment, one-handed control, independently adjustable legs, and compatibility with multiple attachment interfaces including ARCA/RRS Dovetail and Picatinny.

Beretta USA will showcase its A300 Ultima Turkey lineup and hunting shotguns at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention & Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee, February 12-14. The company will feature exclusive collaborations with Rob Roberts Custom Gunworks, Realtree®, and Mossy Oak®, highlighting purpose-built turkey guns and modern hunting shotguns at booth #2061.

GSM Outdoors will showcase hunting gear from over 50 brands at the 2026 National Wild Turkey Federation Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, featuring debut backpack-style turkey vests from Avian-X in limited-edition NWTF designs, plus appearances by Hall of Fame Callers Mark Drury and Paul Butski.

Knight & Hale Game Calls returns to the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention with founders Harold Knight and David Hale making special appearances. The booth will feature exclusive show specials including a 50th NWTF Convention Anniversary Pot Call and debut the complete 2026 product line with new apparel, calls, and limited-edition collector's items.

Remington Ammunition will debut its new Final Strut HD turkey load lineup at the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2026 Convention in Nashville, February 10-14. The tungsten-blended loads offer enhanced retained energy and dense patterns at longer ranges, complementing Remington's existing turkey ammunition options.

Faxon Firearms, an American-made manufacturer based in Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports 2026 Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City February 10–13, 2026. The company will showcase its AR-15 lineup, precision barrels, suppressors, and core components at Booth 1504.

Federal Ammunition is the title sponsor of the National Wild Turkey Federation's 2026 Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee, February 10-14. Federal will sponsor the Hunting Heritage Breakfast and introduce new turkey loads including Realtree 40th Anniversary Special Edition and Rob Roberts Limited Edition ammunition.

Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Nation's Best Sports Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10–13, showcasing their suppressor lineup including Sandman, Nomad, Wolfman, RXD910Ti, Nomad Ti OTB, and CT5P to NBS dealers.

Maxim Defense, a premier manufacturer of precision firearms, suppressors, ammunition and accessories based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, will exhibit at the 2026 Nation's Best Sports Spring Semi-Annual Market February 10-13 in Oklahoma City. The company will showcase new products including the SDX RFLX, MD15 Duty Precision, MD15 A3, and Maxim Defense Airsoft Guns at booth #1146.

TrueTimber, the world's best-selling camo brand, will exhibit at the 2026 National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, February 12-14, alongside partner Bone Collector. The event will feature an early access film screening about Rob Keck's Canadian Wild Turkey Super Slam achievement.

SHIELD Sights, a leading manufacturer of compact pistol optics, will make their inaugural debut at the 2026 NBS Spring Market in Oklahoma City, February 10-13, showcasing their red dot sights including the newly released OMSx sight.

European American Armory Corp. will exhibit its latest Girsan handguns and Balikli long guns at the 2026 NRA Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA, February 7–15. New products include the MC 14T California Compliant tip-up barrel, Witness2311 CMX and CMXX models, and Balikli's Blue Label Over/Under Shotgun and BLK Bolt-Action Rifle.

RSR Group hosts its 2026 E-Vault Virtual Show featuring SIG SAUER from February 9-13, 2026, offering dealers exclusive online access to limited-time promotions, new product announcements, daily prize giveaways, and extended terms on SIG SAUER products at www.rsrgroup.com.

Taylor's & Company will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10-13, 2026, unveiling new USA-made rifle products including the TC73 9mm Lever-action Rifle. Show attendees can enter a drawing for the TC73 and access exclusive member specials at booth #1940.

The Mule Deer Foundation announced its continued partnership with Remington, an ammunition manufacturer committed to wildlife conservation. Remington will serve as Title Sponsor of the 2026 Mule Deer Foundation Volunteer Recognition Event at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, supporting habitat stewardship and volunteer engagement efforts.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation (OWCF) is selling $10 raffle tickets for the sixth year of the Outdoor Oklahoma Adventures program, featuring prizes including bull elk hunts, turkey hunts, fishing trips, an off-road camper, Polaris ATV, and a lifetime hunting and fishing license. All proceeds benefit wildlife and sportsmen.

The Private Land/Public Wildlife (PLPW) Advisory Committee will meet February 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting will review the FWP hunter education program, discuss private land hunting and fishing access programs, and review the 2026 draft timeline and work plan.

GAME & FISH TV, powered by Outdoor Sportsman Group, features Jim Shockey's hunting adventure shows every Saturday in February. The lineup includes Jim Shockey's UNCHARTED, Jim Shockey's Hunting Adventures, and Jim Shockey's The Professionals, offering two hours of hardcore hunting content from exotic global destinations.

Pursuit Channel features Sportsman's Adventures with Captain Rick Murphy, an award-winning fishing series hosted by the veteran angler with over 40 years of expertise. The show, airing weekly on Pursuit Channel, showcases fishing expeditions to premier destinations while promoting sustainable fishing practices and conservation.

MyOutdoorTV premieres new Bone Collector episodes weekly, featuring Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt, and Travis "T-Bone" Turner. Season 18 includes deer hunting at the Waddell Family Farm in Georgia, hunts with Cameron Hanes and Blake Shelton, and exclusive content including The Michael Waddell Podcast.

The High Road with Keith Warren releases a new episode featuring hunts at Venator USA's Oklahoma camp for massive elk and red stag. This marks the second consecutive season of collaboration between Keith Warren, The High Road Group, and Venator USA, showcasing the outfitter's world-class hunting experiences and corporate entertainment opportunities.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists conducted late January aerial waterfowl surveys across the state, estimating 337,479 mallards and 694,286 total ducks in the Delta before winter storms arrived. Drought conditions throughout the season resulted in significantly lower duck populations compared to 2025 estimates and long-term averages, with Brett Leach noting 99 percent of the state experienced moderate to exceptional drought.

One of the most interesting new firearms introduced during the 2026 SHOT Show wasn’t just new—it was different in how it came to be. That pistol was the Beretta B22 Jaguar Metal Competition.

What makes the B22 Jaguar interesting isn’t simply the gun itself—which is no knock on the pistol, because it is a very cool, very capable .22LR—but the process behind its development and the unlikely voices that helped shape it.

Leaving the NSSF Press Room up on the fourth floor, I ran into Rick Leach of the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF), which oversees the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP).

When Leach mentioned a new Beretta pistol for competition, my immediate assumption was some variant of the Beretta 92, which in all honesty I had no real interest in, considering it’s a 50-year-old platform.

Leach quickly corrected me, pointing out the new pistol was a .22LR. Once again, my mind jumped to another older Beretta design—the Neos—which is no longer available.

After successfully burying the lede, Leach told me Beretta had reached out to SSSF for direct input from SASP coaches and competitors on an all-new .22LR pistol designed specifically for competition.

Interesting, for sure. Then he told me Beretta had taken about 80% of that feedback and incorporated it into the final design.

Now, that is very interesting.

European firearms makers aren’t exactly known for their reliance on consumer input from the American market—despite the fact we’re the largest firearms market in the world. One engineer for a noted German manufacturer dismissed negative feedback from a top-level U.S. shooter, responding with, “It is for me to design. It is for you to shoot.”

In another case, a German manufacturing executive outlined plans for introduce a $1,000 bolt-action rifle for what he referred to as the “Bubba market” in the U.S., only to be educated by his American counterpart that “Bubba” buys his rifle from Walmart and pays $350 for a gun that is every bit as accurate as his $1,000 rifle from Europe.

That “we know better than you” mentality still exists in pockets of the industry. So when a company like Beretta—backed by more than 500 years of firearms history—decides to build a new pistol around direct input from American competitive shooters, it’s a story worth telling.

Finding the Opportunity

As Logan Killam, Beretta’s Head of Tactical Segment and Senior Product Manager for Pistols and Pro Shop, explained it to me, the B22 Jaguar project started six years ago when the Beretta product management team identified a gap in the pistol market that offered Beretta an opportunity.

“Where is there a spot in the pistol market that hasn’t seen any innovation—anything meaningfully new—and is a space where Beretta could step in with a product that really plays to our strengths?” Killam said.

The answer, the Beretta team concluded, was competition rimfire.

“The .22 rimfire space really hasn’t had anything new or innovative in a long time,” Killam explained. “There are the Rugers, the Brownings, the Smith & Wessons—but those are old designs.

While those platforms have certainly stood the test of time, Beretta saw limitations that no longer matched how modern shooters train and compete. Legacy .22 pistols aren’t modular, aren’t easily upgradeable, aren’t particularly friendly to left-handed shooters, and often aren’t easy to service or disassemble.

“They’re just not great modern platforms,” Killam said, pointing to how centerfire pistols have evolved toward modularity and adaptability.

With that in mind, Beretta believed it could do better—and more importantly, do it differently.

“We had the engineering, the machining capability, and the expertise,” Killam said. “So we started down this long road of development.”

Learning From the People Who Compete

Rather than designing the pistol in isolation, Beretta made a deliberate decision to partner with experts already deeply embedded in competitive rimfire shooting.

That decision led Killam and the Beretta product team to Rick Leach and the Scholastic Action Shooting Program, where coaches and young competitors train at a volume and intensity that exposes weaknesses quickly.

At the same time, Beretta reached out to Tandemkross, an aftermarket manufacturer well known for performance upgrades to popular .22LR platforms.

The goal was simple: understand what actually matters in a modern competition rimfire pistol—and what doesn’t.

The First Shootable Prototype

Four years into development, Beretta arrived at a major milestone. In the summer of 2024, Killam’s team had a safe, shootable, one-of-one prototype ready for real-world evaluation.

They took that prototype to the Cardinal Shooting Center outside Columbus, Ohio, meeting with SASP coaches and competitors just ahead of their national championship.

“We brought out this single pistol in a very rough state, wrong colors, 3D printed hand-filed parts—but safe—and said, ‘All right, start playing.’”

Coaches and competitors were encouraged to disassemble the pistol, examine it, and shoot it. Feedback covered everything from ergonomics and balance to barrel length, weight distribution, and upper receiver design.
“Over the course of an entire day and night, myself and the engineers went through the whole gun with them—from muzzle to grip to magazine—and wrote down everything,” Killam said.

Not all of the feedback was gentle.

“They told us some of it was good, and that we were on the right track,” he said. “And they told us where we needed refinement—and where we were wrong.”

In the end, Beretta was able to incorporate the vast majority of that feedback into the design.

“That's the 80 percent that Rick was talking about,” Killam confirmed.

Raising the Reliability Bar

One of the most critical areas discussed during those sessions was reliability—a perennial challenge in .22LR pistols.

Talk to anyone in the development and testing of .22LR pistols and they will almost always mention CCI Mini-Mag as the ammo they use for testing. It’s consistent, reliable, and eliminates ammo variability as a testing variable.

But competitive shooters don’t always shoot Mini-Mags. Many run bulk-pack ammunition—and they run a lot of it.

That reality forced Beretta to rethink how it approached reliability testing.

“When we design a centerfire pistol, the expected service life is usually around 20,000 rounds before major upgrades,” Killam said. “That’s pretty much the industry standard.”

For rimfire competitors, however, 20,000 rounds is barely a warm-up.

“Some of these athletes are shooting 500 to 1,000 rounds in a single session,” Killam explained. “They might shoot 2,000 rounds in a weekend. That duty cycle is extremely high.”

Rather than relying on the traditional .22LR reliability standards—where a certain percentage of malfunctions is considered acceptable—Beretta chose a different path.

“We wrote the B22 Jaguar’s reliability spec to be similar to a centerfire pistol,” Killam said. “Because we’re going after the competition market. We don’t want an athlete losing a stage—or a match—because we didn’t hold ourselves to a stricter standard.”

That approach also extended to ammunition selection. Beretta tested the B22 Jaguar with a wide range of .22LR loads, including bulk and subsonic ammunition—not just Mini-Mag.

“We knew we had to look forward,” Killam said. “Suppressors are becoming more common. The base gun comes with a 1/2x28 threaded barrel, so it needs to run subsonic ammo. Dirty bulk ammo. The gun has to eat it all.”

Final Validation and Launch

After the initial SASP testing, Beretta spent the next six months refining the design, sharing progress with Leach and Tandemkross along the way. In 2025, a small number of pre-production pistols were sent back to SASP for final validation.

“Last summer, we went back to SASP with near-production guns,” Killam said. “Product management and engineering were there the entire time, watching students shoot and confirming that we were on the right track.”

Beretta even solicited feedback on pricing, asking competitors to help define the value of the features they had requested.

The B22 Jaguar Metal Competition carries an MSRP starting at $969, while the B22 Jaguar Tac Metal starts at $749.

While the pistol debuted at SHOT Show, production begins in March, with shipments to dealers planned for April. The 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston will serve as the B22 Jaguar’s full retail launch, with inventory available through Beretta’s dealer network.

Built Here, For Here

The Beretta B22 Jaguar Metal Competition is the result of a six-year collaboration between Beretta, SASP, and Tandemkross. It’s a pistol designed from the ground up for competition, built around the realities of modern training volume, modularity, and reliability.

And there’s one final detail worth noting.

While Beretta—the quintessential Italian firearms manufacturer—celebrates its 500th anniversary this year, the B22 Jaguar is a product entirely conceived, designed, engineered, and manufactured here in the United States—for the U.S. market and the U.S. shooter.

So if someone tells you European gunmakers aren’t paying attention to American shooters, you can tell them otherwise.

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