In observance of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend there will be no Weekend Edition on Saturday, October 10, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, October 12. We will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, October 13. Due to the holiday weekend, we request you submit news for Tuesday's editions no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday.

If you have important news to distribute prior to the holiday weekend, please submit it by 4:00pm Eastern today, Thursday, October 8. News arriving later will not make tomorrow's final editions for the week.

Carbon Express announced the signing of Estonian compound archer Lisell Jäätma as a sponsored athlete for the 2027 season. Jäätma won her first Hyundai Archery World Cup gold in Shanghai in May 2026, defeating world number one Andrea Becerra, and will compete using Carbon Express Nano Pro RZ arrows.

Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades of wildlife conservation leadership. AFWA recognized his work shaping conservation policy across North America and advancing One Health approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved approximately $1.5 million in funding for 11 boating access improvement projects planned for 2027, including new ramps, dock replacements, and infrastructure maintenance across Utah's lakes and reservoirs.

Team Beretta athletes Sal Luna and Ben Hardt secured third place finishes at the 2026 US IPSC Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both competitors used Beretta's new 94X Performance pistol, which was showcased at the event ahead of its U.S. launch.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will host a "Bat Blitz" game night on October 28 in Miles City from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The family-friendly event features bat-themed activities, costume contests, prizes, and treat bags for all ages.

The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department invites families to its Halloween Wildlife Festival & Jack-O-Lantern Lit Hike at Edward F. Kehoe Conservation Camp in Castleton on October 23. Vermont State University students will lead educational wildlife lessons and crafts, followed by a self-guided trail walk illuminated by hundreds of carved jack-o-lanterns. Admission is free and open to all ages.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Audubon Center are hosting a free family-friendly Bat-Stravaganza event on October 22 at the Montana Audubon Center in Billings, featuring educational activities, games, crafts, and information about Montana's 15 bat species.

Georgia's territorial waters reopen to commercial and recreational oyster harvest on October 8, 2026, after an extended closure. Commissioner Walter Rabon announced the reopening once water temperatures fall below the 81-degree Fahrenheit threshold required by the National Shellfish Sanitation Program's Vibrio parahaemolyticus control plan.

Yamaha Pro Nick LeBrun won the 2026 Ultimate Angler World Championship on Lake Guntersville, finishing with 69 pounds, 2 ounces to claim the $500,000 first-place prize. LeBrun overcame a second-day setback and a 6-pound deficit entering the final day, weighing 28 pounds, 2 ounces on Saturday to secure victory by 1 pound, 10 ounces.

SCI expands its Guide and Outfitter Grant program to support guide and outfitter associations globally through education, antipoaching initiatives, and public advocacy. SCI CEO W. Laird Hamberlin and President Jeff Meyer emphasized the vital partnership between guides, outfitters, and SCI in protecting hunting and wildlife conservation.

Montana's pheasant hunting season opens October 10, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks releasing over 15,000 birds across state lands this fall. Nonresident hunters can begin October 20, while residents start October 10. The sixth year of the pheasant release program aims to provide new hunters with success opportunities and encourage conservation participation.

Montana's general antelope season opens Saturday, October 10, and runs through November 8. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks provides hunting forecasts, access information, and the interactive Hunt Planner tool to help hunters locate opportunities across the state's hunting districts.

Primary Arms Optics announced Stephen Morgan's promotion to Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, effective immediately. Morgan, who joined the company in 2021, previously served as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing and will now lead product positioning and strategy for the optics division.

Korth Group LTD. announced the addition of four new fishing brands—Seaguar, G. Pucci & Sons, Inc., X Zone Lures, and Z-Man—to its portfolio. The Canadian distributor launched its 2027 Fishing Booking Programs, offering access to more than 40 fishing brands for retailers, and will exhibit at the NASGW Expo in Phoenix, October 13–15, 2026.

We Buy Guns released its September 2026 Secondary Firearms Market Report showing 758 completed purchases, the highest monthly total of 2026, with total offer value reaching $1,149,663. Smith & Wesson led manufacturer activity, while the SIG Sauer P320 was the most frequently submitted and purchased model, with Florida leading in submissions and completed purchases.

Southwick Associates launched the Angler Monitor, a quarterly consumer research service tracking fishing participation and equipment purchases across the United States. The service helps manufacturers, retailers, and industry associations understand angler behaviors and purchasing patterns, with new subscribers receiving a discounted subscription rate of $4,250 through December 31, 2026.

Christensen Arms appointed Kalvyn Ferronato as Senior Marketing Manager. Ferronato brings nearly a decade of marketing and communications experience across government, conservation, and firearms industries, with prior familiarity with Christensen Arms from her work at Gunpowder Inc.

Tactacam announced "Defend the American Workforce," a long-term initiative to support skilled trades workers. The "Blue Collar Scholar" program launching in October 2026 will award $150,000 across multiple recipients for education, training, and certifications in the trades.

CZ announced the appointment of Jon Shaffer as Vice President of Commercial Sales, reporting to President and Chief Commercial Officer John Dain. Shaffer brings two decades of sales experience, including over 10 years at SIG SAUER, and will lead commercial sales execution and channel development for CZ-USA and Dan Wesson.

Invasive red swamp crayfish were discovered in Cass County, Michigan for the first time, with two carcasses found by the SW x SW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the specimens, marking the seventh county with confirmed infestations since 2017.

The African Wildlife Consultative Forum, Safari Club International Foundation's flagship event, will convene November 15-21 in Arusha, Tanzania, with 110 registered delegates. The forum will address sustainable wildlife use, featuring discussions on African elephant, rhinoceros, lion, and leopard conservation, with participation from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Tanzania's government.

Silencer Central and U.S. LawShield launched a new NFA trust offering clearer documents, streamlined ATF submissions, and self-service tools through the Silencer Central customer portal. The revocable trust includes online education on NFA firearms, firearm trusts, and co-trustee management, available free to suppressor customers.

Derya Arms expanded its EX imported shotgun line with the EX1400 Coach, an 18-inch 12-gauge side-by-side designed for Cowboy Action, vehicle carry, and home defense. The coach gun ships with an extra grip and three-choke set at $699 MSRP through authorized dealers nationwide.

Boyt Harness Company launched its 1901 Collection, a flagship line of premium luggage, gun cases, and shooting accessories featuring Scottish wax canvas, Italian vegetable-tanned leather, and Swiss brass hardware. The nine-piece collection honors the company's 125-year heritage and founding year, blending timeless craftsmanship with modern utility.

Savage Arms has launched the REVEL Tactical, a modern lever-action rifle featuring an MDT Tactical stock, one-piece Picatinny rail, and 18-inch threaded barrel. Available in 22 LR, 22 WMR, and 17 HMR cartridges, the rifle combines traditional mechanics with tactical features for hunting and recreational shooting.

Remington Gun Care has launched a new suppressor cleaning product lineup featuring three items: a complete cleaning kit, reusable cleaning tubes, and specialized cleaning fluid. These products help shooters maintain suppressors effectively and extend their service life.

Wall Blush and Realtree have partnered to offer six iconic camouflage patterns as made-to-order premium wallpaper, printed in the USA. The collection features Original, Advantage, APX, EDGE, EDGE (Pink), and MAX-7 patterns reimagined at architectural scale for residential spaces, available in three material options through Wall Blush's Mesa, Arizona facility.

Orion Wholesale and Taylor Customs released Goldilocks, the third and final custom CANiK SFx Rival in their exclusive three-part series. The forest green slide with white frame and gold accents completes the collection alongside The Banger and Suga Cub, available exclusively through Orion Wholesale.

Bear & Son Cutlery, based in Jacksonville, Alabama, has released the White Smooth Bone Block Set featuring nine specialty knives with Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blades and white smooth bone handles. The 10-piece set includes a chef knife, fillet knife, cleaver, boning knife, santoku knife, four steak knives, and a walnut wood block, priced at $999.99.

Millennium Treestands introduces the L118 Bowlite Single Ladder Stand, a 53-pound lightweight stand designed for bowhunters. Featuring an 18-foot height, ComfortMAX seat with armrests, and silent operation, the stand enables smooth rotation for close-range shots during archery season.

Ballistic's Best 2026: Hunting Edition tested seven 20-gauge turkey shotguns from Weatherby, Benelli, TriStar, Retay, Spandau, Mossberg, and Thompson/Center across nine categories including accuracy, reliability, and value to determine which guns perform best in the spring woods.

Leapers, Inc. will exhibit its UTG, UTG Pro, and Integrix brands at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona from October 13-15, featuring a presale of the new SD version of UTG Pro Monolithic M-LOK MP5 handguards and AR15 receiver sets. The Livonia, Michigan-based firearm parts manufacturer will showcase optics, mounts, and accessories at Booth #823.

Walther Arms, Inc. will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15. The event connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and industry partners in shooting sports, featuring product showcases and networking opportunities.

Colt's Manufacturing Company will exhibit at Revolver Fest 2026, October 10–12 at Clinton House Plantation in Clinton, South Carolina. The event features hands-on demonstrations, instructor-led training with notable instructors including Wayne Dobbs, Bryan Eastridge, and Lew Gosnell, and opportunities to connect with the Colt team.

Lodestar Technology, manufacturer of the LNK9 user-authorized 9mm pistol, will debut at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13–15. The company aims to build distributor partnerships and showcase its LNK9 platform, including newly launched optics-ready configurations.

BERSA USA will exhibit at the 2026 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15 at Booth 1023. The company will showcase its firearms lineup and newly launched B-Series suppressor line to wholesale distributors and industry partners.

Orchid and Business Solution Partners will exhibit at NASGW 2026 in Phoenix, showcasing Orchid eBound™ for Bound Book-to-ERP integration, Orchid eState™ for firearm restrictions, and attorney-backed ATF compliance services. The companies will host a cocktail reception and sponsor the Annual SCOPE Update Lunch.

Kinetic Development Group (KDG) will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, October 13–15, at Booth #1240. The firearm accessories manufacturer will showcase new products including the BOM Series Optic Mount ecosystem, Kinect™, and SideLok™ mounts while connecting with wholesale partners.

Meprolight will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13–15 at Booth 601. The company will showcase its MVO magnified optics, MPO pistol optics, M22 PRO, MCO PRO, Tru-Vision® SR, and other sighting solutions to distributors and industry partners.

Realtree has renewed its commitment as a national sponsor of Whitetails Unlimited, the premier conservation organization dedicated to white-tailed deer and hunting heritage. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Realtree's longstanding support and camouflage innovation since 1986.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on a management plan for the 8,611-acre Gallatin Wildlife Management Area near Big Sky. The plan will address habitat conservation, infrastructure maintenance, and human use management, with comments due by November 6. Contact Julie Cunningham at juliecunningham@mt.gov to submit feedback.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced a $521,684 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to Frostburg State University for comprehensive planning of Wills Mountain State Park in Allegany County. The project, in partnership with the Maryland Park Service and Allegany County Tourism, will guide the park's development for public access after more than two decades of closure.

Pursuit Channel highlights the popular series North American Trapper hosted by Alan Probst, featuring authentic trapping content and field techniques. The show airs on Pursuit Channel via DIRECTV, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and regional cable systems, plus Pursuit UP streaming platforms.

Winchester Deadly Passion Season 15 continues on Sportsman Channel with host Melissa Bachman, co-host Ben Bearshield, and family hunting across diverse locations. New episodes air Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET, featuring moose hunts in Yukon, pheasant hunting at NILO Farms, whitetail and mule deer pursuits, and sturgeon fishing with SCI auction winners.

Somebody ought to send Oregon’s animal-rights activists a thank-you note. In trying to outlaw hunting, fishing, and farming, they have made an excellent case for organizing the people they’d like to shut down. 

Their Initiative Petition 28 would have removed animal-cruelty exemptions covering those activities and routine livestock-husbandry practices. To be clear, this wasn’t a ban on growing wheat. But raising cattle for beef would have become a rather difficult business without the beef part. 

The petition failed to qualify for Oregon’s November 3, 2026, ballot. Organizers submitted more than 142,000 signatures; election officials determined that 104,262 were valid, short of the 117,173 required. That’s welcome news. Before anyone declares victory, however, consider the organizing effort behind a hundred thousand valid signatures. Signatures aren’t votes, but they show the threat isn’t limited to fundraising letters from hunting organizations.

Chief petitioner David Michelson has been frank about his intentions. He sees repeated campaigns as a way to change public opinion over time, even when an immediate victory looks unlikely. He’s prepared to keep at it. Sportsmen and farmers would be wise to develop a strategy that lasts longer than the relief following another failed petition. 

Britain offers a place to start. The Countryside Alliance formed in 1997, bringing together field-sports, rural-business and countryside organizations to defend interests that reached well beyond foxhunting. Its usefulness as a model ought to be obvious: You don’t have to enjoy everything your neighbor does to object when somebody proposes outlawing his livelihood. Waiting until they get around to yours is an expensive way to learn that lesson.

As we pursue constitutional protections in more states, we should advance the right to hunt, fish, and farm. Oregon already has a proposed amendment aimed at the 2028 ballot that brings those activities together, along with ranching and trapping. The language deserves careful scrutiny, but the wider approach makes sense. Agriculture shouldn’t be an afterthought in this fight, brought in when a hunting organization needs another name on a letter.

Put the farm bureaus, cattlemen, hunting groups and fishing organizations together before the next petition circulates. Pool money, share audiences and speak to the public throughout the year. A rancher shouldn’t have to become a wildlife-policy expert to recognize why a hunting ban matters to him. Oregon’s activists have helpfully explained the connection.

They’ve also given us a better way to explain ourselves. Venison in a hunter’s freezer, fish brought home for supper and beef raised on a family ranch all answer the same ordinary question: What’s for dinner? That is a conversation we should welcome. We can spend another generation arguing among ourselves about equipment and terminology, or we can explain why people should remain free to provide food through responsible hunting, fishing and farming.

Those protections should leave room for sound wildlife management, food-safety rules and legitimate animal-welfare standards. They should also welcome city residents who care about where their food comes from. There’s no acreage requirement to understand the difference between choosing not to eat meat and demanding that everyone else stop producing it.

So thank you, Mr. Michelson, and everyone who worked on IP28. Hunters, anglers, and farmers have good reason to defend one another. You’ve been kind enough to remind us of that.

– Chris Dorsey

Chris Dorsey is a Coloradan, 30-year media veteran, biologist, outdoor television producer and natural history filmmaker whose writing has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Forbes and dozens more national titles.