MassWildlife will open six free temporary archery ranges across Massachusetts Wildlife Management Areas this summer and fall. Archers must obtain a 2026 range pass by completing an application to use facilities at locations including Ayer Game Farm, Erwin Wilder WMA, and Wayne F. MacCallum WMA.

MassWildlife, NWTF, American Daughters of Conservation, and Mount Grace Land Trust host a free women's archery event on June 18 at Petersham Gun Club, featuring 1.5-2 hours of practice and a group dinner for new and experienced archers.

Erich Mietenkorte of Team Lapua won the Overall Aggregate, Hunter Rifle, and Standard Rifle championships at the 2026 Lapua Super Shoot in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, overcoming cold, wet, and windy conditions while using Lapua Midas+ ammunition and receiving support from spotter Shane Barnhart.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Youth Shooting Sports program will host state championship tournaments this weekend at the Jacksonville complex, featuring 64 junior and 64 senior teams competing in single-elimination brackets. Thirty-three perfect shooters, including Austin Anselmi, Stephen Anselmi, and Eli Norton, will compete in Champion of Champions shoot-offs, with senior winners receiving up to $2,500 in scholarship money.

James Crofts of Team Berger won the 2026 F-T/R Vihtavuori V2 Series Championship at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. Using Berger bullets, Vihtavuori powder, and Lapua brass, Crofts will represent the United States at the 2026 F-Class World Championships in Bisley, England.

Nate Guernsey of Team Lapua won the U.S. National Championship 300-meter title with a score of 593 at the Minneapolis Rifle Club, marking his second national championship of 2026. Competing with Lapua ammunition components, Guernsey defeated Brad Yliniemi and Cameron Keating to secure the title sponsored by USA Shooting.

Doug Koenig won his record-setting 21st Bianchi Cup Championship title in Columbia, Missouri, with support from Vihtavuori N320 powder. Vihtavuori Vice President Adam Braverman praised Koenig's dominance and the role of premium components in elite competitive performance.

The National Rifle Association announces the "ARC Across America National Challenge," a nationwide competitive shooting event running from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The NRA aims to have over 250 clubs and ranges host America's Rifle Challenge Level 1 matches, welcoming firearm owners of all experience levels to compete and develop practical rifle skills.

Otis White of Team Berger won first place at the Spearpoint May Extreme Long Range Light Gun Match in Mesa, Arizona, with Danny Gilbert placing second and Justin Shull third. White achieved 12 impacts across extreme distances up to 2,911 yards using Berger 338 caliber 300 Grain Hybrid OTM Tactical Rifle Bullets and Vihtavuori N568 powder.

Julie Golob, Springfield Armory brand ambassador and U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit veteran, achieved historic performances at the 2026 CMP Bianchi Cup National Championships using the Echelon 4.0FC 9mm. She became the first woman to finish in the Top 10 in Production Optics and successfully defended her first place women's finish in Standing Only Production Optics.

Real Avid congratulates Doug Koenig on securing his record-setting 21st Bianchi Cup championship title at the NRA Bianchi Cup. Koenig's continued dominance showcases elite-level skill and dedication, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest action pistol competitors in shooting sports history.

NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, announced it will challenge Connecticut's ban on striker-fired handguns signed by Gov. Ned Lamont. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF's Senior Vice President & General Counsel, stated the law unconstitutionally infringes on Second Amendment rights while ignoring criminals who illegally modify firearms with machinegun conversion devices.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a reply brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, challenging federal laws prohibiting licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns to out-of-state buyers. FPC argues the ban is unconstitutional and lacks historical justification.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is hosting one-day Junior Game Warden Camps across the Commonwealth for youths ages 12 to 15. Campers will spend the day with Pennsylvania State Game Wardens learning about wildlife forensics, poacher detection, wildlife-capture techniques, and outdoor survival skills through hands-on activities and confidence-building exercises.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will auction confiscated antlers, hides, horns, mounts and skulls from poaching incidents on June 27 at MetraPark in Billings. National Auction will conduct the live event, with proceeds supporting FWP's conservation and restoration programs.

The National Rifle Association of America will host its 2026 Range Development & Operations Conference in Fairfax, Virginia on September 24-25, 2026. The conference educates range owners and operators on business planning, EPA lead standards, construction, sound abatement, and safety. Registration is $525 with space limited to 70 attendees.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation will celebrate the 2026 Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame inductees on August 29 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock. Sponsored by Banded and chaired by Eddie and Jenifer Rodgers, the banquet honors conservation icons including Mike Sullivan, Pat Fitts, Mark Hedrick, and the Arkansas Waterfowl Association.

MassWildlife is hosting a hike and fish event at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 35 on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants will hike approximately 1.5 miles and fish from shore, with equipment available for borrowers. The event welcomes anglers ages 15 and older of all experience levels.

Great Falls Family Fishing Day returns June 6 at Wadsworth Pond Park, featuring educational stations on fish identification, knot tying, and casting. The event, supported by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana Walleyes Unlimited, Montana Trout Unlimited, and Sun River Watershed Group, offers free fishing tackle to youth who complete all stations.

Silencer Central announces Day 43 of its 100 Days of Silence promotion featuring a $3,600+ prize package including a Magnum Research MLR-22 SwitchBolt rifle, BANISH 22 suppressor, Hodgdon Powder, RCBS MatchMaster Powder Dispenser, Ranch TX Tactical Medical Course, Armorer App subscription, and Blackhound Optics Genesis scope. The giveaway is available for one day only on PopularSuppressors.com.

Magnum Research's MLR-22 SwitchBolt rimfire rifle has been selected as the host firearm for Day 43 of Silencer Central's 100 Days of Silence campaign. The giveaway, hosted on PopularSuppressors.com, includes a BANISH 22 suppressor, NFA services, Hodgdon Powder reloading bundle, and additional prizes totaling approximately $3,660.97 in retail value.

Ducks Unlimited received $9 million in North American Wetlands Conservation Act grants from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for three Great Lakes Region projects. The funding will protect and restore over 14,700 acres of wetland and upland habitat across Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio to support waterfowl breeding and migration.

The Richard King Mellon Foundation awarded Ducks Unlimited $255,000 to restore 100 acres of montane meadow habitat in Oregon's Upper Klamath River watershed and $150,000 to support Ducks University chapters with R3 initiatives. The project on Green Diamond Resource Company property will improve stream flow, restore wet meadow hydrology, and generate biodiversity credits.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark has requested the Private Land/Public Wildlife committee prioritize corner crossing solutions at its June 1-2 meeting in Glasgow. The PLPW advisory committee will develop recommendations to increase landowner participation in FWP access programs.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reminds hunters that the application deadline for swan, sandhill crane, elk B, deer B, antelope, and antelope 399 and 900 series is Monday, June 1. Applications must be completed online, at a License Ambassador location, or at an FWP office. FWP provides instructional videos and the MyFWP mobile app to assist hunters.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks partnered with the National Wild Turkey Federation and private landowners in the Flathead Valley to host Montana's first mentored youth turkey hunt. Five young hunters ages 10-15 participated in the inaugural event in May, with three successfully harvesting four turkeys while learning essential hunting skills and bear safety from NWTF volunteers.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's Open Fields and Waters Program offers annual per-acre payments to landowners allowing public hunting and fishing access on private lands. Since 2016, over 235,000 acres have been enrolled with more than 940 participating landowners providing access across 471,000+ acres, ponds, and stream miles.

Primary Arms announced the addition of Leupold Optics to its online catalog, featuring legendary rifle scopes including the Mark-5HD, Mark-4HD, and VX-6HD GEN 2. The partnership brings Leupold's trusted optics and accessories directly to customers with Primary Arms' fast shipping and dependable service.

Rather Outdoors, representing brands including Lew's, Strike King, Zebco, and Quantum Fishing, held its National Sales Meeting at the South Carolina Waterfowl Association's Wildlife Education Center in Pinewood. The multi-day event brought together sales representatives and outdoor industry professionals for strategic planning, networking, and hands-on outdoor experiences while showcasing SCWA's conservation mission.

Crucial Concealment, a High Speed Gear Products Group brand, released the Universal Light OWB Holster featuring patent-pending Retention Shim™ technology. The holster accommodates multiple pistols with popular weapon lights including Streamlight TLR-7 Series, Streamlight TLR-1/TLR-1 HL, and Surefire X300 Ultra/Turbo Series.

Q announces the release of the Mini Fix 6 ARC, a 12-inch compact bolt action rifle chambered in 6mm ARC. The lightweight platform features a one-piece receiver, adjustable folding stock, and short-throw bolt action, weighing 5.25 lbs with an MSRP of $3,600.

CMC Triggers Corp has launched the CMC Gen 6 Glock Trigger, a drop-in upgrade designed for Glock 17, Glock 19, and Glock 45 platforms. The trigger features a smooth, consistent pull with clean break and positive reset, engineered for duty, training, and competition use with precision manufacturing and reliability standards.

Armageddon Gear introduces the Big Game Chest Rig, a practical hunting harness designed to keep essential gear like binoculars, rangefinders, and phones easily accessible. Made in America with domestic materials at their Buena Vista, Georgia facility, the rig is built for durability and designed to be passed down through generations.

GRITR Sports, a Texas firearms retailer, is offering limited-time special pricing on Beretta 1301 Tactical and A300 Ultima Patrol shotguns through July 31. The promotion includes the new 20-gauge A300 Ultima Patrol model, designed for lighter recoil and improved handling.

Savage Arms is offering a $75 mail-in rebate on AXIS/AXIS II and AXIS 2 rifles for Father's Day, valid for purchases between May 15 and June 30, 2026. The AXIS series features exceptional accuracy, reliability, and affordability with ergonomic designs and user-adjustable AccuTriggers.

Beretta USA announced its sponsorship of NASCAR driver Jeb Burton for the Sports Illustrated Resorts 250 at Nashville Superspeedway on May 30. The partnership highlights Beretta's commitment to American manufacturing through its Gallatin facility, celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks added four items to the June 12 Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting agenda, including Elk Hunting Access Agreements, MaltEurop water lease renewal, beaver translocations, and mountain lion regulations for Charles M. Russell and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuges. Public comment deadline is June 7.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continues offering pastures and hay tracts on its properties to landowners affected by spring wildfires. Grazing and haying serve as management tools for wildlife habitat. Leases are available on a first-come, first-served basis until August 31, with haying tracts available after July 10.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is accepting public comment on multiple environmental assessments and proposals, including the East End Colony Private Pond License Review, Whitebird Creek Bridge Replacement, Thompson Chain of Lakes Fuels Reduction, North Shore WMA Annual Crop Production, Stimson Lumber Co Conservation Easement, and Sportsman's Bridge Fishing Access Site Disposal, with comment deadlines ranging from May 31 to June 7.

The time had finally come that every elk hunter yearns for. At last, I had drawn a late rifle bull elk tag. The selected unit..well, let’s just say it’s notorious for leaving a sour taste in most hunters’ mouths. It’s one of the roughest, most rugged units in the state.

Still, I was beaming with excitement as this was the first bull tag with my name on it. When sharing the news with friends, their expressions quickly turned from excitement to sympathy.

They knew the challenges this unit presented. Having hunted this area successfully for the last 20 years, I knew the strenuous journey we were about to embark on and said, “Bring It On!”

The months of prep felt very short, as it often does. Opening morning was upon us. The alarm screamed at my husband and I at 3:30am. With large cups of coffee in hand, we started the drive to our coveted honey hole.

Upon arrival, we discovered our once secret and elusive spot had been made public with the unpleasant sight of four other vehicles. Forced to make a gut-wrenching decision, we abandoned our plan and chose to branch out in search of a bull elsewhere. In the days passing, we were informed that a youth hunter had taken a 400” bull in that exact location.

The days quickly vanished along with my expectations. Each day brought the same disappointment: numerous large hunting parties in the spots we previously scouted. The large unit started to feel increasingly crowded. If we were going to be successful, we needed to push the boundaries of our comfort zone.

On the 4th day, our hope was restored.

We were able to locate a group of bulls at last light nestled on the edge of a canyon surrounded by wilderness area. We made a plan that night knowing we would be the only ones in that country. No one would be crazy enough to do what we were about to.

As the sun began to rise through our binoculars the very next morning, the welcoming sight of tan hides appeared in our glass. It was time to make the stalk.

As we ascended 1,000 feet over the next 45 minutes, we realized the bulls had travelled further away. Once again, the two of us were on the move. We finally reached a spot where I could lie prone within 500 yards using our warmest clothing layers as a rest for my rifle.

With a bedded raghorn’s rear end in my sights, we waited in our thin base layers. One hour passed. Then two. A total of three hours went by with us foolishly thinking this bull must rise and switch to a shaded bed at any moment.

Filled with chilled air from the snowstorm that was brewing, I looked at my husband who was also on the verge of hypothermia. Between the chattering of my teeth I muttered, “Get that bull up so I can shoot.”

Cow calls blasted in my left ear as he whaled on his reed call. In desperation, the sound of a curious cow elk turned into a flailing dying animal. One by one, the bulls slowly rose in confusion.

Suddenly I hear, “Babe! Big bull is up!”. I slightly adjusted the crosshairs from the original, still bedded, raghorn to reveal a glorious six-by. Fifteen yards separated him and the crest of the hill. A quick “Please God” entered my prayers. Before my husband could put the bull back in his sights, BANG.

It was a difficult, hard quartering away shot—the only opportunity I had. His large frame launched forward from the impact, just enough to become out of sight.

The uncertainty of the bull’s location was mentally brutal. I wanted to celebrate. I felt very confident in my shot. However, the brain has a funny way of letting the “what ifs” flood in like a broken dam. One thing I knew for certain—I sure was excited to be able to put my warm layers back on.

We side-hilled the gorge that separated us and popped up over the ridge that he disappeared behind. Low and behold the first sight upon cresting the hill was his beautiful beams being illuminated by the setting sun.

Overwhelming relief ran through me as the tip of my rifle touched the animal’s eye confirming the harvest. Warm tears of joy streamed down my frozen cheeks as my husband wrapped me in a proud embrace. I had successfully harvested my first bull!

After a long night of field dressing, the risky decision was made to hang the quarters in a nearby tree knowing a resident mountain lion frequents that same ravine. With my bull’s rack in tow, we made the descent off the mountain. The trek was grueling—two hours of steep terrain, oak brush walls, and a constant eerie feeling of being watched. We persevered and made it back to the safety of our truck.

We were met by friendly faces the next morning to help retrieve the rest of my bull. Once the meat was loaded into our packs, we all stood in awe of the rugged yet beautiful vastness of the canyon that these bulls call home.

Snow flurries began gently falling and the chilling screeches of the mountain lion echoed at us from across the way. The experience was one that is unparalleled. The feeling of accomplishment and pride for what we endured to harvest this beautiful animal put the cherry on top to close out this hunt.

Although he wasn’t the biggest bull in the unit, this bull, along with the memories, will forever be one of my most prized possessions.

– Aimee Keppel

Aimee Keppel is an Arizona native outdoorswoman who, along side her husband, has immersed herself in the field for many years. Aimee takes pride in learning from each experience in the wilderness whether it be on her own hunt or assisting others on theirs. She hopes that one day her passed down knowledge and experiences will teach her three young children to become the next generation of ethical hunters.