ZeroTech Optics honored Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama as its 2026 Sports Inc. Dealer of the Year at an event in Nashville. Owner Shane Sturdivant's retailer was recognized for product knowledge, customer presentation, and partnership strength, receiving a custom limited-edition ZeroTech Optics timepiece by Stirling Timepieces.
Morris Swarts of Professional Marketing Inc. received ZeroTech Optics' 2026 Sports Inc. Rep of the Year award for his 30+ years in the shooting sports industry and dedication to dealer relationships. The recognition was presented at ZeroTech's Dealer Appreciation Party in Nashville, where Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama was also honored as Dealer of the Year.
Davide Pedersoli firearms achieved five individual gold medals at the 31st MLAIC World Championship in Austria, with shooters including Denis Pasolini and Sturm earning top scores. A Pedersoli Sharps Competition also successfully hit a target at 1,015 meters using traditional aperture sights and black powder ammunition.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department, The Peregrine Fund, and the Bureau of Land Management will release four captive-bred California condors into the Arizona-Utah flock on September 26 at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, marking the 30th anniversary of releases at the site. The condors were bred at the Oregon Zoo and World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an amicus brief in United States v. Squire urging the Fifth Circuit to reverse Curtis Squire's conviction, arguing Congress cannot use the Commerce Clause to criminalize local firearm possession merely because a gun crossed state lines. FPC President Brandon Combs stated the federal government cannot use the Commerce Clause as a backdoor to powers the Constitution never granted it.
The Firearms Policy Coalition thanked numerous individuals and organizations that filed amicus briefs supporting its Viramontes v. Cook County case before the U.S. Supreme Court, which challenges the constitutionality of "assault weapon" bans nationwide. The briefs argue that semiautomatic rifles are protected by the Second Amendment and are in common use for lawful purposes including self-defense, hunting, and target shooting.
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) secured a major Second Amendment victory when the United States District Court for the District of Delaware ruled that the state's bans on possessing and self-manufacturing unserialized firearms are unconstitutional. The court held that unserialized firearms and firearm frames and receivers are protected "Arms" under the Second Amendment, and that Delaware failed to justify its bans under historical firearm regulations.
The South Carolina Waterfowl Association (SCWA) will host the 2026 Waterfowl Heritage Festival on November 7 at the SCWA Wildlife Education Center in Pinewood. The family-friendly event features a Duck Call Competition, Sporting Clays Tournament, Waterfowl Gear Market, Kids Zone, live music, and vendors celebrating South Carolina's waterfowl heritage.
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission enacted updates to Fisheries Orders 254 and 205, effective September 10, 2026. Changes clarify possession limits for trout and salmon in inland lakes and align lake sturgeon regulations on the Menominee River with Wisconsin rules.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced archery hunting season begins September 12 in Ohio's Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance area, with early gun hunting October 10-12. Mandatory CWD testing is required for deer harvested October 10-11 and November 30-December 1 at designated locations throughout the affected counties.
North Dakota's youth waterfowl season and special veteran and active military personnel waterfowl season are both set for September 19-20. Licensed youth hunters 15 and younger, and veterans and active duty military members may hunt ducks, geese, coots, and mergansers statewide with proper licensing and certifications.
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources has released a 2026 deer hunting preview with regional information on deer populations, habitat conditions, fawn recruitment, antler development, and important regulation changes including antlerless hunting opportunities and December firearm seasons across the Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula, and southern Lower Peninsula.
The Michigan DNR launched a rebuilt MiHunt interactive map allowing hunters to customize which layers appear, including species management units, cover types, and special hunting areas. The new version, developed in-house by DNR's Wildlife and Forest Resources divisions, enables hunters to import their own spatial data and is accessible via web browser at Michigan.gov/MiHunt.
By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, Black Bear Management Unit 411 is closed to all black bear hunting for the remainder of the archery-only season, effective one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, September 12, 2026.
North Dakota's sandhill crane season runs September 19 through November 15 with daily limits of three cranes in unit 1 and two in unit 2. Hunters must obtain Harvest Information Program certification and respective crane permits from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, with shooting hours from 30 minutes before sunrise to 2 p.m., extended to sunset on Saturdays and Wednesdays.
A nine-and-a-half-day youth deer hunting season begins September 18 at noon Central time and closes September 27. Youth hunters must be under direct adult supervision, with orange clothing required for both hunters and mentors. The youth license is also valid during the regular deer gun season from November 6-22.
The Arizona Deer Association is raffling one elk hunt permit-tag valid for 365 days across Arizona. Tickets are $20 with no purchase limit, on sale through September 30, with 100% of proceeds supporting Arizona Game and Fish Department conservation projects.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is offering a field day for students ages 12-17 who completed an online hunter education course on September 18 in Glasgow. The field day will cover firearm identification, safe handling, shot selection, and other hunting skills.
NSSF celebrated the conclusion of Gun Storage Check Week (Sept. 1–7), which coincided with National Suicide Prevention Month. NSSF President and CEO Joe Bartozzi emphasized that the "Make Sure It's Secure" message promotes year-round firearm storage practices to prevent unwanted access and save lives.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed a spotted lanternfly population in Berrien County through monitoring by the Southwest x Southwest Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. MDARD and Michigan State University Extension urge growers to remain vigilant, as the invasive pest can damage crops when populations are high, particularly in the region's grape-producing areas.
Remington Ammunition expands its Core-Lokt rifle ammunition line with a new 300 HAMR 130-grain load, now shipping to dealers nationwide. The offering brings the proven performance of Core-Lokt's controlled expansion design to modern AR-15 platforms with reduced recoil compared to .308 ammunition.
Yamaha Marine expands its Blue Life series with a feature on photographer and freediver Ben Yavar, whose expeditions combining freediving, photography and exploration are powered by Yamaha outboards. Yavar, a finalist for Ocean Photographer of the Year, leads marine wildlife expeditions worldwide with his wife Jay.
The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund announced nationwide candidate grades and endorsements for federal, state, and local races based on Second Amendment voting records and questionnaire responses. The NRA-PVF is launching a fall get-out-the-vote program including the Gun Bus Battleground Tour across 13 states, orange endorsement cards, and grassroots activism to mobilize gun owners before Election Day.
Summit Treestands launched three gear-management accessories: Summit Utility Hooks 3-pack, 23" Bow Hanger, and 13" Bow Hanger. Tiffany Lakosky of Outdoor Channel's CRUSH with Lee & Tiffany praised the products for keeping gear organized and within reach. All accessories are available at summitstands.com.
HEVI, an industry leader in performance shotshells, launched a rebrand featuring a new logo, tagline "Hit Harder," and updated website. The company dropped "Shot" from its name to reflect growth beyond its original tungsten pellet innovation, now offering comprehensive shotshell products including HEVI-Hitter and HEVI-Steel.
Hardcore Waterfowl introduces its Rugged Series Magnum Black Duck Decoy, featuring FowlFlex™ Technology and WhaleTail™ Keel for durability and lifelike movement in late-season hunting conditions. The oversized decoys include 4 drakes and 2 hens designed for visibility and realism that black duck hunters demand.
C&H Precision Weaponry launched optic adapter plates for Kimber KDS9c and 2K11 pistols, enabling direct mounting of Leupold Delta Point Pro, EOTech EFLX, and Vortex Defender sights without slide milling. Plates are machined in-house in Richmond Hill, Georgia, and available with or without built-in rear sights.
Magnum Research, Inc. announced an exclusive custom Desert Eagle .50 AE pistol produced for Chattanooga Shooting Supplies, featuring a Cerakote NRA Blue frame, brushed stainless steel barrel with integral muzzle brake, and Picatinny rail. The U.S.-manufactured pistol retails for $2,186 and ships with one 7-round magazine.
DeSantis Gunhide announces its full range of hunting holsters and accessories, including the Dual Angle Hunter, Outdraw Chest Rig, Black Mamba, Predator II Bandoleer Rig, and Wild Hog models. These durable leather and nylon holsters are designed for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, offering secure carry options and quick firearm access.
Iron Valley Supply is releasing a Colt 1911 Classic commemorative pistol dedicated to the 25th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. The firearm features engravings of the Twin Towers, 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Statue of Liberty, and the four hijacked flight numbers, with grips engraved with World Trade Center exterior design.
GRITR Sports, a Texas firearms retailer, is offering up to 10% off select Heckler & Koch pistols through September 13, 2026. Featured models include the HK VP9A1 X, P30S V3, P30L V3, USP9 Expert V1, and USP45 Elite V1, with prices ranging from $750.99 to $1,630.99.
Firearms News releases its September 2026 Special Hunting Issue featuring Field Editor Rikk Rambo's cover story on the Horizon Firearms Venatic Carbon Rifle in .300 Winchester Magnum. The issue includes reviews of rifles from Howa, Chiappa, and Springfield Armory, plus articles on suppressors, scopes, and hunting gear from contributing writers including Patrick Sweeney and James Tarr.
Blue Force Gear will exhibit at the 2026 Maneuver Warfighter Conference at Fort Benning, Georgia, showcasing the ISH™ Integrated Stealth Harness and DRYOUT® moisture-removal technology designed to reduce weight and enhance operational capability for military personnel.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved naming Pat Fitts Oakwood WMA in honor of late director Pat Fitts. The 2,206-acre area became publicly accessible through a land trade with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Commission also approved a $5.1 million budget increase for habitat improvements and public hunting opportunities on private land.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing streambank repair and stabilization projects at Kelly Island Fishing Access Site and Kona Bridge Fishing Access Sites on the Clark Fork River in Missoula County. Public comments are accepted through September 23, 2026 at 5 p.m. MST to Cody Kenyon at ckenyon@mt.gov.
Vermont Fish and Wildlife has amended four regulations effective September 19, including requirements for reporting big game, leashed tracking dogs, crossbow standards, and big game tagging and transportation. Commissioner Jason Batchelder stated these housekeeping measures simplify and update regulations based on public input.
Makoshika State Park, Montana's largest state park, features nearly 12,000 acres of badlands formations and extensive dinosaur fossil remains from the late Cretaceous period. The park offers 11 hiking trails, a visitor center displaying original fossils including a Triceratops skull, and hosts the annual Makoshika Music & Arts Festival on September 12.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is offering Sunset and Full Moon Hikes led by park manager Clark Aasom on September 26 and October 24. The moderately difficult 3-mile hike combines scenic views with cultural and historical significance, limited to 25 participants per evening at $4 per person.
Andy Keller, the new recreational park manager for Pictograph Cave State Park district in FWP Region 5, shares his background growing up in Sidney, Montana, and his vision to provide welcoming educational experiences. Keller plans to expand programs like Junior Rangers and highlight the park's 106 documented pictographs from 1937-1941 excavations.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hosts September Bear Aware events across the state, including fruit donations in Kalispell, family hikes with Montana Wild in Helena, bear safety workshops at the North Valley Food Bank Harvest Fest in Whitefish, and interactive campsite challenges at multiple locations.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks euthanized two young adult grizzly bears near Lincoln in the upper Blackfoot Valley after 10 days of conflicts involving chicken coops and other attractants. FWP Region 2 supervisor Kendra McKlosky emphasized securing attractants to prevent future incidents as bear conflicts increase statewide due to limited natural food sources.
Fall is Michigan's elk breeding season, offering prime viewing opportunities in the northern Lower Peninsula's Elk Management Area across Otsego, Montmorency, Presque Isle, and Cheboygan counties. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources manages 13 viewing areas and estimates the population at 733 animals. The 42nd annual Atlanta Elk Festival, hosted by the Atlanta Michigan Chamber of Commerce, runs September 24-27.
A quarter century ago, the United States was shaken to its core as terrorists hijacked passenger planes, turned them into missiles and attacked what they considered the ultimate symbols of United States.
Eleven minutes after nine on that 9/11 morning, the World Trade Center in New York City was engulfed in a hellishly hot fire, fueled by jet fuel and hatred. The Pentagon in Washington was in flames, and a group of heroic passengers, rather than allowing their hijacked jet to become a fourth projectile, rushed the cockpit forcing a crash in an empty field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Our world was changed. Unfortunately, not for the better.
Twenty-five years later, despite the solemn commemorative services and words of unity being delivered this morning, we may be more divided as a country that any time since the 1860s.
And the 9/11 casualty count continues to rise. There were 2,977 initial victims at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and that field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania. But more than 9,000 people involved in the rescue efforts and subsequent cleanup at those sites have died. More than 154,000 people have entered the World Trade Center Health Program. Last year, 10,000 names were added. After working or living in or around the toxic blend of poisons the attacks left behind, the residents of that part of NYC and the rescue/recovery/reclamation workers have come down with a variety of maladies that were tied directly to the World Trade Center aftermath.
As the human costs keep rising, the positive affects of the attack and the heroism displayed in the aftermath seem to have faded from our collective consciousness.
Many of the same politicians who gathered on the steps of the United States Capitol to show unity are still in Washington, but their partisanship promises have evaporated.
Today, their words of unity from twenty five years ago sound as ridiculous as a lizard bragging about being descended from dinosaurs.
Talk, at least in Washington, has always been cheap. But the expense tied to their cheap talk and empty promises is enormous. Like the victims list from 9/11, it keeps growing.
We’re mired in a worsening economy, tied inarguably to the complete fiscal irresponsibility shown by our “leaders.” The national debt is unsustainable, and our “leaders” continue to spend with complete disregard for the fact that no one, individual or nation, can outrun its debt forever.
If you disagree, take a stroll down the grocery aisles and watch your bank balances evaporate. Better yet, pull up to the gas pump where you fueled your ride last week and check the cost of fuel today.
I’ve traveled in California and Washington and lived in the Northeast. So, I’m totally aware that costs are different depending on the political and geographic climate. If you’re in those places, costs are higher. So, too, are mandated minimum wages, taxes and housing.
But I live in Tennessee, a conservative state (outside Nashville, anyway) with no state income tax, reasonable property taxes and an economy that’s doing well, not hemorrhaging jobs and people.
Living here is more reasonably priced than either coast, explaining the influx of displaced Californians and New Yorkers who have decided the costs of living there no longer justify the wear and tear on both the wallet and the soul.
Unfortunately, they didn’t leave their political or societal opinions behind, so we’re dealing with the inevitable culture clash. Hopefully, they’ll come around to the fact that the blue collar values in the red states are why life’s easier on the mind, psyche and finances.
Last Friday, I pulled into a gas station to fill up before driving from Knoxville to Murfreesboro. For a minute, I thought I was back in New York or California. Fuel had jumped 42 cents per gallon. If I’d filled up the day before, I would have paid six dollars less.
After filling up, I went inside for a coffee. While I was inside, prices jumped another four cents per gallon.
Sticker shock from our economic uncertainties is taking a progressively larger bite out of all our budgets. Those diesel prices will impact all of us, not just truckers.
Prices have moderated a bit, but the happenings in the Strait of Hormuz has crude oil prices rising. The accepted rule-of-thumb in the oil business is that every $10 in crude barrel pricing adds 25 cents to the price per gallon at the pump.
The cost to all of us isn’t just at the pump. Everything shipped (almost everything) will cost more - due to transport costs. If a product requires a petroleum ingredient, that will increase more, too.
At the $6.24/gallon price I saw, a 240 gallon fill-up would cost slightly less than $1,500. Based on 6.5-7.5 MPG of trucks, we’re talking about a 1,680 mile range. That puts fuel costs alone at 89 cents per mile. Short haul rates are even higher. Industry watchers say fuel costs may add from 15-28 percent on top of baseline haul rates.
Economics aren’t the explanation for everything, but they’re a base for much of the national angst. For 250 years, our social, political and economic rules have allowed states to run their state’s respective social and economic policies however they pleased. If a state got too-extreme, companies were free to “vote with their feet” and relocate to friendlier places.
Today, extremes have pushed costs to ridiculous levels. California has a “billionaire tax” initiative on the ballot this fall. New York has their pied-á-terre tax and both places use “lawfare” to advance ideological or partisan agendas. Under their rules, businesses are at risk. Without the businesses, their social systems are at risk. Tesla, Oracle, Chevron and others have already eliminated the risk associated with California headquarters. California’s suing to keep the movie business from following suit.
Twenty five years after 9/11, we have cities and states at risk of becoming “failed states” due to laws based on imagined injustice and class envy.
Twenty five years after terrorism pulled this country together we’re facing the very real possibility that politics and poor policy decisions will accomplish what terrorists failed to do. Today is a time for solemn remembrance of the 2,977 innocents who died twenty-five years ago. But it’s also the time we need to renew the vows that we made that day. We must, as it is attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “hang together or we shall assuredly hang separately.”
Stand up. Show up. Speak up. We are still worth it.
