ScentLok introduces the Saddle Hunter Pro Jacket and Pant, specialized apparel designed for saddle hunting with features including WindBrake® windproof membrane, polyester micro-tricot shell fabric, articulated knees, and strategically placed pockets for accessibility in the saddle.

NEXTORCH North America announces the Edge Guard Cut-Resistant Tactical Gloves, featuring A7 cut-resistant liner protection and full-palm touchscreen capability. Designed for law enforcement, military, and security professionals, the gloves offer blade slash protection while maintaining dexterity, with an MSRP of $47.99.

USA Shooting invites media to cover the 2026 Fall Rifle and Shotgun Selection Matches in Colorado Springs and Fort Carson, featuring elite athletes competing for national team opportunities and LA28 Olympic Games assignments. The shotgun competition marks USA Shooting's return to the refurbished Fort Carson USA Shooting Shotgun Range.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, partnering with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and Trout Unlimited, will conduct a rotenone treatment in Mill Creek on September 1 to remove illegally-introduced brook trout and restore native Bonneville cutthroat trout populations.

A federal judge ruled the Biden administration's ATF "Frame or Receiver" Rule unconstitutional, siding with the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and Defense Distributed in Defense Distributed v. Blanche. The court found the rule violated the Second Amendment and due process by impermissibly infringing on the right to manufacture firearms and establishing unconstitutionally vague standards.

Idaho Fish and Game conservation officers are investigating a cow elk shot and left to waste on private property in Clearwater County's Unit 11A between August 3-4. The elk was killed without landowner permission, leaving its calf orphaned. Anyone with information is urged to contact Sr. Conservation Officer Morgan Deards or the Citizens Against Poaching hotline.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a 16-year-old from East Brunswick, New Jersey, was recovered from Lake Michigan and later died at Franciscan Health Michigan City Hospital. First responders from multiple agencies, including the Michigan City Fire Department and LaPorte County Sheriff's Office, responded to the incident.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has selected Leo Rosenthal as the new regional fisheries manager for Region 1 in northwest Montana. Rosenthal, a Butte native with nearly two decades of FWP experience, holds degrees from the University of Montana and Montana State University, bringing expertise in fisheries science and habitat conservation.

Idaho Fish and Game issued a salvage order for Winder Reservoir in Franklin County from August 14 through October 31, 2026. Twin Lakes Canal Company is draining the reservoir for irrigation, with water levels expected to drain by September 4, prompting the salvage order to maximize public use of fish before they perish.

The 1st Annual FWC Pensacola Lionfish Invitational Tournament and Festival takes place Sept. 24–27 at Plaza de Luna, Palafox Pier in Pensacola, Florida. Teams compete to remove invasive lionfish while raising conservation awareness. Registration closes Aug. 21, with teams limited to four participants.

Michigan's Department of Natural Resources awarded nearly $650,000 in Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grants to 15 communities and organizations. Projects include tree planting in Breitung Charter Township, Benton Harbor, and Three Rivers, with grantees collectively planting over 1,200 trees and managing more than 2,000 public trees across the state.

Idaho Fish and Game received a $1.65 million federal grant through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to expand the Access Yes! program, which compensates landowners for providing hunting and fishing access on private land. The funding will increase competitive lease rates and expand enrolled acreage over three years.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission released the 2026-2027 Public Access Atlas identifying over 1.3 million acres of publicly accessible lands. The atlas is available in print at commission headquarters and online at OutdoorNebraska.gov in multiple formats, including interactive maps and Google Earth files.

Idaho Fish and Game advises hunters to stay informed about wildfire closures and restrictions that may affect hunting areas. Hunters have options including hunting alternative portions of their area, waiting until later in the season, or exchanging controlled hunt tags for general season tags before their hunt begins.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announces resident Canada goose hunting seasons from September 1-25 and additional seasons through January 4, with varying daily bag limits by zone. Hunters must obtain a hunting license, federal and Vermont duck stamps, and register with the Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.).

Idaho Fish and Game announced the second wave of Super Hunt drawing winners from 66,843 entries. Winners were selected across deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, and Super Combo categories, with participants eligible for any open hunt in their state for their drawn species.

Range USA, the nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, announces its grand opening in Monroeville, Pennsylvania on August 28-30, 2026. The 12,000-square-foot facility features 14 shooting lanes, retail space, and certified firearms instruction, marking the company's 51st location nationwide.

Pulsar has released the Telos LRF XT50, a flagship thermal monocular featuring a 1,280×1,024 HD sensor, 17.5° field of view, 2,516-yard detection range, and built-in laser rangefinder measuring to 1,312 yards. The device includes 2x–16x magnification with Zoom Boost, Full HD AMOLED display with image stabilization, and 128 GB recorder.

SLG2, Inc., parent company of Shoot Like A Girl, Safe LivinG, Hunt Like A Girl, and SLG2 Consulting, surpassed 50,000 signed-in guests during its 2026 Grand Safety Tour. The Q2 report shows 43% of participants improved their attitude toward firearms, 33% introduced others to shooting sports, and 56% committed to purchasing firearms.

Whitetails Unlimited offers complimentary Whitetail Watch signs and decals as part of an anti-poaching initiative to improve hunter/landowner relations. The PVC signs and matching decals serve as visible deterrents to poaching and encourage reporting of suspicious activity to wildlife law enforcement.

Savage Arms has announced threaded barrels across the entire AXIS lineup and user-adaptable length of pull for AXIS 2 models. The enhancement applies to AXIS 2, AXIS 2 PRO, AXIS 2 XP, and AXIS XP models, offering shooters increased customization with compatibility for aftermarket muzzle brakes and suppressors.

European American Armory Corp. and Girsan Firearms unveiled the Witness2311 XXX Series, featuring two compact double-stack 1911s for everyday carry. The CMX XXX and SC9 XXX models offer 16+1 capacity with MSRPs of $899 and $599 respectively, now available for pre-order through EAA distributors.

Avian-X has expanded its Power Butt Kicker motion duck decoy lineup to include Mallard Hen, Pintail Drake, and Black Duck species. Each decoy features realistic feeding motion, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, and dual operating modes providing 12+ or 24+ hours of runtime for waterfowl hunters.

Bear & Son Cutlery has launched the 4-inch Piranha pocket knife series, featuring 440 stainless steel blades and a lockback mechanism. Made in Jacksonville, Alabama, the knife is available in White Smooth Bone and Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle options with an MSRP of $124.99.

Remington Ammunition announced two rebate promotions offering waterfowl hunters $2.50 to $5 per box on qualifying shotshell ammunition through December 31, 2026. The "Earn Your Limit" and "Built For The Blind" rebates apply to products including Duck Club Steel, Sportsman Hi-Speed Steel, Nitro-Steel, and Hypersonic Steel.

Hook & Barrel Magazine features UFC legend Dan "Hendo" Henderson on its September/October 2026 cover. The issue explores Henderson's fighting career and mindset, alongside content on archery gear, long-range shooting, trout fishing in Taos, and rifle-crossbow evolution.

SHIELD Sights, a leading manufacturer of compact pistol optics, will exhibit at the 2026 NBS Fall Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City from August 25-27. The company will showcase their OMSsc and OMSx red dot sights at booth #1441.

T/C Arms will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports Fall Market in Oklahoma City, August 24–27, 2026, showcasing the new ENCORE FireStick™ Muzzleloader and expanding T/C Arms lineup. Dealers are invited to visit Booth #1938 to see the latest firearms, accessories, and innovations from the newly reestablished company.

Orchid, the firearms industry's leading FFL technology provider, will showcase its enterprise retail platform at NBS 2026 Fall Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City. The demonstrations highlight multi-store capabilities with NetSuite and Epicor ERP integrations, plus multichannel sales through Guns.com, GunBroker, and Gun Made.

AGM Global Vision will exhibit at Nation's Best Sports Fall Semi-Annual Market, August 24–27, 2026, at Booth 1039. The company will showcase thermal imaging, night vision, and digital optics for hunting, ranch management, and professional applications, with team members Andrew Becker, Justin Poole, Nick Noyes, and Austin McCord available to discuss products and dealer programs.

BERSA USA will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports 2026 Fall Semi-Annual Market on August 24-27 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The company will showcase its full firearms lineup including Thunder series, BPCC, TPR, B1911, M2XI, BAR9, and BAR15 at Booth 1452.

Victory Archery announces a partnership with Midwest Whitetail, a trusted whitetail hunting content creator. Victory's 100% carbon fiber arrows are engineered for serious bowhunters pursuing mature deer in real hunting conditions.

Mark 7 Reloading is sponsoring the 2026 Vortex Optics Race Gun Nationals Presented by Kimber, taking place August 19–23 at Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo, Ohio. Team members Tom Carlson and Conor Craig will showcase Mark 7 reloading equipment at the event featuring top USPSA competitors.

Three proposed amendments by Region 1 Commissioner Ian Wargo for the Aug. 19 Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting address Fall 2026–Winter 2027 Furbearer and Wolf Trapping and Hunting Seasons. Amendments include retaining Region 1's bobcat quota, establishing regional wolf quotas, and creating a new Wolf Management Unit with a general hunting season. Public comment is welcome at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena.

Idaho Fish and Game has reopened the parking area at the Crystal Lake access site near Priest River following emergency repairs to address a sinkhole hazard. The agency also improved the boat ramp and trimmed trees while completing necessary maintenance at the site.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting a public meeting on August 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP office in Missoula to discuss the proposed 2027–2030 Statewide Fisheries Management Plan. The plan and environmental assessment are available for public review and comment through September 14, 2026.

Arkansas State Parks is promoting safe outdoor recreation during extreme heat with hiking tips including proper hydration, trail selection, and heat illness awareness. The parks offer cooler alternatives such as water activities through Whenever Watersports, guided lake adventures at DeGray Lake Resort State Park and Bull Shoals–White River State Park, Blanchard Springs Caverns tours, and air-conditioned visitor centers.

Nature Awaits, a Michigan DNR education initiative, offers free fall field trips to fourth grade classrooms at 30 state parks. Transportation costs for public schools are reimbursed up to $1,000, with trained DNR educators leading 90-minute curriculum-aligned activities from September through November.

Travelers' Rest State Park near Lolo is celebrating 25 years with a series of public events, including a free concert by The Queens and Mr. G on August 23 and a trivia night at Lolo Creek Distillery on August 27. The park, home to a Lewis & Clark Expedition campsite, received grants from Montana 250 Grant Program, Americana Corner's Preserving America Grant, and Park Side Credit Union.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has scheduled September education events including Wise and Wild programs at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Little Saplings early childhood nature discovery at Schramm Education Center, virtual Science of Sunflowers webinar, spider hikes, kayak cleanup at Carter Lake, nature zine workshops, homeschool hikes, and Wildcat Hills programs in western Nebraska.

Major League Fishing's Starlink Team Series Bass Pro Shops Patriot Cup streams live on GAME & FISH TV from Charles County, Maryland, August 16-21, 2026. Twelve two-man teams of Bass Pro Tour anglers compete for $560,000 in prize money, with live coverage of Knockout Rounds and Championship Round available on multiple streaming platforms.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has reopened Silver Run Wildlife Management Area near Red Lodge following an emergency closure related to trapping efforts for a food-conditioned grizzly bear. All traps and trapping materials have been removed from the site.

Fall is still more a hope than a promise across much of the nation, but the first signs are starting to appear.

When shad swarm to the surface on inland lakes and rivers in fall, terns, gulls and other birds usually associated with saltwater become freshwater visitors for a time.

That time is beginning right now across the Southeast as young shad reach a size that makes them attractive to terns, small white birds adept at skimming minnows from the surface. Forster’s terns, in particular, are common fall visitors to freshwater lakes and reservoirs across the South.

As the baitfish grow and fall progresses, gulls often join the feeding activity on big lakes across the South. When colder weather arrives farther north, American white pelicans and loons also become increasingly common on Southern reservoirs, where shad can be an important part of their diet.

Birds that feed on baitfish are particularly interesting to anglers because their arrival often marks some of the best fishing of the year for largemouth bass, stripers, white bass and other shad-loving species.

Gamefish drive bait toward the surface, where birds can attack from above. The resulting commotion can keep the shad concentrated near the surface, sometimes putting them within easy reach of both predators.

It’s obviously not a good time to be a shad, but it’s a good time to be an angler, because diving birds function as fishy beacons that can be seen from far away. When there’s a whirling tornado of gulls and terns, perhaps with cormorants or loons nearby, there’s a good chance baitfish are concentrated in the area. And if gamefish are pushing them to the surface, the fishing can be spectacular.

When the feed is on, it’s mostly a matter of getting within casting range and throwing anything that looks remotely shad-like into the melee—topwaters, jerkbaits, swimbaits, you name it. One of my favorites is the flutter spoon, which seems irresistible to largemouths, spotted bass and white bass among other species.

Wherever shad are abundant in Southern reservoirs, this is the time of year to start watching the sky for a bird bite. From late summer through fall and into early winter on some lakes, the birds can lead you to some of the best schooling-fish action of the year.

New Products: NOCO Genius Gen5X3

 Those of us running three or more batteries aboard eventually get tired of transferring charger connections from one battery to another and bite the bullet for a multi-battery charger. With today’s high-draw electronics, including multiple sonar-GPS units and forward-scanning sonar, recharging daily is pretty much standard practice.

The NOCO Genius GEN5X3 fits the way many modern fishing boats are wired: one battery for starting, one for electronics and a third (or more) for the trolling motor. It charges three batteries independently, so you plug in once and let it do the work.

At five amps per bank, the GEN5X3 is designed for overnight recovery after a normal day of fishing. Each bank is isolated, so a depleted trolling battery doesn’t draw current from a fully charged starting battery. Its multi-stage charging helps bring batteries to full charge before switching to maintenance mode, reducing the risk of chronic undercharging or overcharging.

Five amps is plenty for a typical 12-volt deep-cycle battery, though large-capacity batteries or several consecutive hard fishing days will require more charging time. Anglers needing rapid turnaround may want a higher-output charger. For everyone else, the slower charging rate is a reasonable tradeoff for an overnight, set-it-and-forget-it system.

Installation is straightforward. The compact unit is sealed and vibration resistant, and its IP68 waterproof rating provides protection from rain and spray, although mounting it in a dry location is still preferable. On our bass rig, it fully recharged three Group 31 12-volt batteries overnight after several days of hard fishing.

There’s no app or remote display—just status lights and automatic operation. The GEN5X3 isn’t the fastest charger available, but for three-battery fishing boats, it’s a solid, durable and affordable way to simplify charging; https://no.co/gen5x3. 

ResQFlare II: A Flare That’s Not a Flare

Pyrotechnical flares are dangerous, undependable and short-lived—they tend not to work after a year or two of storage in the damp compartments of a boat. They don’t want to start sometimes, and when started they’re short-lived, with most lasting only a couple minutes before burning out.

Also, they burn at extreme temperatures (over 1,000°C), which makes it easy to start a fire that you don’t want aboard. They expire 42 months after manufacture, in terms of fulfilling the visual distress signal requirement for boats, and if you’re not careful how you store them, they won’t last that long. And when they’re out of date, you are supposed to treat them as hazardous waste in disposal.

ACR has a way better solution. Their floating ResQFlare II is a battery powered, waterproof strobe that flashes out a brilliant “S-O-S” signal that the company says is visible for up to 6 miles. There’s no ignition problems, it’s not sensitive to dampness or salt corrosion and it runs for up to 20 hours on two “C” alkaline batteries.

If you have to abandon ship—as you might in case of fire or if the boat fully sinks—you can take the flare with you—a wrist lanyard guards against loss, and it floats.

The ResQFlare II costs more than a pack of flares—it’s $79.95, versus around $40 for three flares--but buy it once and you’ve got a visual emergency signaling device for life—just replace the batteries every 5 years and you’re good to go.

Details at www.acrartex.com.    

– Frank Sargeant, Editor, The Water Wire