Whitewater Fishing introduces the Rays Performance Hoodie, a $59.99 technical garment featuring UPF 50+ solar protection, touch-activated cooling fabric, and an integrated neck gaiter. The hoodie blocks 98% of harmful UV rays while maintaining athletic mobility for anglers battling summer elements on the water.
Protect Liberty PAC announced a GunBroker auction featuring a premium Benelli 20-Gauge Super Black Eagle 3 A.I. BE.S.T. shotgun to raise funds for the 2026 midterm elections. The auction represents a partnership between Protect Liberty PAC and Benelli, with proceeds supporting candidates aligned with Second Amendment principles.
Murray Road Agency, a Charleston-based strategic marketing firm serving the outdoor industry, has been named a Marketing Firm Regional Winner in the 2026 Best of South Carolina awards presented by The Guide to South Carolina. CEO Tim Brandt highlighted the recognition reflects their client relationships and team's commitment to helping outdoor brands connect authentically with audiences.
The Alabama Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame inducted its third class, including Bob Walker of Livingston and Corky Pugh of Montgomery, along with posthumous honorees Ben Ezelle, Doug Camp, and Ken Tucker. The ceremony took place at the Mobile Convention Center during the World Championship Turkey Calling Contest.
Krieghoff International celebrated a successful 2026 Pennsylvania State Shoot with multiple championship wins by Team Krieghoff shooters including Wesley Beaver, Joseph Breck, and Deborah Ohye Neilson. Clare Schaffer won the Krieghoff Challenge and a K-80 Trap Special, becoming only the second woman to win in the event's 22-year history. Don Neilson Jr. and Deborah Ohye Neilson were inducted into the Pennsylvania Trapshooting Hall of Fame.
The 2026 SK Lone Star Cup, held June 6–7 at Bayou Rifles Club in Sedalia, MO, featured smallbore silhouette competition with William Harris defending his champion title. The event introduced the North American Silhouette Shooting Association's new "Future Champions" Junior Development Program, with mentorship from Team SK's KG Bourgoyne and Elisabeth Steiger.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Habitat Council allocated $3.4 million to 71 habitat restoration projects, including improvements to Canyon View Park Pond, Little Montes Wildlife Management Area, and mule deer habitat across Utah. Funds from hunting and fishing license sales support fish and wildlife conservation efforts.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii's "Vampire Rule" in Wolford v Lopez, a victory for gun owners supported by the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Connecticut Citizens Defense League, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus. The ruling overturned a law that banned firearm carry on public property unless owners posted signs allowing it.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-to-3 decision in Wolford v. Lopez holding that Hawaii cannot presume peaceable carry is forbidden on private property open to the public without express permission. The Firearms Policy Coalition, California Gun Rights Foundation, and the United States filed supporting amicus briefs in the case, which invalidates "vampire rule" laws that burden Second Amendment rights.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will stock approximately 15-inch channel catfish in select waters starting the week of June 29, providing anglers of all ages an opportunity to catch larger fish than the typical 10-inch stock size.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is seeking public input on seven proposed changes to 2027-28 fishing regulations, including bag limit adjustments at multiple lakes and increased spearfishing opportunities at Lake Powell. A public forum webcast is scheduled for July 9 from 6-7 p.m., with written comments accepted through July 24 at fishregscomments@azgfd.gov.
Target Sports USA launched "250 Years of Firepower," a campaign celebrating America's 250th anniversary featuring a Ford F-250 giveaway for AMMO+ members. The initiative partners with ammunition manufacturers CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington, and Speer, honoring firearms' role in American history through historical content, promotions, and commemorative offerings.
Silencer Central's 100 Days of Silence promotion offers Day 71 winners a $6,000+ package including a Savage 110 Carbon Hunter rifle, BANISH MeatEater Suppressor, Burris scope, and accessories. The giveaway runs through July 6, 2026, with new prizes daily at PopularSuppressors.com.
KDG, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut, announced proactive steps to eliminate marketplace confusion affecting dealers, distributors, and end users. The company, known for its patented Kinect quick-detach system and SideLok optic mounting solutions, is implementing a long-term strategy to strengthen dealer relationships and reinforce its brand identity in the firearms industry.
The NSSF announces the Second Annual NSSF Legal Symposium scheduled for October 6-7 in Washington, D.C. The event features CLE programming for general counsels and legal staff of NSSF Patron Members and SAAMI Legislative & Legal Affairs Committee members covering firearm and ammunition industry legal topics.
Blue Force Gear announced the appointment of Eric Suarez as Vice President of Marketing. Suarez will lead strategic marketing initiatives, brand development, and customer engagement across military, law enforcement, and commercial markets, bringing extensive experience in the shooting sports and tactical industries.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 28 through July 4 as Aquatic Invasive Species Awareness Week. Over 31 outreach events will be hosted at boat launches across Michigan as part of the 13th annual AIS Landing Blitz, with the Michigan Clean Water Corps also hosting its second annual AIS Detection Blitz to help identify invasive species.
The NotMISpecies webinars, supported by Michigan's Invasive Species Program, explore strategies to prevent invasive species spread through monthly presentations. Topics include managing invasive species in critical dune areas with EGLE's Zach Chamberlin, developing response plans with Katie Grzesiak and Drew Rayner of the DNR, and standardizing boater data collection with the Great Lakes Commission's Theresa Gruninger and Taaja Tucker-Silva.
The South Carolina Waterfowl Association announces registration is open for Camp Leopold's 2026–2027 school year, offering onsite field trips and in-school conservation education through Camp Leopold Plus+. The program served over 12,900 students in 2024–2025, providing hands-on learning in wildlife, ecology, and outdoor recreation.
SLG2, Inc., parent company of Shoot Like A Girl and Safe LivinG, has partnered with Walk The Talk America, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health and responsible firearm ownership. The collaboration will integrate educational messaging and community outreach initiatives across nationwide events to promote safe firearm handling, secure storage, and suicide prevention awareness.
The Boone and Crockett Club launched Big Game Records Live 2.0, an AI-powered platform transforming its 140-year-old big game records database into an interactive analytics tool. The subscription-based platform features an AI Research Assistant, 12 data-driven analysis tools, and enriched entry profiles to help hunters identify trends and geographic hotspots.
One Horse, an American firearms manufacturer based in Brownstown, Indiana, announced it has joined Gun Owners of America as a corporate partner to strengthen support for the Second Amendment and American manufacturing. CEO Jeremy Hammons stated the partnership reflects One Horse's commitment to defending gun owners' rights and keeping firearm manufacturing rooted in American values.
Women For Gun Rights, founded by Dianna Muller, supports Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, praising his constitutional perspective and commitment to protecting Second Amendment rights alongside effective law enforcement.
The Guns & Ammo Buzz podcast episode features Editor-in-Chief Eric Poole, Benelli Marketing Director Nick Andrews, Product Manager Bret Maffett, and Exhibition Shooter Steve Gould discussing Benelli's Urbino, Italy headquarters, manufacturing technology including AI, virtual reality, 3D printing, and Advanced Impact barrel technology.
Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors CEO Dr. Scott Petrie was featured on The Evolving Hunter Podcast, discussing the organization's mission to connect youth with hunting, fishing, and conservation through mentorship. Dr. Petrie highlighted the importance of removing barriers for youth participation and building the next generation of hunters, anglers, and conservationists.
Dead Air Silencers introduces limited-edition Sandman X suppressors honoring the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group, with proceeds benefiting the Night Stalker Association and Special Forces Association Chapter 38.
Weatherby announces the Model 307 MZY, its first production muzzleloader, featuring the Arrowhead Rifles Gen2 ignition system and Peak 44 Bastion carbon fiber stock. Available in .45 and .50 caliber, the rifle is optimized for Blackhorn 209 powder and includes TriggerTech trigger and Williams Gunsight options.
GTM Original announces expansion of The Avenue collection with new Avenue Large Satchel Concealed Carry Bag in Black and Caramel leather. The satchel features USA top-grain cowhide and distressed buffalo leather, offering enhanced organization, RFID protection, and ambidextrous concealed carry access for modern women.
SOG Knives released a limited edition 250th Anniversary SEAL FX Fixed Blade knife featuring a 4.3-inch S35VN steel blade, forged and assembled entirely in the USA. Only 250 individually numbered knives were produced, each retailing for $250 and available at SOGKnives.com.
Industry Day at the Range returns January 18, 2027, at Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada, bringing together 2,300+ vetted attendees including media, retailers, and industry professionals for product launches and networking before SHOT Show begins.
Code Blue Scents has partnered with TreeCruTV, an authentic hunting content team, to feature Code Blue's premium whitetail scents across TreeCruTV's hunt recaps, episodes, and social media content. The collaboration combines Code Blue's industry-leading scent technology with TreeCruTV's passionate storytelling and connection with hunters.
Winchester Supreme Long Range ammunition will be featured on Richard Childress Racing's No. 3 Chevrolet at the 2026 Toyota Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 28. The new precision centerfire rifle ammunition features BC Max bullets designed for extreme-range hunting and target shooting with match-grade accuracy.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on agenda items for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting on August 19, including fisheries improvement programs, wildlife management, and conservation easements. Public comments are accepted through July 23 via online portal or mail.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing updates to fees for state parks, fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, and fisheries conservation areas. Division administrator Renee Lemon stated the current fee rules are outdated and difficult to administer, with proposed changes intended to reflect inflation, simplify structures, and maintain affordability while inviting public comment.
The Cabela Family Foundation announced that season four of Hard Truths of Conservation premieres July 4th at 8:00AM Eastern on Animal Planet. Hosted by Dan Cabela, the series explores conservation education and hunting's role in sustainable wildlife management with global experts.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites the public to participate in its annual summer turkey brood survey from July 1-August 31. Participants record turkey sightings to help estimate wild turkey production and poult survival rates, informing management decisions and population trends across the state.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department's spring grouse surveys revealed unchanged sharp-tailed grouse counts statewide, with mixed results by district. Jesse Kolar, upland game management supervisor, attributed the better-than-expected results to a mild winter that minimized mortality following poor 2025 reproduction. Ruffed grouse increased in the Turtle Mountains while declining in the Pembina Hills.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks conducted spring mule deer surveys across southwestern Montana, finding good fawn recruitment in many areas despite challenging survey conditions from mild winter weather. The surveys provide trend data on population estimates and inform management decisions under Montana's Adaptive Harvest Management Plan for mule deer.
First, before anybody gets upset, ‘The Lord's Work’ is being used euphemistically.
Because nothing makes manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sales reps—and ultimately customers—take the Lord's name in vain faster than bad product information.
Every marketing manager has lived this nightmare.
The wrong product photo is on a retailer's website. A discontinued optic somehow keeps showing up in online catalogs. Barrel lengths don't match. Calibers are wrong. Somebody copied specifications from an old spreadsheet three years ago and now that information has propagated across half the internet.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer's phone starts ringing.
Ask me how I know.
Actually...don't. Let's just say I've invoked the Son of God on more than one occasion—usually on a hobby horse, thanks to Michael Bane—over a missing product image or an outdated specification sheet.
The reality is that for decades—if not all eternity—one of the biggest problems facing the shooting sports industry hasn't been designing products. It's been keeping product information accurate once those products leave the manufacturer's marketing department.
A company introduces a new rifle, suppressor, optic, or ammunition line. Product descriptions get emailed to distributors. High-resolution photos get sent through Dropbox or WeTransfer. Somebody updates a spreadsheet. Somebody else changes a website. Sales reps build presentations. Retailers grab whatever photos they can find online.
Then the fun begins.
Somewhere along the way, the wrong image gets used. A specification doesn't get updated. A dealer copies information from another dealer. Before long, there are half a dozen different versions of the same product floating around the marketplace.
Everybody loses.
Manufacturers spend time correcting bad information instead of launching new products. Distributors dedicate resources to maintaining product databases that someone else has already built. Retailers wonder whether the specifications they're publishing are actually correct. Sales rep groups become the cleanup crew, trying to answer questions that never should have existed in the first place.
That's the problem the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) believes it can solve.
At its simplest, VAULT is a centralized product information database built specifically for the shooting sports industry. Instead of manufacturers emailing photos, spec sheets, logos, marketing copy and technical information to dozens of different business partners, everything resides in one manufacturer-controlled location.
Publish it once. Update it once. And everyone who has permission accesses the same information.
It's one of those ideas that's so simple you almost wonder why nobody built it years ago. According to NASGW President Kenyon Gleason, that's exactly the point.
Quoting an old proverb in his June message to members, Gleason wrote, "One of the best times to plant a tree is 20 years ago. The next best time is today."
VAULT is one of those trees.
It's an investment in industry infrastructure that won't necessarily make headlines, but it could quietly improve the way business gets done for years to come.
It's open to any manufacturer, not just NASGW members, and it’s manufacturers that may realize the biggest immediate benefit.
Instead of maintaining countless versions of product descriptions, technical specifications, photography, logos and marketing assets across multiple business partners, manufacturers become the single source of truth. When a specification changes, or a better product image becomes available, the update happens once. Everyone downstream receives the current version.
That alone could eliminate countless emails and customer service calls. And to be clear, after manufacturers, customer service staff will be the big beneficiaries from the standardization of product information VAULT will deliver.
Distributors also stand to save enormous amounts of time.
Every major wholesaler maintains product databases containing hundreds of thousands of SKUs. Historically, much of that information has been recreated internally—even though another distributor down the street may be doing exactly the same work.
That's duplicated effort.
VAULT allows distributors to spend less time building product catalogs and more time doing what distributors actually do—selling products, managing inventory and supporting retailers.
Retailers—all retailers—will have access to VAULT for a very small annual fee. And it's the retailers that may appreciate VAULT even more than manufactures and distributors.
Whether they're updating an e-commerce site, building a weekly flyer, creating social media posts or printing shelf tags, finding accurate product information has traditionally involved searching manufacturer websites, distributor portals, old emails and image libraries.
Sometimes you find the right information.
Sometimes you don't.
With VAULT, retailers know they're pulling approved descriptions, specifications and photography directly from the manufacturer instead of hoping whatever they found on Google is current.
Sales representative groups probably deserve their own paragraph, because their job is introducing products—not verifying specifications.
When reps represent multiple manufacturers, keeping presentations, catalogs and digital assets current becomes a full-time job. Having one place to retrieve approved product information means they spend less time organizing files and more time calling on dealers.
That's a win for everyone.
Perhaps the most important thing VAULT provides isn't storage—it’s consistency.
Every stakeholder—from the manufacturer introducing a product to the retailer selling it—is working from the same information. The same product descriptions. The same photography. The same technical specifications.
Consumers benefit, too.
When a customer researches a firearm, optic or box of ammunition online, they shouldn't find conflicting information depending on which website they're visiting.
Accurate information builds confidence, and confidence sells products.
Gleason closed his June message with another thought worth remembering. "We don't plant trees for ourselves," he wrote. "We plant them for those who come after us."
VAULT feels very much like that kind of project.
Like NASGW's SCOPE market intelligence platform before it, VAULT isn't designed to create excitement because it's flashy. It's designed to make the industry work better.
Sometimes innovation isn't another rifle, another optic or another cartridge.
Sometimes it's building the infrastructure that helps every one of those products reach the marketplace with the right information attached.
That's the kind of work the entire industry can appreciate.
– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network
