TUO released the Folcrum Hoodie, a technical midlayer engineered for early-season hunting with a 249g check fleece, built-in facemask, and proprietary TUO Ryse Camo pattern. The hoodie features Polygiene StayFresh™ and OdorCrunch™ odor management, flatlock seams, and thumb loops for layering versatility across temperature swings.

Easton arrows dominated the 20th Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in Saltillo, Mexico, with all 12 podium finishers using Easton X10 or 3.2 X10 Parallel Pro shafts. Notable winners included Dhiraj Bommadevara, Marie Horáčková, Nico Wiener, and Alexis Ruiz, marking 20 consecutive years of Easton gold medals at the World Cup Final since 2006.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recognized Conservation Officer Carter Woodwyk as the 2025 Shikar-Safari Michigan Wildlife Officer of the Year for his exceptional 10-year career. Woodwyk, who patrols Allegan County, has demonstrated outstanding dedication to natural resources protection, law enforcement, and community engagement throughout his DNR service.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hosting an information session on mule deer and Chronic Wasting Disease on September 23 at the Missoula office. Wildlife biologists will discuss mule deer population trends and research, while FWP wildlife health biologist Bevin McCormick will present on CWD monitoring efforts and hunter involvement.

Team SK's Jake Stine won all three state titles at the 2026 New Mexico State Smallbore Silhouette Championships, achieving his first career perfect score of 40/40 in the Hunter Rifle match. Stine posted an overall score of 143/160 and will compete next in the Lapua Monarch Cup in Mexico as a two-time defending champion.

Team Beretta athlete Cameron Templin won the Limited Optics division at the 2026 North Texas Open held September 4-6 at Extreme Tactics and Training Solutions in Waxahachie, Texas, competing with the Beretta 92X Performance. The victory continues Templin's standout 2026 season on the USPSA competition circuit.

B&P Pro Team shooters Gebben and Karen Miles dominated the inaugural NSCA/CPSA World Super Sporting Championship at Northbrook Sports Club in Illinois. Gebben Miles won the 200-target World Championship HOA with 186 targets, while Karen Miles captured two Ladies Championships and finished fourth overall in both major events.

Meprolight USA will compete at The Tactical Games in Moyock, North Carolina on September 26–27, with elite athletes Callerina Woodard and Korey Bromery competing alongside Marketing Manager Jordan Stein. The company will showcase its MVO 1-8X28, MVO 3-18X44, and MPO PRO F optics while offering event-exclusive discounts and promotions.

GRITR Range will host a women-only ROSE Seminar on December 12, led by SIG SAUER Academy female instructors. The event features red dot fundamentals instruction, sight acquisition training, body mechanics, and hands-on experience with two session times available at $35 per ticket.

Dana Loesch and Patrick "Tate" Adamiak have been added to the 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference agenda, co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, scheduled for September 25-27 in Dallas.

Michigan's DNR is accepting public comment on amendments to its 10-year State Forest Management Plan through October 12, following a devastating March 2025 ice storm in the northern Lower Peninsula. DNR forest planning specialist Dan Heckman noted the once-in-a-century storm significantly impacted the region and required plan revisions to address damaged timber and tree-planting needs.

The Wild Sheep Foundation received a cash grant from the MidwayUSA Foundation to support its S.H.E.E.P. youth shooting sports and education program. The funding will help offset ammunition, targets, entry fees, and travel costs, enabling WSF to expand opportunities for young people to develop shooting skills and learn ethical hunting practices.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announces the archery deer hunting season running October 1-December 15. Hunters may take up to four deer with specific antler requirements varying by Wildlife Management Unit, and an archery deer license and tag are required for each deer.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will release approximately 2,500 pheasants across multiple state regions before the youth pheasant weekend Sept. 19-20 as part of the Roosters for Recruitment Program's fifth year. The initiative, authorized by the 2021 Montana Legislature and re-authorized through 2029, aims to help new and returning hunters find success and encourage continued interest in hunting and conservation.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hosts a free Youth Trap Shoot and Safety Refresher on Sept. 18 at Custer Rod & Gun Club in Miles City for hunters 15 and under. The event includes instruction on safe gun handling, field ethics, regulations, and non-competitive trap shooting, preparing youth for Montana's pheasant and waterfowl hunting weekends.

Michigan DNR operates 15 shooting ranges across the state offering safe, low-cost target practice and firearm sighting opportunities. Ranges in Barry County, Dansville, Echo Point, Lapeer, Ortonville, Pontiac Lake, Rose Lake, and Sharonville will have extended hours in October and November to help hunters prepare for upcoming seasons.

North Dakota's waterfowl season opens September 26 for residents and October 5 for nonresidents. Swan season begins October 3 for residents and October 5 for nonresidents with a swan license. All waterfowl hunters must obtain a habitat restoration stamp and federal duck stamp, and be Harvest Information Program certified.

Michigan's fall hunting seasons for turkey and small game, including cottontail rabbit, ruffed grouse, squirrels, and woodcock, begin Tuesday. Turkey hunters must now report all harvested turkeys through the DNR's website or mobile app within 72 hours. The fall turkey season runs September 15 through November 14 in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

TriStar Arms celebrates its 30th anniversary as a leading firearms manufacturer. Under CEO Gus Bader and President Ryan Bader, the company has expanded sales twentyfold and grown its workforce fivefold while maintaining its commitment to quality, reliability, and affordability for hunters and recreational shooters.

We Buy Guns released its August 2026 Secondary Firearms Market Report, showing record offer volume of 2,047 offers worth $1,054,408 and 702 completed purchases totaling $383,513. Handguns dominated activity at 63% of offers, with Smith & Wesson, Glock, SIG Sauer, and Ruger leading manufacturer submissions.

The North Dakota Game and Fish Department reminds waterfowl hunters to prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species by cleaning decoys, drains, and equipment. Hunters must remove aquatic plants from gear, drain all water from boats and motors, and ensure motorized watercraft display required ANS stickers.

Celerant Technology partnered with SIG SAUER to integrate a dealer locator on SIG SAUER's website, connecting over 1 million monthly shoppers with local dealers carrying available inventory. The integration helps dealers convert online interest into in-store sales while providing inventory insights to reduce missed opportunities.

Gearfire announced a new integration with MGE Wholesale, expanding dealer access to exclusive firearms, shooting sports accessories, optics, and premium cutlery. The partnership provides Gearfire eCommerce retailers with automated inventory streaming and direct-to-consumer dropshipping capabilities through MGE's extensive catalog.

Mike Komara, owner of Innovative Angling and Fly Fishing Team USA member, discusses competitive fly fishing on the Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast with Ross Purnell. Komara shares his journey from youth competitions to the 45th World Fly Fishing Championship in Idaho, highlighting Euro nymphing techniques and the dedication required for elite competition.

Phil Peabody, Chief Lending Officer of Capital Farm Credit, will be featured on the Houston Safari Club Foundation's Hunting Matters podcast discussing agriculture, rural land ownership, conservation, and the economic forces shaping Texas farms and ranches.

Real Avid announces professional-grade firearm maintenance tools designed for suppressor installation and upkeep, including the Master Gun Vise, Smart-Jaws Tube-Fit, and Accu-Grip Steel Picks to address growing suppressor ownership across the country.

Duck Commander has restocked the Jase Robertson Pro Series SELECT Duck Call, featuring premium acrylic construction with a jade-blue barrel and aluminum band. The versatile mallard hen call delivers increased volume on the high end and additional rasp on the low end, priced at $94.99 and available in limited batches at duckcommander.com.

Custom & Collectable Firearms unveils the Colt 1911 Prohibition .45 ACP, a limited-edition collector release featuring period-inspired engraving and antique whiskey barrel grips. Production is limited to 300 consecutively numbered units, combining rarity with the legacy of the Colt Government platform.

Texas Hunter Products reintroduces the 360° Silent Shooter's Chair, featuring a ball-bearing swivel system for silent rotation, powder-coated aluminum construction, and foam-padded comfort. Designed for hunting blinds with versatility for camping and fishing.

Buck Knives, Inc. announces the launch of the new 110 & 112 Crossbar Elite, combining classic design with modern crossbar locking mechanism, MagnaCut steel, and premium materials. The knives feature ambidextrous operation and are USA-made in Post Falls, Idaho, available September 15, 2026.

Liberty Ammunition's Pro Series ammunition is now available at the Constellis Training Center Pro Shop in Moyock, NC. Developed for law enforcement and federal agencies, the patented Pro Series offers increased stopping power, reduced weight, and prevents over-penetration, according to CEO Gary Ramey.

BlackPoint Tactical, a High Speed Gear Products Group brand, announced the ARC-LOCK TASER Holster designed for TASER 7 and TASER 10 energy weapons. The professional-duty holster features two retention levels and BlackPoint Tactical's Master Grip Concept for fast, intuitive access. The product has been recognized by the National Tactical Officers Association's Member Tested and Recommended Program.

F.LLI Pietta and Pietta Firearms, Inc. announce the 2026 Pietta Pendleton Round-Up Revolver, the second edition of an annual collaboration celebrating the 116th Pendleton Round-Up. The inaugural revolver's success with collectors and enthusiasts prompted the companies to establish this as an ongoing tradition honoring Western heritage and craftsmanship.

Galco’s Pocket Protector Holster is now available for the S&W Bodyguard 2.0 with or without carry optic. Galco's pocket holsters greatly minimize shifting of the handgun in the pocket, allowing for a fast and sure grip acquisition when drawing. They conceal the shape of the handgun so its outline doesn’t print through the pocket.

Zanders, a national firearms distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, has partnered with CZ and Dan Wesson for a limited-time MTP Holiday promotion offering special pricing on select products for dealers. The promotion, available this week only, helps dealers strengthen inventory while capitalizing on holiday demand.

WTU President Jeff Schinkten announces that TenPoint Crossbows has joined as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor. "We are proud to welcome TenPoint Crossbows to the WTU family,” said WTU President Jeff Schinkten.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced Florida's Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday for 2026, running through December 31, providing tax relief on firearms, ammunition, and hunting, fishing, and camping supplies. The state expanded eligible price thresholds and firearm accessories coverage. DeSantis also broke ground on the new Florida Archery Center at Tenoroc in Lakeland.

There are three categories of new-hire announcements.

The first comes with a company logo but no photo of the person being hired. Maybe nobody had a suitable photo available. More likely, the company was simply in a rush to get the announcement out.

The second includes a traditional corporate headshot—the kind that might also appear in the local newspaper. These are often coat-and-tie portraits, though business casual is perfectly acceptable in today’s workplace.

The third includes a photo of the new hire participating in the activity most closely associated with the company and its products.

We see this last one a lot in the outdoor industry. Maybe too much.

Some companies almost never announce a new hire without including a photo of that person standing in a field, dressed in the requisite camo and posing with a harvested animal.

I have a question about this practice.

Can we please stop?

The hunting photo—sometimes it’s a fishing photo—is meant to show that the company hires people who understand the outdoor culture. But is that really necessary?

If you’re an established outdoor company, why promote your new product manager’s hunting experience over his or her professional track record?

Does your new head of engineering’s six-point buck mean your products will be more reliable, perform better in the field or be manufactured to spec?

If that kind of photo is so important to a brand, why don’t companies in the tactical market include a photo of their regional sales rep rappelling down the side of a building or clearing a room in full battle dress?

They don’t, because that would be ridiculous.

Of course, there are positions within the outdoor industry for which this kind of photo makes sense. Conservation organizations, for example, rely on regional organizers who must connect with local members—particularly when it comes to fundraising.

In that instance, the hunting photo really can be worth a thousand words, letting local members know at a glance that their newest contact speaks their language.

But that is a fairly specific use case for the hunting photo.

If you believe customers need to see your employees hunting or fishing, what does that say about your brand?
I’ll tell you what it says. It suggests your company isn’t entirely confident that its identity is coming through in its products and marketing. If you have to prove you’re an outdoor company by showing employees hunting and fishing, you might have a branding problem.

The quality of the products you make and sell should be all the proof your customers need.

And honestly, if I have to call your customer service department about a product problem, I don’t care whether the representative has shot a turkey or is an avid bass angler. I care about that person’s product knowledge and ability to solve my problem.

So, instead of rolling out another new-hire announcement with a camo-clad hunting photo, take a good portrait and include the person’s hunting, fishing and outdoor bona fides in the accompanying bio.

I’ll take your word that Bob is an outdoorsman and hunter when you tell me he’s a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or Pheasants Forever. And if he works for your company, I shouldn’t have to wonder whether he supports hunting, fishing and the Second Amendment.

If I have to question that, you’ve got a problem no amount of hunting photos will fix.

– Paul Erhardt, Managing Editor, the Outdoor Wire Digital Network