Events

The NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) is accepting applications for its 2027 program, an all-expenses-paid six-day leadership initiative for exceptional high school students in Washington, D.C. Participants compete for up to $40,000 in college scholarships while engaging with national leaders and exploring American government and history. The application deadline is January 10, 2027.

B&T USA will participate in Sharkapalooza Fall Festival on Oct. 9–10 at Shark Coast Tactical in Sarasota, Florida, followed by a live-fire Range Day on Oct. 11 in Ruskin, Florida. Attendees can try and purchase B&T USA suppressors covered by the Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF injunction without federal registration delays.

Donna Anthony, a nationally recognized firearms instructor and Alaska police chief, will lead three specialized training workshops for Lox & Loaded members October 17-18, featuring Gun Tote'n Mamas® concealed-carry products. The sessions cover off-body carry techniques and synagogue safety, with Lox & Loaded members receiving 20% off Gun Tote'n Mamas® Original collection bags.

The inaugural FFL Compliance Summit, "The Briefing," concluded a sold-out event in Dallas featuring direct dialogue between Federal Firearms Licensees and leadership from the ATF and FBI. ATF Director Robert Cekada delivered the keynote address on "The New Era of FFL Compliance," with sessions covering NFA transfers, Form 4473 processing, and regulatory updates. The event was supported by title sponsors FastBound, FFLGuard, Gearfire, and U.S. LawShield.

The annual Airing of the Quilts Festival in Gee's Bend, Alabama on October 3 celebrates world-famous quilters including Doris Mosely and Mary Margaret Pettway. Visitors can purchase quilts directly from artisans, watch demonstrations, and enjoy live music from performers like the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Choir, with proceeds supporting the quilting community and cultural preservation.

Traverse City will celebrate the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund's 50th anniversary on September 29, featuring projects including Discovery Pier, FishPass, TART Trails, and Brown Bridge Quiet Area. The event highlights community collaborations between the Michigan DNR, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and local township officials.

SLG2, Inc. will bring its Shoot Like A Girl experience to the Oaklawn Outdoor Show at the 2026 Black Bass World Championship in Hot Springs, Arkansas, October 1-3. The mobile range will offer firearms, archery, and outdoor product demonstrations led by certified instructors, welcoming women, men, and families of all skill levels.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host the inaugural Legacy Lunker Awards Banquet on October 29 at the North Little Rock Event Center. One of 17 anglers will win a 21-foot Xpress boat, with professional angler Fred Roumbanis providing keynote remarks on Arkansas's new trophy bass management era.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Outdoor Calendar features fall events including a Cattle and Quail Field Day at Cross Timbers WMA on September 26, Hunter Education courses statewide, Shotgun Training at Canton WMA, and Monarch Tagging events at Hackberry Flat Center in October.

The 41st annual Gun Rights Policy Conference, co-hosted by the Second Amendment Foundation and Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, runs September 25-27 in Dallas. Keynote speaker is retired U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. Saturday and Sunday sessions will be livestreamed on SAF's YouTube channel.

Michigan's DNR Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program offers fall workshops at Pigeon River Country State Forest featuring grouse/woodcock hunting, fly fishing, and elk viewing. Additional Beyond BOW workshops cover foraging, archery deer hunting, backpacking, and waterfowl identification at various Michigan locations.

The Herd & Hunter: Bovine TB Connections meeting on October 1 will feature updates from Dr. Mike VanderKlok, Pat Ryan, and Emily Sewell on bovine TB status, deer removal efforts, and 2026 deer season. Dr. Justine O'Malley will present on New World screwworm threats to livestock and wildlife.

The Briefing FFL Compliance Summit expands its September 23–25 Dallas agenda with sessions on NFA operations, state regulations, and counter strategies featuring Travis Glover of Silencer Shop, Chris Chiafullo of FFLGuard, ATF and FBI representatives, plus evening receptions sponsored by Trident 1, Lipsey's, and U.S. LawShield.

Idaho Fish and Game and partners host the free North Idaho Bear Fair on Sept. 26 at Boundary County Fairgrounds, featuring bear spray training with a remote-controlled grizzly, electric fencing demonstrations, and a community cider press. Morgan Pfander, Fish and Game's Grizzly Bear Biologist, encourages residents to refresh bear safety skills and learn about available resources.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission invites Nebraskans to celebrate October as Reptile Month through an annual art contest featuring native reptiles, with submissions accepted Oct. 1-31, 2026. Additional events include Family Fun Night at Gere Library on Oct. 6, Reptile Art Day on Oct. 19, and a Reptiles of Nebraska Family Event on Oct. 22 hosted by Nebraska Game and Parks and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources.

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.

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.

Thunder Ridge Nature Arena will host an exclusive premiere of Brad Pitt's adventure thriller "Heart of the Beast" on September 18, with all proceeds benefiting conservation. Service members, Bass Pro Shops Outfitters, and CLUB Members receive free admission, while public tickets are available for $10 at thunderridgenaturearena.com.

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 Department of Natural Resources will host the 78th annual Pointe Mouillee Waterfowl Festival on September 19-20 at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area in Brownstown. The festival features waterfowl hunting competitions, a Monroe Decoy Show presented by the Monroe Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, wildlife art, archery, and family activities celebrating the 4,000-acre wetland refuge.