Barnett® unveils the Hyper Raptor GTX™, a high-performance crossbow launching arrows at 425 FPS with advanced features including the Halo System, TriggerTech™ Frictionless Release Technology, and Rope Hold™ Roller Ball technology. The package includes premium optics options, HyperFlite™ arrows, and accessories for immediate hunting readiness.
Lee R. Anderson received the Beretta & Safari Club International Foundation Conservation Leadership Award at the 11th Annual Award Gala in Nashville, Tennessee. The prestigious award, sponsored by Beretta, recognizes Anderson's exemplary leadership and lifetime commitment to wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and humanitarian service.
Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC celebrates Team Colt's landmark performance at the 2025 IPSC Handgun World Shoot in South Africa, where Jalise Williams became the first woman to qualify for a U.S. National Handgun Team and earned gold medals in Classic Overall Ladies and Team Champion categories while competing with her Colt Gold Cup Trophy 1911.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is supporting a third federal lawsuit challenging the National Firearms Act's registration requirements for silencers and short-barreled rifles. After President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill eliminating NFA taxes, SAF argues the government's constitutional authority for the law no longer applies. SAF now backs three cases: Brown v. ATF, Jensen v. ATF, and Roberts v. ATF, which includes plaintiffs Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, Center for Human Liberty, American Suppressor Association Foundation, Buckeye Firearms Association, and Meridian Ordnance.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced a new challenge to the National Firearms Act of 1934, Roberts v. ATF, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Plaintiffs including T.J. Roberts, Zachary Cockrell, Meridian Ordnance LLC, Buckeye Firearms Association, Center for Human Liberty, Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership, and American Suppressor Association Foundation seek to declare NFA regulations unconstitutional.
Vihtavuori, a world-renowned smokeless reloading powder manufacturer, unveiled its new brand look at the IWA Outdoors Classics exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-March 1st. Sales and Marketing Manager Olof Borgstrom confirmed the product range remains unchanged while new branding will appear on bottle labels throughout the year.
Range USA, the nation's largest indoor gun range and firearm retailer, announced plans to open three new stores in 2026 in Smyrna, Tennessee; Monroeville, Pennsylvania; and Lenexa, Kansas, creating over 100 employment opportunities. COO Jimmy McManus cited strong performance at existing locations as driving the expansion strategy.
Sarsilmaz appointed Maschmedt & Associates as its sales representative agency for the Western Region, representing the SAR9 and 7/24 Series product lines across 13 western states. The partnership, which began at SHOT Show, aims to strengthen Sarsilmaz's market presence and improve accessibility to its NATO-standard firearms.
Lipsey's, a leading firearms distributor, announced construction will begin in April 2026 on a new 265,000 square foot corporate headquarters and distribution center in Baton Rouge next to Ruffino's. The project, developed with Arkel Construction, Ritter Maher, and Powers Brown Architects, will feature advanced logistics, expanded storage, and upgraded technology infrastructure.
Brandon Maddox, founder and CEO of Silencer Central, donated $25,000 to the National Shooting Sports Foundation's Protect Liberty PAC to support candidates dedicated to protecting Second Amendment rights. Maddox, who serves on the NSSF Board of Governors, recently advocated for suppressor deregulation in South Dakota, resulting in the bill's unanimous passage and signing by Governor Rhoden.
The National Rifle Association is hiring a Field Representative for Northern California and Oregon to manage Friends of NRA fundraising events, volunteer committees, and grant promotion. The role requires strong leadership, organizational skills, and experience in business management and fundraising.
CCI Ammunition has begun shipping High Bar Air Gun Slugs designed for modern air rifles and pistols. The initial product line includes 22-caliber options featuring Segmented Hollow Point and standard hollow-point designs, with two additional options coming soon.
CZ announced the CZ TS 3 ORANGE tactical sports competition pistol at IWA Outdoor Classics, featuring optics-ready integration for USPSA and IPSC divisions, refined ergonomics with enhanced trigger control, and a heavy bull barrel. U.S. availability is planned for late 2026.
Flextone has launched two new mouth call lineups for turkey hunters: the Flex-Tech series featuring double-reed designs over plastic frames, and the Flex-Pro series with hand-stretched triple reeds over aluminum frames. Both lines offer versatility and realism for spring turkey hunting across various conditions.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced 10 new 10/22 rifle models featuring upgraded components including BX-Trigger, match bolt release, and integrated rear cleaning ports. The expanded lineup offers threaded and non-threaded barrel options with Magpul, Hogue, and Ruger stock configurations.
SnapSafe introduces the Super Titan, a modular gun safe combining full-sized security with portability. The UL-listed digital lock safe assembles in minutes without additional tools, holds 24+ long guns, and features fire protection up to 2300°F with a lifetime warranty.
Barnett introduces the Hyper Raptor GTX™ crossbow, launching 20" HyperFlite™ arrows at 425 FPS with advanced features including the Halo System, TriggerTech™ Frictionless Release Technology, and Rope Hold™ Roller Ball technology. Each package includes premium optics options, arrows, and accessories for immediate field readiness.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announces the release of the M&P9 M2.0 Metal with a direct-mount Aimpoint ACRO slide cut. The 9mm striker-fired pistol features a 7075-T6 aluminum frame, ClearSight Cut technology, optic-height night sights, and includes two 17-round magazines with interchangeable palmswell grip inserts.
Hornady Security unveils its Mobilis Safe series for 2026, featuring three modular safe variations with digital locks, tamper-proof construction, and 2300°F fire protection. The customizable safes accommodate different firearms and accessories with Square-Lok interior wrapping and 120V power strips.
Sarsilmaz will showcase its latest civilian-market firearms and sport-shooting solutions at IWA Outdoor Classics 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-March 1. The Turkish manufacturer, with heritage dating to 1880, will present the SAR9 GEN3 and SAR 7/24 pistol families to European distributors and retailers.
WE Knife will showcase its latest innovations in EDC, tactical, hunting, and outdoor knives at the 2026 IWA Outdoor Classics in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-March 1, at booth #4-556. VP Marketing Seth Ercanbrack highlighted the company's new designs for the event.
SIGHTRON will exhibit at the 2026 IWA Outdoor Classics in Nuremberg, Germany, February 26-March 1, showcasing their SV ED binoculars, S6 30mm and 34mm riflescopes, and S1 one-inch riflescope line. Dealers can visit booth 3A-501 or contact the company about becoming authorized distributors.
Capstone Precision Group, a distributor of premium ammunition brands including Berger, Lapua, SK, and Vihtavuori, has joined Retrieving Freedom's Business Alliance as a Gold Member. The partnership supports the training, care, and placement of service dogs for veterans and youth through a rigorous two-year program.
Major League Fishing's Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 2 streams live on MLFNOW! via MyOutdoorTV from Santee Cooper Lakes in South Carolina, with top pro anglers competing for a top prize of up to $115,000. The three-day tournament (Feb. 26-28) features anglers catching their five biggest bass daily, with coverage by Chad McKee and Rob Newell.
Cowboy Kent Rollins and wife Shannon premiere a Season 1 marathon of Cast Iron Cowboy on Outdoor Channel Saturday, Feb. 28, 7-11 p.m. ET, featuring their 1876 Chuck Wagon visits to authentic working ranches across America including the JA Ranch, Stuart Ranch, and Diamond A Ranch.
More than 1,900 students from fourth through 12th grades will meet at Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena to compete March 6-7. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
Well over 1,900 students from fourth grade to high school seniors will take aim at the Hot Springs Convention Center and Bank OZK Arena March 6-7 in the 18th annual Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Archery in the Schools State Championship.
Student archers have competed in state qualifying events since November with one goal on their minds: post one of the top 30 team scores in their division and make it to the state championship.
"We had 29 qualifying events," Aimee Swaim, AIS program coordinator for the AGFC, said. "We only took the highest single score for each team, but teams could participate in as many events as they wished. Some teams qualified in a single outing, but others shot in multiple events to improve their scores and earn a berth."
Don't let the number of qualifiers a team participated in be an indicator of their skill, however.
"Some of our top-performing teams shoot at multiple state qualifiers to build more practice time, while others practice just as much at their school but only make it to one qualifier," Swaim said. "There are always a few teams to watch, but it's really anyone's meet and we've had some teams come out of nowhere and perform really well in the past."
Elementary and middle school divisions will compete Friday, and high schools will shoot Saturday. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
In addition to the top 30 teams in each of three age-based categories (Grades 4-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12), any students shooting an individual score above a 280 out of 300 possible points are guaranteed a spot in the state championship.
"We do that for those archers who may not have enough teammates to post competitive scores or those who are on teams that fall just short of the cutoff," Swaim said. We had two students in the middle school division and five in the high school division qualify using that route this year."
The top three teams in each age group will receive medals and team trophies, and the fourth- and fifth-place teams will receive medals. The top individual boy and girl in each age group will receive a Mathews Genesis bow. Individuals, both boys and girls, placing in the top five positions of the senior division also will receive college scholarship money provided by the AGFC, starting with $2,500 for the top boys and girls finishers and incrementally decreasing $500 for each placing.
Teams consist of boys and girls in all divisions of the AGFC’s Archery in the Schools Program. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
All participating schools are encouraged to gather nonperishable foods in a side event to fight food insecurity in Arkansas. The Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry truck will be at the event both days, and the school that brings the most donated canned goods each day will receive $1,000 to help build their program.
"Last year, the schools really stepped up their game and donated a record 7,500 pounds of food," Ronnie Ritter, AHFH president, said. "I'm hoping to challenge the schools this year with a new goal of 10,000 pounds of donated food. With the number of archers participating in the event, that really only boils down to bringing a couple of cans each. Or you can do like Salem Elementary last year and hold a food drive before the event. Salem gathered so much food for the needy last year that we had to go back to them with the truck and pick it all up! I'd love to see more schools get involved at that level to help fight a very real problem in Arkansas."
In addition to team trophies, high school archers will compete individually for thousands of dollars in scholarships. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.
The elementary and middle school divisions compete on Friday, beginning at 9 a.m., with trophy presentations expected at 4 p.m. The seniors (ninth through 12th grades) begin at 9:30 a.m. Saturday and should be wrapped up about 2 p.m.
The Archery in the Schools program began as a pilot project with 10 schools in 2005. Based on the National Archery in the Schools program, AIS brings competitive archery into elementary, middle and high schools throughout Arkansas, and a state championship event was added in 2009 to complete the year's activities.
Visit www.agfc.com/ais for a link to state tournament scores and more information on Archery in the Schools.
