MON | APRIL 14, 2025

In observance of the Easter holiday, we will not be publishing any wires on Friday, April 18. If your news needs to be distributed before April 21, 2025, please have it in our hands no later than 4:30pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 16. News arriving later will not make Thursday’s final editions for the week.

Twin sisters Codi and Stormi Waters have become a force to be reckoned with in the competitive shooting world. Codi Waters has earned multiple High Lady and Sub-Junior Championship titles in Texas and on the national stage. As brand ambassadors for IFG and FAIR, the twins are not only representing world-class firearms but also paving the way for future generations in youth shooting sports.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate 40 years of Second Amendment advocacy during the 2025 Gun Rights Policy Conference. The 40th annual GRPC is set for Sept. 26 - 28 in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek.

The Headrest Safe Company announce they will be attending the 2024 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits from Friday, April 25th to Sunday, April 27th at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA. Please stop by the Headrest Safe booth #2763 to see the best-in-class discreet vehicle safe and accessories they have to offer. 

Primary Arms Government is pleased to announce its participation in two major law enforcement trade shows this April: the Texas Police Chiefs Association Annual Conference and the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Conference.

Laser Ammo USA Inc. will exhibit at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. Laser Ammo will showcase all product lineups and encourage attendees to learn more at booth #1020.

NSSF® condemns Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’ signature of a new law that unconstitutionally infringes on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens in his state to keep and bear arms. Gov. Polis signed SB25-003 into law, which bans the sale of the most popular selling rifle in America – the Modern Sporting Rifle (MSR) – unless Coloradans obtain from their county sheriff approval, based on subjective criteria, a permit-to-purchase semiautomatic firearms capable of accepting detachable magazines.

The ETS Group announced that they will be attending the 154th Annual National Rifle Association Annual Meeting, booth # 4421, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. NRA Convention attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to purchase the latest Omega magazines at special show pricing.

Exclusive to NSSF® members, this webinar will provide members with an overview of the many recent changes in United States tariff policy, and strategies that importers and manufacturers can explore to potentially reduce the impact of increased tariffs on their business operations.

Media Lodge announced the addition of Elliot Wainess as Sales Manager. In this role, Elliot will lead major account relationships while spearheading Media Lodge’s strategic focus on e-commerce and retail brands within the firearms and hunting space.

SDS Arms is looking to hire a Product Manager with experience in developing and launching firearms, specifically shotguns and rifles. Based in Knoxville, TN, SDS Arms has been growing over 20% for the past few years by introducing commemorative, modern and tribute handguns and shotguns. 

Whitetails Unlimited Inc. is seeking a part-time Field Director in Kentucky to execute program services. As a Field Director the candidate will organize volunteers and conduct membership events. Additionally, the Field Director will act as a liaison between all regional activities and National Headquarters. This part-time position could develop into a full-time salaried position.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D) signed SB 25-003, a bill that creates a "permit-to-purchase" scheme for banned semi-automatic firearm platforms, into law. Following the enactment of the law, John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), released the following statement.

The Firearms Policy Coalition announced that its final brief has been filed at the district court in a FPC lawsuit challenging California’s ban on firearm carry by non-residents.

Wildlife Research Center® introduces three new combos to its already impressive line of scrape hunting, scents and human scent elimination products to help hunters Create the Ultimate Trophy Buck Playground™.

Bear Creek Arsenal launched its latest product line: the .400 Legend Uppers and Rifles, featuring precision-engineered 18" parkerized barrels. The .400 Legend cartridge has quickly gained popularity for its impressive ballistics and versatility, making it a top choice for medium to large game hunting.

MDT announced the launch of the LSS GEN3 Chassis System, the most adaptable and customizable rifle chassis ever built. This chassis allows for rapid customization of both the handguard and buttstock.

Luth-AR announces the release of two exciting additions to its lineup: the A1 Slick Side Modern Retro Upper and the A1 C7 Modern Retro Upper. These new complete uppers bring a fresh take to classic A1 aesthetics, blending the timeless design of the Vietnam-era A1 receivers with cutting-edge modern performance features.

Orion Wholesale announces they are hosting their 3rd annual Ruger Derby Days Event starting April 21st - 25th. Orion Wholesale is rolling out three Derby-themed exclusives, a Winner’s Circle magazine promotion, and special allocations.

Target Sports USA is bringing back its highly anticipated AMMO+ Day 2 sale, the exclusive follow-up to its flagship AMMO+ Day held each year on September 19. This year’s spring edition is set to go live on April 25, giving members the chance to save big just in time for range season.

GAME & FISH TV is dedicating hours of fan-favorite shows for sports enthusiasts and friends of the great outdoors. In April, GAME & FISH TV continues to focus on the six outdoor core-based genres that make up its 24-hour schedule, including outdoor adventure and lifestyle, hunting, fishing, competitive fishing, shooting sports and sports documentaries beginning at 6pm ET daily. 
 

FEATURE

The Alma Bryant Hurricanes took the top spot in the High School Division of the 2025 NASP Alabama State Championship in Montgomery on April 3-4. Photo: Billy Pope, ADCNR

Over the past year, thousands of student archers competed in regional tournaments throughout the state for a chance to draw their bows at the 2025 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Alabama State Championship in Montgomery on April 3-4. During the event, nearly 2,000 archers from 105 schools competed for top honors and the opportunity to advance to the NASP Eastern National Championship on May 8-10, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division awarded $16,750 in scholarships to select top archers at this year’s event. The top overall female and male archers each received a $2,500 scholarship. First place high school female and male archers each received a $1,500 scholarship, second place high school female and male archers each received a $1,000 scholarship, and third place high school female and male archers each received a $750 scholarship. The scholarships are funded, in part, by the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association.

“The Archery in the Schools Program helps prepare these students for life by teaching discipline, patience, and the life lessons required to be successful in both the classroom and at the archery range,” said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. “Their determination and dedication to both archery and academics will well serve these students now and in the future. I congratulate all of the archers who competed in this year’s state championship.”

In addition to the top archers, seven students randomly selected from a list of all registered Academic Archers who shot during the tournament were each awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,000.

Those students are:

  • Judith Thompson, Booth Elementary, $1,000
  • Emmett Crowe, Margaret Elementary, $750
  • Sophia Burnett, Ashville Middle, $750
  • Truitt Lawler, Providence Classical School, $500
  • Lily Patrick, Cullman Coyotes (home school), $500
  • Parker Harrell, Leeds High, $500
  • Gates Bowerman, Good Hope Middle, $500

Scoring for the state tournament is based on international style target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition is on team and individual levels. Perfect scores are 3,600 points for teams and 300 for individuals. If archers that place in each division have the same score, the ties are broken by comparing the numbers of 10s from the score sheet. The archers with the most 10s are ranked higher than their competitors.

“This year two competitors were tied for top male archer down to the number of 10s and 9s,” said Lt. Michael Bloxom, ADCNR's Regional Hunter Education Coordinator. “The title was decided by a shoot-off, which consists of five arrows shot from 15 meters. If a tie remains at the end of the five arrows, each competitor shoots one arrow and the closest to the center of the target wins. The title of top male archer and the $2,500 scholarship came down to the one arrow closest to the center. Alexander Roddy took the top spot by a very close margin.”

Top Scores in the 2025 Alabama NASP State Championship

TOP OVERALL INDIVIDUALS
FEMALE: Ava Denish, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 292
MALE: Alexander Roddy, Alma Bryant High, Score: 294

HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION
Alma Bryant High, Score: 3,436
Vinemont High, Score: 3,409
Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 3,360

MIDDLE SCHOOL DIVISION
Cullman Middle, Score: 3,349
Causey Middle, Score: 3,335
Vinemont Middle, Score: 3,267

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION
East Elementary, Score: 3,110
Vinemont Elementary, Score: 3,078
Dawes Intermediate, Score: 3,033

INDIVIDUAL HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES
Ava Denish, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering, Score: 292
Anna Lee McRae, Vinemont High, Score 288
Brandi Sounonnarath, Alma Bryant High, Score 288*
Emilie McConnell, Baker High, Score: 288*
*Tie for third place

INDIVIDUAL HIGH SCHOOL MALES
Alexander Roddy, Alma Bryant High, Score 294
Tyson James, Vinemont Hight, Score 293
Noah May, Good Hope High, Score: 293

INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL FEMALES
Laila Evans, Heartwood Christian Academy, Score: 292
Gabby Sartin, Cullman Middle, Score: 289
Lilliana Smith, Causey Middle, Score: 289

INDIVIDUAL MIDDLE SCHOOL MALES
Gunnar Couch, Grand Bay Middle, Score: 294
Kaiden Richardson, Causey Middle, Score: 292
Teage Fowler, Beacon of Hope Christian School, Score: 290

INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FEMALES
Isabella McDonald, West Elementary, Score: 286
Sophie Bush, Castlen Elementary, Score: 279
Payton Lyons, Dixon Elementary, Score: 276

INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MALES
Trevor Bone, East Elementary, Score: 282
Phillip Hall, Dawes Intermediate, Score: 281
Wyatt Cook, Allentown Elementary, Score: 278

Complete results for the 2025 NASP Alabama State Championship are available at https://nasptournaments.org/. To view photos from the event, visit ADCNR’s Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/outdooralabama.

Alabama’s archery program is coordinated by WFF through partnerships with various schools and supporting organizations in the state. Alabama NASP is an affiliate of the national program and promotes discipline, self-esteem and life skills for students in grades 4-12.

To learn more about Alabama NASP, contact WFF Regional Hunter Education Coordinator Michael Bloxom at (334) 242-3620 or Michael.Bloxom@dcnr.alabama.gov.

ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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