FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026 - PM EDITION   |   SUBSCRIBE    ARCHIVES

EDITOR'S NOTE

In observance of the Labor Day weekend there will be no Weekend Edition tomorrow, Saturday, September 5, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, September 7. We will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, September 8. Due to the holiday weekend, we request you submit news for Tuesday's editions no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday.

ARCHERY

Ameristep® introduces the Frontline Wide-Bottom Extreme Blind, a ground blind designed specifically for archery hunters. The blind accommodates up to three hunters with four silent-sliding shooting windows, Mossy Oak Bottomland camouflage, and a quick-deploy Spider Hub® frame system for rapid setup.

AWARDS & HONORS

Burris Optics' Fullfield riflescope earned Outdoor Life's "Great Buy" award in their 2026 Best Rifle Scopes for Hunting test. The scope impressed testers with its straightforward design, simple operation, durable construction, and passed the publication's drop test, earning recognition for its trusted heritage among American hunters.

Spartan Precision Equipment's Springbok Tripod earned the NRA Publications American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award as Gear of the Year. The carbon fiber tripod weighs just 1.7 pounds while providing exceptional stability for Western hunting, featuring an innovative MagnaSwitch™ magnetic attachment system and twist-lock legs for rapid deployment.

CONSUMER PROMOS

SHIELD Sights is offering up to 25% off its entire product line through September 30th at participating dealers. The UK-designed and manufactured red dot optics promotion aims to help shooters prepare for peak fall shooting season with premium optics at significant savings.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

Aero Precision, Ballistic Advantage, Stag Arms, and VG6 have been acquired by a family investment group committed to restoring these firearms brands. Under new ownership advised by W.G. Nielsen & Co., the companies plan to ramp up manufacturing, restore supply chains, and rebuild customer trust through quality products and service.

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, is scheduled for September 25-27 in Dallas. The event features keynote speaker Honorable Roger T. Benitez and presentations from prominent Second Amendment advocates including Dana Loesch, Brandon Herrera, and Joseph Greenlee of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.

SLG2, Inc. will bring its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Professional Bull Riders Thunder Days on September 4-6, 2026, at Thunder Ridge Nature Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri. Sponsored by Bass Pro Shops, the mobile range will offer firearms, archery, and outdoor product demonstrations in the Fan Zone, with certified instructors emphasizing firearm safety and responsible ownership.

NSSF celebrated the 10th annual National Shooting Sports Month in August with the theme "Let Freedom Plink." Over 519 ranges, retailers, and shooting clubs participated, with 190 ranges hosting #RangeChallenge events that distributed 19,000 targets. President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Message, and 19 state governors issued proclamations recognizing the shooting sports' importance.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and partners including Maryland Shall Issue, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Maryland State Rifle and Pistol Association filed a reply brief with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging Maryland's "sensitive places" carry ban in Novotny v. Moore. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut stated the law makes carry permits "useless everywhere" in violation of the Bruen ruling.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Pool v. Besson, asking the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana to block the state's ban on handgun carry permits for 18-to-20-year-old adults. FPC had previously warned Louisiana of the constitutional violation and provided legislative language to fix it, but the state refused to act.

Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a new 100,000-square-foot destination retail location in College Station, Texas, expected to open in 2028. Founded by Johnny Morris, the store will feature immersive outdoor experiences and employ over 125 Outfitters, bringing Bass Pro Shops' Texas locations to 20.

Walk the Talk America founder Michael Sodini will deliver a keynote at the 2026 Wyoming Suicide Prevention Symposium in Cheyenne on September 15-16. ROOTS Project partners B.O.S. Lock and Regal Products will exhibit firearm safety technology solutions alongside WTTA resources including mental health screenings and therapist directories.

Liberty Ammunition and SLA Sales Group have partnered for the TALO States. CEO Gary Ramey and SLA Principal Brian Edwards highlighted the collaboration to support retailers, with SLA bringing extensive ammunition sales experience across multiple channels.

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hiring conservation officer candidates for an accelerated training academy running April 25-July 15, 2027, in Lansing. Applications open October 1-November 3. Sgt. Kyle Bucholtz, training academy commander, encourages current law enforcement officers seeking diverse outdoor patrol work using boats, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles.

NEWSSTAND, RADIO & TV

Sportsman Channel launches "Monday Night Hunts" featuring big-game hunting programming every Monday night from 8:00-11:30 p.m. ET. The lineup includes shows hosted by Hunter McWaters, Nate Simmons, Chris Denham, Jason Matzinger, Jim Shockey, Greg McHale, and Steven Rinella, showcasing western hunting adventures across diverse landscapes and game species.

World Fishing Network's "Reel Catch Saturdays" features bass-fishing competition and programming from 6:00-10:00 p.m. ET, including MLF Bass Pro Tour, The Hunt for Monster Bass with Ott DeFoe, The VanDam Experience with Kevin VanDam, Zona's Awesome Fishing Show with Mark Zona, and Ultimate Match Fishing hosted by Joe Thomas.

Pursuit Channel is launching new seasons of popular hunting programs including The American Way, Wallhanger TV, Whitetail Diaries, Whitetail Frenzy, and Deer & Deer Hunting TV. The shows are available on DIRECTV, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and Pursuit UP streaming platforms reaching millions of viewers.

PRODUCT NEWS

ALPS Mountaineering introduces the NEXUS 28, a 28-liter everyday carry backpack featuring durable heathered polyester construction, laptop/tablet sleeves for devices up to 16 inches, and breathable padded mesh shoulder straps. Available in three color options at authorized ALPS dealers and alpsmountaineering.com.

Hornady introduces the Precision Lab Scale, a lab-grade measuring tool for reloaders featuring .01-grain readout accuracy, 3,000-grain capacity, and multiple operational modes including Compare, Percent, and Count functions with print-to-spreadsheet capability.

Gamo Outdoor USA introduces the Swarm Bone Collector Maxxim SuperMax .22 caliber air rifle in collaboration with Michael Waddell, Travis "T-Bone" Turner, and Nick Mundt of the Bone Collector hunting television series. The rifle features a 10-shot auto-loading magazine system, velocities up to 1,000 fps, and an all-weather synthetic stock.

Browning Camping introduces the Twin Falls loveseat camp chair, featuring a quilted foam-padded polyester seat, powder-coated steel frame, and convenient mesh cup holders. The foldable design with backpack straps offers comfort and portability for outdoor enthusiasts at $149.99 MSRP.

Hornady announced expanded access to its 4DOF Ballistic Solver through Leupold's rangefinding products. The technology is now compatible with the Leupold RX-5000 TBR/W rangefinder via free firmware update, bringing advanced ballistic solutions to more hunters and shooters.

Rost Martin announces the launch of the RM1X series, featuring three models—RM1CX Standard, RM1CX Comp, and RM1CX Tactical—developed from customer feedback to combine compact slides with full-size grips. CEO Chris Toomer emphasizes the company's commitment to quality and supporting gun owners, with California-compliant models coming soon.

Moultrie announces the EDGE 4 Solar trail camera in Mossy Oak Bottomland camo pattern, exclusively available at Academy Sports + Outdoors. The solar-powered camera features 40 megapixels, AI buck detection, waterproof design, and built-in memory with GPS integration through the Moultrie App.

Remington Ammunition announces the new Premier AccuTip 400 Legend cartridge is now available at dealers nationwide. The 195-grain straight-wall centerfire load features a muzzle velocity of 2,215 feet per second and fills the gap between the 350 Legend and 450 Bushmaster, offering hunters a balanced option for states where traditional bottleneck cartridges are prohibited.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, now stocks the Tactacam PRO 4.0 Solar trail camera featuring cellular connectivity, solar charging, and the REVEAL platform for remote monitoring. The all-in-one system combines the Pro 4.0, integrated solar panel, and FlexPack R5 battery for extended field deployment.

Trijicon Inc. announced new enhanced RTR reticles for select ACOG Compact models, featuring .223 and 9mm PCC options with battery-free tritium and fiber-optic illumination. The reticles offer increased center-dot size for faster target acquisition and include caliber-specific ballistic holds and ranging capabilities.

BLACKHAWK introduces the Garra Fixed Karambit, a precision-crafted fixed-blade knife featuring a 3.25-inch D2 tool steel blade and Zytel handle. The knife offers exceptional edge retention, ergonomic design with integrated finger ring, and comes with a conceal carry holster and Kydex sheath at an MSRP of $159.99.

Hawk reinforces National Tree Stand and Saddle Hunting Safety Awareness Month by introducing new 2026 safety products including the Elevate Pro and Elevate Lite harnesses, Helium Flex Tree Saddle, and Solace Platform, all designed to keep hunters safe and connected during elevated hunts.

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