Blocker Outdoors' Shield Drencher Insulated Jacket and Bib combine waterproof, insulated protection with solid blaze orange visibility for late-season deer hunting. The gear meets firearm season requirements across multiple states while keeping hunters warm, dry, and quiet during extended sits in harsh weather conditions.
Hunt Monkey offers task-specific gloves, socks, and headwear designed to work together as a system for bow hunters facing temperature swings. Products include the HUNT TEC Medium Weight Windproof Hunting Glove, Task Hunt Fleece Hunting Glove, Back Country Medium-Weight Boot-Crew Merino Wool Socks, and Wooly Head beanie to keep hunters warm and comfortable during extended sits.
NOMAD Outdoor launches the Harvester VX3 collection featuring sherpa-lined, windproof hunting apparel designed for fall whitetail season. The lineup includes pants, jackets, vests, beanies, and gloves with four-way stretch and Silver Z Scent Suppression System, available in Mossy Oak New Break-Up and Bottomland patterns.
Whitewater Fishing introduces the Thermoclyne Hooded Jacket and Thermoclyne Vest, featuring Sorona® Aura insulation and DWR-treated nylon shells. Both garments pack into their own pockets and earn high customer ratings for lightweight warmth and versatile layering options.
Carbon Express announced the signing of Estonian compound archer Lisell Jäätma as a sponsored athlete for the 2027 season. Jäätma won her first Hyundai Archery World Cup gold in Shanghai in May 2026, defeating world number one Andrea Becerra, and will compete using Carbon Express Nano Pro RZ arrows.
Trophy Ridge announced its 2027 bowhunting accessory lineup featuring new React H4X and H5X bow sights, expanded React 5 Max and React 7 Max sights with Trinity Mounting System, the Precise RKX bow release, Seismic Quick Connect stabilizer mount, and Dusk Quiver with LED lights.
Carbon Express announced that 16-year-old Chloe Nelsen, the first woman to win the Vegas Shoot Championship Compound Young Adult title, has joined its professional shooting team. The Wisconsin archer previously won the Lancaster Archery Classic Youth Female Open and set a world record at JOAD Nationals with the Nano Pro RZ.
Carbon Express announced the signing of Team USA compound archer MaKenna Proctor to its professional shooting team. Proctor, a World Cup bronze medalist from Ohio and the first Black woman named to a USA Archery World Championship team, will compete using Carbon Express arrows at national and international events.
Barnett's Hyper Raptor GTX™ crossbow is now shipping to dealers nationwide, featuring 425 FPS velocity, TriggerTech™ Frictionless Release Technology, and a compact 7.5-inch axle-to-axle design optimized for deer season hunting.
Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades of wildlife conservation leadership. AFWA recognized his work shaping conservation policy across North America and advancing One Health approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health.
Four U.S. archers—Jason Tabansky, Ryan Lindstrom, Karen Sternfeld, and KJ Polish—compete in Santiago, Chile for Stage 4 of the inaugural Hyundai World Archery Para Series. Tabansky, the 2024 Paralympic champion, leads the team alongside fellow competitors in various divisions through Sunday.
USA Archery's Achievement Award Program recognized 13 archers who earned gold, silver, and bronze pins across disciplines. Adult recipients included Tanner Boyd, Carla Bray, Glenn Buie, Andrew Casey, Allison Li, and Josef Dolai, while JOAD Olympian honorees were Aisley Miller, Jarvis Green, Anna Li, Miranda Luo, Harper Ferguson, Grace Walter, and Oliver McGeehin.
Whitetails Unlimited distributed $810,321 in grants during Q3 2026 across its four pillar programs: Outdoor Education, Hunting Preservation, Habitat Enhancement, and Shooting Sports Advancement. The Hunting Preservation program received the largest allocation to support increased hunting opportunities and outdoor experiences.
Tactacam reports 40-percent retail growth and 36-percent increase in dealer applications heading into Q4 2026, driven by the successful launch of REVEAL 4.0 Cellular Trail Camera line and DEFEND's new AI-powered security features. The company now operates in approximately 7,000 brick-and-mortar retail locations across North America, including major retailers like Walmart, Bass Pro Shop, and Tractor Supply.
Tom Beckstrand, Rifle and Optics Editor for Guns & Ammo and decorated U.S. Army Special Operations veteran, joins host Michael Waddell on The Michael Waddell Podcast to discuss his military career, faith, and philosophy on focusing on life's simple pleasures. Beckstrand shares insights from his service in Iraq and Afghanistan, his upcoming docuseries The Ghost Bounty with Outdoor Sportsman Group, and his perspective on meaningful service.
Millennium Treestands introduces the L118 Bowlite Single Ladder Stand, a 53-pound lightweight stand designed for bowhunters. Featuring an 18-foot height, ComfortMAX seat with armrests, and silent operation, the stand enables smooth rotation for close-range shots during archery season.
Ol' Man Outdoors announced its 2026 hub-style ground blind lineup featuring three models: the Buck Shot, Carnivore 270, and Bounty Hunter 270. Each blind offers enhanced concealment, visibility, and capacity for deer hunters, with features including camouflage fabrics, silent window systems, and rapid setup capabilities.
Wall Blush and Realtree have partnered to offer six iconic camouflage patterns as made-to-order premium wallpaper, printed in the USA. The collection features Original, Advantage, APX, EDGE, EDGE (Pink), and MAX-7 patterns reimagined at architectural scale for residential spaces, available in three material options through Wall Blush's Mesa, Arizona facility.
Bear Edge Knives introduces the new 4" Light Gray Aluminum Folder with Flipper, a lightweight everyday carry knife featuring a 440 stainless steel blade, aluminum handle, and flipper deployment. Weighing 3.2 ounces with a $42.99 MSRP, the knife offers practical functionality and reliable performance for cutting tasks.
Millennium Treestands, based in Pearl, MS, is promoting its full lineup of ladder stands designed specifically for firearm deer season, featuring models like the L110, L125 Lite, L325 Wide Load, L366 Revolution, L-220 Double, and L225 Lite with adjustable shooting rails and ComfortMAX seats for stability and all-day comfort.
Realtree has renewed its commitment as a national sponsor of Whitetails Unlimited, the premier conservation organization dedicated to white-tailed deer and hunting heritage. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Realtree's longstanding support and camouflage innovation since 1986.
Bilson Arms, an American-made tactical rifle and pistol manufacturer based in Louisiana, has joined Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. The company specializes in innovative AR platform firearms, including their pump-style charging system and Blue-Collar Suppressors line.
Pursuit Channel highlights the popular series North American Trapper hosted by Alan Probst, featuring authentic trapping content and field techniques. The show airs on Pursuit Channel via DIRECTV, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and regional cable systems, plus Pursuit UP streaming platforms.
Winchester Deadly Passion Season 15 continues on Sportsman Channel with host Melissa Bachman, co-host Ben Bearshield, and family hunting across diverse locations. New episodes air Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET, featuring moose hunts in Yukon, pheasant hunting at NILO Farms, whitetail and mule deer pursuits, and sturgeon fishing with SCI auction winners.
Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, along with RJ and Aubrey, invite viewers to tune into the 26th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel, beginning October 12th. The episode features the family bowhunting Kansas whitetails with J&M Outfitters in an exciting hunt for big game.
Emerald High School in Dublin achieved a first this year for California’s scholastic archery programs, qualifying to compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla. The school’s achievement marks a breakthrough for youth archery in California and highlights the growth and success of the state’s scholastic archery programs.
The 2026 NASP Championship, held June 18-20 at the Ocean Center, brought together top student archers from across the United States and Canada for elite bullseye and 3-D competitions. Emerald High competed exclusively in the bullseye division, advancing after a standout performance at the Western National Tournament in Sandy, Utah, that led to their qualification.
A core part of Emerald High’s success comes from the dedication of their coach, Chris Branson, whose leadership and commitment to youth in archery has grown the school’s program into a nationally recognized team.
“I truly enjoy watching our students work hard, show up every day and strive to improve. This year, my favorite moment has been seeing our upperclassmen support and cheer on the freshmen. That kind of leadership and encouragement says so much about who we are as a team,” said Coach Branson. “This year all their hard work paid off as we reached regionals in Utah and qualified for Nationals in Florida for the first time. All students who went and competed did an outstanding job and can’t wait to go back next year!”
For the students, the experience was both inspiring and unforgettable.
“Going to the NASP Championship for bullseye was definitely the highlight of my year,” said freshman Katelyn Chan. “Being part of the first team from California to get this far was an incredible, trailblazing feat. I realized that the best archers aren’t the strongest, but those with mental resilience, determination and a pure passion for the sport.”
Her teammate and twin sister, Emily Chan, added, “Competing at the NASP Championship was an amazing experience. There were many hours of practice and sore fingers but traveling across the country from California as a part of the first team from Emerald High, and from the state, to qualify for the championship was an honor.”
California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (CDFW) Scholastic Archery Program continues to grow each year, providing students across the state with opportunities to build confidence, focus and teamwork through archery. During the 2025-26 school year, the program reached more than 15,000 students at 127 schools statewide and trained nearly 100 new instructors, expanding access to archery in communities throughout California.
“This milestone reflects what’s possible when dedicated educators, coaches like Coach Branson, and partners invest in young people,” said Jen Benedet, former CDFW Assistant Deputy Director for Communications, Education and Outreach. "Programs like NASP help students develop discipline, confidence and perseverance while creating a lifelong connection to archery. Emerald High’s achievement is something the entire state can celebrate, and it’s also a testament to the outstanding leadership of CDFW’s statewide NASP Coordinator, Grace Vierra, whose passion and commitment have helped California’s program reach more schools and more students than ever before.”
NASP continues to expand college scholarship opportunities for student archers nationwide, recognizing both individual achievement and team excellence. Thousands of scholarship dollars were awarded in 2026, reinforcing the program’s focus on supporting students as they explore their education and archery options beyond high school.
Emerald High School’s accomplishment is a result of the combined dedication of its student athletes and the commitment of Coach Branson, whose guidance has helped build the program to national recognition.
If your school is interested in competing nationally through NASP, the first step is to participate in and start planning for the California State Bullseye Tournament on Feb. 20, 2027. This year’s event will be a hybrid format, allowing schools to compete virtually from their own campus or join the onsite tournament hosted at Emerald High School in Dublin.
Schools are strongly encouraged to attend in person, if possible, as the onsite experience provides valuable preparation for regional and national competitions. To learn how to get involved in NASP or start a program at your school, visit the California National Archery in the Schools Program web page or contact the CDFW NASP Coordinator at Grace.Vierra@wildlife.ca.gov.
Editor's Note -Last week I wrote about something we probably don’t say enough: America is really good at archery. From Olympic medals to world championships, American archers have been winning at the highest levels for generations. Now, a story out of California made me think about where the next generation of those archers is going to come from. One would think a state as large in size and population as California would dominate archery. It doesn't - yet.
Emerald High School became the first California school to qualify for the NASP National Championship.
That’s a great accomplishment on its own, but the numbers behind it caught my attention. California has nearly 40 million people and about 5.7 million students in its public schools. Last year, scholastic archery reached 15,000 of them at 127 schools. These numbers are based on the latest census data, so it's not as precise as Id like but it makes my point. Now compare that with , say, Wisconsin. It has roughly six million people, yet nearly 38,000 students participate in NASP. More than twice California’s participation with less than one-sixth the population.
Think about the opportunity hiding in that difference. If California ever approached Wisconsin’s participation rate, we could be talking about nearly a quarter-million kids being introduced to archery. We don’t need 250,000 Olympic champions, and we certainly don’t need every one of them to become a bowhunter. We just need to give them the opportunity to pick up a bow. Some will compete. Some will hunt. Some will shoot recreationally. A few might someday stand on an Olympic podium. Most won’t, and that’s perfectly fine. They’ll still be archers.
Maybe growing archery isn’t that hard after all? We just need to continue to put more bows in more hands.
