James "Jimmy" Lutz, a Carbon Express Pro-Staffer archer, earned the silver medal at the USA Archery SoCal Showdown while qualifying first overall. Lutz used Carbon Express Nano Pro RZ 350 arrows and TruFire Rivet release, holding top qualifying scores at all three USAT events this season.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) concluded a successful 2026 Championship in Daytona Beach, Florida, with over 3,100 student archers from 40 states and one Canadian province competing in Bullseye and NASP3D formats. Grand Champions Callan Hignight and Isabella Caplinger were recognized, along with academic excellence honorees and inaugural Grand Champion Award recipients.
SEVR Broadheads introduces Magneto, a mechanical broadhead system using patented magnetic blade retention instead of traditional O-rings and collars. Available in Ti 1.75 Two-Blade and Ti 1.75 Hybrid configurations, the broadheads feature Grade-5 titanium construction and are designed for vertical bows only.
CZ presented its inaugural Breakthrough Awards to Davidson's and Ann Arbor Arms during a gala at the company's 90th Anniversary Celebration in Prague. Davidson's received the distributor award for partnership excellence, while Ann Arbor Arms earned the retail award for exceptional brand commitment and growth.
Winchester Ammunition received the Industry Partner of the Year Award from the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) U.S.A. for supporting the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks and the Mississippi Scholastic Shooting Program through employee volunteer efforts.
The record-breaking Easton Foundations SoCal Showdown in Chula Vista featured numerous first-time winners including Beretta McKee in compound women, Medina Otajagic in barebow women, and Alex de Vera in barebow men. Jennifer Mucino-Fernandez secured back-to-back wins in recurve women, while Mike Schloesser defeated James Lutz in compound men and Jack Williams claimed his first USAT Series Qualifier gold since 2024.
Bass Pro Shops announced plans for a 200,000-square-foot Outdoor World location in Sayreville, New Jersey, expected to open fall 2026. The largest single-level Bass Pro Shops in the U.S. will feature a 65,000-gallon Shipwreck Aquarium, boat brands including TRACKER and RANGER, and immersive conservation education experiences designed by founder Johnny Morris.
Blaser USA is hiring a Regional Sales & Account Manager for Texas and surrounding states to drive rifle sales growth, manage dealer relationships, and represent the Blaser Group portfolio. The full-time, field-based position requires firearms industry experience, extensive travel, and a proven sales track record.
The Blacktail Deer Foundation, a branch of the Mule Deer Foundation, seeks an Alaska Regional Director to organize fundraising chapters and conservation projects for Columbia & Sitka Blacktail Deer. The full-time position offers $75,000 plus benefits, with an anticipated start date of August 2026 and application deadline of June 30, 2026.
ScentLok introduces the Savanna Fuse 1/4 Zip, featuring touch-activated cooling minerals and dual-alloy odor destruction technology combining Carbon Alloy® and Silver Alloy™. The lightweight, breathable garment is designed for early-season whitetail hunting with moisture-wicking capabilities and ergonomic design, priced at $119.99.
Duck Commander has unveiled the Commander Cut: America 250, a limited-edition duck call featuring patriotic design with blue, red, and white accents. Only 50 calls are available exclusively through Duck Commander's online store, celebrating America's 250th birthday with performance-engineered specifications for waterfowl hunting.
Ross Purnell, Editor/Publisher of Fly Fisherman Magazine, interviews legendary skier and fly fisherman Andy Mill on episode #33 of the Fly Fisherman Loop to Loop podcast. Mill discusses his transition from a world-class skiing career to becoming a dominant saltwater fly-fishing tournament champion, winning 11 major tarpon tournaments and earning induction into the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Hall of Fame and International Game Fish Association Hall of Fame.
LOWDOWN Viewer has renewed its partnership with Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised the high-speed trail camera viewer for its efficiency in managing photos from multiple cameras and brands, enhancing off-season scouting capabilities.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund renewed its Diamond level partnership with the Boone and Crockett Club with a $120,000 grant for 2026. The funding supports conservation policy leadership, Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch education programs, and implementation of the Club's landmark Poach and Pay Project research.
Whitetails Unlimited offers complimentary Deer Management signs and booklets to help landowners manage their properties. The PVC signs measure 11.25 inches and are suitable for use throughout the United States. Contact Whitetails Unlimited at 920.743.6777 or nh@whitetailsunlimited.com to order.
Arcus Hunting, LLC and Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced a new line of Smith & Wesson® branded pepper spray products for personal defense, manufactured in the USA. The products include jogger-style, keychain, and belt clip options available through sporting goods, outdoor, farm and fleet retailers, and online channels.
Bear & Son Cutlery introduces the 537L Small Locking Farmhand, a compact American-made EDC pocketknife featuring a 2.5-inch high carbon stainless steel blade and Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle. Weighing 1.1 ounces with a lockback mechanism, the knife is now available through authorized dealers nationwide at $55.99 MSRP.
North American Arms, based in Provo, Utah, has joined Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised the firearms manufacturer's commitment to quality and craftsmanship, welcoming them to the organization dedicated to white-tailed deer conservation and hunting tradition preservation.
Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks (Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and MyOutdoorTV) announces new Q3 programming beginning June 29, featuring original premieres and returning series hosted by personalities like Chef Mike Robinson, Jess Pryles, and Carter Andrews across hunting, fishing, and shooting content.
Bill Winke, a renowned whitetail bowhunter and long-time contributor to Outdoor Sportsman Group, is expanding his exclusive content library on MyOutdoorTV with nearly 375 episodes across multiple series including Bowhunting Whitetails with Bill Winke, Dream Farm with Bill Winke, and new JUST SHOT™ content featuring real-time hunting strategies and land management techniques.
For Dr. Darla Calvet, stepping onto the shooting line was never just about arrows and targets. It was about something far greater - reclaiming a life she nearly lost.
An 11-year heart transplant survivor, Dr. Calvet’s journey to archery began long before she ever picked up a bow. After more than 14 years battling heart failure and enduring the unimaginable - dying twice while waiting for a transplant - she was finally given what she calls her “gift of life.” That second chance came with a promise, one she shared with her donor: to live fully, and to live boldly.
In 2025, that promise carried her all the way to the podium at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, where she earned a bronze medal in archery - just six months after first taking up the sport.
“I took him with me to the podium,” Dr. Calvet said of her donor. “We believed in living our best lives.”
Archery had long been on Dr. Calvet’s bucket list, but for years, her illness made it impossible. It wasn’t until after her successful transplant that she began to imagine what might now be within reach. At age 51, she decided to pursue the things she had once only dreamed about.
Archery was at the top of that list.
Training at the Easton Archery Center in Chula Vista, California, Dr. Calvet found more than just a place to learn the sport - she found a community. Coaches and fellow archers welcomed her with open arms, helping her rebuild not only her skills, but her strength and confidence.
“The entire community was warm and supportive,” she said. “I loved it. I knew this was the sport for me.”
That sense of belonging proved vital as she worked to overcome one of her greatest post-transplant challenges: regaining physical strength. Through archery and dedicated strength training, Dr. Calvet steadily rebuilt her body, discovering along the way that the sport offered something deeper.
“To me, archery means getting my life back,” she said. “It has made me a stronger athlete with a sharper focus.”
Her impact extends well beyond the range. A decorated multi-sport athlete, Dr. Calvet has also earned medals in swimming and ballroom dance at both the Transplant Games of America and the World Transplant Games. She proudly represents what is possible for transplant survivors, using her platform to inspire others facing similar journeys.
She’s also an accomplished author, having written the best-selling bookMy Life in Stitches: A Heart Transplant Survivor Story, and has been named a 2026 Woman of Impact by the American Heart Association.
Yet even with those accolades, Dr. Calvet continues to look forward. One of her goals is to help expand opportunities for fellow transplant athletes - including advocating for archery to be included in the Transplant Games of America, where it is currently absent.
Closer to home, archery has become a shared passion. Her husband, Pat, now shoots alongside her, and the two compete together - another unexpected gift from a journey that has already given so much.
But perhaps the most powerful image of Dr. Calvet’s story came in Dresden, Germany, as she walked toward the podium carrying the USA flag - a moment that symbolized resilience, gratitude, and triumph.
It had only been six months since she first picked up a bow.
For Dr. Darla Calvet, archery is more than a sport. It is proof of what is possible after everything has been taken away - and everything is given back.
Those inspired by stories like Dr. Calvet’s, and interested in trying archery for themselves, becoming a member of USA Archery is a great place to start. Membership connects archers of all ages and abilities with certified coaches, local clubs, events and a nationwide community passionate about the sport.
