TUO announces the Vergence, a super-midweight hunting jacket launching summer 2026 featuring a 400g micro-tricot polyester shell, lofted berber fleece interior, and innovative rotating hood design. The jacket includes five pockets, facemask, thumbholes, and safety harness port, priced at $249.99 in sizes SM–3XL with new Ryse Camouflage pattern.
Whitewater Fishing's Tamer Softshell Jacket and Bib feature high-density polyester stretch fabric with grid fleece lining, designed as the ideal "tweener" layer for spring and summer fishing conditions. Marketing Director Steve Allie highlights the premium material quality that distinguishes the Tamer from competitors, while integrated safety features and athletic mobility support extended on-water use.
Marilyn Bentz, Executive Director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF), presented updates at regional Hunter Education Coordination meetings in Baton Rouge, Anchorage, and the Northeast. Bentz discussed the forthcoming combo curriculum, bowhunter education instructor classes, the Crossbow Hunter Survey by the Archery Trade Association, and the Elevated Hunting Instructor online class on the IHEA learning network platform.
The 60th Vegas Shoot showcased record-setting performances with widespread adoption of Easton X27 arrow shafts among top compound archers. Mike Schloesser won his third title, Ella Gibson claimed her first championship, and Brady Ellison earned his record 12th Vegas Shoot title in recurve competition.
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) announced winners of its 2026 Design Contest with the theme "NASP® in the Outdoors." Five student winners from schools across Nevada, Iowa, Mississippi, California, and Missouri had their designs selected for official tournament apparel and merchandise, each receiving a Genesis bow.
The Boone and Crockett Club presented the Water for Wildlife Foundation with its 2026 Conservation and Stewardship Award during the Club's Spring Meeting. The Lander, Wyoming-based organization was honored for its 50-year history of conservation work, having supported projects valued at $2.8 million benefiting multiple wildlife species across 12 western states.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will contribute up to $3 million toward wildfire restoration efforts over the next three years across ten Western states and Alaska. RMEF's commitment follows more than $3.3 million in funding since 2021 for 52 wildfire rehabilitation projects that leveraged over $11 million in partner contributions to restore critical big game habitat.
Whitetails Unlimited granted $46,561 to mission-related projects in Georgia, supporting outdoor education, habitat enhancement, and hunting preservation through its 12 Georgia chapters. The organization's Staying on Target Program helps youth gain shooting sports experience to preserve hunting traditions for future generations.
Brownells announced the launch of 2nd Adventure Global Solutions, a new division led by Casey Betzold to help manufacturers expand internationally. The division manages export compliance, logistics, and market access across B2B, direct-to-consumer, and government channels, supporting nearly 600 brands across approximately 65 countries.
Sightron announces the new "Snap Focus" S6 10-60x56 ED MOA Field Target riflescopes featuring a redesigned parallax adjustment system with 270º of precision rotation. Developed in collaboration with Garima Design & Customization, these premium scopes include optional magnetic focus wheels and are optimized for airgun, small caliber field target, and benchrest shooters.
Guidefitter announced an expanded partnership with Rocky Brands, Inc., adding The Original Muck Boot Company and XTRATUF to its platform alongside Rocky Boots. The partnership provides direct access to over 194,000 verified outdoor professionals including guides, outfitters, and law enforcement.
Burris Optics announces continued support of the Rocky Mountain Heroes Foundation, a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) that helps U.S. military veterans and their families reintegrate through hunting and fishing experiences. Founded by Brian L. "Sol" Soliday, the organization equips participants with reliable firearms and optics, with Burris serving as its first strategic partner.
NSSF has named 2TON as its first official Affinity Partner, providing NSSF's 10,000+ members with specialized branding, marketing, and digital development services. 2TON will be listed in the NSSF member portal and collaborate with the association to provide marketing education and resources for firearm industry businesses.
NEXTORCH North America announces the NEXTORCH Snow Guard Winter Tactical Gloves, engineered for cold weather performance above 14°F with zoned insulation, waterproof-breathable membrane, and ten-finger touchscreen compatibility. Priced at $47.99, the gloves feature CORDURA® stretch fabric and are available for law enforcement and military evaluation.
Federal Ammunition has begun shipping its Federal X Henry Collector's Edition ammunition in partnership with Henry Repeating Arms. The limited-edition 45-70 Government load features a 300-grain Hollow Point bullet and commemorates America's 250th anniversary with collectible packaging.
SHIELD Sights is offering up to 25% off its entire product line from April 1-30, 2026 at participating dealers. The UK-designed and manufactured micro red dot optics promotion provides shooters with premium quality sights at significant savings ahead of peak shooting season.
Outdoor Sportsman Group introduces Western Pursuit, an annual publication dedicated to western hunting produced by Petersen's HUNTING experts. The 2026 inaugural issue features 120 pages covering hunter skills, field stories, and gear reviews for elk and mule deer hunting across the Western U.S., Canada, and Alaska.
Henry Repeating Arms will showcase over 75 firearms at the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, featuring Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato and trick shooter 22Plinkster. The company is the premier sponsor of the National Friends of NRA banquet on Friday night.
Mathews Inc., the world's largest bow manufacturer, continues its partnership with Whitetails Unlimited as a national sponsor. WTU President Jeff Schinkten praised Mathews' three decades of bow design innovation and commitment to the organization's mission of wildlife conservation and hunting tradition preservation.
World Fishing Network launches "Reeling Around Wednesdays" featuring legendary anglers including Bill Dance, Roland Martin, and Jimmy Houston. The weekly programming block starting at 6 p.m. ET showcases fishing techniques, tactics, and adventures from Hall of Fame anglers available on MyOutdoorTV.
MyOutdoorTV presents "Turkey Takedown 2 with Michael Waddell," a live streaming hunt on April 7 at 7:00 a.m. ET featuring Michael Waddell pursuing Eastern turkeys in Georgia. The free live event showcases hunting techniques and tips, with replays available for MOTV subscribers.
Nearly 700 students from 4th to 12th grade will compete in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Archery in the Schools 3D State Championship hosted by Pangburn High School on April 10-11. The event features 3D animal targets and aims to transition youth from learning archery to becoming hunters, with 41 school systems already registered.
Brady Ellison won his third consecutive Indoor World Series title at the Vegas Shoot with a score of 886, edging Marcus D'Almeida and Santiago Arcila. Casey Kaufhold secured her third Vegas victory in the women's recurve division, while Bodie Turner made history in the compound men's event by scoring Xs with all 90 arrows.
Jason Tabansky, the reigning Paralympic champion, earned silver in the W1 men's division at the inaugural Hyundai World Archery Para Series in Bangkok, Thailand. Tabansky advanced through elimination rounds before losing to Korea's Taejin Ham in the gold medal match. Karen Sternfeld also represented the USA, competing in the para recurve women's division.
Darton Archery, Black Eagle Arrows, and Conquest Archery athletes secured multiple podium finishes at the ASA Fort Benning Pro/Am, with Brady Myers winning Open Pro and Cara Kelly claiming Women's Pro. The brands demonstrated consistent performance across professional, amateur, and youth divisions, reflecting their commitment to innovation and archer support.
Archery is often described as an individual sport - one archer, one bow, one target - but step onto any range and a different picture comes into focus. It is a sport where people arrive from vastly different walks of life and, almost without exception, find the same thing: a place to belong.
For Roger Penzotti (above), that sense of belonging came at a time when he needed it most. At 71 years old, after the loss of his wife of nearly four decades, he walked into a Try Archery class in Omaha, Nebraska simply looking for a reason to get out of the house. What he found was far more meaningful.
Within weeks, he was taking lessons, buying his own equipment and attending his first pin shoot with the Golden Arrow Archery Club. Archery offered him something rare - the ability to be alone with his thoughts on the shooting line, while still surrounded by a supportive community ready to welcome him in.
His story is a quiet but powerful reminder that the door into archery is always open, no matter your age or where you are in life.
That same openness extends far beyond local ranges and across international borders. Ru Barlow (pictured) has competed in more than 21 countries, yet continues to return to the United States - not just for competition, but for connection.
It was shooting in the U.S. that first drew him into compound archery, setting off a journey that would lead to representing Scotland internationally, setting British records and earning a silver medal at the World Masters Games in Abu Dhabi.
Even with a résumé that spans continents, his message is simple: archery communities everywhere share a common language of encouragement and camaraderie. Whether in the U.S. or Europe, at a local shoot or a world event, archers find familiarity in each other.
That spirit of mentorship and shared growth is perhaps most visible in the work of coaches like Thomas K. Powell. After retiring from a 30-year engineering career, Powell built a second life in archery - one defined not by personal accolades, but by the success of the athletes he guides.
From opening a small archery business in Oregon to becoming a USA Archery Level 4 NTS Coach, his journey reflects a deep commitment to giving back. Through his Central Oregon Archery Academy and now at Top Pin Archery, he has coached beginners, national champions and future engineers alike.
His philosophy is simple: safety first, then fun, then learning. It is a formula that has shaped not only skilled archers, but confident individuals.
On Friday nights, that philosophy comes to life in a program designed just for kids - where competition shares space with laughter, and where hitting a floating ping pong ball can earn both a dollar bill and a lifelong memory. For Powell, success is not measured only in scores, but in the excitement of a child eager to return the following week.
That same foundation supports the next generation of athletes, like 11-year-old Brayden Castille of Louisiana. In just a few short years, Brayden has progressed from a beginner to a state champion and national-level competitor, balancing his rapid rise in archery with school, community involvement and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
His journey reflects the accessibility of the sport - how quickly passion, when supported by a strong community, can turn into achievement. Along the way, he has not only developed as a competitor but has embraced the technical and personal aspects of archery, learning to build his own equipment and setting his sights on a future in the sport.
For others, like 16-year-old Jedd Winebarger, archery becomes a pathway to service. Introduced to the sport through his family, Jedd took his involvement a step further by becoming a certified instructor and dedicating himself to mentoring younger archers.
Whether assisting at a local school program or coaching with a Scholastic 3D Archery team in Virginia, he represents a core truth about the sport: those who learn often become the ones who teach.
His daily commitment to both improving his own skills and helping others succeed highlights a culture where knowledge is shared freely and encouragement is part of the process.
Taken together, these stories paint a clear picture of what makes archery unique. It is a sport where a 71-year-old beginner and an 11-year-old champion can stand on the same line. Where international competitors and local volunteers share the same targets. Where coaches measure success not just in medals, but in smiles, confidence and growth.
Archery offers precision, discipline and challenge - but just as importantly, it offers connection. Whether someone arrives seeking competition, community, healing or purpose, they are met with a common understanding: in archery, there is always a place for you.
For those inspired by such stories 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.
