Buckmasters’ 40 Days of Giveaways Presented by Mountain Dew Underway

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Buckmasters kicked off the celebration of its 40th Anniversary on July 8th with the launch of the 40 Days of Giveaways, presented by Mountain Dew. Beginning now and continuing through the countdown to the 2026 Buckmasters Expo, outdoor enthusiasts will have the opportunity to enter to win incredible prizes every single day from many of the industry’s most recognized brands.

The 40 Days of Giveaways is Buckmasters’ way of thanking the hunting and outdoor community that has supported the organization for four decades. Each day features a new prize package, with winners selected throughout the campaign leading up to the Buckmasters Expo, August 14–16, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Participants can enter daily by visiting www.buckmasters.com/40days, where each giveaway will be available for a limited time before the next day’s prize is revealed.

“This milestone is about celebrating the people who have made Buckmasters what it is today,” said Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters. “For 40 years, we’ve been fortunate to have incredible partners and the most loyal hunting community in the country. The 40 Days of Giveaways is our way of giving back and celebrating this anniversary together.”

The campaign is made possible by presenting sponsor Mountain Dew and supported by an outstanding lineup of industry partners contributing prize packages throughout the countdown, including:

  • Silencer Central
  • BANISH Suppressors
  • MTM Case-Gard
  • Safari Club International
  • Browning Firearms
  • Streamlight
  • Cold Steel Knives
  • Rocky Boots
  • Timney Triggers
  • Academy Sports + Outdoors
  • ASIO Gear
  • Jack’s Restaurants
  • and many more.

Prize packages will include hunting gear, apparel, footwear, firearms, suppressors, gift cards, outdoor accessories, exclusive Buckmasters merchandise, and other premium products from participating partners.

The 40 Days of Giveaways will culminate during the 31st Annual Buckmasters Expo, presented by Mountain Dew, where thousands of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts will gather to celebrate Buckmasters’ 40-year legacy through exhibits, entertainment, educational seminars, family activities, and one of the largest gatherings of outdoor brands in the country.

Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to visit www.buckmasters.com/40days every day throughout the campaign for a new chance to win.

For more information about the 40 Days of Giveaways, the 2026 Buckmasters Expo, or Buckmasters, visit www.buckmasters.com. Read more

Contests

Julius Caesar Announced as Latest Installment of SK Guns’ Conquerors Series

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SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, is proud to announce the third production in its popular Conquerors Series: Julius Caesar. As a limited-production release, only 200 Colt 1911 pistols chambered in .38 Super will be available to collectors and enthusiasts.

“Caesar was a Roman general, politician and writer whose conquests changed the history of the ancient world. He moved his armies quickly, built bridges, forts and siege works, and used discipline to defeat larger forces,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “His conquest made him legendary, but it also helped bring the Roman Republic to an end and reshaped Europe for centuries after.”

Details on the right side of the guns slide exhibit Caesar crossing the Rubicon in January 49 BC, an act of treason also known as the point of no return that sparked the Great Roman Civil War. This legendary river in northeastern Italy served as the legal northern boundary of the Roman province of Italy proper, separating it from Cisalpine Gaul. Read more

Firearms

Charter Arms Introduces the New Walker Revolver Series

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Ultra-Compact Rimfire Revolver

Shelton, CT. – Charter Arms®, manufacturers of affordable, 100% American-made revolvers for more than 60 years, is proud to announce the introduction of the new Walker Series of revolvers. The Walker is an ultra-compact, rimfire revolver designed for concealed carry. It is available with either a .22 LR or .22 WMR chambering; both have eight-round capacities.

“We couldn’t be happier to offer this .22 caliber revolver series,” said Nick Ecker, Owner, President and CEO of Charter Arms. “Customers have praised its concealability, accuracy, and design. This new series offers the ultimate in dependable performance.”

The new .22 Walker Series from Charter Arms delivers lightweight confidence in a sleek, modern concealed-carry platform built for everyday reliability. Designed for shooters who value simplicity, comfort, and dependable performance, the Walker combines an ultra-compact profile with eight-shot capacity in either .22 LR or .22 WMR. Featuring a snag-free concealed hammer design, smooth double-action trigger, lightweight aluminum frame, and durable steel components, the Walker is purpose-built for discreet carry and comfortable shooting. Whether carried as a personal protection revolver, trail companion, or easy-to-shoot everyday option, the Walker is built to be dependable when it matters most. Read more

Firearms

Kent Cartridge Announces Southern Reserve™ Dove High Performance Shotshells

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Kent Cartridge introduces Southern Reserve™ Dove, a purpose built load designed for fast shooting and uncompromising performance on dove fields.

Built with high brass heads and Kent’s proprietary Diamond Shot, Southern Reserve™ Dove is designed for hunters who demand consistency when the action is fast. Diamond Shot is graded beyond standard lead shot and polished through a proprietary process to create highly uniform pellets that deliver exceptional pattern consistency. Combined with balanced payloads and tuned velocities, Southern Reserve™ Dove produces dense, even patterns, strong ignition, and dependable cycling shot after shot. Whether birds are crossing hard, dropping into the field, or streaking overhead, it provides the repeatable performance dove hunters can trust.

Balanced payloads and tuned velocities deliver dense, uniform patterns that stay effective on fast, high flying birds. This is controlled, repeatable performance that holds together when birds cut angles and opportunities come and go in seconds.

Southern Reserve™ Dove stands apart as a true top shelf load. It is built for shooters who expect consistency, demand performance, and know the difference when it shows up on target.

Available loads include:
12ga 2 3/4″ 1 1/8 oz 7.5 shot at 1350 fps
20ga 2 3/4″ 1 oz 7.5 shot at 1255 fps
28ga 2 3/4″ 3/4 oz 7.5 shot at 1300 fps
410 bore 3″ 2/3 oz 7.5 shot at 1150 fps Read more

Ammunition

Michigan August land auctions help DNR meet mission to boost public recreation, protect natural resources

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July 13, 2026
Contact: Michael Michalek, 517-331-8387 or Mallory Simon, 517-930-8108

The DNR news release issued Monday included an incorrect link to the list of Buy Now properties referenced near the end of the release. The current Buy Now list includes nine (9) parcels available for purchase by the general public. The link has been corrected in the body of the story, below. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Nearly 100 parcels available; sale proceeds will be used to acquire land that better fits the department’s outdoor recreation, conservation goals

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is busy preparing 97 properties for sale via online auctions later this summer. River frontage, lake frontage and forested acreage surrounded by private ownership — these characteristics describe some of the parcels that will be available Aug. 4-28.

Kerry Heckman, DNR forest lands and special projects administrator, said though it might seem counter-intuitive for the DNR to make any land available for sale, it’s important to note that the public benefit of some properties is severely limited. Read more

Wildlife

Celebrate the addition of 8,850 acres to Michigan’s ‘Big Wild’

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July 13, 2026
Contact: Kerry Heckman, 517-643-1256

Public ceremony/signing set for Friday, July 17

A narrow river cuts through lush, green land on the Black River Ranch property, framed by forest and blue sky with cloudsThe Pigeon River Country State Forest, east of Vanderbilt in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula, is known for many things: its wilderness, rugged character, and being home to the state’s elk herd, crystal-clear sinkhole lakes and world-class trout streams.

Now, thanks to a partnership involving federal and state grants and private funding, this forest known as the “Big Wild” is nearly 8,850 acres bigger. In early December, on behalf of the public, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources purchased the Black River Ranch property located in the eastern portion of the Pigeon River Country.

This breathtaking property includes over 14 miles of rivers and streams, including the Black River, the East Branch of the Black River and Stewart Creek. It also includes three entire lakes, including the 150-acre Silver Lake. Bugle Hill, the high point on the property, offers a stunning view of the Black River valley and miles of wilderness and forest to the west.

Ceremony/access Read more
Wildlife

Digital kill tags for deer, bear, turkey, furbearing species now available through DNR Hunt Fish app

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White-tailed Deer Buck Near A Field
Whether you’re preparing for archery, bear, turkey or trapping season, digital tags offer a convenient alternative to traditional paper tags.

Benefits include:

  • Immediate access after purchase.
  • No trip to the store.
  • No waiting for tags to arrive by mail.
  • If you don’t lose your phone, you won’t lose your tag.
  • No cellular service required.
  • Easy harvest reporting.

Digital tags are completely optional. Traditional paper licenses and kill tags remain available statewide.

Digital tags are only available through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

Learn more about the digital tagging process.

Download Hunt Fish app ?

Fishing, Hunting

Flint man successfully located after getting lost on Au Sable River near Roscommon

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July 10, 2026
Contact: 1st Lt. Mark DePew, 989-275-5151

 

footprint in sand with tire tracksA 33-year-old man from Flint who was tubing the Au Sable River through Roscommon Thursday afternoon was located later that evening in good condition walking through the woods after family members reported him missing.

The visiting family rented tubes from Campbell’s Canoe, Kayak & Tubing Livery to enjoy a float down the Au Sable River. When everyone got off the river at Meads Landing, the man decided to stay on a bit longer. After several hours passed and the man did not arrive at the next landing, the family contacted 911 at 7:23 p.m.

Around 9 p.m., Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Ben McAteer joined the search and located footprints that matched the man’s description about 1 mile downriver, near Willows Road – about an hour’s travel time on the water. McAteer tracked the footprints in this area for a mile until they went back into the water. Read more
General

Another Severe Winter Hampers U.P. Deer Herd

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A map graphic shows winter snow depth in the Upper Peninsula during the winter of 2025-26.

This past winter, with its heavy snowfall, marks the third severe winter in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the past five years and could significantly impact the peninsula’s white-tailed deer population.

Wildlife biologists from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources conducted field necropsies of vehicle-killed deer in late winter and spring and documented widespread signs of starvation.

A white-tailed deer is shown in an Upper Peninsula winter.

Biologists look inside leg bones of deer to examine bone marrow fat as an indicator of nutritional status. Deer that are exhibiting a red, gelatinous marrow have no fat reserves and often succumb to starvation.

The U.P. logged 111 days with at least 12 inches of snow on the ground this winter, making it one of the harshest seasons in the past quarter-century for the deer herd. Read more

Wildlife

2026 Florida Python Challenge Kicks Off July 10 — Registration Still Open

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Exactly one minute after the clock strikes midnight tonight, participants in the 2026 Florida Python Challenge™ will start their search for invasive Burmese pythons as this year’s python removal competition officially begins! Starting at 12:01 a.m. this Friday, July 10, and running until 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, competitors in this year’s event will get the chance to win a share of $25,000 in prizes while raising awareness about nonnative species and helping to protect the native Florida wildlife that call the iconic Everglades ecosystem home.

This year’s event, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, features Everglades National Park as a partner and one of eight official competition locations. The 2026 Florida Python Challenge also offers an Ultimate Grand Prize of $10,000 for the participant that removes the most pythons during the 10-day competition, with additional prizes up for grabs for the most and longest pythons removed in three different categories, including professional, novice and military. Read more

Wildlife
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