Montana: Reward Increased to $31K for Information on Wolf Killed Out of Season

GARDINER – The monetary reward has increased for information on a wolf that was killed illegally near Gardiner last month.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks initially offered a $1,000 reward for information. The Large Carnivore Fund and Wolves of the Rockies together have offered an additional $30,000.

The investigation began when officials received a mortality signal from a collared wolf in the Jardine area. They found the collar had been cut off and thrown into a tree, but they did not find a wolf carcass.

This area is in wolf management unit 313, which closed to wolf hunting on Nov. 16. However, game wardens believe the collared wolf was killed around 10 p.m. on Dec. 25. No further details are available.

Anyone with possible information is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details.

A collaborative effort to protect Michigan’s bats

Close-up of silver-haired bat held by gloved hands
GW: Not against protecting bats, because they are so adept at eliminating mosquitos. I even installed a bat house near a place on my house where they were getting in. After they migrated for the season, I got some spray foam and blocked the entrance. Problem solved, although they’ve yet to use the bat house.

By AILEEN KEMME
Communications coordinator, Marketing and Outreach Division
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Jutting out into Lake Superior is the Keweenaw Peninsula, home to Michigan’s Copper Country.

This is where the earliest known metalworking in North America originated, with objects crafted by Indigenous peoples from Keweenaw copper becoming so prized that they have been discovered in archaeological sites throughout North America.

European settlers also established mining operations in the same region and made Michigan into the world’s leading copper producer by the early 20th century.
While virtually all the mining operations in the area have shuttered since then, the mines are not empty. The Keweenaw region is home to seven of Michigan’s nine bat species, with many of the bats calling the abandoned mines home.

Three of the Keweenaw’s bat species migrate south for the winter, with some, like the hoary bat, traveling as far as Central America before returning to their spring and summertime breeding grounds in North America.

The remaining four species spend their winters hibernating deep within caves and abandoned mine shafts throughout the region. Read more

AirForce Airguns and Rapid Air Worx 

AirForce Airguns and Rapid Air Worx (RAW) will debut an expanded lineup of new airgun platforms and accessories at SHOT Show 2026, taking place January 20–23 at the Venetian Expo Center. The companies will showcase their latest advancements in power, precision, and sound moderation, engineered for both hunters and competitive shooters.

Headlining the AirForce introductions is the Tex-Rex® .308, expanding the Tex-Rex family with a powerful, efficient caliber designed for big-game performance. Also debuting are the Tex-Rex® Brush Gun .510 & .457, engineered for compact maneuverability and close-range stopping power, and the Tex-Rex® Carbine .457, delivering big-bore authority in a shorter, field-ready configuration. For noise-sensitive applications, AirForce will present the TalonSS-SL, a double-moderated, extra-quiet varmint rifle, alongside the CondorSS-SL, featuring Hollywood Quiet performance through dual sound suppression. Completing the AirForce announcements is the Sound-Loc® Kit, bringing advanced, airgun-specific sound moderation to compatible platforms. Read more

Springfield Armory’s SAINT Victor .300 BLK 9.5″ Pistol

 

Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the release of the SAINT® Victor .300 BLK 9.5″ Pistol. Delivering purpose-driven features in a lightweight, rugged package, the SAINT Victor .300 BLK 9.5″ Pistol combines the portability of a pistol with the familiar handling characteristics of the AR-15 — as well as the impressive capabilities of the .300 BLK cartridge.

Ensuring maximum durability, the .300 BLK pistol is built on the solid foundation of forged 7075-T6 upper and lower receivers with a Type III hardcoat anodized finish. This results in exceptional strength without added weight. Internally, an Accu-Tite™ Tension System ensures you can eliminate play between the upper and lower receivers.

Internally, the .300 BLK pistol features an enhanced bolt carrier group with a bolt crafted from 9310 carpenter steel and HP/MPI tested for structural integrity. A nitride finish provides corrosion resistance, and a sleek, low-friction surface that improves wear resistance.

The pistol’s flat-faced, nickel boron-coated trigger offers a smooth, responsive pull for confident shot control. Up front, the free-floated handguard features a full-length top rail and ample M-Lok® real estate, ready for lights, grips and other accessories.

The .300 BLK pistol features a 9.5″, 1:7″ twist 4150 chrome-moly vanadium (CMV) ordnance-grade steel barrel with a continuous tapered profile for optimal heat distribution and rigidity. Read more

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC Now Available in 5.7x28mm

 

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, is pleased to announce the release of the M&P FPC chambered in 5.7x28mm.

Inspired by Smith & Wesson’s M&P handgun line, M&P FPC models all share familiar features. This new folding carbine design incorporates an M&P 5.7 pistol grip and flat-face trigger, and is also compatible with the same 5.7x28mm magazines. It operates on a semi-auto blowback design and includes an integrated recoil buffer system to mitigate recoil impact for improved control during firing. The M&P FPC 5.7 has a 16.25-inch barrel with a ½ x 28 threaded muzzle to accommodate suppressors and an overall length of 30 ? inches. When folded, it achieves a compact length of 16 ? inches for easy storage, and its horizontal folding mechanism construction serves as a locking latch to ensure secure transport.

The M&P FPC 5.7 handguard is equipped with an upper Picatinny rail and M-LOK® slots for accessories, while its in-stock magazine storage enables quick and efficient reloading. Users familiar with previous FPC models will also appreciate the newly integrated QD sling mounts positioned on the stock and sides of the handguard. Out of the box, it comes with three 22-round magazines along with a proprietary loading tool. In addition to the standard M&P FPC 5.7 model, Smith & Wesson also offers a compliant version that maintains the same features but includes three 10-round magazines. Read more

Bond Arms Blends Classic Design and Modern Performance with the LVRB

Bond Arms® Blends Classic Design and Modern Performance with the LVRB

Granbury, TX – Bond Arms®, renowned for innovative craftsmanship, proudly announces the imminent release of the LVRB lever-action rifle. Evolving from a visionary concept into a production reality, the LVRB shatters convention by seamlessly merging classic lever-action aesthetics with modern modularity and performance. Select examples from the very first full production run will be on display at the 2026 SHOT Show, with anticipated customer deliveries beginning in the second quarter of 2026.

Engineered for the contemporary shooter, the LVRB is chambered in .223 Wylde (compatible with both .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO), and features a robust platform designed for future caliber conversions, including .300 Blackout, .450 Bushmaster, and .350 Legend. Its defining feature is compatibility with ubiquitous standard AR-pattern magazines, offering unparalleled logistics and high-capacity versatility in a lever-action format.

The LVRB advances the platform with a refined short-throw lever system for rapid cycling and superior ergonomics. Safety is paramount, featuring both a cross-bolt safety and a grip safety. A full-length Picatinny rail atop the receiver and handguard provides expansive mounting options for optics and sights. By eliminating the traditional gas system, Bond Arms achieves a cleaner, more reliable action while bringing the sight axis closer to the bore for enhanced accuracy.

Key Specs & Features: Read more

Winchester’s Magnum Dove Blended Shot for Hunters

 

GW: Should work well for crow hunting, too.

CLAYTON, MO — Winchester Ammunition Magnum Dove™ is a high-performance shotshell engineered specifically for dove hunting. Made in the U.S.A., Magnum Dove features heavy payloads, high velocity, and dense patterns that set a new standard for dove hunters that want the best ammunition in the field.

Available in 12- and 20-gauge, Magnum Dove™ shotshells contain a custom blend of #7 ½ and #9 lead shot. The premium, batch-blended shot is optimized for pattern density on doves.

“Dove season is a time-honored tradition for many hunters across the country,” said Kyle Masinelli, Senior Director of Product Innovation and Strategy for Winchester. “With Magnum Dove, we give wingshooters more confidence behind the gun and a competitive edge to fill limits.”

Key features of Magnum Dove™: Read more

CVA Offers New Scout XP and XP-SB Series Single-Shot Rifles and Scout XP Pistol

 

CVA® Expands the Scout Lineup with the New Scout XP and XP-SB Series Single-Shot Rifles and Scout XP Pistol

Lawrenceville, GA – CVA is proud to introduce the Scout XP and Scout XP-SB Series, the next evolution of the highly regarded Scout line of single-shot rifles. Built for hunters and shooters who value simplicity, accuracy, and adaptability, the Scout XP series combines the proven performance of the Scout platform with modernized ergonomics and enhanced adjustability.

At the core of the Scout XP and XP-SB is CVA’s commitment to reliable, break-action performance in a rugged, lightweight package. The updated XP stock design delivers improved comfort and control, making the rifle well-suited for a wide range of shooters and shooting applications—from the deer woods to the range.

A key highlight of the Scout XP series is its buffer tube stock design, which allows for length-of-pull adjustment, ensuring a proper fit for shooters of different sizes and shooting styles. The addition of bolt-on cheek risers further enhances ergonomics by providing consistent eye-to-scope alignment for improved accuracy and shooting confidence.

The Scout XP series is offered in two rifle configurations and one pistol configuration: Read more

Stoeger Adds Reasonably Priced Sporting Model to M3000 Shotgun Series

Accokeek, MD – For 2026, Stoeger adds a new model to its popular M3000 semi-auto shotgun lineup with the M3000 Sporting model (#36084). This performance-driven sporting shotgun boasts the standard features of oversized controls, enlarged ejection and loading ports, 30-inch ported barrel and extended choke tubes along with the aesthetic upgrades for shooters who prefer a classic shotgun. This sporter is built to be used on the range and in the field, not just admired.

The new M3000 Sporting model’s design enhancements include a satin walnut stock and forend, catering to shooters who prefer a more traditional look and feel. The walnut furniture pairs with a nickel receiver and a gloss blue 30-inch ported barrel to further enhance the classical aesthetics. The broadway-style rib is engineered to cut barrel heat and mirage while providing a bold, easy-to-track sight picture—promoting a natural, heads-up shooting posture that delivers consistent comfort and confident target acquisition shot after shot. These are complemented by the matte blue trigger, bolt release, and bolt handle.

To facilitate operational speed and ease, the M3000 Sporting incorporates an extended bolt handle along with an enlarged bolt release button while the weighted magazine cap improves balance and swing.

The M3000 Sporting cycles 2 3/4- and 3-inch 12-gauge shotshells effortlessly and cleanly thanks to the proven Inertia Driven® system. This system not only ensures reliable cycling across a broad range of shotshell loadings, but it also runs cleaner than conventional gas-operated systems, making post-range gun maintenance a breeze. Read more

Franchi Grows the Momentum Elite Family with 400 Legend

Expanded chamberings and configurations bring Franchi reliability across more seasons.

Accokeek, MD – There’s nothing like sharing a hunt with good people and a rifle you trust. For 2026, Franchi brings more excitement to the field—and answers the call from hunters running straightwall cartridges—by adding a new chambering to its Momentum-series bolt-action rifles.

Built for Midwestern hunters navigating cartridge restrictions and anyone who appreciates hard-hitting straightwall performance, the Momentum Elite and Momentum Carbine Elite are now available in .400 Legend. This modern cartridge delivers impressive ballistic efficiency and terminal performance, making it a serious option for confidently taking big game when it matters most.

Franchi offers the .400 Legend in two Momentum Elite configurations, each tailored to different hunting styles.

The Momentum Elite features a 22-inch barrel and is built on Franchi’s Evolved Ergonom-X stock, complete with an effective TSA recoil pad that reduces felt recoil by up to 50 percent—keeping long days in the field comfortable. The rifle wears Franchi’s Biome camo, designed for close-quarters and thick cover, paired with a Patriot Brown Cerakote finish on the barrel, receiver, and bolt handle. A muzzle brake and one-piece Picatinny rail come standard for easy optic mounting, and the polymer box magazine provides a 3+1 capacity. MSRP: $979. Read more

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