RMEF Helps Expand Idaho Wildlife Refuge, Benefits Elk, Mule Deer, Fish & Hundreds of Bird Species

MISSOULA, Mont. — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation collaborated with a private landowner and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to acquire and convey 2,496 acres of wildlife and riparian habitat to expand the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in southeast Idaho.

USFWS documented almost 250 species of birds on the high elevation bullrush marsh, of which about 100 species are known to nest there. It is also home to one of the largest breeding concentrations of sandhill cranes in North America.

“This speaks volumes to what RMEF is all about. Our mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage,” said RMEF Chief Conservation Officer Blake Henning. “The refuge with this newly added waterfront parcel helps so many species of ‘other wildlife,’ like birds, small mammals and fish, but it also serves as summer range and critical birthing grounds for elk and mule deer.” Read more

Grizzly Bears to Remain Protected

GW: What good are recovery goals?

Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) denied two petitions from Montana and Wyoming to delist grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems. This denial comes a day after the USFWS denied Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation’s petitions to delist wolves in the Western Great Lakes.

Like the gray wolf, the grizzly bear is no stranger to Endangered Species Act (ESA) litigation. Grizzlies in the lower-48 states were first protected under the ESA in 1975. They were subsequently divided into several Distinct Population Segments. The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem bears, which exist in portions of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, were given a recovery population goal of 500. The current estimated population is around 1,000. These bears were delisted under the George W. Bush administration in 2007. That delisting was overturned by the courts. They were delisted again in 2017, under a rulemaking that spanned the Obama and Trump administrations. That was again overturned by the courts in 2020.

The Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem bears exist in northern Montana. Their recovery goal is a population of at least 800 bears. Their population is currently estimated to be over 1,100. Read more

EAA Corp Now Shipping their New Compensated Double-Stack 1911

European American Armory Corp (EAA) has introduced their latest addition with the launch of the Girsan Witness2311® Match X – a double-stack 1911 that takes aim at the overpriced double stack 1911 market. EAA continues to set the bar with high quality manufacturing, competitive pricing, and consistent availability.

The Girsan Witness2311 Match X is a full-size, lightweight double-stack 1911 chambered in 9mm, designed to deliver performance and value. It features an integrated barrel compensator that effectively reduces felt recoil, providing shooters with greater control and accuracy. Its fully adjustable, serrated rear sight—blacked out for better focus—pairs seamlessly with a fiber optic front sight for fast alignment and quick target acquisition.

For those who prefer red dot optics, the adjustable rear sight cap can be easily removed to accommodate any RMS/RMSc footprint optic, thanks to the lightening-cut slide. The Match X is equipped with a finely tuned 4.5-pound trigger, offering smooth take-up, a crisp break, and a short reset straight out of the box.

Additional features include: Read more

VKTR Industries LLC. Announces New VK-1 Rifle Option in Operational Field Camouflage

VKTR Industries, a manufacturer of premier piston driven AR-15 rifles and accessories, is proud to announce the newest rifle option in their lineup – the 13.7 VK-1 in Operational Field Camouflage.

VKTR Industries has partnered with B5 systems to provide a complete rifle in the new pattern, with full B5 furniture, cerakoted to match the complete receiver set.

“This is truly a special rifle that we added to the lineup.” said Dave Rybacki, the owner of VKTR industries. “The upgrades we put on the rifle are effective improvements both visually and functionally.”

Key Features of the VK-1 in OFC include: Read more

Powder Valley Outdoors Supports Launch of 7mm Backcountry from Federal Premium

Powder Valley Outdoors is proud to support the introduction of 7mm Backcountry, a groundbreaking new cartridge from Federal Premium that is set to change the way hunters and shooters approach performance. This innovative caliber offers magnum-level velocities from shorter, suppressed rifles without the usual recoil, making it perfect for precision shooting and big game hunting.

Powder Valley Outdoors will be among the earliest retailers to offer this high-performance ammunition, ensuring that customers have access to the latest advancements in the shooting industry.

“We take immense pride in providing our customers with access to the most innovative and top-quality products in the industry,” said Bill Clinton, CEO of Powder Valley Outdoors. “The 7mm Backcountry is an exciting addition to our lineup, and we’re thrilled to be among the first to offer it. We’re always looking for products that enhance the shooting experience, and this new caliber is sure to exceed expectations.”

What Makes the 7mm Backcountry So Special? Read more

Smith & Wesson Releases Model 1854 Stealth Hunter Series

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, proudly introduces the next evolution of their lever-action rifles: The Model 1854 Stealth Hunter™ Series.

Whether you’re navigating dense forests or taking aim from a distance, the new Model 1854 Stealth Hunter, available in .44 Rem Mag, .45 Colt, and .357 Mag calibers, is engineered for success in the field. Built on the traditional Model 1854 platform, these rifles feature a flat trigger design for consistent finger placement, a large loop lever for easy use with gloves, a removable magazine tube for safe and effortless unloading, and a synthetic stock with textured grip panels for improved control and feel.

In addition to the all-black Armornite® aesthetic, Stealth Hunter rifles come equipped with new upgrades that not only catch the eye but enhance performance right out of the box. Key features include an extended 10.5” Picatinny rail for a broader range of optic use, a newly designed T6 aluminum forend with fifteen M-LOK® compatible slots for accessory attachments, a HIVIZ® H3 fiber optic front sight to improve visibility in both low-light and daylight conditions, and a shortened 16.3-inch 410 stainless-steel barrel that contributes to a lighter overall weight. Read more

HOWA Releases New 22 ARC In Their Mini Action Series of Bolt-Action Rifles

Legacy Sports International and Howa Precision Rifles continue to expand their very popular Mini Action rifle platform with a variety of calibers and stock options.

The latest offering is the Hot New 22 ARC caliber which is a great addition to the varmint calibers, match and precision shooting enthusiasts.

Gas gun aficionado’s love the idea of having a compact bolt rifle in their arsenal to complement their ammo utilized in their AR’s and the Howa Mini Action Series fits that bill perfectly with the options already of a variety of calibers and now with the addition of the 22 ARC caliber there will be even more happy AR enthusiasts with this new offering of the 22 ARC in the compact and lightweight Howa Mini Action lineup.

The 22 ARC outperforms all 22 caliber cartridges in its class, it rivals 22-250 performance in a mini action, has dual purpose match and varmint applications and is designed to take advantage of today’s long ogive, high-BC bullets with a variety of ammo offerings available from Hornady to utilize – 62 gr. ELD-VT in the V-Match, 75 gr. ELD Match in Black and 88 gr. ELD Match. Read more

Weatherby Launches Model 307 RANGE XP 2.0

In 2023 Weatherby introduced the Model 307 action which was the first new Weatherby centerfire rifle action since the 1960’s. Meant to complement the historic Mark V® and Vanguard® lineups, the Model 307 is a 2-lug, fully cylindrical action compatible with many aftermarket accessories. It features a fluted bolt with a tool-less disassembly, TriggerTech trigger, and a detachable magazine. The goal of 307 was to design an action that could accommodate the vast offerings of stocks, triggers, rails, mounts, and magazines in today’s marketplace. All rifles with Model 307 actions will be built in Weatherby’s Sheridan, WY headquarters, so shooters and hunters can expect the same precision craftsmanship that Weatherby has delivered since 1945.

Model 307 Range XP 2.0 Starting at $1,279 Read more

FPC Moves to End Massachusetts Handgun Ban

BOSTON —Today, Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced the filing of its motion for summary judgment in Granata v. Campbell, a lawsuit that challenges Massachusetts’s ban on constitutionally protected handguns. The court filings can be viewed at firearmspolicy.org/granata.

“Massachusetts has closed its borders to large portions of the modern handgun market, banning as ‘unsafe’ many of the firearms that are most trusted by the American people across the country, substituting its judgment for theirs. That it cannot do. As Heller explained clearly, it is the choices of ‘the American people’ that matter in deciding what is, and what is not, ‘in common use’ and therefore protected,” argues the motion.

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is not exempt from the United States Constitution and it cannot ban the sale of common handguns, full stop,” said FPC President Brandon Combs. “We look forward to eliminating this ban and continuing our progress and work restoring the right to keep and bear arms in Massachusetts and throughout the country.” Read more

NSSF Welcomes Rep. Richard Hudson’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Legislation

H.R. 38 Would End Patchwork of Confusing Gun Laws for CC Permit Holders

And, maybe now that the Dems have lost control of the legislature, this common-sense bill stands a chance…GW

NSSF®, The Firearm Industry’s Trade Association, wholeheartedly welcomes U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson’s (R-N.C.) introduction of the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025, H.R. 38. The legislation was introduced with 113 co-sponsors, demonstrating the wide-ranging support for protecting law-abiding concealed carry permit holders from navigating a patchwork of varying gun control laws when crossing a state line.

The bill aims to eliminate the confusion of varying state-by-state laws and provide protection for Second Amendment rights for permit holders. The legislation would allow handgun owners who are legally permitted and authorized by their home state to carry a concealed firearm to lawfully carry in other states provided they comply with the law in other states – much in the same way a driver’s license is recognized. Read more

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