Barnett Hyper Raptor TREX Crossbow Gives Turkey Hunters an Edge

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Spring turkey hunting has become many hunters’ favorite season of the year, and many are adding the challenge of archery equipment to pursue these wary game birds. With innovative equipment such as the Barnett Hyper Raptor TREX crossbow, hunters now have a powerful and practical option that combines the challenge of archery with the readiness and efficiency needed in the turkey woods. In some areas, hunters can even enjoy extended opportunities by using archery equipment during special seasons.

One of the long-standing challenges of turkey hunting with a vertical bow, whether compound or traditional, is the need for the hunter to draw the bow without being detected by the sharp-eyed turkey. Turkeys are notoriously vigilant, and even the slightest movement can send a wary gobbler running. This is where the crossbow shines as a tool for success in the turkey woods. Because a crossbow is already drawn and cocked, the hunter can remain still and ready when a gobbler approaches. This readiness provides a major advantage, and with the Barnett Hyper Raptor TREX crossbow’s impressive speed, hunters gain even more confidence in the field.

There are two primary methods of turkey hunting where the Barnett crossbow offers a solid advantage: hunting from a ground blind and the traditional run-and-gun approach. The combination of a ground blind and a crossbow is particularly effective for pursuing wily spring gobblers. With a compact axle-to-axle cocked measurement of just 7¼ inches, the Hyper Raptor TREX is easy to maneuver within the confined space of a blind. This compact design helps make the crossbow more controllable and safer to operate in tight quarters. Read more

Archery

Michigan DNR conservation officers assist sheriff’s deputies in rescuing stranded snowmobiler in northern Luce County

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Officers rescue a stranded snowmobiler in a severe winter storm Monday in Luce County.
March 17, 2026

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers responding on snowmobiles in whiteout storm conditions Monday helped deputies from the Luce County Sheriff’s Office rescue a stranded snowmobiler in the remote, northern part of the county.

During the early evening hours of March 16, Chippewa County Central Dispatch received calls and text messages from an individual who had said he was stranded near Snowmobile Trail No. 8UP in an open area by the Little Two Hearted River, west of Little Lake Harbor.

At about 8 p.m., Luce County Sheriff’s deputies contacted DNR conservation officers for help in finding and retrieving the 55-year-old Rexton man whose sled had become stuck in deep snow.

The man had been out for a ride during the second day of a severe blizzard that had pounded the entire Upper Peninsula with brutal winds and heavy snowfall. Law enforcement agencies had warned motorists of life-threatening travel conditions, urging people to stay off roadways unless absolutely necessary.

Conservation officers Cpl. Cole VanOosten and Justin Vinson responded on their snowmobiles, from their residences, with roads drifted, snow-choked and impassable by motor vehicle.

Officers rescue a stranded snowmobiler Monday during a severe storm in Luce County.Conditions included a constant 40-mph. wind and gusts reaching 70 mph with snow falling at a rate of 1-3 inches per hour. Read more
General

Live Action from The Biggest Nest Box 

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The female Barred Owl is now incubating her recently laid eggs.

In what may be the biggest nest box available to cavity nesting birds, a female Barred Owl is incubating 2 eggs she laid last week inside the especially big nest box installed near Indianapolis, Indiana. Fairly famous among birders, this big nest box has attracted nesting pairs of Barred Owls most years since 2003, including last year’s pair that raised 2 young owls on camera. This year, starting last Wednesday, March 11, birders were treated to their first look at the first egg, which was revealed when the female Barred Owl took an incubation break on the 24–7 live camera that anyone can check on anytime online.

The clutch sizes of Barred Owls range from 1 to 5 eggs, but most clutches contain 2 or 3 eggs. The female revealed her second egg on the evening of Saturday, March 14th after a day of steady incubation. You can view the live view and see both of the egg reveals in the video highlights that are posted regularly as the nesting cycle progresses at Barred Owl Cam. From this point forward, the female will spend most of the next month incubating the clutch inside the nest box while her mate keeps watch and hunts for food. There is also a second camera that shows the outside of the biggest nest box, which you can access by clicking on the green icon at the top-right side of the viewing screen, or at Outside View.

Only the female incubates the eggs and broods nestlings, but the male is responsible for procuring the bulk of the food, bringing prey items to the female inside and outside the nest box. The incubation period is 28 to 33 days, and the female begins incubating as soon as the first egg is laid, which means the nestlings hatch a couple days apart and are staggered a bit in size and development. Young Barred Owls fledge when they are about 6 weeks old, although they may leave the nest site a short time before actually fledging.

The extra-large nest box that attracts Barred Owls that thrill birders annually is located in the backyard of Wild Birds Unlimited founder, President, and CEO Jim Carpenter, who lives near Indianapolis, Indiana. The big nest box is positioned 32 feet high against the trunk of a hickory tree, and to keep predators like raccoons from reaching the nest, aluminum flashing is wrapped around the tree. The Wild Birds Unlimited Barred Owl Cam has been part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Bird Cam Network since 2012, and the outside camera was added in 2018 so it is possible to watch the action on the perch, and to monitor the young owls when they leave the nest box to begin the fledging period. Read more

Wildlife

Michigan DNR to begin Muskegon River walleye egg collection March 23

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March 17, 2026
Contact: Matt Smith, 269-567-0951 or Mark Tonello, 231-444-8007

Muskegon River walleye egg collections with electrofishing boats will start as early as the week of March 23 and conclude by April 17.Planning to fish the Muskegon River this spring? Be on the lookout for Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel collecting walleye eggs below Croton Dam in Newaygo County. Egg collections with electrofishing boats will start as early as the week of March 23 and conclude by April 17.

Four days of egg collections are planned this spring. The date those collections will begin depends on water temperatures and the presence of ripe fish (fish that are ready to spawn); the schedule may change based on conditions.

The egg-take zone runs from Croton Dam downstream to the Pine Street Access Site, so anglers who wish to avoid the walleye collection activities should fish downstream from the Pine Street Access Site. Anyone fishing near the egg-collection zone should use caution when fishing near the electrofishing boats. For safety, anyone wading will be asked to exit the water when electrofishing boats approach. Read more

Fishing

Winchester Spring Turkey Rebate is Live

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CLAYTON, MO — The Winchester Ammunition Spring Turkey rebate is live now through May 31, 2026. The rebate includes all Winchester turkey loads to provide turkey hunters with variety and savings of $5 per box or up to $100.

A minimum purchase of two boxes is required with a maximum rebate amount of $100 per household. Purchases are valid March 6, 2026, through May 31, 2026. Offer expires and all requests must be postmarked no later than June 16, 2026.

Winchester offers a complete lineup of premium turkey hunting shotshells in a variety of shot types for any hunter’s needs. New for 2026, Winchester launches Long Beard® Tungsten. Long Beard® Tungsten takes effective range to the next level to create the most lethal turkey ammunition available today. Available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 bore, Long Beard® Tungsten offers some of the tightest patterns and longest effective shot capability for devastating on target performance.

For complete details on Winchester rebates, visit Winchester.com/rebates.

Browning Ammunition Spring Turkey Rebate is Live

The Browning Spring Turkey rebate is live now through May 31, 2026. The rebate includes all Browning TSS Tungsten Turkey loads to provide turkey hunters with savings of $5 per box or up to $100. Read more

Ammunition

Springfield Armory Announces Launch of Aimpoint COA-Equipped Pistols

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Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the launch of its new Aimpoint® COA®-equipped line of pistols. Select firearms arrive factory-milled with the Aimpoint A-CUT™ interface and are fitted with the class-leading Aimpoint COA closed-emitter red dot sight. Paired with the 9mm Echelon at launch, the line will later expand to include select 1911 DS Prodigy™ and 1911 variants.

The Aimpoint® COA® A-CUT integrates directly into the slides of these Springfield Armory pistols via a full-length dovetail secured by a front hook and rear wedge. The wedge-locking mechanism transfers lateral forces into the dovetail, reducing the load on screws and mounting interfaces, delivering high durability and reliable zero retention under demanding conditions. The ultra-low mount enables co-witnessing with iron sights for instinctive target acquisition.

Featuring a 7075-T6 aluminum housing, the closed-emitter Aimpoint COA optic is designed for military, law enforcement, concealed carry and sport shooters alike. Its 3.5 MOA dot is rated to run for more than five years on the included single CR2032 battery. The optic features four night vision-compatible settings and eight daylight settings, and is submersible to 25 meters. The lens measures a generous 15x15mm, and the optic’s weight is a mere 1.7 oz.

The Echelon COA variants available at launch are the 4.5F, 4.0FC and 4.0C models. The 4.5F is a full-size model with a 4.5″ barrel that comes with a flush-fitting 17-round magazine and an extended 20-round magazine. The 4.0FC is a hybrid model with a proprietary full-size grip module and a compact slide assembly with a 4″ barrel. It comes with a 17-round, flush-fitting magazine as well as a spare extended 20-round magazine. The 4.0C is a compact model with a 4″ barrel and 15-round, flush-fitting magazine as well as an extended 18-round magazine. Read more

Firearms

Thompson/Center Arms Introduces the ENCORE ProHunter Turkey Shotgun

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Thompson/Center Arms today announced the launch of the ENCORE ProHunter Turkey Shotgun, a purpose-built modern turkey platform engineered for hunters who demand uncompromising precision, adaptability, and performance when it matters most.

Designed for the intensity of first light through fly-down, the ENCORE ProHunter Turkey Shotgun features a compact, highly maneuverable profile that shoulders quickly and naturally, whether from a blind or against a tree. At just 39 ¾ inches overall and weighing only 6 ¼ pounds (gun only), it offers exceptional balance and control in tight hunting scenarios. A tight-patterning barrel paired with an Xtra Full choke tube delivers repeatable accuracy and devastating terminal performance on gobblers that refuse to close the distance.

Finished in proven Mossy Oak® Original Bottomland®, the shotgun disappears into spring woods while standing up to harsh field conditions. The receiver and barrel are protected with Moss Green Cerakote, providing corrosion resistance and durability season after season.

Built on Thompson/Center’s renowned ENCORE interchangeable platform, the ProHunter Turkey Shotgun allows hunters to swap between rifle, shotgun, and muzzleloader configurations, maximizing versatility and value. Its single-shot, break-open action promotes safe, deliberate shooting, while a swing hammer and nitride-treated trigger, sear, firing pin, and bushing ensure smooth operation and long-term reliability. An automatic hammer block safety with bolt interlock further enhances confidence in the field. Read more

Firearms

WOOX Introduces the Superleggera “High Grade” American Walnut Stocks

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WOOX, manufacturers of Italian-American made gunstocks, axes and knives, crafted with the finest materials and the latest technology, is proud to announce the introduction of the new Superleggera “High Grade” line of stocks, the pinnacle of lightweight hunting stocks for bolt action enthusiasts. It’s a drop-in installation with no gunsmithing required.

“Each piece is hand-selected and matched for its exceptional quality, grain depth, and contrast. We look for wood that stands apart from the rest and put them together to form a matching pair. The result is a truly unique stock set where no two sets are the same. This High-Grade match is beauty in the most natural form and gives our end user a collector-grade build,” said Ben Fleming, CEO of WOOX USA. “With limited supply of this High Grade American Walnut, we’re going to build every one of them we can. This beautiful Walnut deserves to be shown off, and we know our customers will appreciate the unique and rare quality that this series brings.” Read more

Firearms

Millennium Treestands Q400 Guard House Buck Hut Built for Comfort and Longevity

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Millennium Outdoors, a company renowned for making quality stands and hunting accessories, releases the Q400 Guard House Buck Hut in 2026. The new elevated hunting blind is designed and built for comfort, stability, and durability, providing years of protection from the elements – and concealment from wary whitetails. With an overall height of 15 feet, 8 inches, the Guard House is a rugged and dependable blind that provides individual hunters with comfort and room to move during long sits.

Constructed of heavy-duty steel with a powder-coat finish, the Guard House features adjustable legs, making it perfect for uneven terrain. A steel ladder with nonslip steps and a steel landing platform with handrails provide safe, easy entry and exit. A water-resistant, soft-shell material offers dependable, all-weather performance that withstands whatever Mother Nature throws at it, giving hunters a secure ambush site for years of hard use.

The Guard House has seven shooting windows, offering pristine views and flexible setup options for firearm, crossbow, and vertical bowhunters. It’s also configured to fit one Millennium M369 Revolution Seat (sold separately), giving hunters unbridled comfort and 360-degree silent rotation for monitoring surrounding terrain. It weighs just 225 pounds, is a cinch to set up, and has a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds, making it perfect for larger-statured hunters and heavy equipment and gear.

Without compare, the Guard House Buck Hut is the ideal choice for hunters seeking a solid, elevated blind that performs flawlessly season after season.

Millennium Guard House Buck Hut features Read more

Hunting

Tanfoglio Pistols Built for Competition and Carry Available at Italian Firearms Group

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AMARILLO, Texas – Italian Firearms Group (IFG), the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor of Tanfoglio, continues to highlight a lineup built around the needs of serious shooters, from competition-ready performance to practical field and tactical use. IFG’s Tanfoglio catalog includes competition and defense pistols, along with magazines, parts, and accessories for the U.S. market.

For ISPA SSP Division competition shooters, the Stock Optic-Ready is a standout option, featuring a flat double-action trigger, full-length dust cover, custom G10 grips, and a multi-optic plate kit.

The Stock III Special is a strong choice for buyers seeking a pistol suited to USPSA Production Division, combining an all-steel build with upgraded competition-focused features and the performance heritage Tanfoglio is known for.

For the outdoors, the Tanfoglio Force Compact 10mm offers added confidence, pairing compact handling with the power and peace of mind shooters look for in a backcountry sidearm.

The Defiant Tactical Pro, with its threaded barrel and optic-ready design, adds versatility for buyers looking to expand their setup with accessories. Read more

Firearms
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