Outdoor commentary and legislative issues.
The 2026 bear and elk hunting license application period is open through June 1. Apply online or at any license retailer. Applications are $5.Aren’t planning to hunt this year? Increase your odds for next year and purchase your elk chance or bear preference point instead!Take a few moments to watch the videos explaining the bear and elk license drawing process:
MDT is releasing the CRBN chassis in a custom Rattle Can ODG finish, now available for the Remington 700 Short Action and Long Action platforms. The RCO color option brings a field-appropriate matte olive drab finish to one of MDT’s most capable precision chassis systems.
The CRBN chassis is constructed from carbon fiber reinforced polymer, offering a rigid, lightweight platform optimized for precision shooting. Read more
Doral, FL — ATN Corp, the global leader in smart thermal and night vision optics, today announced the launch of its Generation 6 thermal riflescope lineup — the best thermal rifle scope family the company has ever produced. Anchored by the ATN ThOR 6 Elite, ATN ThOR 6 Mini, and ATN TICO 6, the new Gen 6 platform delivers a generational leap in image quality, thermal sensitivity, reliability, and field performance for hunters, coyote hunters, hog hunters, ranchers, and AR-15 shooters.
Built on a next-generation 12-micron sensor with sub-15mK NETD sensitivity and the new SharpIR AI image enhancement engine, the Gen 6 lineup is engineered to be the best thermal scope for hunting in 2026 — whether shooters are looking for the best budget thermal scope under $1,000, a flagship 640 thermal scope for long-range work, or the best clip-on thermal scope to convert a daytime optic into a thermal-capable rifle in seconds.
“Generation 6 is the single biggest leap forward ATN has ever made in thermal technology,” said James Munn, CEO of ATN Corp. “With the ThOR 6 Elite, ThOR 6 Mini, and TICO 6, we set out to build the best thermal riflescope lineup in ATN history — better image quality, better reliability, and better performance, from first-time thermal buyers to serious professional hunters. After more than 30 years of optics innovation, this is the best thermal scope family we’ve ever produced.”
The Generation 6 lineup was engineered for the realities of modern hunting: aggressive hog populations, fast-moving coyotes and predators, long range thermal scope demands, and the rugged conditions that AR-15 and bolt-action shooters face after dark. Every Gen 6 scope features a refined 12-micron sensor, faster image processing, smoother scanning, and improved battery performance — making each model a serious contender for best thermal scope 2026 in its category. Read more
EAA Corp. has officially begun shipping the new Girsan Witness2311 CMXX chambered in .45 ACP (SKU: 395068) to distributors nationwide, with dealer availability expected shortly after.
Introduced earlier this year as the compensated carry model in the Witness2311 lineup, the CMXX has an 11+1 round capacity and incorporates an Auto Firing Pin-Block safety, replacing the traditional grip safety commonly found on double stack 1911s.
“We know a lot of shooters have been asking when additional caliber options for the Witness2311 CMXX would arrive, and we’re excited to officially bring .45 ACP into the lineup,” said Chase Duffey. “While 9mm remains incredibly popular, many shooters still prefer the proven stopping power of .45 ACP, and this is just the beginning. Expect to see a 10mm model next.”
Key Features Include:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Silencer Central is excited to announce that today, May 18, 2026, the 100 Days of Silencer promotion will feature the largest prize package to date with more than $4,000 in guns, gear, knives, and, of course, a suppressor. Act fast, there is only a 12-hour window to register, and one lucky winner will take home an amazing package.
The prize includes:
This giveaway is part of the 100 Days of Silence promotion, the largest giveaway of firearms and suppressors ever attempted. Each day a new prize package is up for grabs but remember – you must register for the giveaway every day. This giveaway runs from 10AM to 10 PM CST. Read more
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a new federal lawsuit, McDonald v. Katz, after Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation to ban so-called “assault firearms” and “large capacity” magazines. FPC is seeking a permanent injunction against the enforcement of the Virginia bans as well as other relief.
The plaintiffs challenging the ban include two individual FPC members, the National Rifle Association, and the Second Amendment Foundation. The plaintiffs are represented by David Thompson, Peter Patterson, and William Bergstrom of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, along with P. Thomas DiStanislao and Michael Brady of Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP.
The complaint was filed on May 14, 2026. Likely next steps include an answer from the defendant and a briefing schedule from the District Court.
The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Read more
Following closely on the heels of Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signing new gun control legislation into law, the Second Amendment Foundation and its partners have filed a lawsuit challenging the commonwealth’s new bans on “assault firearms” and large-capacity magazines.
Gov. Spanberger signed into law a ban on so-called “assault firearms” declaring that “…any person who imports, sells, manufactures, purchases, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.” The law further defines an “assault firearm” as a semiautomatic rifle chambered in any caliber besides .22 rimfire or one that contains a litany of common features such as a collapsing stock, pistol grip, threaded barrel or more. The law also bans magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The new laws go into effect on July 1.
“It’s wild that lawmakers who each take an oath to uphold the Constitution insist on passing bills purposefully designed to gut it,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The firearms and magazines banned in this law aren’t bizarre and unusual outliers, they’re among the most commonly owned guns and magazines in the country. They’re owned in the tens of millions by peaceable Americans who use them overwhelmingly lawfully. Virginia has now joined the minority of radical states to ban these constitutionally protected firearms, and in so doing, joined the club of states we’re suing over it.”
As noted in the complaint, “The firearms that Virginia bans as ‘assault firearms’ are, in all respects, ordinary semiautomatic firearms. To the extent they are different from other semiautomatic firearms, their distinguishing features make them safer and easier to use. Regardless of any new category of arms created by state lawmakers, they cannot be banned because they are not dangerous and unusual.” SAF is joined in McDonald v. Katz by the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition and two private citizens.
“Virginia lawmakers lied to their constituents and to themselves when they said these laws weren’t bans,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “A new sales and transfer ban is a ban that’s just one generation removed. On July 1, anyone turning 18 in Virginia will find out that the rights enjoyed by their predecessors don’t apply to them. These bans are an afront to the Constitution and an insult to the intelligence of Virginians who were fed lies and misrepresentations by their elected officials. We’re excited to fast track this case to the Supreme Court.”
Gun Owners of America (GOA) and Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), alongside Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL) and 2A journalist John Crump, have filed a lawsuit today in direct response to Virginia’s enactment of SB749 and SB727, the “assault weapons” ban and public carry ban. These two bills represent the most immediate threat to the rights of every law-abiding gun owner in Virginia.
By criminalizing the purchase and transfer of the most popular firearms in America and effectively banning self-defense in public spaces, these laws are a direct assault on the Second Amendment and stand in open defiance of Virginia’s own constitution and necessitate an immediate strike in court.
Article I, Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution guarantees that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Read more
May 15, 2026
Contact: Chad Stewart, 517-282-4810, or Brent Rudolph, 517-730-8802
Following extensive public input, the Michigan Natural Resources Commission on Wednesday approved several deer regulation changes for the 2026 and 2027 hunting seasons.
The seven-member citizen commission, appointed by the governor, acted on and amended recommendations developed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to support healthy deer populations while balancing hunter opportunity and public feedback.
The department presented its recommendations to the commission in April. Under Michigan law, the NRC has the authority to issue wildlife orders and establish hunting regulations.
The NRC’s approved changes include:
In addition, the commission approved several administrative changes for 2026, including:
 The commission also approved several changes for the 2027 deer seasons in the Lower Peninsula only. Upper Peninsula deer regulations will remain unchanged in 2027.
Under the new regulations in the Lower Peninsula, starting with the 2027 deer hunting seasons:
The commission also approved a pilot “earn a second buck” program in the southern Lower Peninsula (Zone 3) starting in 2027. Under the pilot program, hunters must first harvest an antlerless deer before becoming eligible to harvest a second buck with a four-point antler point restriction. The DNR will determine participating counties at a later date and will bring forward an order in July outlining the program parameters. In addition, the commission expanded exceptions authorizing deer management assistance permits for the take of antlered deer causing horticultural damage because of the new one-buck limit in the Lower Peninsula. These exceptions will require approval from wildlife and law enforcement supervisors. The DNR is preparing the 2026 deer hunting regulations summary, which will include complete season regulations and hunting information. Digital versions will be available first through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish mobile app and at Michigan.gov/Deer, followed by printed copies distributed to license retailers and DNR offices statewide. |
May 15, 2026
Contact: Laurie Abel, 517-599-6703
Conditions have improved at the Cheboygan Lock and Dam Complex, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has demobilized pumps and other emergency equipment used to channel water around the dam.
To allow for the spillway gates to be reinstalled, pumps that were used during emergency operations had to first be shut down and removed.
Spillway gates are scheduled to be reinstalled early next week. Officials report that water levels at the dam have dropped out of the emergency stage, and the spillway is currently managing water flow effectively.
Officials emphasized that when the gates are reinstalled, they will remain fully open, and the volume of water passing through the spillway will not change from its current rate of flow.
Once the spillway gates are back in place, crews will reinstall the safety cable, which helps keep small watercraft from getting too close to the spillway gates.
The DNR reminds everyone that the Lincoln Street and Forks boating access sites remain closed for emergency operations. Other DNR access sites also are closed due to high water and dangerous conditions. Recreationists are encouraged to check the DNR website for closures at Michigan.gov/DNRClosures.