Faxon Firearms, Vance Outdoors Announce Exclusive Ascent 350 Legend Midnight Bronze Cerakote Edition

Cincinnati, OH —

Faxon Firearms announced an exclusive run of the Faxon Ascent 350 Legend Semi-Auto AR-15 Rifle finished in Midnight Bronze Cerakote®, available only at Vance Outdoors. The Ascent is part of Faxon’s First Line—designed to deliver the features new AR buyers want at an approachable price—and this exclusive finish makes the model a collector-worthy variation for hunters and recreational shooters who favor the versatile .350 Legend cartridge. (Vance Outdoors)

Key Features & Specs (As sold by Vance Outdoors): (Vance Outdoors)
• 16″ 350 Legend Gunner profile barrel — nitride coated
• Enhanced forged receiver set with tensioning screw
• 13″ free-float M-LOK aluminum handguard
• Carbine gas system, mil-spec charging handle, M4 stock
• A2 pistol grip and A2 birdcage flash hider
• Rifle weight: 6.25 lbs
• Finish: Exclusive Midnight Bronze Cerakote® (Vance Outdoors exclusive)
(Full product listing and availability at Vance Outdoors.) (Vance Outdoors) Read more

Firearms

XS Sights Introduces Lever Rail for S&W M1854 .44 MAG Lever-Action Rifle

Fort Worth, Texas – This newest Lever Rail from XS Sights fits the Smith & Wesson Model 1854 lever-action rifle chambered in .44 Magnum (with a 19.25” barrel) and is built for hunters and shooters who want a modern, flexible, and reliable optic mount while preserving the classic feel of the rifle.

Made of lightweight machined aluminum, this Picatinny-style rail with hard anodized finish provides a rigid, corrosion resistant mounting surface to ensure your optic remains firmly in place whether you are running a conventional riflescope, scout scope, or compact red dot. The Lever Rail is easy to install with common hand tools – no gunsmith required – and allows you to set precise eye relief for a consistent cheek weld.

For shooters who want iron sight redundancy or quick target acquisition at close range, XS offers the Lever Rail with Ghost Ring Sight Set that includes a White Stripe Front. The .191-inch aperture of the Ghost Ring offers a crisp, repeatable sight picture in bright light while still providing usable light transmission at dusk and dawn and is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. The high-contrast White Stripe Front gives a fast index against any background and is bold enough to be useful in brush or on stalks yet refined enough to deliver precision when it counts. The steel sights and aluminum rail are hard anodized for long-term durability and corrosion resistance. All hardware is included and finished to match the rail. The kit ships with a full screw kit, blue threadlocker, an insert with clear instructions, and everything you need for a tidy, repeatable install. No gunsmith required. Read more

Optics

Hornady Lock-N-Load Iron Press

Grand Island, NE – Hornady engineered the Lock-N-Load® Iron Press® to be the heaviest, most rigid press in its class. This single-stage unit, powered with a spring-assisted 1-1/8-inch solid steel ram, is perfect for anyone demanding precision and repeatability from their reloading press.

This 28-pound workhorse press is manufactured with exceptionally tight tolerances and a smooth operating system designed to deliver consistent precision year after year. The Iron Press features Hornady’s patented Lock-N-Load® Bushing System, which ensures dies and bushings are securely locked in place with a simple twist that engages six locking lugs.

Swapping out is straightforward when needing to change to another cartridge size. Simply twist the die counterclockwise, remove it, and insert your next preset Lock-N-Load® die and bushing. Dies locked in their Lock-N-Load® bushings remain as they are set, in perfect alignment and ready for their turn in the press.

The unit also features a patented shell holder platform that lets the operator de-prime a case, remove it to chamfer or deburr, and then quickly replace and prime it. The Iron Press’s accessory deck enables quick access to trays for bullets or cases and storage for chamfer and deburr tools, case neck brushes, primer pocket cleaners, and more. Read more

Ammunition

Michigan DNR Accepting Tree City USA Applications Through Dec. 31

Michigan communities, utilities, educational campuses and health care campuses interested in being recognized as a Tree City, Tree Line or Tree Campus should apply before Dec. 31.

These annual recognition programs are sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and administered in Michigan by the Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry Program. To become certified under one of these programs, applicants must meet specific standards established by the Arbor Day Foundation. Standards and instructions on how to apply can be found on each respective program’s webpage:

The flagship Tree City USA program began in 1976 as a Bicentennial project to promote tree planting in urban areas and call attention to the economic, health and aesthetic benefits trees provide.

Last year, a record-breaking 131 Michigan communities and 17 Michigan campuses were recognized, with 13 communities receiving Growth Awards for completing additional activities to expand their community forestry programs. From the village of Michiana (population 200) to the city of Detroit (population 645,705), more than 37% of Michiganders reside in a Tree City USA community.

Communities applying for Tree City USA certification must have met the following standards in 2025: Read more

Wildlife

Multiple People Convicted of Wildlife Crimes in Southwest Wyoming

An 8-year investigation recently wrapped up in Sweetwater County on Sep. 26 when Sean Thomas of Farson was sentenced on multiple wildlife charges. The charges stemmed from an investigation into making false statements to procure Wyoming resident licenses, and the illegal take of black bears, pronghorn, deer, elk and other wildlife in southwest Wyoming when Thomas and his family moved to Wyoming in 2014.

Wyoming Game Wardens initially learned of illegal activity committed by Thomas, operating under Great Basin Outfitters, and his family in 2017 while investigating unrelated wildlife crimes. The investigation began in earnest from 2018 and continued through July 15, 2021 when Wyoming Game Wardens working with their counterparts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Utah executed search warrants and interviewed numerous individuals associated with committing wildlife crimes in Wyoming.

Following the execution of search warrants in July 2021, game wardens continued their investigation and uncovered dozens of wildlife crimes committed by Thomas, members of his family, Michael Jordan and his sons from Stillwater, Minnesota and friends of Thomas from Utah. Following are those who were charged and convicted of wildlife crimes in Wyoming: Read more

Poachers , , , , , , , , ,

FWC depredation compensation program helps cattle ranchers experiencing losses due to panthers

As calving season begins for many of Florida’s cattle ranchers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds ranchers to promptly call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) about suspected panther depredations. Commercial cattle ranchers who experience losses due to panthers qualify for payment through the FWC’s Panther Depredation Compensation Pilot Program.

To be eligible, a calf depredation must be fatal or ultimately fatal on a commercial cattle operation, investigated by FWC staff, and determined to be likely caused by a panther. Even without a carcass, depredations with adequate supporting evidence of panther involvement qualify for payment. Read more

Hunting

SK Customs Unveils Non-Retail, Limited-Edition Colt 1911 Pistols Honoring St. Augustine

SK Guns®, the Nation’s only series-driven, limited-edition manufacturer of custom firearms, has announced the release of two exclusive, non-retail custom Colt 1911 pistols dedicated to the city of St. Augustine, Florida. The firearms commemorate the upcoming inaugural SK Gives Back Sporting Clays Open, scheduled for November 3, 2025, at the Saltwater Shooting Club.

The event, hosted in partnership with Kids & Clays, will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities and other local nonprofit organizations. The commemorative 1911s will be offered exclusively for live auctions during SK Guns events, with proceeds supporting community programs through the SK Gives Back initiative.

“Since relocating earlier this year, we are extremely proud to call St. Augustine home,” said Simon Khiabani, owner and founder of SK Guns. “The city’s rich history, heritage, culture and appreciation for craftsmanship make it the perfect spot for SK Guns to continue to grow. We are excited to introduce the SK Gives Back Sporting Clays Open as another way we can regularly contribute to the betterment of our new home.” Read more

Firearms

K-Var Corp Offers the Arsenal SAM7R-62

K-Var Corp, a leading source for premium firearms and accessories, is pleased to announce the availability of the SAM7R-62, one of the most respected and sought-after rifles in the AK platform category, now offered at $1,499.99.

The SAM7R-62 stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship, reliability, and precision engineering. Each rifle is built on a milled receiver—machined from a hot-die-hammer-forged solid steel billet for superior strength, durability, and accuracy. Chambered in 7.62x39mm, it delivers the rugged performance and timeless design enthusiasts have come to expect from this class of firearm.

Key features of the SAM7R-62 include: Read more

Firearms

Springfield Armory Launches New Longer-Barrel Model 2020 Heatseeker Variants

Springfield Armory® is proud to announce new longer-barrel Springfield Armory® Model 2020 Heatseeker variants with 20” and 22” barrels. The Model 2020 Heatseeker — originally launched earlier this year with a 16” barrel — is a chassis-based rifle crafted for shooters who demand bolt-action precision and AR-style modularity in one uncompromising, suppressor-ready platform.

Featuring a rugged Coyote Brown Cerakote finish, the bolt-action rifles are available in .308 Win. or 6.5 Creedmoor (CM). The .308 Win. version is a 20” model, while the 6.5 CM versions are offered in either 20” or 22” models.

All Heatseekers feature a Sharps Bros. Heatseeker chassis machined from a solid block of 6061-T6 billet aluminum for strength without bulk. The chassis weighs a mere 1 lb., 3 oz., and includes a 14″ free-float handguard that weighs just 10 oz. M-Lok slots are located on all four sides of the handguard, with dual QD sling mounts on each side.

In addition, the chassis is designed with AR-style features for maximum modularity. Read more

Firearms

Bagged A Bird or Still Chasing One? Share Your Season on the New Dashboard

The ruffed grouse and American woodcock seasons are well underway, and we want to hear how your season is going so far. Share information on your hunt and submit flush counts through the new Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.

The dashboard lets you quickly record the number of grouse and woodcock you flushed and view near-real-time results from fellow hunters statewide. It’s simple, quick and helps everyone track how the season is shaping up.

How to report

  1. Open the Michigan Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Dashboard.
  2. Click Submit a Report.
  3. Add your hunt details: date, county, hours hunted, whether you used dogs and flush counts for each species.
  4. Submit, and then check the dashboard to see statewide flush rates and county-by-county trends.

The data in the dashboard changes as more hunters submit reports. By sharing your results, you help other hunters make the most of their season.

Find grouse and woodcock season details in the 2025 Michigan Small Game Hunting Regulations Summary.

Report Flushes

Hunting
1 … 49 50 51 52 53 … 2,022