The Gold Standard for SD-Card Trail Cameras Is Here With Browning Trail Cameras’ 2026 Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra

Browning Trail Cameras expands its 2026 lineup with the introduction of the Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra. Built on a strong legacy of reliability and image quality, this new model offers users a premium option designed for demanding wildlife monitoring, land management, and long-term outdoor observation.

Engineered for True-to-Life Clarity

The Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra is engineered to produce the natural, high-quality photos and videos that have made this series a favorite among serious users. Daytime images are crisp, balanced, and natural, preserving fine definition that allows users to accurately study movement and behavior. HD video delivers smooth motion and rich color, supported by clean audio that adds meaningful context to every recording.

A built-in 2-inch full-color viewing screen elevates the user experience, enabling precise framing, quick adjustments, and confident setup in the field. With every deployment, users know exactly what the camera is capturing before they leave the site.

Elite Low-Glow Night Performance

When daylight fades, the Recon Force Elite HP5 Ultra maintains the clarity that has made this series a favorite for years. Read more

Advanced Jerkbait Fishing

One of the most versatile and effective lures for bass is the jerkbait. What was once thought of as an ideal prespawn and cold-water bait has become a versatile lure that works anywhere, year-round. Also, the baits have become even better and more refined, and the anglers casting them have found even more ways to use them. 

Professional anglers Brandon Palaniuk on the Bassmaster Elite Series and Drew Gill on the MLF Bass Pro Tour are both highly accomplished on their respective tours, and much of their success has come with a jerkbait. Besides being standout anglers, each is also very technical and thoughtful in their approach to fishing, and they shared insights on how they get the most out of their jerkbaits.

Jerkbaits and Forward-Facing Sonar

There’s no denying that this technology has changed bass fishing, and while it’s not required to fish a jerkbait, it’s certainly changed how anglers approach using them. Read more

Smith & Wesson Releases Model 940-3 J-Frame Revolver

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ Global Select: SWBI), a leader in firearm manufacturing and design, announces today the release of the Model 940-3 revolver.

The Model 940-3 provides an impressive combination of durability and performance in a classic design. Built with a stainless-steel no-lock frame, it measures 6.6 inches in overall length, 1.3 inches in width, and weighs 23 ounces. This 5-shot revolver is chambered in 9mm Luger and features a 2.17-inch stainless-steel barrel and fluted cylinder. Perfect for everyday carry, it includes a snag-free concealed hammer and comes equipped with a Tritium XS® front night sight and a u-notch dovetail rear sight right out of the box. This J-Frame also features a precision-fit Hogue® Over-Molded® Rubber Bantam® grip, designed with grooves that naturally position fingers for optimal control, along with Hogue’s renowned Cobblestone pattern for enhanced comfort and a secure hold during firing.

Compact, reliable, and purpose built – Smith & Wesson J-Frames are the perfect choice for your next everyday carry firearm.

For more information on the Model 940-3, visit www.smith-wesson.com/product/model-940-3.

To stay up to date on all the latest news and events, be sure to follow Smith & Wesson on FacebookX (Twitter)Instagram, and YouTube.

Davidson’s Exclusive First Edition “Migliore” Series Single-Action from Pietta Firearms

PRESCOTT, Ariz. – The close collaboration of Davidson’s and Pietta Firearms continues to produce fine exclusive firearms that can be passed down for generations.

Introducing the First Edition Migliore Series single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum.

During a planning meeting, a Davidson’s board member asked the Pietta brothers “What word in Italian means ‘the best’?” They answered “migliore”. The board member replied, “That’s what we want to make”. Thus, the name and intent of this project was established.

Most efforts to achieve pinnacle-level quality are not successful in one fell swoop. Several meetings, planning sessions, exchanged ideas, and prototypes paved the way for the final product.

Parkwest Arms was recruited to contribute the color case-hardening process on the frame and hammer using the traditional bone and charcoal method. A deep gloss blued finish for the rest of the gun was considered a requirement among all parties. The hand set nitride-blued ejector pin, cylinder release pin, and screws serve as a testament to the meticulous attention to detail and refinement. The Migliore’s one-piece grip is carved from high-grade walnut and the completed look, we believe, speaks for itself.

As the inaugural edition of this prestigious line, this First Edition sets the standard for authenticity and elegance, and each revolver was hand inspected by Alessandro Pietta himself.

Features and Specifications: Read more

U.S. Forest Service Unveils Plans to Hire Summer Seasonal Employees in 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service announced plans to hire up to 2,000 seasonal positions for the upcoming summer recreation season, helping to support active management work and improve access and experiences on national forests and grasslands.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is restoring fiscal responsibility, efficiency and accountability so that Americans can count on services that endure,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We have addressed millions of dollars in salary deficits inherited from the previous administration. The Forest Service is now on a path to fiscal solvency and able to fill these critical seasonal positions to improve services for visitors this summer.”

“Hiring these seasonal positions is essential to delivering the services visitors rely on,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Our seasonal employees are active members of the communities they serve. They keep forests open and accessible, campgrounds and other facilities clean, and neighboring towns thriving. It’s a direct investment in the people who make our national forests and grasslands special.”

Now that the Forest Service has streamlined its hiring process and shortened hiring timeframes, seasonal employees can begin work earlier — opening more opportunities for people in rural communities to compete for jobs close to home. Read more

FPC Prevails in New York Non-Resident Carry Ban Lawsuit, Encourages People to Apply for a License

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) today announced that the parties have reached an agreement to successfully resolve the plaintiffs’ federal lawsuit challenging the New York state and county defendants’ laws, policies, and practices banning firearm carry by residents of other states, Shaffer v. Quattrone. FPC filed the case in November 2024, arguing that people “do not surrender their Second Amendment protected rights when they travel outside their home state.”

Now, as a result of the FPC lawsuit and the plaintiffs’ settlement with the State of New York, the State now expressly holds the position that in-state residency or employment is not required for licensure and clearly posted this confirmation on its website, which is now obligated to state (in relevant part):

Is New York residency or employment required to apply for a firearm license?

No. New York law does not require residency or in-state employment to apply for a firearm license. While the Penal Law directs applicants who live or work in New York to file their firearm application in the county of residence or principal place of employment, this provision does not exclude nonresidents from applying. Licensing officers may accept applications from nonresidents, and residency is not among the eligibility criteria for being issued a firearm license. Applications from nonresidents who do not live or work in New York should be evaluated under the same standards as all others.

Read more

Don ’t put all your (fish) eggs in one basket

Restored reef in Saginaw Bay diversifies spawning habitat and promotes resilience

By JEFFREY JOLLEY, PhD., Southern Lake Huron unit manager
Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and MARCEE WARDELL, communications specialist, Fisheries Division, Michigan DNR

Imagine a reef: sunlight streaming through the azure water reveals a vibrant underwater community, where fish, large and small, dart into holes and crevices or swim around the reef’s edges while other aquatic creatures make their homes or search for food.Did you think of a coral reef, covered in pink anemones and surrounded by brightly colored tropical fish like blue tang and clownfish?Now imagine a reef, with dappled sunlight and teeming with fish, in Lake Huron, in Saginaw Bay.Surprised?Maybe you shouldn’t be.Check out previous Showcasing the DNR stories in our archive at Michigan.gov/DNRStories. To subscribe to upcoming Showcasing articles, sign up for free email delivery at Michigan.gov/DNREmail.

Lake whitefish are shown congregating over rocky cobble.
Pieces of limestone, quarried locally in the Thumb area, were moved out to the reef location on barges. Reefs used to be common in Saginaw Bay, and organizations like the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and others are working to restore reef habitat for the benefit of fish like lake whitefish and walleye, as well as many other aquatic species.

The disappearance of rocky reefs

Though corals did once thrive in the northern Lower Peninsula about 350 million years ago (the remains of which are now Petoskey stones), the reefs that existed in Saginaw Bay were rock reefs. Read more

Michigan DNR reports Gladwin County’s first CWD-positive wild deer

Gladwin is now the 18th Michigan county where chronic wasting disease has been identified in the wild deer population, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. A hunter-harvested deer from Clement Township recently tested positive for the disease.

The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory confirmed the CWD finding. The sample was also sent for a secondary confirmation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, where results are pending but anticipated to confirm CWD infection. Read more

Mauser Introduces New M98 Das Original Bolt-Action Rifle

Mauser is pleased to introduce the new Mauser 98 Das Original bolt-action rifle. Harnessing a combination of advanced technology and old-world craftsmanship, this modern iteration of one of the world’s most iconic rifles delivers the accuracy and reliability embraced by millions of Mauser owners for more than a century. And it is now available in .300 Win Mag for the first time ever!

The original M98 was prized for its controlled round feed, extreme strength, reliability and safety. The new M98 Das Original is designed with these same features along with improvements including a Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating on the bolt for extra protection from wear, a gold-colored trigger, and elegant hand-selected Grade 5 wood. The magnum configurations come with a red safari recoil pad system for improved comfort.

“The Mauer 98 Das Original edition was built in Germany for American hunters and collectors who appreciate perfection and top-tier engineering,” said Jason Evans, CEO, Blaser Group. “The new Das Original delivers the legendary reliability of the original M98 with enhanced features and, for the first time ever in a Mauser 98, this edition is now available in .300 Win Mag.”

New Features: Read more

Beretta Introduces New Sako 90 Grizzly: Built to Hunt – Classic Walnut Beauty Meets Modern Performance

Beretta introduces the Sako 90 Grizzly, a rifle built for hunters who appreciate traditional craftsmanship without sacrificing modern performance. Blending refined walnut aesthetics and precision engineering, the Grizzly is designed to deliver dependable accuracy and durability in every hunting environment.

At the heart of the Sako 90 Grizzly is a beautifully crafted, high-grade walnut stock accented with rosewood details. The classic profile offers both timeless elegance and ergonomic comfort, ensuring confident handling whether in a stand, on a stalk, or navigating rugged backcountry terrain. Performance matches its looks. The rifle features a fluted stainless-steel barrel protected by a Graphite Black Cerakote finish, delivering exceptional resistance to the elements while maintaining the rigidity needed for consistent, repeatable accuracy. A machined integral Picatinny rail provides a rock-solid optics mounting platform that will never shift or loosen, giving hunters total confidence in their zero. With a medium-contour barrel that balances weight and stiffness, the Sako 90 Grizzly upholds the legendary accuracy that Sako rifles are known for around the world. From whitetail in dense hardwoods to elk in open country, the Grizzly is built to perform season after season. Read more

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