SCI Celebrates FWC Decision to Reinstate Regulated Florida Bear Hunt

Safari Club International celebrates the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) science-based decision to approve the first legal, highly regulated black bear hunt in the Sunshine State in a decade. This is a major victory for hunters and conservationists. The FWC is authorizing 187 black bear tags to be distributed by lottery this December to hunters who apply in four scientifically identified bear management units.

Following a contentious – albeit misinformed – statewide debate, legal, regulated black bear hunting will officially return to Florida. Safari Club International thanks FWC Chair Rodney Barreto and the other members of the Commission for not bending to the ill-informed and emotionally driven objections to the hunt; instead, looking at the undeniable bear population statistics provided by the technical experts at the FWC and the proven success of hunting in managing bear populations. The FWC has estimated that there are more than 4,000 bears within the state, and their population continues to expand. The range of black bears in Florida has tripled over the last twenty years to cover over 50% of the state.

This summer’s fatal bear attack clearly demonstrated the reality that bear population numbers need to be managed if people expect to safely walk their dogs and take out the trash in areas with a high concentration of black bears. With careful scientific study, the FWC pinpointed four bear management units with unsustainable population growth and created a hunt plan that allocates a population-adjusted number of tags for each zone. This plan provides FWC with a very precise method to slow population growth while ensuring population sustainability. Read more

Hunting

Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young Clubs Now Accepting Entries for Javelina

Organizations worked together to create scoring procedures and minimum entry requirements for the new category in their records programs.

Missoula, MT – —The Boone and Crockett Club and Pope and Young Club announced today that they have completed scoring procedures and are now accepting entries for javelina (collared peccary, Pecari tajacu) in their record books. In December, the Boone and Crockett Club Records of North American Big Game Committee approved the creation of the new category, and Pope and Young’s membership voted to approve the new category at their biennial convention in April. The Boone and Crockett Club will accept entries of any hunter taken animal as well as “picked up” or found individuals, the Pope and Young Club will accept entries of animals taken with a bow and arrow. The scoring procedures, minimum entry requirements, and scoring sheets are now available on the B&C and P&Y websites, and a new Boone and Crockett Club Heritage of the Hunt podcast interview released today provides additional background on the new category.

“The Boone and Crockett Club established our records program well over a century ago as a way to measure conservation successes that helped to recover and sustain North American big game species. The record book is a way to honor exceptional animals that are maintained on the landscape due to professional wildlife conservation and management,” commented Mike Opitz, chairman of B&C’s Records of North American Big Game Committee. “It has been 27 years since a new species category has been added to our record book, and we are excited that including collared peccary in our records program will increase hunter excitement as well as increase support for their conservation.”

The proposal to include a new big game category for javelina was brought forward to each organization’s records committee by a working group made up of wildlife managers from Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and old Mexico as well as other hunting conservation groups. Javelina are medium-sized hooved mammals native to the southwestern United States and nearly all of Mexico, inhabiting a variety of habitats ranging from dry deserts to tropical forests. While they may resemble a nonnative boar or pig, peccaries are technically classified in a different family that existed independently in the Americas for millions of years. While many different forms of peccaries went extinct, the collared peccary evolved in South America and spread northward into Mexico and the southwestern United States over the last few thousand years. The biologists submitting the proposal for a new big game category note that collared peccary appear to still be expanding their range northward in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Read more

Hunting

Hawke Optics Launches Endurance 30 Fiber Dot Riflescopes

Rugged, Accurate, and Using System H5 Optics for Clarity

Hawke® Optics, a global leader in high-performance sporting optics, announces the launch of the Endurance 30 FD series — six purpose-driven riflescopes designed for hunters who demand exceptional clarity, rugged durability, and intelligent design in the field.

At the heart of each scope lies Hawke’s System H5 optical platform, delivering edge-to-edge clarity, generous 4-inch eye relief, and an ultra-wide field of view across all magnifications. Whether you’re navigating dense timber or distant ridgelines, the Endurance 30 FD series provides the optical confidence needed to make every shot count.

Built around a robust 30mm mono-tube chassis, these scopes balance a lightweight, low profile design with field-proven durability. Each model features fiber-optic illumination with 11 brightness settings and Motion Activation with Auto Standby Mode, which preserves battery life by entering standby after 5 minutes of inactivity and reactivates with motion.

A Complete Lineup for Every Pursuit Read more

Optics

SAF Challenges Non-Resident Carry Permit Process in Massachusetts

BELLEVUE, Wash. —— The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed a new lawsuit in Massachusetts challenging the commonwealth’s process for non-residents to acquire a license to carry (LTC).

The process of acquiring and maintaining a Massachusetts non-resident permit is wrought with burden, cost and delay. The initial permit application process often takes six months or more and includes repeated mandatory in-person visits to the commonwealth, creating an unconstitutional barrier to an applicant’s right to carry for self-defense. To add insult to constitutional injury, Massachusetts non-resident permits are only good for one year (while in-state permits are good for 6 years), requiring permit holders to file their renewals every year mere months after having received their permit, as the renewal process is plagued by the very same unconstitutional delays and the challenged laws provide no grace period for expired permits that are pending renewal. This new lawsuit requests the courts to step in and hold the commonwealth accountable for their tactics of unconstitutional burden and delay, and for the singling out of non-residents for particularly harsh treatment.

“Thanks to the Massachusetts permitting regime, non-residents who travel to – or even through – the state for business or vacation must follow the extremely long permit process or risk arrest and prosecution,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The Second and Fourteenth Amendments clearly protect the right of ‘ordinary, law-abiding citizens’ to carry handguns for self-defense, and the state is violating the constitutional rights of non-residents with such a burdensome process to receive and renew a license to carry.” Read more

Gun Control

Felony Warrants Issued for Michigan Father and Son for Wildlife Violations

Warrants for the arrest of a Michigan father and son have been issued following a series of wildlife violations in Treasure County.

Ronald Schubert and his son, Chad Schubert, both of Belleville, Mich., have each been charged with felony unlawful possession of a trophy bull elk. The son also has been charged with an additional felony for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, as well as four misdemeanor charges for hunting during a closed season, failure to obtain landowner permission for hunting, waste of a game animal, and violation of a commission or department rule for failure to return to a kill site. Ronald Schubert has also been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespass to property.

The investigation into the Schuberts began with information provided to Montana game wardens by the Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office. After extensive investigation, warden Kyle Queer found that Chad Schubert allegedly killed a trophy bull elk in Hunting District 702 without a valid permit. The elk also was taken on private land without permission, killed with a rifle during the archery-only season, and most of the meat was abandoned and left to waste in the field. Further investigation showed that Ronald Schubert was present at the time and allegedly assisted with removal and transport of the head and antlers. Read more

Poachers ,

SAF Files Amicus in Short-Barreled Rifle Case

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court urging the court hear David Robinson Jr. v. United States of America, challenging restrictions on short-barreled rifles (SBRs).

SAF is joined in the amicus filing by the Second Amendment Law Center, California Rifle & Pistol Association and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.

“In its ruling, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided that U.S. v. Miller (1939), and its ruling allowing restrictions on short-barrel shotguns because they had no documented militia use, remains controlling and applicable to SBRs as well,” said SAF Director of Legal Research and Education Kostas Moros. “That’s wrong because even if it were correct that Miller remains the relevant standard, SBRs are demonstrably in regular use today in military roles, as the M4 rifle is the standard issue rifle of our military. Our amicus brief also makes several other arguments as to why the Eleventh Circuit’s analysis was flawed, and why the Supreme Court should grant cert in this case. We are hopeful the Supreme Court will step in and correct courts reaching the wrong conclusion on this fundamental question, both as it pertains to SBRs and to other common arms.”

As an initial matter, the brief explains that SBR’s are “arms” under the plain text of the Second Amendment. In order to then regulate them, it is the government’s burden to show a historical tradition of such regulation. Read more

Firearms, Gun Control

Lake Superior paddleboarding rescue underscores water safety

Aug. 12, 2025
Contact: Lt. Ryan Aho, 906-367-1177

Two paddleboarders drifting far from shore on Lake Superior were recently rescued with quick action by two Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers in Ontonagon County.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 8, Conservation Officer Ethen Mapes received a call from Negaunee Regional Dispatch/DNR Report All Poaching Hotline operators reporting two paddleboarders in distress on Lake Superior near Ontonagon.

“They were in good condition overall but just could not paddle against the strong wind to get back to shore,” said Conservation Officer Pete Shambaugh, who was called by Mapes to assist in the rescue attempt. Read more

General

CANiK Unveils the TTI Combat SMOKE Edition

CANiK® is proud to announce the official launch of the TTI Combat SMOKE Edition, the latest in the storied collaboration between Canik and Taran Butler of Taran Tactical Innovations.

This addition to the CANiK® TTI Combat lineup features a smoke-themed Cerakote paint job, offering a sleek and iconic look, instantly recognizable thanks to the widespread work of the TTI brand. The firearm is equipped with a ported bronze PVD-coated barrel, aluminum flat faced 90-degree break trigger, and a HiViz® fiber optic front sight for quick target acquisition.

Available in multiple SKUs, including a 10-round compliant version and MO3 Optic included version, the TTI Combat SMOKE ships standard with premium accessories including a hard case, custom holster, extra backstraps, optics plates, tool kit, flared magwell, two 18-round standard magazines, one +3 extension, and a challenge coin.

The Canik TTI Combat won the 2024 Industry Choice Awards illustrious Handgun of the Year award and Canik is excited to level up on that offering with a new aesthetic look in the SMOKE edition.

“Canik and TTI created fire with the collaboration on the original Combat,” said Canik’s VP of Marketing and Business Development Adam Ruonala “so we knew that when there’s fire, there is always Smoke!”

Firearms

Get Real-Time Scouting Like Never Before with the Defender Vision Pro Livestream

Never miss a moment. The Defender Vision Pro Livestream from Browning Trail Cameras puts you in the middle of the action as it happens. Whether you’re tracking a trophy buck or safeguarding your property, you can watch events unfold live on your phone with stunning HD clarity and unmatched reliability in the field.

Recently named Best New Hunting Accessory by Big Rock Sports, one of the nation’s largest outdoor distributors, the Defender Vision Pro Livestream is already being recognized as the most advanced trail camera of 2025.

Livestream Game Movement in Real Time

See activity the instant it happens through the Strike Force Wireless app. No delays. No guesswork. Just direct, live access to your hunting property, no matter how far away you are. Read more

Hunting

GOA Teams Up with Hi-Point Firearms to Launch Special Edition Carbines

Gun Owners of America (GOA), the nation’s only “No Compromise” Second Amendment organization, is proud to announce a partnership with Hi-Point Firearms, a respected American manufacturer with over 35 years of experience building reliable and affordable firearms. Together, they have released special edition 995TS, 4595TS, and 1095TS carbines, designed to support GOA’s relentless fight to protect and advance the rights of law-abiding gun owners nationwide. These custom GOA carbines have the GOA insignia on the shroud and were first showcased this past weekend at the GOALS (Gun Owners Action League Summit) event in Knoxville, TN, where they received enthusiastic feedback from attendees.

The special edition carbines include the 995TS (9mm), 4595TS (.45 ACP), and 1095TS (10mm)— American-made firearms featuring durable polymer stocks, Picatinny rails, and Hi-Point’s proven reliability, all offered at an affordable price point. These exclusive firearms are available through MKS Supply, Hi-Point Firearms’ exclusive distributor and marketing partner. Read more

Firearms
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