Recent Spring Surveys Show Increased Mule Deer Numbers and Recruitment in Northeast Montana

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GLASGOW – Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists completed 2026 spring aerial surveys of deer population trends across Region 6 in northeastern Montana. The surveys indicate general increases in most districts.

Every year, Region 6 wildlife biologists conduct aerial surveys across 11 deer trend areas across the region to assess mule deer population trends in total observations and fawn recruitment ratios. Mule deer surveys occur post hunting season, usually in December and January, and again in the spring in March and April to estimate winter survival. The following results focus on the spring survey. Note that the trend areas surveyed are meant to be a sample of the total land area, and deer populations may vary across the region and in individual hunting districts.

An important factor of spring surveys is fawn to adult ratios that indicate fawn recruitment. Fawns that have survived their first winter, which is typically the hardest period in the annual cycle, are considered recruited into the population. These ratios can help inform FWP on overall winter survival, how the population is faring as it enters the summer season, and what the potential for growth might be in the upcoming year.

Northeast Montana region-wide summary

The 2026 winter across northeast Montana was fairly mild, but some areas in the extreme northeast corner had more difficult conditions with heavy snow. However, an early warming event in January melted most of the existing snow and the area experienced an open and mild winter from mid-January to spring, which is often the most challenging months for big game animals. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Springfield Armory Announces Aimpoint COA-Equipped 1911 and 1911 DS Prodigy Pistols

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GENESEO, ILL. – Springfield Armory® is proud to announce the launch of new 1911 and 1911 DS Prodigy™ additions to the Aimpoint® COA®-equipped line of pistols — first launched with the Echelon 9mm. These new offerings — made up of a 4.25″ 1911 DS Prodigy 9mm and a 5″ railed 1911 TRP™ and 5″ 1911 Operator®, both In .45 — arrive factory-milled with the Aimpoint A-CUT™ interface and fitted out with the class-leading Aimpoint COA closed-emitter red dot sight.

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 the iron sights for instinctive target acquisition.

Featuring a 7075-T6 aluminum housing, the closed-emitter Aimpoint COA optic’s 3.5 MOA red 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.

With an MSRP of $1,955, the 1911 DS Prodigy 4.25″ COA 9mm takes the proven 1911 platform and enhances it with double-stack capacity and a performance-driven feature set. Reconfigured around a double-stack magazine, the Prodigy’s polymer grip module mounts to its forged steel frame offering a capacity of 18+1 with the two included magazines.

Priced at $2,424, the 5″ 1911 TRP COA .45 ACP in black Cerakote® features a forged slide and frame hand-selected for fit. Read more

Firearms, Optics

Gun Owners of America Endorses Representative Patronis’ Bill to Repeal the Hughes Amendment

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Gun Owners of America (GOA) is proud to endorse Representative Jimmy Patronis’ bill introduced today on the week of the 40th anniversary of the Hughes Amendment becoming law. The Firearm Freedom Act would repeal the Hughes Amendment, an unconstitutional provision of the Firearms Owners Protection Act of 1986 (FOPA) which banned the sale, transfer, and possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986.

The Hughes Amendment was a poison pill in FOPA that should never have passed. GOA opposed the adoption of this amendment when it was introduced in 1986, and to this day, continues to oppose it and call for its repeal.

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued the following statement: “For the last 40 years, gun owners across this country have been denied their constitutional right to own a post-1986 machine gun. The Founding Fathers wrote the Second Amendment as a check on tyrannical government, and the Hughes Amendment serves as a serious infringement of that purpose. Many Americans, still alive today, remember being able to lawfully purchase newly-manufactured machine guns. The Hughes Amendment is one of the most egregious laws passed by Congress in the past few decades.”

Representative Jimmy Patronis, of Florida’s 1st Congressional District, issued the following statement to Gun Owners of America: “I’m proud to introduce the Firearm Freedom Act to defend the Second Amendment, and I’m grateful for the support of Gun Owners of America, as we fight to protect gun owners across this country. For too long, Washington bureaucrats have tried to chip away at the freedoms guaranteed in the Constitution. The Firearm Freedom Act pushes back against that overreach and stands up for the rights afforded to all Americans.” Read more

Gun Control

OKC Zoo Tracks Monarchs on the Move

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Click to watch as a monarch is tagged at the OKC Zoo!

Twenty “first generation” Oklahoma monarchs were tagged with small solar-powered transmitters at the Oklahoma City Zoo to track their northbound migration. These butterflies were raised from eggs laid in Edmond by a female monarch that had overwintered in Mexico and migrated to the state earlier this spring. They joined dozens of other monarchs tracked by conservation groups, including 20 individuals cooperatively tagged by the Dallas and Oklahoma City zoos.

“The amount of information these tags are providing is amazing,” said Emily Geest, OKC Zoo conservation scientist. “We can check in on each butterfly and follow their journey across the Red River and further north.”

The transmitter weighs about 10% of the butterfly’s weight and is comparable to a grain of rice. It sends a signal every time it connects to a device with Bluetooth and location services enabled. The free Project Monarch Science app shows the location of tagged butterflies and allows users to scan for active tags in their vicinity. One Oklahoma butterfly nicknamed “Verbena” has traveled more than 200 miles from the zoo and was last detected near Emporia, Kansas.

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Wildlife

Samson Manufacturing Introduces Their SAS/22 Chassis for the 10/22 Takedown

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With one well-known media personality saying, “To me, this is one of the unexpected hits of NRA 2026”, the Samson SAS/22 Folding Chassis for the Ruger 10/22® is a winner. After numerous requests, Samson has introduced a version of their SAS/22™ Chassis for the Ruger 10/22 Takedown®, the SAS/22™ Takedown Chassis.

Features:

  • Integrated SAS-K Folding Stock
  • Push button Adjustable length of pull.
  • Push button Adjustable Cheek Riser
  • 10.5″ M-LOK® Handguard
  • Accepts most standard AR grips without beavertails.
  • Ships with Magpul® MOE-K® Grip

Specifications:

  • Length with 16″ barrel; 24.5″ folded, 32.5″-33.5″ unfolded.
  • Length of Pull with most triggers: 12″-13″
  • Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
  • Finish: Type 3 class 2 hard anodizing (Black)
  • Weight 2.5 lbs.

For more information on the SAS/22 Takedown:

www.samson-mfg.com/sas-chassis-system.html Read more

Firearms

The Kimber Vault Opens on the GunBroker.com Collectors Elite Platform

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GunBroker.com, the world’s largest online marketplace for firearms and related accessories, today announced the launch of the Kimber Vault, a landmark series of exclusive auctions featuring some of the most historically significant firearms ever retained by Kimber.

Presented through GunBroker’s premium Collectors Elite platform, the Kimber Vault Collection showcases decades of Kimber history and craftsmanship. The collection includes first-edition 1911s, rare prototypes, commemorative builds, low serial number pistols, factory display and salesman samples and one-of-a-kind firearms previously unavailable to collectors.

Many of these extraordinary firearms were retained internally for decades by Kimber Founder, owner, and CEO Leslie Edelman and were preserved throughout pivotal chapters in the company’s history. The collection includes Serial Number One examples, rare developmental prototypes, and historically important factory-retained firearms that have remained unseen outside Kimber’s inner circle until now.

“This collection represents more than rare firearms, it represents a preserved piece of Kimber history,” said James Cox, Chief Financial Officer of Kimber. “Many of these firearms were never intended for public release, and each one tells part of the story of the company, the craftsmen behind it and the evolution of the Kimber brand.” Read more

Firearms

Enjoy free Kirtland’s warbler outings, spring birding fun in Michigan

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a blue-gray-winged, yellow-breasted Kirtland's warbler perched in a young, lush-green Jack pine treeWant to learn more about one of North America’s rarest songbirds? Take advantage of two free tours featuring the Kirtland’s warbler and its jack pine habitat.

The outings, set for 7-10 a.m. Saturday, May 30, and again Saturday, June 13, will start and end at the DNR’s Grayling field office, 1955 Hartwick Pines Road, in Crawford County.

The tours will start with a short presentation detailing the Kirtland’s warbler history, past and current status, and future management strategies. Once nearly extinct, the gray and yellow songbird remains a state-threatened species, with about 95% of its worldwide population nesting in northern Michigan.

Tour participants will then make the short drive to tour the jack pine habitat and observe the warbler. This involves a roughly half-mile walk on a trail road. Bring sturdy footwear, binoculars, water and bug spray.

These events will take place rain or shine. RSVP to Tim Riley at RileyT6@Michigan.gov or 989-370-7313.

More birding opportunities

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Wildlife

Nosler Expands Whitetail Country Ammunition Line with New 180gr 30 Caliber Offerings

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Nosler® is pleased to announce the expansion of its Whitetail Country™ ammunition line with two new 30 caliber offerings:

  • 30-06 Springfield 180gr Solid Base®
  • 300 Winchester Magnum 180gr Solid Base®

Specifically designed for deer hunters, Whitetail Country™ is engineered to deliver premium terminal performance and reliability, all at a price point accessible to every deer hunter. The Whitetail Country™ line features two purpose-built designs: The Solid Base® and the Straight-Wall™.

With the latest expansion, Whitetail Country™ ammunition is now offered in:

    • 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr SB
    • 243 Win 100gr SB
    • 270 Win 130gr SB
    • 7mm-08 Rem 140gr SB
    • 308 Win 150gr SB
    • 308 Win 165gr SB
    • 30-06 Sprg 150gr SB • 45-70 Govt 300gr SW
    • 30-06 Sprg 165gr SB
    • 30-06 Sprg 180gr SB NEW!
    • 30-30 Win 150gr SB
    • 300 Win Mag 180gr SB NEW!
    • 350 Legend 180gr SW
    • 400 Legend 215gr SW
    • 45-70 Govt 300gr SW

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Ammunition

XS Sights Introduces Pre-drilled Tritium Standard Dot Front Sights for Ruger SP101 Revolver

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Ruger SP101 revolver owners can now upgrade their factory sights with XS’s pre-drilled Tritium Standard Dot front sight for easier target acquisition. This high-contrast, dual-illuminated sight features a tritium lamp surrounded by a green or orange photoluminescent Glow Dot to help you get on target faster and more accurately in bright or low light. The Tritium Standard Dot is highly visible without changing the gun’s profile yet small enough to deliver a precise sight picture.
“Our Tritium Standard Dot front sights are pre-drilled for easier installation and made of durable steel to withstand rugged use in the field,” said Jeff King, Marketing Manager, XS Sights. “They are designed to enhance the performance of everyday carry guns and give gunowners peace of mind that the front sight will be visible when they need it most.”

MSRP: $75.99 Read more

Optics
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