New Fishing Gear, Duck Season Changes, Major Events & More 

Each week, a lot changes in the hunting, fishing, and shooting spaces. This linear seven-day trip across the calendar was no different. From new fishing gear to duck season changes to major events and more, check out some of the most noteworthy recent events. 

The Boone and Crockett Club recently presented Bill and Linda Demmer and Mark Rey with the Conservation and Stewardship Award. They received it for extraordinary leadership in their scholarship program. 

“The Boone and Crockett Club’s Conservation and Stewardship Award recognizes a group that plays an essential role in implementing Theodore Roosevelt’s vision of Conservation: acts of guarding, protecting, developing, and using natural resources wisely and sustainably; and Stewardship: planning for and managing natural resources responsibly,” commented Tony Caligiuri, President of the Boone and Crockett Club. “The Demmer Scholars Program is having a profound effect on the training of future wildlife conservation policy professionals, and we were honored to recognize Bill and Linda Demmer for their vision and sponsorship as well as Mark Rey for his leadership in implementing the program.” 

A highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is wreaking havoc on birds in New Jersey. The situation is being monitored by the New Jersey Department of Fish and Wildlife (NJDFW), but it needs your help. They ask the public to use the reporting form. Remember, HPAI can infect humans, but there are currently no current cases of human infection. 

The winners of the Quail and Turkey Conservation Stamp were recently announced. “Bobwhite Quail Pair” by Abraham Hunter took the grand prize in the quail stamp competition. “Quail Valley” by Amanda Hukill was second, and “Edge of Maze” by Scott Hiestand was third. 

“Morning Mist” by Amanda Hukill won the turkey stamp grand prize. Second place went to “Sound of Spring” by Abraham Hunter, and third went to “Ridge Top Strutting” by Rick Morkel. 

“The King of Spring” by Caleb Metrich won the Curator’s Award. Works by the grand prize winners, who received a $2,500 cash prize, will appear on the new editions of the Northern Bobwhite Conservation Stamp and the Eastern Wild Turkey Conservation Stamp issued by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Second-place artwork received $500, and third place received $250. 

The Pope & Young Convention is set for April 9-12 in Glendale, Arizona. A list of vendors will be on display at the event. It’s the 34th biennial convention. 

“The Pope & Young Convention has always been a place where some of the greatest companies in the industry get together for one common cause: to preserve, promote, and protect your passion for bowhunting,” commented Dylan Ray of Pope & Young. 

GSM Fishing just released the all-new Texas Tilapia color is primed for spring fishing. It fuses two pre-spawn options. It’s quite the enticer for fish. It’s available in numerous baits. 

“Tilapia Magic has consistently been a fish-catcher across the United States, and there is just something about red that gets more and bigger bites in the pre-spawn,” explains Jack Dice, Product Development Manager for GSM Fishing. “Putting the two together made Texas Tilapia. It’s hard to go wrong putting a bag or two of these in your tacklebox.” 

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission proposed three big regulation changes for the upcoming waterfowl season. For example, the 2025 teal season is set for September 20-28, which is a reduction from the former 16-day season. 

“When this population falls below 4.7 million, the federal framework calls for a reduction in the number of early teal season days,” Finley said. The survey showed the population at 4.6 million. 

“The federal frameworks allow an increase in the daily bag limit for northern pintail following the new interim harvest strategy adopted by all four flyways and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” Finley continued. “This harvest strategy will be implemented until there have been three seasons with a three-bird bag limit and two years to analyze the data to conduct a full evaluation of the strategy.” 

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) was excited to announce sponsorship by the National Deer Association (NDA). The sponsorship is specifically assigned to the NBEF’s Advanced Whitetail Deer Anatomy and Shot Placement Guide with Overlays. It exhibits the muscular, skeletal, internal organs, and circulatory systems. It’s designed to enhance the hunter’s knowledge. 

“NBEF appreciates support from the National Deer Association. The NDA and its members are dedicated to ensuring the future of wild deer, wildlife habitat and hunting,” said NBEF Executive Director Marilyn Bentz. “NDA’s innovative Field to Fork hunter recruitment program successfully introduces people to hunting, which is vital to our shared missions.” 

“We’re happy to support NBEF’s educational efforts that can lead to safer and more successful hunting experiences,” explained NDA Chief Marketing Officer Jenifer Wisniewski. “Our organizations are aligned on actively promoting responsible, ethical hunting and protecting the future of the sport.” 

Members on the team won five of the six top spots in the main event. Eric Harvey took the No. 1 spot, with Mike Wilgus, Zach Kienbaum, Desi Edmunds, Anthony Matarese and Connor Daniel performing well, too. 

“Congratulations to Eric and to all of Team Winchester and Team White Flyer. The performance at the 2025 Gator Cup was outstanding and is a testament to the team’s dedication and hard work,” said Jason Gilbertson, Director of Marketing for Winchester. “It is early in the year, and we are excited to see this team accomplish great things throughout the 2025 shooting sports season.” 

The NWTF is gearing up to once again to offer its annual seed programs to NWTF members. This Seed Subsidy program is available in 21 states. NWTF members can buy seed for habitat improvement at reduced costs. 

Similarly, the NWTF has a Conservation Seed program. “It helps seed companies distribute outdated commercial seed that can only be used for conservation purposes,” said the NWTF. “The companies dispose of the surplus, treated seeds they can no longer sell by providing it to the NWTF through a seed broker.” 

 
Land managers can get seed types such as corn, soybeans, milo, wheat, and more. The distribution of seeds is handled by chapter representatives who manage the programs for their areas. You must be an NWTF member to participate in these programs. 

“Planting grasses and clover helps turkeys and their broods because those ecosystems attract insects the poults need to grow and survive,” said Doug Little, NWTF director of conservation operations in the East. “Some of our native warm season grass blends are good for building nesting habitat because it provides cover.” 

Hook & Barrel Magazine Founder John Radzwilla recently appeared on The Conquer Cast. He joined Host Trevor Farnes, who is also the founder of MTN OPS. They talk hunting, media, and more. 

“I’m truly honored have been invited on the MTN OPS Conquer Cast,” said Radzwilla. “Spending time with founder Trevor wasn't just networking — it was two leaders exchanging wisdom. It was humbling to have such a great conversation with a founder who has achieved so much. Iron sharpens iron!”