Lead Ammo Ban Fails, Jason Aldean Cover, Hook & Barrel on Fox & Friends & More 

A Look At The Outdoor News & Notes From The Past Week 

The outdoors makes headlines each and every day. In the past week, it was no different. Check out some of the most recent outdoor notes, including lead ammo ban fails, a Jason Aldean magazine cover, Hook & Barrel founders on Fox & Friends, and more. 

Hook & Barrel Magazine Founders Appear On Fox & Friends 

Hook & Barrel Magazine founders John and Natalie Radzwilla recently appeared on Fox & Friends to talk about the magazine's January/February 2025 “Jason Aldean” issue. 

“We're extremely grateful for our relationship with Fox and their ongoing support of Hook & Barrel. It's a great feeling to know that the work we do encourages and equips people to try something new outdoors,” said Natalie Radzwilla, Hook & Barrel’s Co-Founder, COO, and Publisher. “We work hard to fuel our industry's growth as a whole and bring new business to our brand partners. When we get the opportunity to be on a stage as big as Fox & Friends, it magnifies that work.” 

“No question, 2025 is going to be a huge year for Hook & Barrel, and we could think of no better way to kick it off than with an A-list celebrity like Jason Aldean on our cover,” said John J. Radzwilla, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder at Hook & Barrel Magazine. “Pun intended: This is gonna be a Hook & Barrel kinda party!” 

Jason Aldean does take center stage in the January/February issue, but there’s also some other great content in store including “Jamming Out With Tim Montana” at his Wise River Club, awesome recipes from “Hardcore Carnivore” Jess Pryles, eight pages worth of “Gun Show” reviews, flyfishing in Argentina’s “Jurassic Lake” for the biggest rainbows in the world and so much more. Subscribe today to get in on the action!  

GUNS.com Wraps Record Year Of Gun Sales

There will be guns…sold! And very many at that! According to press reports from the Guns.com staff, “More than a million new consumers shopped on Guns.com for the first time this year, on top of a strong base of loyal gun buyers. This achievement marks the biggest year for customers and firearm transactions on Guns.com since the company launched retail operations in 2018. The leading online retailer has hit double-digit growth rates in sales every year since.” 

“Hook & Barrel is proud to be one of Guns.com’s strategic partners because we believe in their mission, and, well, their company structure benefits our H&B audience,” said editorial director Nino Bosaz. “And besides offering a great service to law-abiding firearms enthusiasts, Guns.com powers local firearms dealers—the lifeblood of the shooting/hunt industry.
Click to check out more information concerning Guns.com’s banner year!

Environmentalist Ban on Lead Ammo Fails 

According to the Sportsmen’s Alliance, an environmentalist group attempting to ban lead ammo recently failed. The effort aimed to phase out lead ammunition on the Canaan Valley Refuge. It started when the National Wildlife Refuge Association and Sierra Club attempted to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to do so. 

“The suit was baseless from the start,” said Michael Jean, Litigation Counsel for Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “You cannot use the courts to force agencies to make rules, unless Congress has specifically required the agency to make the rule, and there is no such mandate from Congress in the 1997 Improvement Act, or any other law.” 

NSSF’s Project ChildSafe Expands Footprint 

The NSSF announced its expansive Project ChildSafe program is expanding even more. This time, in Kentucky. The launch of “Project ChildSafe Louisville” will operate in collaboration with Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg, Louisville Metro Police, and others. 

"Secure firearm storage is a critical step in protecting our communities from accidents and keeping them safer," said Joe Bartozzi, NSSF President and CEO. "That’s why we’re honored to be working with so many partners to give away thousands of gun locks and educational materials across the city. Firearm accidents are preventable—our hope is that what begins here in Louisville will spread across the region and the entire state of Kentucky to help raise awareness of how gun owners can practice secure firearm storage in the home and in vehicles." 

“We’ve all seen and heard the news about Aubree Goss, the three-year-old girl who lost her life here in Louisville when she found an unsecured gun,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg. “Her death was preventable, and we can honor her memory by making sure this kind of tragedy never happens in our city again. I am calling on our community to join this effort and safely secure any guns in your home.” 

Silencer Central Celebrates National Medical Organization’s Suppressor Endorsement 

Silencer Central applauds the recent endorsement of suppressors by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. It recognizes the need for hearing protection for shooters. 

“We’ve been shouting from the rooftops for years about the benefits of suppressors as hearing protection devices,” said Brandon Maddox, Silencer Central CEO. “Having a major medical organization endorse the use of suppressors as an effective form of hearing protection reinforces our position that suppressors enhance the enjoyment of the shooting sports and make it safer for everyone involved.” For more, visit silencercentral.com. 

Winchester Safes Highlights Popularity of GunStiXX 

Winchester Safes notes that its GunStiXX product continues to gain popularity with consumers. This product continues to pick up steam as an important component of storing long guns in safes. 

“Our commitment to providing top-notch security solutions for our customers is unwavering, and the success of GunStiXX is a testament to that commitment,” said Greg Walters, VP Sales & Marketing of Winchester Safes. “We are delighted to see such positive feedback from our customers, and we believe this product will continue to grow in popularity as more gun owners discover its benefits.” 

B.A.S.S. Expands 2025 Television Schedule with FOX 

B.A.S.S. plans to expand the 2025 television schedule with FOX. Now, it will include all nine of its Elite Series events, which will appear on FS1. The Bassmaster Classic will appear as well. All of this comes on the heels of record viewership in 2024. 

“We are beginning our fifth year with FOX/FS1 and are proud of the relationship we have established with them and their dedication to bringing the best live tournament action from the biggest stages in professional bass fishing,” said B.A.S.S. Chief Operating Officer Phillip Johnson. “We look forward to providing even more tournament coverage from the worldwide authority on bass fishing that will reach an even broader audience in 2025.” 

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, U.S. Forest Service & Private Landowner Work Together to Preserve Migration Route and Expand Public Access 

Recently, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation worked with the U.S. Forest Service and a private landowner to preserve vital habitat and increase public access. 

“We greatly appreciate Paul Hunt, who is also an RMEF member, for his desire to conserve vital landscape. His family watched over and cared for this land for six decades. Now, it is in the public’s hands to hunt and otherwise use and enjoy,” said RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver. “We also salute our long-standing partners at the U.S. Forest Service who will oversee the wildlife and recreational values of the land going forward.” 

“Opening and securing quality public access is a core value of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Forest Service, which made this a natural partnership. The work they do to conserve and protect elk habitat and hunting opportunities is a benefit to all Americans,” said Tim Laney Butte District ranger.