New Ammo, Beekeeping Classes, Regulation Changes, Cougar Cubs in Michigan & More

Check out some of the latest headlines from the outdoor, shooting, hunting, and fishing spaces. From new ammo to beekeeping classes to regulation changes to cougar cubs, and more, don’t miss this week’s news.

Henry is now committing the entirety of its manufacturing operations to within the state of Wisconsin. All of its manufacturing in Bayonne, New Jersey, will be moved to the new, state-of-the-art headquarters in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, and other facilities in Ladysmith, Wisconsin.

“We are putting all of our eggs in one basket, the Wisconsin basket, because it makes us more efficient, more productive, and allows for more collaboration amongst our design and engineering teams, all while sustaining and enhancing Henry’s solid reputation for quality,” said Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms. “With about 400,000 square feet of cutting-edge manufacturing operations in four facilities within minutes of each other, Henry Repeating Arms is well positioned for its next chapter.”

“This transition allows us to double down on what we do best — making world-class rifles, shotguns, and revolvers right here in the heart of America,” said Andrew Wickstrom, President of Henry Repeating Arms. “Our Wisconsin operations have been essential to our success for a long time, and now it is the cornerstone of our bright future.”

Michigan officials recently recognized cougar cubs born in the state. State biologists confirmed the two cougar cubs on private property in Ontonagon County, which is in the northwestern area of the UP. It’s the first time in more than 100 years that a breeding population (albeit small) officially inhabited the state.

“This is the first time cougar cubs have been verified since the big cats were hunted out of existence in Michigan in the early 1900s,” said Brian Roell, large carnivore specialist for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose, and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”

The recent addition of the all-new Master Class ammo by Federal is an exceptional shotshell. It’s designed for sporting clays, and these are now being shipped to retailers nationwide.

“Master Class gives shooters competitively priced loads with top-quality internal components needed to break the most challenging targets in sporting clays and FITASC,” said Federal’s Shotshell Product Line Manager Josh Vickers. “From the unique and attractive blue hull to a new shot sorting process utilized in its loading, this new product line is built to exceed the expectations of all Sporting Clay shooters.”

Winchester Safes, which is a leader in the gun safe industry, recently announced Melissa Bachman as a brand ambassador. Bachman is the host of Winchester Deadly Passion and Winchester Life.

“Melissa’s dedication to preserving hunting traditions and making a living doing what she loves makes her an ideal partner for Winchester Safes,” said Stevie Barefield, Director of Marketing at Winchester Safes. “We’re beyond excited for the year ahead as we collaborate with Melissa on exciting projects, special events, and exclusive content that will inspire hunters and outdoor enthusiasts everywhere.”

“I’m a longtime supporter of Winchester, and I’m beyond thrilled to join the Winchester Safes team. Firearm security is a top priority for me and my family, making this partnership a perfect fit,” said Melissa Bachman. “Winchester Safes not only offers top-tier protection but also combines innovative design with unmatched organization. I’m especially impressed with the GunStiXX™, which maximizes storage while keeping every firearm easily accessible and organized. It’s an honor to work with a brand that shares my commitment to safety, quality, and innovation.”

Mathews Shooter Bodie Turner recently won the Vegas Shoot. It’s the second time he’s won the big event. He set an event record, with a score of 900 89X, meaning he only missed one X in three days of competition.

“Going into Vegas this year, I’ve never had confidence like I did this year with my Title,” stated Turner. “With the scores I have been able to consistently put up with my Title, I knew it was only a matter of time until it all came together at a tournament, and it ended up being Vegas”.

With the recent addition of Delaware to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), all 50 states in the nation are active within the organization. This comes after 23 years of supporting youth archery education.

“We are overjoyed to announce that the state of Delaware has joined our program,” said Dr. Tommy Floyd, NASP president. “After recently signing the memorandum of agreement with our newest jurisdiction, we can now say that NASP® is available to U.S. schools in all 50 states. We cannot say thank you enough to the staff and leadership of DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife for their patience and persistence in this wonderful effort for kids and conservation in Delaware.”

“Delaware is proudly known as ‘The First State’ to have ratified the US Constitution, but we can also take pride in becoming the 50th state to join the National Archery in the Schools Program, which will open our young people’s lives to another great recreational activity,” said DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Pat Emory. “Through the State's Office of Hunter Education, we look forward to partnering with NASP® and bringing archery education into Delaware’s school systems.”

Proposed changes to Vermont’s deer, moose, and turkey hunting regulations were recently announced. Now, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board is requesting public commentary on these potential changes. It’s been five years since regulations were updated.

“Deer hunting is incredibly important to many Vermonters’ culture and sense of identity, and it is also absolutely essential for keeping deer numbers in line with what is sustainable for our habitats,” said Interim Commissioner of Fish and Wildlife Andrea Shortsleeve. “The updates our biologists are proposing will help hunters continue to balance Vermont’s deer herd with the available habitat as our forests get older, winters get warmer, and land use patterns change.”

“In a nutshell, there are some very specific parts of the state—like the Champlain Valley—where we need hunters to harvest more does,” said Shortsleeve. “Doe numbers are one of the main factors that determine the deer herd’s ability to grow. In much of Vermont, the herd is already pretty well balanced to the available habitat, but in some areas, there are just too many deer. In those places, our forests are suffering as a result.”

Always keeping the public informed, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks makes important reminders to the public. These include crucial updates for fishermen, shed hunters, and more.

First, paddlefish anglers must know of the new changes to the 2025 fishing regulations. Among these, hooks must be barbless or pinched, only one treble hook per line, mandatory reporting timeline changes, and more. Most notably, forward-facing sonar is banned when targeting paddlefish.

“We know people are very passionate about maintaining or expanding paddlefish opportunities,” said FWP Fisheries Divisions Administrator Adam Strainer. “These changes will ensure paddlefish opportunities continue into the future.”

Shed hunters should also remember that, in some areas, shed hunting is regulated by season structures. For example, big game winter range WMAs are closed to the public until spring. Many of these WMAs open May 15 at 12 P.M.

Finally, all outdoor enthusiasts should remember that bears are starting to wake up now. As spring nears, bears are reemerging from their dens. “Being bear aware means that you assume bears are around, even if you don’t see them,” Oyler said. “You shouldn’t leave anything around your home or campsite that will attract a bear.”

Shed hunters, hikers, and fishermen should be especially aware while in the field.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) recently announced that the NDA joins as an official +ONE Partner. This is a mentorship initiative by NSSF and its partners. It encourages and fosters peer-to-peer mentorship in the outdoor space.

“NDA’s Field to Fork program has helped to set the standard for structured, scalable mentorship programs in hunting,” said Justin Morrissey, NSSF Director, social media and +ONE Liaison. “By giving new hunters direct access to education, in-the-field experience, and one-on-one mentorship, they are making hunting more accessible and welcoming to those who have the interest but struggle to find access and opportunity. We are proud to welcome NDA as a +ONE Partner.”

"Mentoring new hunters is about cultivating a legacy of stewardship and community. That impact is magnified when we provide opportunities to those who need it the most and to those who are positioned to share that experience with others. These principles form the foundation of our Field to Fork program," said Elizabeth Kligge, Director of Hunter Recruitment. "We are proud to stand side by side with the NSSF as a +ONE partner, combining our mutual passion for conservation and multiplying our efforts to recruit a new wave of mentors."

In the state of Illinois, in 2024, Whitetails Unlimited awarded $222,792 in grants to fund several projects in the Land of Lincoln. It was delivered to more than 50 organizations assisting with habitat improvement, outdoor education, and hunting and shooting sports education. The 33 Whitetails Unlimited chapters of Illinois made this possible. The funds were delivered through WTU’s Preserving the Hunting Tradition program.

Whitetails Unlimited is passionate about deer management and, therefore, is offering a “Deer Management Area” property line sign for landowners, lessees, and other land managers. These are great boundary markers for hunting lands.

CWD was discovered in Michigan about a decade ago. Since then, positive tests continue to appear in more counties. Washtenaw County is the latest to land on that list. It’s the 15th county in the state.

“The expansion of chronic wasting disease to Washtenaw County is consistent with the slow spread we’ve seen throughout Michigan,” said Chad Fedewa, acting DNR deer, elk, and moose management specialist. “This case was identified thanks to a resident who saw a deer that appeared ill and reported it to us. Every piece of data is valuable in helping us make science-based decisions to support Michigan’s wildlife. We are grateful that Michigan residents value deer and stay engaged in this way.”

Those interested in the world of beekeeping should know about an upcoming clinic. Beekeeping is something most individuals can participate in. The workshop will cover important topics, including bee biology, beekeeping equipment, installing bees, bee health, and more. The event will be held on April 12 and April 26. It will be hosted at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center at the Mitchell State Park in Michigan.

In honor of turkey season, Mossy Oak is kicking off “Mossy Oak Moments Turkey Season,” which will be an uninterrupted block of turkey content every Wednesday night at 7 P.M. central time. It will be available on Facebook and YouTube and then on Mossy Oak GO. Popular shows, such as Drury Outdoors, The Pinhoti Project, and many others, will be featured.