Author: Jack Bogart

Louisiana has a lot of alligators. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries estimates the state has more than 3 million wild alligators, plus nearly 1 million more on farms. So the state is moving toward a major expansion of recreational alligator hunting. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved a Notice of Intent for LDWF to conduct a statewide recreational alligator hunting season from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31, 2026. The proposed season would be separate from the state’s commercial alligator program, and public comment remains open through June 26, 2026. The proposal follows Senate Bill 244, authored by…

Ultralight gear has exploded in popularity among backpackers. Hikers want to go further, faster, with less weight, and brands are meeting the demand with cutting-edge ultralight innovations in backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, pillows, tents, water filters, and more. However, when you see the price tags of some of the equipment and the lengths people go to cut ounces, it’s easy to get turned off to the whole idea. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. For backpackers, going ultralight is easier (and less expensive) than you might expect. We stepped back to drum up some easy tips, tricks, and…

New operational concept transforms rotary RUAS into an airborne deployment hub for distributed ISR, strike support and long-range mission flexibility May 12, 2026 – Steadicopter Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of rotary unmanned aerial systems, introduced an advanced operational architecture for its Golden Eagle RUAS, unveiling a “Mothership” concept specifically designed for sustained operations in contested and denied environments. The concept transforms the rotary unmanned platform into a long-range aerial deployment carrier capable of transporting and releasing ISR drones and precision effectors deep into operational theaters while maintaining stand-off survivability. Modern conflict environments are characterized by layered air defenses, electronic…

Saab Reveals Barracuda Poncho – Camouflage Protection for Soldiers Saab has introduced its latest iteration of camouflage solutions, a poncho to protect individual soldiers from being detected by sensors operated by opposing forces across a variety of environments.   Barracuda Poncho is Saab’s latest addition to complement its existing Barracuda range of advanced camouflage solutions. The purpose of Barracuda Poncho is to hide the user from thermal and, in the arctic version, UV sensors while providing the freedom of movement to act swiftly and quietly. Its light weight of just above 1 kg makes Barracuda Poncho easy to deploy, wear…

Safariland and Haley Strategic Partners have collaborated to launch the Incog XS IWB holster.From Safariland and Haley Strategic Partners comes the new Incog XS, a streamlined, minimalist concealed carry holster with some interesting features. Engineered with subcompact and micro-compact pistols in mind, but with some full-size fits available as well, the Incog XS is a single-clip, deep concealment inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster designed to reduce printing while still facilitating a good draw.The Incog XS features a microfiber suede-wrapped Boltaron holster body that should be comfortable on the skin, wick away moisture and easily wipe clean. It also comes with three sizes of…

Plymouth, MI (May 2026) – May 2026 marks the 77th annual Mental Health Awareness Month, focusing on reducing stigma, providing education, and promoting community support. This year, EOTECH has partnered with Walk The Talk America (WTTA), a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) that works at the intersection of mental health and responsible firearm ownership to reduce negative outcomes with firearms.   “One of the biggest challenges in suicide prevention is reaching people in ways that feel trusted, respectful, and culturally relevant. That’s why this partnership matters. EOTECH understands the community they serve, and together we’re helping normalize conversations around mental health within the firearms…

When one of the world’s most expensive, coveted luxury watchmakers collaborates with a value-driven brand like Swatch, rumors swirl. For the last few weeks, horology nuts have been tripping over themselves trying to figure out what Audemars Piguet and Swatch were up to. Most figured it would be an attainable tribute to the AP Royal Oak, which would have followed a previously trodden path. But whoa, did we get it wrong. The watch world ignited yesterday as Swatch and Audemars Piguet (AP) officially unveiled a historic collaboration: the Royal Pop. Breaking from the traditional wristwatch format, the collection reimagines the beloved Royal Oak as a…

By Kevin Creighton Posted in #Skills Let’s take a quick trip back in time, around 15 years or so, Travis Haley and Chris Costa had just released a very popular DVD (remember those?) called “The Art of the Tactical Carbine,” and pretty much everyone in the firearms training industry picked up a copy and watched it from beginning to end. The techniques demonstrated by Haley and Costa on that DVD, as well as similar techniques that were coming out of a decade of U.S. involvement in the Global War On Terror, were all the rage in the…

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (USSS) will have a fresh line of gear when it hits the slopes at the next Olympic Games. The North Face (TNF) announced an 8-year partnership today as the official performance apparel sponsor of the USSS. The legacy outdoor brand will outfit athletes in specially designed “cutting-edge” uniforms for both the 2030 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in the French Alps and the 2034 Games in Salt Lake City. Leadership for both organizations called it a milestone. “We were looking for a partner that shares our commitment to performance, innovation, and the athlete experience,…

13th May 2026, Melksham, UK: The Government of Canada has awarded Avon Protection a five-year contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, MITR-PF Compact Particulate Filter, and accessories. The contract provides a framework agreement under which the MITR-M1 Half Mask and MITR-PF can be ordered for the Canadian Armed Forces. With this contract, Canada has become the first FVEY nation defence force to award a contract for the MITR-M1 Half Mask, ensuring its personnel are equipped with a lightweight, flexible respiratory solution for tactical low- to mid-level threat environments. Designed for fast-evolving operational scenarios that are unsuited to single-use face masks or…