On January 31, 1945, Eddie Slovik was executed by firing squad in France, becoming the only American soldier put to death for desertion during World War II. His case remains one of the most debated examples of military justice in U.S. history—less because desertion was rare, and more because the punishment he received was. Who He Was Slovik…
Across the globe, 2026 is shaping up to be a major year for outdoor recreation. Governments and conservation groups are investing heavily in long-distance walking routes, coastal paths, and cultural trekking corridors designed to boost tourism and protect natural landscapes. Here are five of the most anticipated new hiking trails set to open or reach…
A massive animal welfare operation in Los Angeles County has led to the rescue of hundreds of dogs and cats from a single property, in what officials are calling one of the largest seizures of its kind in recent memory. County animal control officers say the situation escalated after years of complaints about conditions at the…
Texas is rolling out one of its most notable sets of hunting regulation changes in years, with updates that affect dove, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer seasons across the state for 2026–2027. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the changes are designed to better match current wildlife conditions—expanding opportunity in some cases while tightening restrictions in…
A major shift in U.S. firearms policy quietly took effect at the start of 2026—one that’s already having a noticeable impact on gun ownership and the industry as a whole. As of January 1, 2026, the long-standing $200 federal tax stamp required for certain firearms under the National Firearms Act (NFA) has been reduced to $0 for several commonly…
The United States is preparing to automatically enroll eligible young men into the military draft system, marking the most significant change to draft registration in decades—even as officials stress that no active draft is being reinstated. What’s Actually Changing Under a provision in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, the Selective Service System will begin automatically registering men aged…
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a long-running outdoor tradition is getting a major upgrade. State park systems across the country are turning “First Day Hikes” into something bigger for 2026—encouraging Americans to collectively log hundreds of miles on trails to mark the milestone. A National Tradition With New Energy First Day Hikes have been…
A well-intentioned wildlife release effort has come under scrutiny after most of the animals involved didn’t survive long in the wild—raising difficult questions about how rewilding projects are planned and executed. The case centers on a group of slow loris that had been rescued from the illegal pet trade and later released back into their natural habitat….
A sweeping proposal out of New York could dramatically change deer season in 2026, giving hunters far more opportunities to harvest antlerless deer—and potentially increasing overall harvest numbers across the state. Wildlife officials say the changes are aimed at one thing: bringing deer populations back under control in areas where they’ve grown too high. A Big…
A long-standing federal gun law is back in the spotlight as another case challenging the “felon-in-possession” ban works its way toward the highest court in the country—raising the possibility of a major shift in how the Second Amendment is interpreted. The law in question—18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)—makes it illegal for people convicted of felonies to…