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 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…
Hunters across Louisiana who track game through swamps and dense underbrush know how tough it can be to find an animal after a solid shot. Starting with the 2026-27 season, state regulators have opened the door to drone assistance for recovering mortally wounded deer and bears. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved the updates…
You don’t have to look far to see how fast the hiking world is changing. Land managers are opening new routes, rail corridors are being converted, and long-forgotten paths are getting rebuilt with modern access in mind. Some of these trails have been years in the making. Others came together quickly as demand for outdoor…
You hear about animal welfare cases all the time, but every so often one comes along that stops you in your tracks. On March 20, 2026, Los Angeles County officials executed a search warrant at a property in Lake Hughes, a rural stretch north of the city. What started as a response to years of…
You spend enough time around maps and wild places, and you start to notice the blank spots—the places where access stops cold. Not because they’re hard to reach, but because someone, somewhere, decided they should stay that way. Some of these islands are locked down to protect fragile ecosystems. Others are off limits for safety,…
You don’t often see wildlife agencies loosen the reins. Most years, regulations inch tighter, seasons get trimmed, and tags grow harder to draw. But every now and then, conditions line up—strong populations, good recruitment, and habitat holding steady—and states respond by opening things up. That’s what you’re seeing heading into 2026 in several parts of…
California keeps layering on firearm restrictions, and the newest one zeroes in on semi-automatic handguns in a way that stands out even for this state. Lawmakers passed AB 1127 last year to stop dealers from selling certain pistols that can be turned into automatic weapons with a cheap device known as a switch. The bill…
If you hold a federal firearms license or you simply own guns, you have probably felt the weight of stricter oversight in recent years. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has now signaled a clear change in direction. Under new leadership the agency is stepping back from some of the more confrontational practices…