Barb Melloni
Freelance Outdoors Writer
A true outdoorswoman at heart, Barb's writing reflects her deep connection to all aspects of the industry. Whether she’s testing out the latest firearm, providing expert advice on gear, hunting, fishing, fieldcraft and more, her work aims to educate, inspire, and equip readers with the knowledge they need for both outdoor adventures and personal protection.
When she's not writing, Barb can be found on the range, hunting, fishing, hiking, cooking up some wild game or simply planning her next outdoor adventure. A firm believer in promoting responsible gun ownership and outdoor conservation, Barb’s mission is to encourage others to get outside, explore the wild, and embrace a lifestyle of preparedness and self-reliance.
Education:
Licensed Firearms Instructor
Expertise:
Hunting, Fishing, Firearms, Gear... if it goes bang or involves the outdoors count me in!
Location:
Pennsylvania
What the outdoors mean to Barb:
I am happiest outdoors, with my favorite activities including hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, long-range shooting, sporting clays…heck, just shooting overall. I’m originally from Indiana, and I like to joke that I popped out of the womb with a shotgun in my hand. I’ve been immersed in the various areas that make up this industry since a young age, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. To me, the outdoors, regardless of the specific location or time of year, truly mean a sense of calm, peace, and happiness.
Articles by Barb Melloni
Fishing
9 Fishing Apps for Maps, Forecasts, Catch Logs and More
From detailed lake maps and bite forecasts to tournament scoring and catch logs, these nine fishing apps take very different approaches to helping anglers make the most of their time on the water.
Shooting
500 Years in the Making: The 4 New Beretta Firearms Blasting Into 2026
Celebrate Beretta’s 500th anniversary with a look at their latest pistols and shotguns. There is something for everyone in a stellar cast of firearms.
Fishing
Trika 6x & 10x Review: The High-Tech Carbon Rods Changing Bass Fishing
Trika does it yet again with the addition of two new rods to their lineup, the Trika 6x and Trika 10x carbon weave rods - they are so convinced you'll love them that you have a year to send them back if you don't!
Fishing
Breakdown: The 15 U.S. Bass Species Every Angler Should Know
Bass fishing in the U.S. isn’t limited to just largemouth and smallies. There is a surprising array of bass species every angler should know.
Fishing
10 Bass Fishing Gear Items Every Angler Needs
These 10 bass fishing gear items will let you concentrate on hauling in big lunkers, because you'll have all your bases covered.
Fishing
Plano’s New StowAway Tackle Boxes and Berkley’s Latest Lures
Plano dropped 3 new additions to its StowAway line of modern tackle boxes, each with customizable interiors, plus new baits from Berkley!
Shooting
EOTECH
EOTECH Vudu 3-9x32 SFP: What Makes 'Impressive' Scope a Must Have
EOTECH's Vudu 3-9x32 is a purpose-built optic that thrives in the kind of environments where split-second decisions are the norm.
Fishing
13 Must-Haves In Your Bug Out Fishing Box
Be ready for spontaneous fishing trips with a fishing box filled with essentials for any situation.
Shooting
Top New Beretta Handguns, Shotguns & Tikka Rifles For 2025
Check out the latest and greatest Beretta handguns and shotguns and all-new Tikka rifles that were demoed at the 2025 SHOT Show Range Day.
News
Dead Air Silencers
New Suppressors from SHOT Show 2025
Discover the latest advances in suppressor technology at SHOT Show 2025. Explore cutting-edge designs for improved sound suppression and durability.
