Fishing & Shooting Victories, Ravin’s New Crossbow & More Conservation News

Much has transpired in the past week. From fishing tournament wins to new products to new hires and more, here’s what outdoor news you may have missed.

Ravin’s R470, engineered as the complete crossbow package, is a feature-rich powerhouse designed to inspire confidence no matter the hunting scenario. Measuring just 26.75 inches long and 8.4 pounds, the R470’s compact build and elevated user interface are built for true maneuverability and functionality without sacrificing performance. With a velocity of 470 feet per second and a power stroke of 13 inches, this crossbow delivers 196 foot-pounds of kinetic energy for maximum impact, all without added stress throughout the system.

“The crossbow industry is an ever-changing landscape; the R470 is the result of years of innovation and research, perfectly blending our technologies into one superior bow,” said Russ Rowan, Chief Brand Officer at Ravin Crossbows. “We continue leading the way by offering crossbows combining high-performance velocities with the durability and incredible accuracy our consumers expect. Ravin crossbows allow hunters to spend more time in the woods and less time worrying about their crossbow setup.”

In fishing news, River Lee recently won the Toyota Series Tournament on Lake Eufaula. It was a rainy mess, but he pulled out the win, nonetheless.

“In practice, before the water came up crazy, I was fishing the old bank line, where the bank grass was, and I was catching them,” said Lee. “We were getting a lot of bites on a wacky. So, going into it, I thought with the water still coming up that I still could do that. It would just have more water on it.

“I picked this area, and I put the trolling motor down in the mouth of it. Well, I just fished everything in front of me – flipped, wacky rig, and spinnerbait. If I wasn't flipping, I was doing one of the other two. And my first bite, it came flipping in an isolated bush by a walkway of a dock.”

“I mean, it's definitely not how I dreamed of winning my first big one,” he said. “But then again, I've also just got to be super thankful that I caught what I caught, and just to be in that position, with how it went. So, I'm trying not to let it bother me that it turned into a one-day shootout, and I got the win that way. But I'm super thankful – I did not see it coming at all.”

In other MLF news, Major League Fishing recently assumed the Saturday afternoon slots on the Outdoor Channel. It runs from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Enjoy various titles, including Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour, MLF General Tire Team Series, MLF All Angles, and more. Visit MyOutdoorTV.com to stream on demand.

For more, visit majorleaguefishing.com.

Federal recently received the NRA’s Golden Bullseye Award. The Hydra-Shok Deep 32 Auto took the prize. “We are proud and grateful that the NRA Women publication recognized the innovation with their Gear of the Year award,” stated Nick Sachse, Product Management Director. “We launched this new 32 Auto option as part of our recent 'Your Partner in Protection' initiative. Effective self-defense requires ammunition to provide consistent expansion, optimum penetration, and superior terminal performance. We always strive to offer the best defense options possible for every popular gun choice. This means every individual can choose the ammo that best defines their purpose and preference. This award is proof that we are doing it right.”

Remington’s sponsored shooters, Todd Hitch and Madison Sharpe, recently won Main Event titles at the U.S. Open for sporting clays. The dynamic duo bested their classes in a very competitive field of nearly 1,300 total participants. This year’s event was held at Providence Hill Sporting Club in Jackson, Mississippi, and ran from April 28 to May 4, 2025.

Todd Hitch won the Main Event High Over All, defeating nearly 1,100 shooters vying for the title. “This win means a ton for me, after coming so close last year, and finally being able to seal the deal is a feeling I’ll never forget,” said Hitch.

Team Remington’s Madison Sharpe also had an event to remember.  The South Carolina native won an astounding nine events, including the Lady’s Main Event High Over All. “While I was hunting, I was focused on visualizing targets and the mental aspect of the competition,” said Sharpe.  “I shot with no fear.”  Sharpe says she is heading to Wyoming to hunt her Merriam’s turkey before it's back to giving lessons and training in preparation for a June regional competition. Visit remington.com to learn more.

FOX News Books, the publishing imprint for FOX News Media, will release its 15th title, “Behind the Badge: Answering the Call to Serve on America’s Homefront,” authored by veteran and FOX News Media contributor Johnny Joey Jones. Publishing June 17th, Jones will bring to life the stories of first responders and the drive behind their patriotic acts of heroism, offering an intimate look at the personal and professional lives of our nation’s finest.

“First responders are the ones who run towards what others will run from. Their stories are often overlooked, and with this book, I’m honored to share their patriotic heroism and celebrate all they have done for our country,” Jones said.

FISH LUCKE—the World's Luckiest Tackle—has been joined by world-renowned angler and television personality Roland Martin as a spokesperson for its growing line of bait and tackle.

“When Toby Keith bought Luck E Strike, I was excited as I knew the fishing world would be thrilled to see some great lures like the Redman Spinner bait and the original Scrounger be available again, and now made in the USA,” Martin said. “They have started production of the new FISH LUCKE lures, like the Salty Sink, that will set new standards for anglers who want quality made. I am so happy to be able to work with everyone and look forward to being part of a wonderful group of folks. I know Toby is happy with his dream coming true.”

TrueTimber and Honda recently unveiled an array of co-branded apparel. “We are thrilled to launch this extensive line of gear and apparel to TrueTimber and Honda fans,” said TrueTimber CEO Rusty Sellars. “Our partnership with Honda and the Honda HRC Progressive team continues to thrive, and it’s gratifying to offer products that are designed for customers of both brands. Whether you’re spending time in the woods, at the track, or at the farm, there is a little something for everyone.” Visit TrueTimber.com for more details. 

Throughout the past fiscal year, Whitetails Unlimited has granted $334,643 in the state of Michigan. More than 130 organizations received grants. These pertained to habitat enhancement, outdoor education, shooting sports preservation, and more.

In another recent appearance on a major podcast, Hook & Barrel founders John J. Radzwilla and Natalie Radzwilla appeared on Only the Strong Survive. 

“For me, what I’ve had to learn is that success is in the details,” said Natalie on the podcast. “Of course, you need that vision of the big picture and the gumption to go after it, but at the end of the day, when you’re bootstrapping something or just starting out, if you don’t pay tremendous attention to the details of everything — yes, it is very tedious and time consuming — but if you don’t do that, it’s the quickest way to fail.”

“You have to find a unique niche, dominate that space, battle-harden yourself, and then just be absolutely relentless when it comes to growing your brand until those seeds take root,” John said. “At that point, you start nurturing it. Until that thing sprouts, you just have to buckle down and be ready for it.”