Grizzly Bear Attacks, Skeet Reese Retires, Federal & CCI NRA Wins & More

From grizzly bear attacks to kite fishing gear to the retirement of a fishing legend, and more, check out some of the latest from the wide world of outdoor news.

A man was recently shed hunting near Dupuyer, Montana, when he had an encounter with a grizzly bear. He saw a bear and started to leave the area, but the bear charged him. He shot and killed the adult female bear in self-defense. The man was not injured. The bear had no prior history of aggression and was estimated to be 13 years old and 250 pounds.

Remington Shooter Connor Thigpen, Houston Deshotels, and Sheaffer Stanfill all took home some awards from the 2025 Triple J Classic. Their outstanding skeet performances at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas, were nothing short of impressive. Connor Thigpen won the High All Around with Deshotels and Stanfill finishing second and third, respectively. “Capturing the HAA and Doubles titles definitely gives me a sense of accomplishment,” said Thigpen. “I put so much work into Doubles during the off-season.”

Spring and summer are common times for cleanup projects on public lands. For example, the Vermont Fish and Wildlife staff are looking for volunteers to assist with the Green Mountain Conservation Camps at Lake Bomoseen and Buck Lake. These will take place on Saturday, May 17.

“We look forward to our Spring Cleanup all winter long,” said Education Specialist Hannah Phelps. “With the help of local volunteers, we spruce up both camps in preparation for the summer and enjoy being outdoors knowing it’s for a good cause — environmental education for today’s youth.”

“We are looking for help with general repairs, construction, landscaping, painting, cleaning, firewood, and gardening,” said Phelps. “Participants are encouraged to bring their own tools, but we will have some available.”

CCI recently received two Gold Retailer awards for rimfire ammo. It received accolades from Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer readers. The awards are determined by readers, not industry professionals.

“Receiving this award from Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer readers is a great honor,” said CCI Rimfire Product Manager Steve Monniere. “These readers represent a highly knowledgeable segment of the shooting industry — retailers, buyers, and users who know what performs on the shelf and in the field. We’re proud that CCI remains their top choice for rimfire ammunition.”

“Our readers represent some of the most informed and engaged professionals in the shooting sports market,” said Derrick Nawrocki, President and Publisher of Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer. “When they consistently vote for a brand like CCI, it shows how much confidence the industry has in the performance and quality of its rimfire products. This Gold Award is well deserved.”

Federal Ammunition also brought home some hardware. It won in the shotshell category. Again, the awards are determined by the readers of the publications.

“These awards directly reflect the confidence that users across the shooting sports industry place in Federal shotshells,” said Josh Vickers, Shotshell Product Line Manager for Federal Ammunition. “Whether in the field, on the range, or serving those in uniform, our focus has always been on delivering quality, performance, and innovation. Being recognized by the readers who count on our products every day is an honor and a reflection of that commitment.”

“Federal continues to be a powerhouse in the shotshell category, and our readers have made that clear with this year’s Gold Award,” said Derrick Nawrocki, President and Publisher of Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer. “Whether for hunting, sport shooting, or tactical use, Federal consistently delivers the performance and reliability our audience depends on. This recognition speaks to the brand’s long-standing impact and continued innovation in the field.”

The Whataburger Bassmaster Elite Series is heading to Lake Hartwell. This fishery is in South Carolina, and anglers are hoping for a win at the big event.

“Spring has sprung in South Carolina,” said Tyler Campbell, a St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN pro and Hartwell guide. “You’ll see a lot of fish spawning on dock walkways and in shallow pockets with sand, but you want to look for something isolated and out of the ordinary. A lot of the lake’s shallow habitat is pretty monotonous, so if you find something out of the ordinary, like a rock, a stump, or a laydown, most of the time that’s where better-than-average fish will be spawning.

“Two weeks out, the herring spawn was in full swing,” Tyler continued. “I don’t know if that’s how the tournament will be won, but that’s probably what you’re going to see the majority of the field targeting.

“You’ll see some good topwater strikes,” Campbell concluded. “You can catch them on topwater walkers and pencil poppers, but they really like that blowing-style bait, like the Berkley Cane Walker, here a lot.”

Recently, Humminbird Fishing highlighted contingency programs for Major League Fishing (MLF) and the National Professional Fishing League (NPFL). These will reward anglers who use Humminbird technology. It will involve bonus payouts.

“These programs are about more than just rewards — they’re about recognizing the anglers who trust Humminbird technology when it matters most and investing in their success by offering the opportunity to earn more while doing what they love,” said Jeff Kolodzinski, Brand Manager for Humminbird.

“Humminbird’s legacy and innovation have played a major role in the evolution of competitive fishing,” said Kathy Fennel, Major League Fishing Executive Vice President and General Manager. “This contingency program reflects their commitment to supporting anglers across all levels of the sport by offering additional earning opportunities for those who compete with top-tier technology.”

“As the leader in fishing electronics, Humminbird provides the full arsenal of tools that today’s anglers want, and we’re proud to be a part of that mix and to help bring much-deserved attention to the new XPLORE Series,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “XPLORE offers everything an angler could want in a fully customizable platform with enhanced user interface. Our partnership with Humminbird will add value to both brands and reward our competitors who are using the best electronics in the game.” For more, visit humminbird.com.

First off, what is kite fishing? It’s offshore fishing with the use of a unique fishing tactic — kites. The kites keep live baits on the surface of the water. Tigress Outriggers has developed a line of products to accommodate this method of fishing.

Those who love steelhead should be pleased to know the migrations are underway. At least, they are in Vermont. These fish fight hard to make it upstream to their destinations, and it’s a sight to behold.

“Many people may not realize we have opportunities to watch fish in Vermont just like there are for birds and mammals,” said Jud Kratzer, fisheries biologist for the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, "Witnessing these trout migrate is a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining healthy and connected waters to allow fish to thrive. We’re working to conserve Vermont’s waterways and the surrounding habitats so that future generations can continue to witness this incredible migration each spring. While the annual migration occurs over several weeks, the best opportunities for seeing jumping fish only last for a few days when flows and water temperatures are just right.”

According to numerous reports, crappie in the Midwest are biting. These fish are doing their thing, and anglers on the water are capitalizing. Up north, water temperatures are about 50 degrees. They’re moving toward the shallows to feed. Eventually, they’ll spawn. Expect spawning when the temps hit about 58-62 degrees.

Skeet Reese, a longtime professional fisherman, announced his retirement from professional fishing. He has numerous accolades, including being a founder for Major League Fishing (MLF), 2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year, 2009 Bassmaster Classic Champion, 2024 Bass Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, and more. After the 2025 MLF Tour, he’ll ride off into the sunset. He’ll focus his time and energy on his brand, Reese Fishing, and his partners.

“I am thankful to the leagues that have provided a platform for myself and my colleagues to build our brands in, and to the fans who tune in and attend the events we have competed in throughout the years,” said Reese. “To my family and friends who have been a big part of everything, I want to let you know how much you have been a part of my career and how fulfilling it is to have you a part of it. Finally, to Kim, Lea, and Courtney, I would never have been able to chase this without your love and support, thank you and I love you so much.

“This has been a ride that I am grateful to have been on, I can’t express enough how humbled I am to have been a professional angler in this industry, and how thankful I am to have been able to do it for as long as I have,” Reese continued. “I will put the same effort into working for my partners and into building the best fishing rods you could ever put in your hands at Reese Fishing – from the depths of my heart, thank you all!”