☕️ Good morning. If you spent the last two days not shoveling a foot of snow off your porch or trying to figure out why God bothered inventing winter, you’re officially excused — because apparently this blizzard season is trying to one-up every “storm of the year” headline we’ve seen in a while. Roads are buried, flights are canceled, and somewhere up north, a guy has more stories about survival than your average influencer. Case in point: a man in Saskatchewan actually punched a bull moose in the mouth, fought it off with a shovel, and then dropped it with a .22 rifle to save his mom — which is either the most Canadian thing ever or an absolutely wild Saturday. More on that below.
If the women can’t find you handsome, at least they can find you handy…
— the Hook & Barrel Family
For the speed-readers and selective skimmers:
» JAMMING OUT: 49 Winchester Unplugged
» FIELD NEWS: Moose Knows No Chill
» HUNTING: 2026 Turkey Gear, Unloaded
» NEW GUNS: Built for Rough Country
👉🏼 Don't bogart this; read it and pass it to a friend, or better yet, stop destroying your eyes; relax like a real adult and get an actual magazine subscription.
👇🏼 Keep scrolling, there is a new section to our emails at the very bottom; we think you will enjoy it.
Now, here’s the latest from hookandbarrel.com:
JAMMING OUT
49 Winchester isn’t background music for your drive to camp. Their blend of grit, grit-with-melody, and songs that feel like they belong right after a long day in the field hits differently. This feature peels back the curtain on the band’s vibe, their journeys, and the stories behind the riffs that made them a favorite in outdoors circles and beyond.
FIELD NEWS
If winter were a mixtape, this would be the track that drops right when the beat gets weird. A man in Canada found himself trading shoveled snow for a shoveled faceoff when a bull moose decided to test his mettle. Spoiler: it didn’t go well for the moose. This story is peak outdoor experience—equal parts “did that just happen” and “yeah that tracks.” Nature doesn’t care about your plans, and sometimes the fight finds you.
HUNTING
Yelp, yelp, yelp, gobble-gobble, spit and drum seasons are right around the bend. Last week, we shared some hot new turkey guns and ammo with you. This week, we proudly bring you a solid 8-product mix we uncovered at the recent NWTF Convention and Sport Show. From handcrafted calls to modern gear for those ready to run-and-gun for longbeards this spring — stop it with all the tomfoolery — and dig into this week’s installment of curated 2026 turkey gear.
NEW GUNS
The Bergara Premier Canyon isn’t another pretty stock on the shelf — it’s a rifle built to handle the terrain it’s named for. From tight shots to long open ones, this review digs into how its balance, accuracy, and build quality hold up in real conditions. This isn’t “nice on paper.” It’s performance that earns respect when the range card matters and the conditions aren’t forgiving.
‘MERICA!
One of our editors was up early watching Team USA Men's Hockey make history, knocking off Canada to win gold for the first time since the Miracle on Ice. Forty-six years was a long wait, but it paid off. Tip of the cap to the whole squad, and a special nod to Connor Hellebuyck, who turned away 41 shots in a sudden-death OT win. Also impossible to miss: the largemouth bass artwork on his goalie mask. Outdoor culture showing up on one of the biggest stages in sports? We’ll take that. And yes, before any of you Canucks ask, we’ve got love for the losing team Canada too — see our recent piece on Carey Price.
🗓️ UP NEXT: This Thursday, dial it in for our weekly INSIDER email, full of the latest guns and gear from the industry’s top manufacturers.
😎 Friendly reminder: This is the preview. The magazine is the main event. If you’re still just reading emails, we should probably fix that.
LFG🔥
Before you strap gear to your pack or load your truck, think about what’s on your head. The Challenge Everything LFG Cap isn’t some epic slogan slapped on a trucker hat — it’s a statement. Our flat-brimmed 5-panel lightweight cap is water-repellant, packable, moisture-wicking and features UV protection. It’s perfect for chasing the sun, whether you’re on the trail, on the water, or exploring the city, challenging everything (and winning!).
