The Hook & Barrel Top Shelf Awards are back for year three, and we’re putting the vote in your hands. It’s your chance to recognize the brands, products and personalities making their mark on the outdoor industry.
With 23 categories spanning firearms, archery, fishing tackle, outdoor lifestyle and more, there are plenty of favorites to choose from. Voting is open now through November 30, so head to the Hook & Barrel website and cast your votes!
And once you’ve made your picks, we’ve got some new stories for you this week, from waterfowl decoy setups and fall bass fishing to the drummer turning gunfire into heavy metal, choosing the right rifle scope and a little-known piece of American military history.
— The Hook & Barrel Family
Here’s the rundown of today’s email:
➤ Ducks Keep Circling but Won’t Commit? Here’s What to Change.
➤ He Plays Heavy Metal With Guns. Yes, Really.
➤ Think Fall Turnover Killed the Bass Bite? Think Again.
➤ More Magnification Isn’t Always Better. Here’s What Is.
➤ When WWII Soldiers Went Hunting on the Front Lines
👉 Forward this email. Then, subscribe.
Now, here’s the latest from hookandbarrel.com:
It's time to make your voice heard! The Third Annual Hook & Barrel Top Shelf Awards are back, and we're putting the power in your hands to recognize the best of the best in the outdoor industry. From firearms and fishing gear to outdoor lifestyle brands and personalities, cast your votes across 23 categories and help decide who takes home top honors in 2026!
Forget the idea of one perfect decoy spread. Veteran waterfowlers explain how to read incoming birds, adjust decoy numbers and motion, and make your setup match what ducks and geese expect to see.
Nate Wilkinson thought drums weren’t loud enough. So he added gunfire—and built a viral heavy-metal spectacle involving .50-caliber rifles, full bands, drones and thousands of rounds.
Fall turnover gets blamed for scattered bass, bad water and a dead bite. A fisheries scientist explains what really happens beneath the surface, while top bass pros reveal how they keep catching fish.
Leupold Gold Ring Product Manager Vici Peters explains how to choose a hunting rifle scope, covering magnification, low-light performance, reticles, turrets, durability and the differences between entry-level and premium optics.
Discover how American soldiers hunted deer, wild boar and other game to supplement their rations during World War II, from the battlefields of Europe to the jungles of the Pacific.
