Members' Best 2018

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If we are to use a single word to define and describe the stories and photos our readers have shared with us this year, there is only one that truly stands out: tradition. It runs strong in you, the American hunter, and in the legacy you carry and continue to share with those around you.

Your hunts over the last year involved a plethora of connections ranging from spouses and parents, siblings and children, and friends and neighbors. Regardless of the nature of the association, it’s the assemblage of like-minded outdoorsmen and women, the willingness to mentor those new to the sport we love, and the unstoppable drive to share and uphold our customs that will continue to preserve our way of life for years to come.

These eight pages highlight you, dear reader, for keeping the tradition alive and well. We at American Hunter are proud to present a small sampling of your successes stemming from traditions to which you’ve held fast, and the ones you’ve recently created.

Latest

LEDENRA YES Logo
LEDENRA YES Logo

NRA Announces 2026 Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship Recipients

The National Rifle Association has awarded $15,000 in college scholarships to attendees of the 2025 NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) through the Y.E.S. Grand Scholarship program.

Recipe: Venison Empanadas

When Brad Fenson makes venison empanadas, the goal is simple. Keep the meat front and center, add enough flavor to complement it, and make a filling that stays juicy without overpowering the wild proteins. The filling is rich, balanced, and built to highlight venison, whether baked or fried.

Proof Research Unveils Shorter Barrels for Elevation 2.0 and MTR 2.0

Proof Research has announced shorter-barrel configurations for the Proof Elevation 2.0 and Elevation MTR 2.0. Both the Proof Elevation 2.0 and Elevation MTR 2.0 in shorter barrel configurations are available in Tactical Flat Dark Earth (TFDE) and the all-new Midnight color, offering shooters greater customization options alongside Proof Research's carbon fiber technology.

Range Review: Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter Revolver Brace

Thanks to Midwest Industries new Revolver Brace, you can easily mount a stabilizing brace to your favorite hunting revolvers. Check out B. Gil Horman's review of this game-changing product.

First Look: Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894

Marlin has introduced its Mad Pig Customs Model 1894, a rifle developed—as its name implies—in collaboration with Mad Pig Customs. Built on Marlin's iconic lever‑action rifle platform, this model delivers modern, factory‑installed features previously found only on custom builds.

Funding Authorized to Conserve Critical Wetland Habitat

The Department of the Interior has announced that $44.79 million in North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) funds have been approved by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission. They will provide the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service—and its partners—the ability to conserve, restore or enhance 185,203 acres of critical wetland and associated upland habitat for migratory birds across the United States.

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