The 12th Annual Benelli USA Invitational took place Sept. 26 at The Point at Pintail in Queenstown, Md. Shooters from across the country were on hand for the special day of competitive shooting, camaraderie and, ultimately, support for those who served this nation in uniform.
Proceeds from the event benefitted Freedom Hunters, a nonprofit dedicated to providing outdoor adventures for veterans and their families. Participants, sponsors and supporters contributed to the cause through the invitational and its companion online auction.
“The Invitational is a special day for everyone involved because it brings our industry, our customers, and our friends together for something bigger than the competition,” said Tom DeBolt, CEO of Benelli USA. “Supporting Freedom Hunters gives us an opportunity to turn that shared passion for the outdoors into meaningful experiences for veterans and their families. We are grateful to everyone who showed up, contributed, and helped make this year’s event such a success.”
Founded in 2006, Freedom Hunters has provided outdoor experiences to veterans and their families, spanning 46 U.S. states and international destinations including Namibia, Canada and Mexico. The organization has coordinated 98 outdoor adventures for more than 16,792 veterans and family members since its inception. The group’s dedicated volunteers have contributed nearly 53,851 hours of service, valued at more than $1,946,175.
Through the 2026 event, the Benelli USA Invitational has raised more than $1,215,000 for Freedom Hunters to date, including the $115,000 at this year’s event. This continuing tradition is built around creating outdoor opportunities for those who have served. The 2026 Invitational included 200 participants.
Claiming first team honors this year were Joe Kukla Sr., Joe Kukla, Marty Gweke and Brandon Gweke. Bill Siosios took high overall male and Amy Crow high overall female.
Benelli USA extended its appreciation to the sponsors, donors and partners whose support helped make the 12th Annual Invitational possible. Their contributions helped Freedom Hunters and its work providing outdoor experiences to veterans and their families.
The 2026 sponsors included: Action Target, Anechoic, Aquila International, Armageon Gear, Banded, Basswood Lodge, Bay Roamer Charters, Benchmade, Benelli USA, Bently-Scott, Bob Hall, Brand Intellegent, Brandon Gweke, Bretmore, Burris, CB Charters, Chief Upland, Chene’, Core line Marketing, Covey Marketing, Daniel Defense, Dark Energy, Decked, Decoy apparel, Delta Waterfowl, Demerbox, Eagle Lake Ranch, Eastgate Liqours, Easton Archery, Federal Ammunition, First Lite, Fowl Plains, Franchi, GATR, Geroge Nitzel party, Gunner, Habitat Flats, Harford Mutual, Hornady, Hunting Day Coffee co, InstaPrivy, Jack Daniels, Jeff McWaters, Kennedy Business Services, KUIU, Ledo Pizza, Lucky Duck, LWRCI, Lyman, M&T Bank, Mega Bite Fishing Charters, Meindl Boots, Mophie, MSP design group, Neilsen Enterprises, Nexus, Novix Outdoors, NSSF, OA Defense, Oakley, Owen J Brown & Assocs., Parkerville Firearms Training, Pepsi-Havre de Grace, Pestilli and Associates, Ray Bergman, Real Avid, RealTree CAMO, ScentLok, Scouts of Baltimore, SecureIt, Sig Sauer, Silver Stag Knives, SIMMS, Site Laser, Spartan, Steiner, Stoeger Industries, Streamlight, Tasmainian Tiger, Team one Network, The Fowlife, The Provider, Tom Borgan, Traditions, Trijicon, Turtlebox, Uberti USA, Union Sportsmen's Alliance, Vogt Silversmiths, Vortex, Walkers, Whiskey Myers, Whitewater, Wildlife Research Center, Wiley X, Williams Knives, Win Craft, Wingman Guide services, Winkler Knives, WoBraska Waterfowl, Work Sharp, and Z Squared Strategics.
