1. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ in 9mm. This gun was introduced back in December 2019 after S&W had great success with the original Shield EZ in .380. Fans begged for a 9mm version, and the company delivered. This gun is aimed at beginning shooters or anyone who struggles to run the slide on a semi-auto handgun. It loads easily thanks to a load-assist tab, the slide is easier to rack than probably any handgun I’ve ever handled, it’s got a great trigger thanks to the internal hammer, and a grip safety and ambidextrous thumb safety keep everything … well, safe. What’s not to like? MSRP is $479. (pictured, opening image, upper left)

2. Mossberg 940 JM Pro. Jerry Miculek is the undisputed Superman of the gun world, and he’s lent his expertise to Mossberg to develop this semi-auto shotgun for competition shooting. Mossberg developed a new gas system that they say will go 1,500 rounds between cleanings, and the loading port is enlarged and beveled to facilitate quad-loading. Three-gunners, take note. MSRP is right around $1,000.

3. Rossi Tuffy Turkey .410. The .410 is having a moment right now, and it’s trending up among turkey hunters looking to cut recoil and/or increase their challenge. Rossi’s single-shot, break-action Tuffy Turkey .410 has a 26-inch barrel with an extra-full choke (mod choke also included), a thumbhole-style pistol grip and an ergonomic polymer stock. At just 4 pounds and an MSRP of $210, it’s a great option for anyone looking to try taking a gobbler with a .410 who doesn't want to make a big financial commitment.

4. Tru Velocity and Sierra Bullets Polymer-Cased Ammo. Polymer casings aren’t exactly new, but these casings from Tru Velocity are notable for their weight reduction (a 30 percent weight savings over brass; especially important in military applications) and their quality. The company says that their polymer casings can be loaded as accurate as handloads because everything about the case is controllable, allowing for drastic improvements in consistency and concentricity over brass. They’re recyclable and can be policed with magnets, which should make range owners happy. The polymer casings can't be reloaded with the reloading equipment that's currently on the market, but I wouldn't be shocked to see one of the reloading companies trying to solve that problem in the near future. Currently, Sierra is loading ammunition using their projectiles in Tru Velocity’s polymer casings. 

5. Trijicon Ventus. Get this — Trijicon has developed a laser rangefinder that can actually read the wind downrange. The Ventus remotely measures 3D wind velocities at multiple distances out to 500 yards, and it will range real-world targets up to 5,000 yards. There’s a lot of technical info about how the doppler lidar technology bounces off particles in the air and reflects back to the detector — it’s all very cool and somewhat over my head. It’s not small, and it’s not likely to be cheap when it’s available in the second half of 2020, but there’s no doubt this is groundbreaking technology for the casual hunting and shooting world. (pictured, opening image, lower right)

6. OKC Old Hickory Outdoors Series. This isn’t exactly ground-breaking, but for me, Ontario Knife Company’s Old Hickory series strikes a nostalgic chord that really resonates. My family has had Old Hickory’s classic wood-handled knives in the kitchen for as long as I can remember, and now OKC is making hunting and fishing versions of the old standbys. A Fish & Small Game Knife is new to the line this year, featuring high-carbon steel, a hardwood handle, a 4-inch drop-point blade and a leather sheath. Lifetime warranty, made in the USA, reasonable price — my idea of a deal.

7. Corrosion X. It’s not easy to get excited about gun-cleaning products, but Corrosion X looks like a solid option that can make my life easier. Originally developed for ships and military use, this stuff has molecules that are electrically charged, so the product actually sticks to metal. It’s good for rust-proofing, cleaning fouling, lifting residue, and overall lubrication. The company says it won’t “sling off” semi-auto actions, and you need just a tiny amount to do the job. It leads to less wear and tear and is non-drying, so it shouldn’t gum up. 

8. HotShotz Heat Packs. Is there a modern hunter alive who doesn’t love chemical handwarmers? HotShotz offer the same type of portable heat, but they’re rechargeable and infinitely reusable. They come in different sizes and feel like a bag full of gel. Just press a little button that’s floating in the gel and within a few seconds, the gel hardens and heats up. When it’s cool, drop the whole thing in boiling water and it turns back into gel and is ready to be reused. They’re pretty cool, but with an average of only an hour’s worth of heat, these have some more development to do before they’ll replace our trusty Hot Hands. Still, the potential is there, and they’d be great for short sits on stand. 

9. Leupold Eyewear. I asked the Leupold rep why they’re making sunglasses now, and the very logical reply was, “Well, they’re optics, right?” Fair point! They’re making five models — three are ANSI rated for shooting and two are more lifestyle-oriented. The polarization is infused into the lenses, so it won’t scratch off. They’re designed, machined and assembled in the USA with a lifetime guarantee and a variety of lens options. MSRPs will range from $160 - $200, and you should be able to find them anywhere Leupold optics are sold starting in April or so. (pictured, opening image, center)

10. Flir Scion OTM Thermal Monocular. Thermal definitely isn’t an everyday item for most of us, but if it’s legal in your state for hunting hogs at night, tracking game after dark or other late-night tasks (finding turkeys on the roost, anyone?), it’s a pretty cool tool. Flir’s Scion OTM has on-board recording and geotagging capabilities, six color palette options and 9- to 60-hertz refresh rates. At $3,500, this absolutely isn’t for everyone, but if thermal is your jam, the on-board recording really makes this unit something worth checking out.

11. True Timber Inflatable Hunting Blind. Hear me out — this is no flimsy, blow-up job that’ll be gone in the first gust of wind. This blind fits in a backpack, then inflates with a pump (included) and anchors to the ground (anchors also included). The whole thing weighs just 15 pounds and sets up in about two minutes. The part you’re inflating is the structural beams, and they’re surprisingly sturdy. The company invited users to “squeeze the beams” on the show floor, and they seem to be made of strong, durable material that shouldn't puncture or collapse easily. It should hit stores in summer 2020 and will retail for between $150 and $250 depending on the size and fabric you choose.