Awards & Honors

Hayden Walkush, a master's student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, received the Boone and Crockett Club Fellow Outstanding Achievement Award for his research on Wisconsin's black bears. His work, conducted under advisor Dr. Cady Sartini at UWSP's Wisconsin Center for Wildlife, studies bear movement through working forests and hunting areas in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Hook & Barrel Magazine announces its third annual Top Shelf Awards, a reader-driven event celebrating top outdoor brands, products, and personalities across 23 categories. Voting runs through November 30, with winners announced in January and select category winners receiving awards at SHOT Show 2027.

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) and the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation (CIC) honored Mark Haldane of Zambeze Delta Safaris, Mozambique, with the 2026 Markhor Award for three decades of conservation work, including recovering buffalo populations from 2,300 to 30,000 and reintroducing lions in the Zambeze Delta.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands recognized three outstanding sales representatives for 2026: Chad Bauman as Sales Representative of the Year, Bert Moore as Regional Representative of the Year for the Southeast, and Rocky Stewart as Regional Representative of the Year for the Northeast.

Hook & Barrel Magazine announces the third annual Top Shelf Awards, a reader-driven event celebrating top outdoor brands, products, and personalities across 23 categories. Voting is open through November 30, with select category winners receiving awards at SHOT Show 2027.

Dallas Safari Club announced Gray N. Thornton as the 2027 recipient of the Peter H. Capstick Hunting Heritage Award, recognizing his three decades of leadership in wildlife conservation with Safari Club International, Dallas Safari Club, and the Wild Sheep Foundation, where he currently serves as President and CEO.

Dallas Safari Club announced that Trackan Lemon, a 13-year-old from Holden, Utah, is the 2027 Colin Caruthers Young Hunter Award recipient. Lemon, who completed the World Slam of wild turkeys and has participated in hunts across North America, exemplifies the award's values of leadership, conservation dedication, and community involvement. He will be formally recognized at the 2027 DSC Convention in Atlanta.

Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB has been named the 2026 Athlon Untamed Hunting Suppressor of the Year. The innovative over-the-barrel suppressor earned top honors for its lightweight titanium construction, compact design, and superior performance across multiple evaluation categories.

Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades of wildlife conservation leadership. AFWA recognized his work shaping conservation policy across North America and advancing One Health approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health.

Beretta USA celebrated its 500-year milestone by honoring long-tenured employees in Italy, recognizing staff with 20 to 46 years of service. General Manager Cristian Capelli praised employees for their decades of dedication in building Beretta's U.S. manufacturing operations and shaping the company's evolution.

Morris Swarts of Professional Marketing Inc. received ZeroTech Optics' 2026 Sports Inc. Rep of the Year award for his 30+ years in the shooting sports industry and dedication to dealer relationships. The recognition was presented at ZeroTech's Dealer Appreciation Party in Nashville, where Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama was also honored as Dealer of the Year.

ZeroTech Optics honored Pine City Outdoors of Jackson, Alabama as its 2026 Sports Inc. Dealer of the Year at an event in Nashville. Owner Shane Sturdivant's retailer was recognized for product knowledge, customer presentation, and partnership strength, receiving a custom limited-edition ZeroTech Optics timepiece by Stirling Timepieces.

Burris Optics' Fullfield riflescope earned Outdoor Life's "Great Buy" award in their 2026 Best Rifle Scopes for Hunting test. The scope impressed testers with its straightforward design, simple operation, durable construction, and passed the publication's drop test, earning recognition for its trusted heritage among American hunters.

Spartan Precision Equipment's Springbok Tripod earned the NRA Publications American Hunter Golden Bullseye Award as Gear of the Year. The carbon fiber tripod weighs just 1.7 pounds while providing exceptional stability for Western hunting, featuring an innovative MagnaSwitch™ magnetic attachment system and twist-lock legs for rapid deployment.

Silencer Central presented U.S. Senator Mike Rounds with its U.S. Senator of the Year award, recognizing his leadership on firearm policy. Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox highlighted Rounds' sponsorship of the Modernizing Law Enforcement Notification Act and the Hearing Protection Act as key accomplishments for responsible gun owners.

Bushnell's R7 4-20x50 FFP riflescope won Editor's Choice as the top hunting scope of 2026 in Outdoor Life's annual Optics Test, competing against 25 other brands. The scope impressed reviewers with its ED Prime glass, Hybrid Dot Tree reticle, and durability, maintaining zero through the test's inaugural drop test.

Federal Ammunition was named Vendor Partner of the Year by Los Cazadores, a Texas-based hunting retailer celebrating 40 years in business. Federal's Chairman and CEO Jason Vanderbrink accepted the award from Los Cazadores CEO Craig Harrison and Vice President Chuck Anderson at the Big Buck Bash in San Antonio.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation presented Rep. Ryan Zinke with its Excellence in Advocacy Award for his legislative support of conservation priorities including forest management, big game habitat, and public land access. Zinke, a three-term congressman and former Secretary of the Interior, authored key legislation such as the Fix Our Forests Act and co-sponsored the Grizzly Bear State Management Act.

Caldwell's ClayCopter Surface-to-Air Pro Kit won the 2026 Frank Desomma Innovation of the Year Award from the Industry Choice Awards, marking the company's second consecutive year earning this honor. The portable, ground-based launcher integrates with the Caldwell Clays App for customizable sporting clays experiences.

Daisy Outdoor Products, a member of the Iconic Outdoor Group, received the Manufacturer of Excellence Award at the 2026 Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame banquet in Springfield, Missouri. The recognition honors Daisy's 140+ years of manufacturing quality airguns, including the iconic Red Ryder BB gun, and its commitment to youth shooting education through the Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match.