Awards & Honors

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.

Safari Club International Foundation received Delta Waterfowl's Partners in Conservation Award for supporting the University Hunting Program, which educates college students in wildlife management. SCI Foundation Board President Steve Skold, along with Laird Hamberlin, Brook Minx, and Steve Skold were recognized for their conservation leadership and commitment to hunter recruitment and education.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission honored six individuals and organizations at the second annual Natural State Private Lands Expo, including Mark Morales, John Chapman and Flow State LLC, Lance and Audra Coffman, Joe Woolbright, Lynn Keener and Sons, and Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry. The event attracted over 450 attendees and featured keynote speaker Dr. Craig Harper from the University of Tennessee discussing wildlife management.

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.

The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division received the American Fisheries Society's 2025 Sport Fish Restoration Outstanding Project Award for renovating DeKalb County Public Fishing Lake. The project, led by Matthew Marshall and Mike Holley, transformed the 120-acre lake into a quality bass fishery through strategic management, resulting in doubled permit sales and increased angler satisfaction.

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.

IHEA-USA announced the 2026–2027 50 for 50 State Instructors of the Year program, recognizing one outstanding volunteer hunter education instructor from each state. SOG Knives, through partnership with GSM Outdoors, serves as the featured sponsor celebrating these exceptional educators nationwide.

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.

EchoCore Suppressors' Topo 22 earned second place in the .22LR suppressor category at the 2026 Silencer Summit and maintains its No. 2 position in consolidated all-time rankings. The titanium suppressor, manufactured using advanced DMLS additive technology, is distributed exclusively through Silencer Shop and its nationwide dealer network.

EchoCore Suppressors' Sector 5.56 Full Size maintains its No. 1 ranking among 5.56 suppressors in the Silencer Summit's consolidated testing results following the 2026 evaluation. The suppressor's top position is based on Shooter's Ear LEQ dBA measurements, which evaluate acoustic energy over time to reflect real-world sound exposure. EchoCore Suppressors products are distributed exclusively through Silencer Shop and its nationwide dealer network.

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.

Silencer Central, founded by Brandon Maddox, has been ranked No. 1801 on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, marking its fourth consecutive year on the list. The Sioux Falls-based suppressor retailer's ranking reflects revenue growth measured over a three-year period.

Paul Butski, a longtime GSM Outdoors staff member, has been inducted into the Legends of The Outdoors Hall of Fame for his decades of conservation work and contributions to the outdoor industry. Butski is a decorated turkey calling champion with three NWTF Grand National Championships, six U.S. Open Championships, and two Levi Garrett Opens, and developed signature turkey calls for GSM and the Mantis 25 Turkey Call for Hunting Made Easy (HME).

Whitetails Unlimited named Dan Vogt and Darel Martin as Field Directors of the Year for fiscal year 2025-2026, while Brian Kittrell received the Pathfinder Award for the third consecutive year. Executive Director Chris Konop praised the honorees' dedication to the organization's conservation mission.

Steve Hornady, President of Hornady Manufacturing Company, received the 2026 Dallas Safari Club Foundation Legacy Award on July 25, 2026, for his conservation leadership and advocacy for science-based wildlife management and hunter education.

Turkeys for Tomorrow (TFT) received the President's Award and Conservationist of the Year from the National Trapper's Association at their 67th Annual Convention. Founding member Jim Spencer was inducted into the NTA Hall of Fame. TFT and NTA launched the inaugural "Sponsor a Trap" sweepstakes for 2026 to fund conservation efforts at Ames Plantation.