Henry Repeating Arms has been nominated for the 2026 Wisconsin Governor's Outdoor Industry Award in the Outdoor Business of the Year category. The company, led by Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato, completed its transition to a fully Wisconsin-based manufacturer in March 2025, consolidating operations across four facilities in Rice Lake and Ladysmith.
Indiana DNR Law Enforcement employees Tim Beck and Tony Mann received national awards at the 2026 IHEA-USA Meeting in Arizona. Beck earned the Hunter Education Coordinator of the Year Award, while Mann received the Tom Gallagher Award for Tree Stand Safety Awareness.
Marilyn Bentz, Executive Director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation since 2003, received the Ann Weber Hoyt Award of Merit for her excellence in archery and bowhunting. Bentz has been instrumental in advancing bowhunter education and safety through her leadership roles and contributions to the archery community.
Ducks Unlimited presented The Mosaic Company and The Mosaic Company Foundation for Sustainable Food Systems the 2025 Corporate Conservation Achievement Award at its 89th National Convention in Tampa, Florida. The recognition honors their 20-year partnership supporting wetland conservation, the Rice Stewardship Program impacting 1.1 million acres, and the Winter Wheat Program across Canadian Prairies.
Wildlife Forever named Lydia Li of Texas as the 2026 Richard M. Hart Educator of the Year for her dedication to conservation education through the Fish Art Contest. Ms. Li integrates art-based learning to help students explore angling, aquatic ecosystems, and the natural world, embodying the legacy of Richard Hart's vision for inspiring youth conservation education.
Otis Technology received the 2026 Northern New York–Fort Drum Chapter of the Association of the United States Army (NNY AUSA) Community Partner of the Year award. CEO Brad McIntyre accepted the honor, recognizing the company's commitment to supporting soldiers, military families, veterans, and the Fort Drum community through partnerships and charitable initiatives.
Pursuit Channel celebrates Ted Nugent's induction into the Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame and receipt of the Legend of the Outdoors Award. Nugent, host of Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild, is recognized for his lifelong dedication to hunting heritage, conservation, and outdoor television.
The Gulf Council presented the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award to Officer Specialists Kyle Yurewitch and Mathew Rubenstein of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for their exceptional federal fisheries enforcement work aboard the Offshore Patrol Vessel Gulf Ranger, including 40 TED boardings and 14 fisheries cases in 2025.
Field & Stream selected the Wicked Ridge Commander 400 as the 2026 Best Value Crossbow, praising its accuracy, built-in ACUdraw cocking system, and American-made quality. The crossbow, manufactured by TenPoint Crossbow Technologies in Mogadore, Ohio, features Gordon Glass limbs and retails for under $600.
The Wild Sheep Foundation announced Gervasio Negrete as the 2027 Conklin Award recipient, recognizing him as the 25th winner of this prestigious "Tough Man" award. Negrete, a dual citizen of Mexico and Spain, has hunted across all continents and achieved 39 Ovis species and 36 Capra species worldwide. The award presentation will occur at WSF's Legacy Night banquet during the 2027 Sheep Show in Reno, Nevada on February 5th.
The Idaho Wild Sheep Foundation recognized Idaho Fish and Game biologist Hollie Miyasaki with its Outstanding Achievement Award for her exceptional leadership in bighorn sheep conservation. Miyasaki was instrumental in developing Idaho's Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae surveillance action plan and the successful Jacks Creek bighorn sheep augmentation project.
Springfield Armory's Echelon 4.0FC 9mm pistol earned the highest gold ranking in the National Tactical Officers Association's Member Tested and Recommended program, scoring 4.65 out of 5.00. The hybrid-style pistol joins the Echelon 4.5F and 4.0C as NTOA MTR gold-ranked firearms, featuring a modular design with a 4" barrel and full-size grip module.
Sierra Bullets' 6.5mm 142 grain HPBT MatchKing X received a 2026 Hunt Alaska Editors' Choice Award for exceptional performance and value. The bullet combines match-grade accuracy with hunting-focused construction, featuring a hollow-point boattail design ideal for long-range cartridges like the 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC.
Field & Stream selected TenPoint Crossbow Technologies' TX Ultra 29.5 as the 2026 Best Overall Crossbow, praising its exceptional accuracy and handling. The crossbow achieved average group sizes of just over an inch at 50 yards and features innovative components including the TriggerTech Trigger and ACUslide MAXX.
Dead Air Silencers announced that multiple products, including the Nomad LTi XC, Nomad Ti XC, Enhanced Brake for Nomad Suppressors, and Mask, received 2026 Editor's Choice Awards from Hunt Alaska. CEO Ernie Beckwirth praised the recognition, crediting the company's team dedication to producing high-performance suppressors for hunters and shooters.
Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri, founded by Johnny Morris, has been named America's Best Aquarium for a record eighth time. The 350,000-square-foot facility features 1.5 million gallons of aquariums and has welcomed nearly 9 million visitors since opening in 2017.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources honored Conservation Officer Luke Robare with a Medal of Valor and Lifesaving Award for his heroic response to a violent attack at a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township on September 28, 2025. Robare neutralized the threat within minutes of arriving on scene, working alongside Grand Blanc Township Police Officer Jason Carpentier.
Safari Club International presented Jeff Crane with the Hunting Advocacy Award at the SCI President's Dinner, recognizing his 40+ year career advancing conservation policy and hunting traditions. Crane's leadership at the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation and establishment of the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen's Caucus significantly shaped wildlife management policy nationwide.
Cody Bassuener of MWS Associates, Inc. received the Gold Standard Sales Award from Wildlife Research Center for exceptional sales performance and retail partnership excellence. The award recognizes his outstanding customer service, market understanding, and role in expanding brand presence across his region.
Safari Club International recognized Armand and Mary Brachman with the prestigious SCI Family Legacy Award for their extraordinary leadership, philanthropy, and commitment to conservation and hunting traditions. Their legacy reflects decades of support for SCI's advocacy, conservation, and education initiatives.