Avian-X won the Bowhunting World Readers' Choice 2026 Gold Award for Wild Turkey Decoys, marking the brand's second consecutive victory. The award recognizes the realism and durability of Avian-X's HDR line, including the HDR Strutter, HDR Jake, and HDR Feeding Hen decoys.
The National Wild Turkey Federation received the Winchester Legend Award at its 50th Convention and Sport Show in Nashville, Tennessee. Winchester Ammunition presented the award recognizing the NWTF's decades of commitment to conservation and hunting traditions. NWTF Board Chairman Bryan Perry accepted on behalf of the organization and its volunteers, members, and partners.
Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, received the 2026 Distinguished Hunter Advocacy Award from the Mule Deer Foundation at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Utah. The award recognizes Crane's decades of leadership in advancing hunting heritage and science-based wildlife conservation policy.
Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Kyle McQueer received a Lifesaving Award for his quick response to a cardiac emergency in Barry County. McQueer performed CPR and used an AED on a 64-year-old man, who was later released from the hospital after treatment.
The Michigan DNR recognized Jane Gordon of Charlotte for over 40 years of service as a volunteer hunter safety education instructor. Gordon, a former DNR conservation officer, has trained more than 300 women through the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and currently leads traditional hunter safety classes in Montmorency County.
The Mule Deer Foundation presented three conservation awards at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo's Conservation Night Banquet: Jeff Crane received the Distinguished Hunter Advocacy Award, Brian Wakeling received the Miles Moretti Conservation Champion Award, and Mike Schultz received the Distinguished Private Land Stewardship Award.
Cole Fine Guns and Gunsmithing, based in Naples, Florida, has been named the #1 Beretta Premium Dealer Worldwide for the seventh time since 2018. Owner Rich Cole's gunsmithing expertise stems from his 1979 apprenticeship with Beretta, and the company now operates locations in Maine, Florida, and Texas.
Zanders, an all-women-owned distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, received OpticsPlanet's Distributor of the Year award for 2025. The recognition honors Zanders' commitment to outstanding service, reliable fulfillment, and industry-leading product availability across firearms, ammunition, optics, and outdoor gear.
Springfield Armory's Kuna 9mm pistol has earned an Editors' Choice Award from On Target magazine for being selected as a best new product for 2025. The PDW-style pistol features a roller-delayed operating system, ambidextrous controls, and is priced at $1,179 to $1,330 depending on configuration.
Spartan Precision Equipment's Springbok Tripod has received the NRA Golden Bullseye Award for Gear of the Year. The tripod features innovative silicone technology enabling rapid deployment from prone to standing positions and includes a MagnaSwitch quick-detach system for hunters in demanding environments.
Muddy Outdoors received a 2026 Gold Award in the Climbing Stick category from Bowhunting World magazine readers. The award recognizes Muddy's innovative climbing sticks and systems, including the Pro Sticks, for their design, durability, and ease of use trusted by hunters.
GunsAmerica announced its 2026 Best of SHOT Show Industry Impact Awards, recognizing products positioned to influence dealer orders and consumer demand. Winners include the Henry SPD Predator Lever Action for Best Rifle, Mossberg 990 SPX for Best Shotgun, and Seekins Precision SIC for Best Firearm Overall, among other categories.
Yamaha's U.S. Marine Business Unit received multiple prestigious awards at the 2026 Miami International Boat Show, including Boating Magazine's Boat of the Year for the CrossWave WaveRunner, NMMA Innovation Award, and Neptune Awards from Marine Marketers of America for marketing excellence. Yamaha also earned NMMA CSI Awards for customer satisfaction across multiple categories including Outboard Engine, Sport Boats, Personal Watercraft, and its boat companies Skeeter and G3 Boats.
Harold Knight and David Hale, co-founders of Knight & Hale Game Calls, were inducted into the Grand National Calling Championships Hall of Fame during the National Wild Turkey Federation's 50th Anniversary Convention. The ceremony recognized their 50+ years of influence in game call design and conservation.
TightSpot, a Black Gold Premium Accessories brand member, won the Gold Award in the quiver category at the 2026 Bowhunting World Readers' Choice Awards, marking the 14th consecutive year for this honor. The award was presented by Bowhunting World staff during the NSSF SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.
Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) announced winners of its 2026 Photo Contest Awards recognizing outstanding photography celebrating hunting, wildlife, and conservation. Award recipients including Austin Woodall (Best in Show and Fan Favorite), Tracy Ellington, Kevin Ormston, and others were recognized at the HSCF Awards Banquet during the Worldwide Hunting Expo & Convention.
Heckler & Koch USA announced its 2025 sales awards, naming Covey Sales & Marketing as Rep Group of the Year, Jack Hale of Core Line Marketing as Overall Sales Rep of the Year, and Jake Lindemann from Owen J. Brown & Associates as Premium Dealer Sales Rep of the Year. HK achieved growth despite a challenging year for the firearms industry.
Harold Knight and David Hale, founders of Knight & Hale Game Calls, received the 2026 Fox Haas Conservation Lifetime Achievement Award during Mossy Oak's 40th anniversary celebration. The award honors their fifty-year legacy of innovation, ethical hunting advocacy, and land stewardship that has influenced generations of hunters and conservationists.
Springfield Armory's Kuna 9mm has been selected as Best New PCC in 2025 by Guns.com Readers' Choice Awards. The PDW-style pistol features a roller-delayed operating system, ambidextrous controls, and is available in two versions priced at $1,179 and $1,330.
Traditions® Performance Firearms honored The WL Carter Company as its 2025 Rep Group of the Year during pre-SHOT Show activities in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the manufacturer's representative group's exceptional performance and 28-year partnership with Traditions Firearms since 1998.