The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association presented its annual Excellence in Craft Awards at spring conference banquet held Saturday, May 18 in the Hemingway Room at the Ambassador Conference Center in Erie, PA.
Awards Chair Grey Berrier presented first-place awards to 20 winners across a total of nine Core Award and 23 Specialty Award categories. Overall, 42 members submitted a total of 387 entries across the 32 categories. Our thanks to the 51 judges who participated in determining the best among each category.
Core Awards
Best Newspaper Column Award (sponsored by Bob & Linda Steiner)
• Winner: “His Words Remained” by Wade Robertson, published in the Bradford Era, Sept. 19, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Outdoors with Bill Ferris” by Bill Ferris, published in the Shippensburg News Chronicle, Oct. 31, 2024.
Best Newspaper Feature Award (sponsored by Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest)
• Winner: “Tips for Tracking Deer when the Arrow Hits its Mark” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald, Oct. 13, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Mountain Native: Game Commission Biologists, Partners Working to Save Allegheny Woodrat from Extinction” by Ben Moyer, published in the Uniontown Herald Standard, Nov. 3, 2024.
Best Magazine or Regional Newspaper Column Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “The Leatherman” by Marshall Nych, published in International Game Warden Magazine, Spring 2024.
• Runner-up: “Starting Them Young – Getting Kids on Target” by Tyler Frantz, published in Pennsylvania Game News, March 2024.
Best Magazine or Regional Newspaper Feature Award (sponsored by Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists)
• Winner: “Once Upon a Shotgun” by Dave Bates, published in Covers Magazine, Fall 2024.
• Runner-up: “The Arthur Young Buck” by Steve Sorensen, published in Muzzle Blasts, Nov. 2024.
Best Published Newspaper Photo Award (sponsored by POWA Past Presidents)
• Winner: “Sapsickle Squirrel” by Karen Wolf, published in the Endeavor News, Austin, Feb. 24, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Setting the Decoys” by Joe Faux, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald, Nov. 23, 2024.
Best Published Magazine Photo Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Ichneumon Wasp” by Joe McDonald, published in Nature Photographer, Winter 2024.
• Runner-up: “Jumping Chipmunk” by Joe McDonald, published in Nature Photographer, Winter 2024.
Lantz Hoffman Broadcast Media Award (sponsored by Karen Wolf)
• Winner: “How Fireflies Light Up Pennsylvania’s Night Skies with Dr. Sarah Lower” by Christian Alexandersen, broadcast on the Hemlocks to Hellbenders podcast, June 9, 2024.
• Runner-up: “PA State Symbols” by Alex & JoAnne Zidock, broadcast on Out in the Open TV, March 28, 2024.
Best Published Art Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Days Gone By” by Gerry Putt, Pennsylvania Game News cover, January 2024.
• Runner-up: “Summer Birds” by Gerry Putt, Pennsylvania Game News cover, July 2024.
Best Book Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Preserving the Pennsylvania Wilds: The Rebirth of Elk Country” by Mario Chiappelli, published by Arcadia Publishing, October 2023.
• Runner-up: “Smoke to See By” by Ben Moyer, published by Sunbury Press, March 2023.
Specialty Awards
POWA Pass It on Award (sponsored by PA Environmental Digest)
• Winner: “One More Hunt: Treasured Time Afield” by Marshall Nych, published in Pennsylvania Game News, June 2024.
• Runner-up: “Once Upon a Shotgun” by Dave Bates, published in Covers Magazine, Fall 2024.
Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission)
• Winner: “Turtle Creek Restoration – Poster Child for Cooperation” by Mark Nale, published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Aug. 16, 2025.
• Runner-up: “Large Wood Addition Projects Mimic What Mother Nature Would Have Done” by Brian Whipkey, published in The Daily American, July 20, 2024.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Raptor Conservation and Eco-Tourism Award (sponsored by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary)
• Winner: “Annual Party on the Mountain Signals Start of Autumn Hawk Watch” by Doyle Dietz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald, July 14, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Northern Harriers: A Grassland Species at the Tipping Point” by Bob Frye, published in Pennsylvania Game News, June 2024.
Pennsylvania Elk Resource Award (sponsored by Keystone Elk Country Alliance)
• Winner: “Our Fortunate Marvel: Allegheny Elk” by Ben Moyer, published in Pennsylvania Game News, Nov. 2024.
• Runner-up: “A Free and Easy Elk Excursion for Everyone” by Steve Sorensen, published in the Jamestown Post Journal, July 13, 2024.
Best Action Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing Photograph Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Final Approach” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald, Oct. 13, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Ice Fishing in the Northern Tier” by Linda Stager, published in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January/February 2024.
Best Conference Related Material Award (sponsored by Visit Luzerne County)
• Winner: “The Beautiful Susquehanna River” by Wade Robertson, published in the Bradford Era, May 30, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Amazing Antlers – Differences in Deer Decor Depends on Does, Diets, and DNA” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald and online at naturalpursuitoutdoors.com, June 2, 2024.
Best Published PA Fishing or Boating Photograph Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission)
• Winner: “Flood Fishing” by Marshall Nych, published in the Record Argus, Greenville, March 9, 2024
• Runner-up: “Fall is Also for Fishing” by Tom Tatum, published in the Daily Local, Sept. 3, 2024
Don Heckman – Tell the Story Award (sponsored by PA Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation)
• Winner: “A Dog’s World: Dogs are Ideal Partners for Hunting Turkeys in the Fall” by Joe Faux, published in Game and Fish Magazine, October 2024.
• Runner-up: “A More Respectable Bird: Early America’s Wild Turkey Obsession” by Brady Crytzer, published in Fur Fish Game, March 2024.
Handloading Promotion for Broadcast Media Award (sponsored by Redding Reloading)
• Winner: “Ease of Handloading” by Alex & JoAnne Zidock, broadcast on Out in the Open TV, Nov. 21, 2024.
Handloading Promotion for Electronic Media Award (sponsored by Redding Reloading)
• Winner: “Memories of Handloading with Dad” by Wade Robertson, published at the Olean Times Herald online, Aug. 10, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Economical Handloading for Deer” by Jerry Bush, published at Pennsylvania Outdoor News online edition, Oct. 22, 2024.
Handloading Promotion for Print Media Award (sponsored by Redding Reloading)
• Winner: “Economical Handloading for Deer” by Jerry Bush, published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Oct. 25, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Memories of Handloading with Dad” by Wade Robertson, published in the Olean Times Herald, Aug. 10, 2024.
Outdoor Blog Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Beaches: Remembering D-Day 80-Years On” by Don Knaus, published at the Chronicle Express online, June 6, 2024.
• Runner-up: “A Dog’s Life – Celebration and Sorrow for a Loving Companion” by Tyler Frantz, published at naturalpursuitoutdoors.com, Aug. 18, 2024.
Pennsylvania Trappers Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Trappers Association)
• Winner: “Modern Trappers Follow an Ancient Outdoor Tradition” by Dave Thompson, published in the Perry County Times, Nov. 7, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Mink Trapping Success Just a Matter of Time” by Tyler Frantz, published at naturalpursuitoutdoors.com, Jan. 7, 2024.
Trout and the Coldwater Resource Award (sponsored by Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited)
• Winner: “West Branch Susquehanna River now has Wild Trout” by Ben Moyer, published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News, March 15, 2024.
• Runner-Up: “Keep Fish Wet Study Challenges Long-Held Trout Angling Wisdom” by Mark Nale, published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News, Aug. 30, 2024.
Dave Wolf White-Tailed Deer Award (sponsored by Karen Wolf)
• Winner – “Curious Adornment” by Ben Moyer, published in Pennsylvania Game News, August 2024
• Runner-up: “One More Hunt: Treasured Time Afield” by Marshall Nych, published in Pennsylvania Game News, June 2024.
Wildlife Art Award (sponsored by the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art)
• Winner: “Days Gone By” by Gerry Putt.
• Runner-up: “Hemlock Haven” by Michael Kensinger.
Young Tree Habitat Award (sponsored by Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society)
• Winner: “Grouse Abundance” by Ben Moyer, published in Pennsylvania Game News, January 2024.
• Runner-up: “Fostering Forests” by Jeff Mulhollem, published in Penn State Ag Science Magazine, Spring 2024.
Youth Fishing Award (sponsored by USA International Sportsmen’s Show and Outdoor Recreation & Travel)
• Winner: “Mentored Youth Trout Day Keeps Traditions Alive” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald, April 7, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Introducing Kids to Fishing – Here’s One Way to Do It” by Charlie Burchfield, published in The Ridgway Record, March 22, 2024.
Youth and the Hunting/Shooting Sports Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “Runs Like a Deer: Season’s End Fast Approaching” by Marshall Nych, published in Pennsylvania Game News, October 2024.
• Runner-up: “Second Chances: The John Bierer Buck” by Brian Kightlinger, published in Northeast Big Bucks Magazine, Summer 2024.
Archery Award (sponsored by United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania)
• Winner: “First Dance: A Daughter’s Waltz with Deer & Dad” by Marshall Nych, published in Pennsylvania Game News, September 2024.
• Runner-up: “Fall Guys: Tree Stand Safety is No Accident” by Tom Tatum, published in the Daily Local News, West Chester, Nov. 19, 2024.
Humor Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries)
• Winner: “You Might Be a Pennsylvania Hunter If…” by Steve Sorensen, published in the Corry Journal, Jan. 13, 2024.
• Runner-up: “The Hand-Off” by Timothy Flanigan, published in Pennsylvania Game News, August 2024.
Military and Veterans Award (sponsored by an Anonymous Donor)
• Winner: “This is My Quest helps people find strength in the wild” by Linda Stager, published in West Branch Life, Fall 2024.
• Runner-up: “Stand Up” by Marshall Nych, published in the Record Argus, Greenville, Nov. 9, 2024.
Boating Safety Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission)
• Winner: “Lack of Life Jackets Blamed in Most PA Boating Deaths in 2023” by Brian Whipkey, published in the Daily American, Jan. 19, 2024.
• Runner-up: “Learn Your Basics and Stay Safe While Kayaking” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican Herald May 19, 2024.
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