The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association presented the annual Excellence in Craft Awards during its Spring Conference banquet at Seven Springs Mountain Resort on Saturday, May 16, 2015.
POWA would like to thank all of the sponsors that make these awards possible, and extend congratulations to this year’s winners.
POWA CORE AWARDS
Best Newspaper Column (sponsored by Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest) – “Unique wildlife encounters a bonus for time spent outdoors” by Ralph Martone, published in the New Castle News on May 29, 2014.
Runner up – “Deer hunting and the tin-can telephone principle” by Steve Sorensen, published in The Forest Press on Jan. 15, 2014.
Best Newspaper Feature (sponsored by Bob & Linda Steiner) – “Fenced-in hunts draw debate” by Bob Frye, published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Oct. 26, 2014.
Runner up – “Dead of winter brings cubs to life” by William Williams, published in the Wyoming County Press Examiner on Dec. 31, 2014.
Best Magazine or Regional Newspaper Column (sponsored by Gogal Publishing Co.) – “Day on the water drinking from the sea of life” by Terry Brady, published in Pennsylvania Outdoor News on July 18, 2014.
Runner up – “The Arthur Young buck” by Steve Sorensen, published in Ohio Valley Outdoors, Spring 2014.
Best Magazine or Regional Newspaper Feature (sponsored by Blackpowder Products Inc.) – “Bowhunting peripherals” by Tom Tatum, published in Pennsylvania Game News, January 2014.
Runner up – “Steelhead fishing – A wild brook trout taught me how” by Linda Steiner, published in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, November/December 2014.
Best Published Newspaper Photo, Color or Black & White (sponsored by POWA Past Presidents) – “Conservationists face huge hurdles” by Karen Wolf, published in the Lebanon Daily News on Jan. 26, 2014.
Runner up – “Aiming for success” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Pottsville Republican-Herald on Sept. 21, 2014.
Best Published Magazine Photo, Color or Black & White (sponsored by POWA EIC entries) – “September grouse” by Timothy Flanigan, published in the Ruffed Grouse Society calendar, 2014.
Runner up – “Raccoon in a tree” by Ralph Scherder, published in Ohio Valley Outdoors, Winter 2014.
Best Book Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries) – “Growing Up with Guns” by Steve Sorensen.
Runner up – “Ghost Brother” by Harry Guyer Jr.
Best Published Art Award, Color or Black & White (sponsored by GATCO Sharpeners/Timberline Knives) – “Catching the wind – Springer Spaniels” by Gerry Putt, cover of Pennsylvania Game News, November 2014.
POWA SPECIALTY AWARDS
Bass Pro Shops Pass it on Award (sponsored by Bass Pro Shops) – “Fun + Interesting = Hooked for Life” by Jennifer Bilott, published in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, November/December, 2014.
Runner up – “Turkey-taught deer skills” by Joe Byers, published in Griffin’s Guide on April 9, 2014.
Wildlife Conservation Partnership Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Game Commission) – “Owls and others find sanctuary at landfill” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Lebanon Daily News on Sept. 19, 2014.
Runner up – “All about the elk – Partnerships key to growing Pennsylvania’s herd” by Mark Nale, published in the Centre Daily Times on Dec. 14, 2014.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Raptor Conservation and Eco-Tourism Award (sponsored by Hawk Mountain Sanctuary) – “Nature’s air show” by Bud Cole, published in the Bethlehem Press on Sept. 17/18, 2014.
Runner up – “Hawk Mountain raptors are unusual attraction near Reading” by Cindy Ross, published in Recreation News, October 2014.
The Pennsylvania Elk Resource Award (sponsored by the Keystone Elk Country Alliance) – “PA elk herd: An enduring success story” by Charlie Burchfield, published in The Courier-Express on Sept. 18, 2014.
Runner up – “PA’s special elk hunt” by Charlie Burchfield, broadcast on WCED Talk Radio on Sept. 8, 2014.
Best Action Hunting, Trapping or Fishing Photograph (sponsored by POWA EIC entries) – Late season; last chance for deer hunters” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Lebanon Daily News on Dec. 26, 2014.
Runner up – “Evelyn Bilott uses her Barbie rod to fish on a private lake in Tidioute, Warren County” by Jennifer Bilott, published in Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, November/December 2014.
Best Published Pennsylvania Fishing or Boating Related Newspaper Photo, Color or Black & White (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission) – “Even on hot summer days, don’t ignore fishing possibilities” by Tyler Frantz published in the Lebanon Daily News on Sept. 7, 2014.
Runner up – “Winter brings reflections on warmer, brighter days” by Wade Robertson, published in the Olean Times Herald on Dec. 21, 2014.
Handloading Promotion Award for Broadcast Media ($150 and plaque, sponsored by Redding Reloading) – “Beginner Reloading” by Alex Zidock for Out in the Open TV broadcast on Sept. 25, 2014.
Runner up – “Reloading your own ammo” by Charlie Burchfield, broadcast on WCED Talk Radio on Dec. 8, 2014.
Handloading Promotion Award for Electronic Media (sponsored by Redding Reloading) – “Why I returned to handloading” by Steve Sorensen, published at Deer Hunters Online, November/December 2014.
Runner up – “Reloading and freeloading” by Marshall Nych, published at Bucktail Outdoors, December 2014.
Handloading Promotion Award for Print Media (sponsored by Redding Reloading) – “Handloading for ultimate performance” by Wade Robertson, published in the Olean Times Herald on July 6, 2014.
Runner up – “Ways of making good guns shoot better” by Charlie Burchfield, published in The Courier-Express on Aug. 3, 2014.
Outdoor Blog Entry Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries) – “A snag in the family tree” by Marshall Nych, published at Bucktail Outdoors Online in April 2014.
Runner up – “Dissecting a bowhunting buck miss: Lessons learned the hard way” by Tyler Frantz, published at Pennsylvania Outdoor News Online on Nov. 20, 2014.
Pennsylvania Trappers Award (sponsored by the Pennsylvania Trappers Association) – “Quest for a Red Fox” by Ralph Scherder, published in Pennsylvania Game News, February 2014.
Runner up – “Trapping is in his blood” by Doyle Dietz, published in The Republican Herald on Nov. 2, 2014.
Trout and the Coldwater Resource Award (sponsored by Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited) – “Native trout still grace our mountains” by Ben Moyer, published in The Herald-Standard on April 13, 2014.
Runner up – “West Branch rebirth alive and continuing” by Mark Nale, published in The Daily Herald on June 17, 2014.
White-Tailed Deer Award (sponsored by POWA EIC entries) – “The Sacrifice” by Bob D’Angelo, published in Pennsylvania Game News, December 2014.
Runner up – “Hunting is about the experience not the kill” by Tyler Frantz, published in the Lebanon Daily News on Sept. 28, 2014.
Wildlife Art Award (sponsored by Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art) – “Wintry Mix” by Gerry Putt.
Young Trees Habitat Award (sponsored by the Allegheny Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society) – “Tough times – Habitat in area dwindling for ruffed grouse” by Bob Frye, published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Nov. 9, 2014.
Runner up – “The right medicine” by Mark Nale, published in the Centre Daily Times on April 13, 2014.
Youth Fishing Award (sponsored by Expositions, Inc.) – “Happiness made simple is always best” by Ron Steffe, published in On the Water, September 2014.
Runner up – “Joining the ranks” by Bob Frye, published in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on May 18, 2014.
Youth and the Hunting/Shooting Sports Award (sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation) – “BB guns can be used in teaching young shooters” by Charlie Burchfield, published in The Courier-Express on Nov. 26, 2014.
First runner-up: “This is more fun than golf” by Steve Sorensen, published in The Forest Press on Oct. 1, 2014.