POMA honors the industry’s best and brightest annually for excellence in journalism and organization service. Award honorees set the bar for journalistic achievement and volunteer service.

POMA Pinnacle Awards
Honoring Journalistic Excellence Among POMA Members Since 2008


2023 HONOREES

Art/Photography:

Winner – Mike Clingan, “Wildfowl Magazine Cover Photo”

Outstanding Achievement – Matt Addington, “Dialed In”

Outstanding Achievement – Kevin Jarnagin, “Old Meets New”

Book:

Winner – Jim Casada, “Lords of the Veldt & Vlei – Africa’s Pioneer Hunters”

Outstanding Achievement – Paul Wait, “Delta Waterfowl: How The Duck Hunters Organization Shaped Waterfowl Conservation in North America”

Broadcast:

Winner – Kevin Jarnagin, “Build Box: Silent Hammer Part 1”

Outstanding Achievement – Mike Johnson, The Fish Guyz, “Best of The Fish Guyz: Season 5”

Outstanding Achievement – Mike Johnson, The Summit by High Mountain Archery, “Best of The Summit: Season 1”

Wildlife Conservation:

Winner – Paul Wait, Weathering a Devastating Drought

Outstanding Achievement – Patrick Delhomme, The Fight to Safe Florida’s Key Deer

Outstanding Achievement – Steve Sorensen, Deer Wars: The Pennsylvania Deer Controversy 20 Years Later

Magazine Article:

Winner – Jeff Davis, Rethinking Safety, Whitetails Unlimited Magazine

Outstanding Achievement – Patrick Delhomme, The Harrow Family Collective, Fair Chase Magazine

Outstanding Achievement – Patrick Delhomme, Hunting Paparazzi Problem, Fair Chase Magazine

Magazine Complete (Digital):

Winner – Britney Booth, Hunting Life Magazine – January/February 2022

Outstanding Achievement – Chris Aveno, American Outdoor News – Fall 2021

Outstanding Achievement – Britney Booth, Hunting Life Magazine – July/August 2022

Magazine Complete (Print):

Winner – Britney Booth, Covers Magazine – Summer 2022, Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society

Outstanding Achievement – Paul Wait, Delta Waterfowl Magazine – Summer 2022

Outstanding Achievement – Jeff Davis, Whitetails Unlimited Magazine – Fall 2022

Newspaper/Web:

Winner – Steve Sorensen, The Buck Fawn That Bamboozled America

Outstanding Achievement – Kevin Reese, Lena Miculek Pro Shooter

Outstanding Achievement – Karen Mehall, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Expands Hunter Access While Restricting Use

 


2022 HONOREES

Photography/Art:
  WinnerMatt Addington, “Moose Drool”, Federal Premium
  Outstanding Achievement
Matt Addington, “End of a Great Day”, Pheasants Forever

Book:
  Winner – Sue Tidwell, “Cries of the Savanna. An adventure. An awakening. A journey to understanding African wildlife conservation”,     Amazon.com
  Outstanding Achievement – Herman Brune, “The Lost Rider & Friends”, Trips Publications

Broadcast:
  Winner – Josh Honeycutt, “First Buck Ever”, Midwest Whitetail (YouTube)                        Outstanding Achievement – Tom Opre, “Mountain Thunder – The Merriam’s Wild Turkey”, NWTF convention/Facebook

Conservation:
  Winner – Tom Opre, “Killing the Shepherd”, Flathead Lake International Film Festival
  Outstanding Achievement – PJ DelHomme, “SOLD!”, Montana Outdoors

Magazine:
  Winner
Tyler Frantz, “Un-Bear-Lievable! A Lycoming County Hunting Camp’s 100-Bear Legacy”, Pennsylvania Game News                                                                                    Outstanding AchievementLaura Evans, “Survivors, Not Victims”, Shooting Industry Magazine, May 2021

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner
John Jefferson, “Just an Old Cabin”, Clyde Journal
  Outstanding Achievement
Larry Whiteley, “The War. The Woods. The Family. The Story”, Share the Outdoors


2021 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – Jim Mize, “Hunting with Beanpole”, Amazon
  Outstanding Achievement – Timothy Flanigan, “Grouse & Woodcock – The Birds of My Life”, Wild River Press

Broadcast:
  Winner – Larysa Switlyk & Jason Soulliere, “Ladies Shooting School”, Pursuit Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Ken Perrotte, “Venison Scrapple Demystified”, OutdoorsRamber.com

Conservation:
  Winner – Larysa Switlyk, “Hunting Adds Value to the Animal”, Pursuit Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Ken Perrotte, “Burning Issue”, USA Today hunt & Fish Magazine

Magazine:
  Winner
Dave Books, “Hunting with a Friend”, Pheasants Forever Journal 
  Outstanding Achievement
Jodi Stemler, “First Blood”, Petersen’s Hunting

POMA Executive Director, Thomas MacAulay (L) with Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R) Jim Mize, Jodi Stemler, Timothy Flanigan, Ken Perrotte, Larry Whiteley, Larysa Switlyk and Jason Soulliere

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Tyler Frantz, “Bittersweet Bear”, Pottsville Republican Herald
  Outstanding Achievement – Larry Whiteley, “The Last Cast”, Share the Outdoors

Photography/Art:
  WinnerTimothy Flanigan “Tug of War Worm”, Texas Wildlife Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement
Tim Christie, “Coming to the Call”, Tim Christie Photography 2020 Calendar


2020 HONOREES – PRESENTED VIRTUALLY

Book:
  Winner – Richard Bernier, “Gleanings from 50 years on the Whitetail Track for Reviewers”, Big Whitetail Consultants
  Outstanding Achievement – Kristine Houtman, “Why Women Hunt”, Wild River Press of Oregon

Broadcast:
  Winner – Nick Hoffman, “Nick’s Wild Ride – Full Curls and Float Planes”, Outdoor Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Ryan Gresham, “The 24-Hour Antelope”, YouTube

Conservation:
  Winner – Michael Fernald, “The Land Between the Lakes”, NWTF TV
  Outstanding Achievement – Paul Wait, “Hunter Recruitment”, Delta Waterfowl Magazine

Magazine:
  Winner
Shane Townsend, “Fly for a Try: A Day on Scotland’s Famed River Tay”, Hatch Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement
Tom Keer, “A Bunny Pulpit”, Outdoor Life Magazine

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Ken Perrotte, “Mentor Young Hunters”, Fredericksburg Freelance Star
  Outstanding Achievement – Phil Phillips, “Antis Cry to Close Hunting as Grizzlies Expand Range”, NRA’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum website

Photography/Art:
  WinnerKeith Crowley “Danger in Yellowstone”, Hawke Optics, Hawke Life
  Outstanding Achievement
Keith Crowley, “Falls Bear”, Hawke Optics, Hawke Life


2019 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – J. Wayne Fears, “The Scouting Guide to Survival”, Skyhorse Publishing
  Outstanding Achievement – Robert Ford, “Beagle Tales 7”, Sunbury Press

Broadcast:
  Winner – Nick Hoffman, “Nick’s Wild Ride – The Stuff That Can Kill You”, Outdoor Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Allan Smith, “Lead Faucet Tactical”, YouTube, Facebook

Conservation:
  Winner – Gabriella Hoffman, “Judicial Review Shouldn’t Trump Wildlife Management”, Sporting Classics Daily
  Outstanding Achievement – Nick Hoffman, “Nick’s Wild Ride – Colorado Grind”, Outdoor Channel

Magazine:
  Winner – Lindsay Thomas Jr., “Yes, CWD Kills Deer. A Mississippi Hunter Just Watched it Happen”, Quality Whitetails Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Flanigan, “Learning to See”, The Upland Almanac Magazine

Mossy Oak’s Kevin Tate (L) with Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R) Lindsay Thomas, Jr., Allan Smith, Gabriella Hoffman, Nick Hoffman, Brandon Butler, and Phil Phillips.

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Brandon Butler, “Missouri Supreme Court Rules All Deer Are Wildlife”, Jefferson City News Tribune
  Outstanding Achievement – Phil Phillips, “Another Grizzly Mauls a Hunter as the Recovered Species’ Population Expands”, NRA’s Hunters’ Leadership Forum website

Photography/Art:
  Winner Tim Christie “A Look Best Heeded”, Wyoming Wildlife
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Flanigan, “Sunspot Buck”, Bowhunter Magazine – Whitetails Special


2018 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – J. Wayne Fears, “The Lodge Book of Dutch Oven Cooking”, Skyhorse Publishing
  Outstanding Achievement – Roger Eckstine, “Shooter’s Bible Guide to Knives 2nd Edition”, Skyhorse publishing

Broadcast:
  Winner – Abigail Casey, “Overcoming Target Panic”, Rated Red Facebook and Rated Red YouTube
  Outstanding Achievement – Tom Opre, “Trijicon Whitetail”, Outdoor Channel, Sportsman’s Channel, Pursuit Channel

Conservation:
  Winner – Keith Crowley, “Hunters Aid Wisconsin’s Bobcat Numbers”, NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum
  Outstanding Achievement – Karen Mehall Phillips, “Lying about Lions: Fake News Exposed as Hunters Fight Fiction with Facts”, NRA Hunters’ Leadership Forum Website

Magazine:
  Winner – Tom Tatum, “Bittersweet Brown Trout”, Pennsylvania Angler & Boater Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Steve Sorensen, “Pennsylvania Bookends”, North American Whitetail

Jake Meyer with Mossy Oak (L), with Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Steve Sorensen, Tom Tatum, Keith Crowley, Abigail Casey and Karen Mehall Phillips.

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Steve Sorensen, “The Nun’s World Famous Deer Hunt”, Legendary Whitetails
  Outstanding Achievement – Jodi Stemler, “Clay Shooting Tips for Women”, Range365.com

Photography/Art:
  Winner Tim Christie “The Crossing”, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Bugle Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “The Charge”, Predator Xtreme


2017 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – Vin Sparano, “Complete Guide to Camping and Wilderness Survival”, published by Universe Publishing
  Outstanding Achievement – Susan Ebert – “The Field to Table Cookbook”, published by Welcome Books – New York, NY

Broadcast:
  Winner – Tom Opre, “Eye of the Hunter: Alaska Untamed”, published on getzone.com
  Outstanding Achievement – Allan Smith, “Precision Rifle Ordnance”, published on YouTube

Conservation:
  Winner – John Jefferson, “The Hanging of Red Duke”, published in Texas Park and Wildlife Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement –Tim Christie, “Growing Up Griz”, published on Wyoming Wildlife Magazine

Magazine:
  Winner – Tim Christie, “Hunting Partners”, published in Colorado Outdoors
  Outstanding Achievement – Tom Keer, “Destinations (The Bird Buggy)”, published in Sporting Classics
  Outstanding Achievement – Paul Wait, “Marsh Skis”, published in Delta Waterfowl Magazine

Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Paul Wait, Allan Smith,  John Jefferson, Pete Rogers and Keith Crowley. Pictured with Kevin Tate of Mossy Oak, third from left.

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Pete Rogers, “The Mind of a Mature Buck”, published on www.elliottrecreationalproperties.com
  Outstanding Achievement – Bob Frye, “One Final Adventure”, published in Tribune-Review newspaper, Pittsburgh, Pa

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Tim Flanigan, “Trumpeter Shower”, published in The Birds of Pennsylvania Calendar – PA Game Commission
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “Bobcat Attack”, published in American Hunter Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Keith Crowley, “Lab-Pheasant-Photo”, published in American Hunter Magazine


2016 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – Ken Cook, “Wild Country: True Stories From The Great Outdoors”, BookLogix – Alpharetta, Ga.
  Outstanding Achievement – Vin Sparano, “Complete Guide to Fresh and Saltwater Fishing”, Universe Publishing

Broadcast:
  Winner – Allan Smith, “Girls Night Out”, YouTube
  Outstanding Achievement – Charles Burchfield, “Trigger Finger Deer Management”, WCED 1420 AM, 107.9 FM, and 96.7 FM

Conservation:
  Winner Lindsay Thomas, Jr., “10 Reasons You Don’t Want CWD In Your Woods”, Quality Whitetails Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Jodi Stemler, “Healthy Sagebrush Sea”, Outdoor Life, Open Country Blog

Magazine:
  Winner – Tom Keer, “Top Dog”, Garden and Gun
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Flanigan, “Lasting Decision”, Pennsylvania Game News Magazine

Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Charlie Burchfield, Wade Robertson and Tim Christie. Pictured with Kevin Tate of Mossy Oak and Kevin Orthman, POMA Executive Director (rear, R to L)

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Wade Robertson, Outdoor Writer Robertson Recalls First Pheasant Hunt, Bradford Era
  Outstanding Achievement – Charlie Burchfield – Winchester ’53: a Special Gift that will Live on in Family

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Tim Christie, “Challenging All Comers (Bugling Bull Elk)”, American Hunter Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Flanigan, “Grouse Strut”, Ruffed Grouse Society Magazine


2015 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – Vin Sparano, “Complete Outdoors Encyclopedia”, Universe Publishing
  Outstanding Achievement – Lindsay Thomas, Jr., “The Blood Trail and Other Deer-Hunting Stories”, Amazon.com

Broadcast:
  Winner – Corey Holtgard, “Ohio’s Whitetail Hitlist”, Outdoor Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Ryan Gresham, “Zero Pork Thirty”, Pursuit Channel

Conservation:
  Winner – Brad Fitzpatrick, “The Hunt that Changed America”, Outdoor America
  Outstanding Achievement – Tom Keer, “The Last Covert”, Ruffed Grouse Society Magazine

Magazine:
  Winner – Steve Sorensen, “The Arthur Young Buck- 1830”, Pennsylvania Game News
  Outstanding Achievement – Bill Miller, “Flight Of The Electrified Pterodactyls”, Waterfowl & Retriever Magazine

Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Bill Miller, Lindsay Thomas, Jr., Kenneth Cook, and Steve Finch, accepting on behalf of Corey Holtgard. Pictured with Kevin Tate of Mossy Oak (second from right).

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Kenneth Cook, “The Legacy of Milton N. Hopkins Part 1 “, Clinch County News (Homerville, GA)
  Outstanding Achievement – Kenneth Cook, “The Legacy of Milton N. Hopkins Part 2”, Clinch County News (Homerville, GA)

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Tim Christie, “Teeth Don’t Lie”, Predator Xtreme Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “Fear Straight On”, American Hunter Magazine


2014 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – J. Wayne Fears and J. Craig Haney, “Backcountry Letters”, Amazon/Kindle
  Outstanding Achievement – Angelo Peluso, “Fly Fishing the Surf”; James Collyer, “Buck Naked”

Broadcast:
  Winner – Bill Miller, “Kalkomey’s Handgun Safety Course”, Kalkomey.com
  Outstanding Achievement – Dan Small, “Deer Hunt Wisconsin”, WMVS-TV

Conservation:
  Winner – Frank Miniter, “Public Land Deer Hunting: How to Save America’s Whitetail Woods”, Outdoor Life Blogs
  Outstanding Achievement – Darren Warner, “Dredging Disastrous to Waterfowl in Mississippi Delta”, NRAhuntersrights.org

Magazine:
  Winner – Frank Miniter, “A Hero for the Next Generation”, America’s First Freedom
  Outstanding Achievement – Brenda Valentine, “Quit Calling”, Mossy Oak Gamekeepers

Pinnacle Award Winners (L to R): Tony Bynum, Bill Miller, Kevin Tate, Tammy Sapp, J. Wayne Fears and J. Craig Haney

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Tammy Sapp, “What Women Ought to Know About Hunting and Killing”, American Hunter
  Outstanding Achievement – Tammy Sapp, “The Only Girl in Camp”, American Hunter; Doug Gilmer, “Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo – We All Have a Choice”, The Call: When Faith Goes Afield

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Tony Zappia, “Retriever with Training Buoy”, The Retriever Journal
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “Strippin’ & Lickin’”; Tony Bynum, “Bull Elk Bugle”, American Hunter


2013 HONOREES

Book:
  Winner – Zeke Pipher, “Man on the Run,” Howard Books (Simon and Schuster)
  Outstanding Achievement – J Wayne Fears, “Isaac – Trek to Kings Mountain,” Amazon/ Kindle

Broadcast:
  Winner – Tammy Sapp, “Hunter Safety Education Videos,” Hunter-ed.com and available as a menu-driven DVD
  Outstanding Achievement – James Towle, “The Pirates of Texas Carbine Championship,” Pursuit Channel/Dish and Direct TV

Conservation:
  Winner – Bob Humphrey, “The End of an Era,” Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Bob Humphrey, “The ‘Other’ Hunters,” Petersen’s Bowhunting; Ron Spomer, “Wild Heritage – Political Attacks,” Sporting Classics

Magazine:
  Winner – Ron Spomer, “Sometimes It’s Quick But It’s Always Steep,” American Hunter
  Outstanding Achievement – Ron Spomer, “Big Bears of Kamchatka,” Sports Afield; Zeke Pipher, “Zero Regret Bowhunting,” Petersen’s Bowhunting

Tim Anderson with two of the 2013 POMA Pinnacle Award Winners: Tammy Sapp (l) and Brenda Valentine (r)

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Brenda Valentine, “Outdoor Legend’s Tour Diary – Day 10,” NWTF Website – Blog
  Outstanding Achievement – Harry Guyer, “Rags,” Bedford Gazette; Dan Small, “High-Tech Help for Great Lakes Salmon,” Wisconsin Outdoor News

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Doug Stamm, “Schooling Stripers,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife “Eddies” Cover
  Outstanding Achievement – Richard Bernier, “Cover Image – Fawn,” Whitetail News


2012 HONOREES

Broadcast:
  Winner – Jonathan Brunson, “Addicted to the Outdoors – Noodlin’ Adventure”, Outdoor Channel
  Outstanding Achievement – Tom Gresham, “Gun Talk Television – New Shooters”, Versus Network (NBC Sports)

Conservation:
  Winner – John Jefferson, “The Golden Age of Park Acquisitions”, Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Karen Mehall, “Game Profiles: American Woodcock”, American Hunter magazine

Magazine:
  Winner – Tom Tatum, “The Fisherman’s Father, The Fisherman’s Son”, Outdoor Delaware magazine
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “Hunting for Memories”, Wyoming Wildlife magazine

Newspaper/Web:
  Winner – Darren Warner, “Will to Keep Hunting Helps Amputee Walk Again”, NRA Hunters’ Rights (www.nrahuntersrights.com)
  Outstanding Achievement – Tom Tatum, “State Faces Tipping Point in New Year”, Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)

L to R: Back row: Toxey Haas, Tom Gresham, Karen Mehall, Jim Lewis, Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland. Front Row: John Jefferson, Tom Tatum, Darren Warner.

Photography/Art:
  Winner – Richard Bernier, “Two Fawns Feeding”, Deer & Deer Hunting magazine.
  Outstanding Achievements – Tim Christie, “A Cackle in the Cold”, Field & Stream magazine; and Tim Flanigan, “Reflected Woodcock Probing Lunch”, Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, Harrisburg, PA


2011 HONOREES

Book:
Winner –
Lindsay Thomas Jr. – “Deer Cameras: The Science of Scouting” published by the Quality Deer Management Association.
  Outstanding Achievement –  Andrew Chamberlain – “Cartridge Comparison” published by Chamberlain Development Publishing

Broadcast:
  Winner – Tom & Ryan Gresham, Gun Talk TV – America’s Rifle broadcast on Versus.
  Outstanding Achievement – Chris Dorsey, Orion Multimedia, “Buccaneers & Bones: Silver Kings” broadcast on the Outdoor Channel

Conservation:
  Winner – John Jefferson, “The Ballad of Billy Sandifer” published in Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine.
  Outstanding Achievement – Steve Pennaz, “Silent Invaders” North American Fisherman, broadcast on Versus.

Magazine:
  Winner – Brandon Butler – “The Bear’s Den” published in Traditional Bowhunter magazine.
  Outstanding Achievements Tim Christie, “Memories in Blue Steel” published in Wyoming Wildlife magazine; Tom Keer, “Spey Casting” published in Fly Fisherman magazine

L to R: John Jefferson, rep for Orion Media, Tom Gresham, Andrew Chamberlain, Kevin Reese, Harry Guyer and Brandon Butler.

Newspaper/Web:
   Winner – Kevin Reese, “Finding Your Cheese” published in Navarro County Times newspaper.
   Outstanding Achievements – Harry Guyer, Jr., “The Old Man & the Perfect Christmas Gift” published in Bedford Gazette; and Kevin Reese, “Living and Leaving a Legacy” published on Outdoor Roadmap website

Photography/Art/Illustration:
  Winner – Tim Christie, “Bohemian Waxwing in Flight” published in Wyoming Wildlife.
  Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “The Stripper” published in Outdoor Life magazine


2010 HONOREES

Book – Dennis Dunn — “Barebow! An Archer’s Fair-Chase Taking of North America’s Big Game”

Broadcast – Steve Pennaz — “Prehistoric Giant Florida Sawfish” — North American Fisherman

Conservation – Mike Marsh — “Bearing Responsibility” — Wildlife in North Carolina

Magazine – John Jefferson — “Firing Line” — Outdoor Life

Newspaper – Kendal Hemphill — “Trivial Intelligence” — Mason County News

L to R: Tim Anderson of Mossy Oak, Steve Pennaz, Dennis Dunn, Kendall Hemphill, Bill Konway, John Jefferson

Photography/Art/Illustration — Bill Konway — “Whack!! Broken Jaw” — Field and Stream Online and “Traditional Hunter” — straightcreekoutfitters.com


2009 HONOREES

Broadcast – Andy Lightbody & Kathy Mattoon
Conservation – Frank Miniter
Magazine – Richard Bernier
Newspaper/Web – Tammy Sapp
Photography – Tim Flanigan

L to R: Tim Flanigan, Tammy Sapp, Kathy Mattoon, Andy Lightbody, J.R. Robbins, Tack Robinson


2008 HONOREES

Broadcast – Steve Scott
Magazine – Tes Jolly
Newspaper – Harry Guyer
Photograph – Tim Flanigan

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