Awards

Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms, received the NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award at the 2026 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings in Houston. The award recognizes his four-decade career revitalizing American firearms manufacturing, restoring the lever-action rifle's relevance, and building Henry Repeating Arms on principles of domestic craftsmanship and civic responsibility.

Federal Ammunition congratulates Team Federal sponsored-shooter Vincent Hancock, who received the 2026 Golden Bullseye Competitor Award from Shooting Sports USA. The four-time Olympic gold medalist was recognized for his historic skeet achievements and significant contributions through coaching and mentorship.

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) announced a new NASP® Grand Champion Award recognizing one male and one female archer demonstrating excellence across NASP® 3D and Bullseye competitions. NASP® President Tommy Floyd stated the award requires repeated excellence across four scores on the biggest stages, with winners permanently recognized at the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum in Springfield, Missouri.

Federal's 7mm Backcountry cartridge received the 2026 Golden Bullseye Award from NRA American Hunter for Ammunition Product of the Year. The innovative cartridge features patented Peak Alloy case technology and delivers magnum performance in standard bolt face rifles, achieving 3,000 feet per second through 20-inch barrels.

Anthony Imperato, Founder and CEO of Henry Repeating Arms, received the Law Enforcement Supporter of the Year award from New York State Fraternal Order of Police Memorial Lodge 100. The honor recognizes Imperato's decades-long commitment to supporting law enforcement through personal efforts and Henry Repeating Arms' "Guns For Great Causes" program, which has supported organizations including the National Fraternal Order of Police and National Fallen Officers Foundation.

The DSC Foundation announced Steve Hornady as the 2026 DSC Foundation Legacy Award recipient, recognizing his decades of leadership at Hornady Manufacturing and contributions to conservation, wildlife stewardship, and hunter education. Hornady will be honored at the 2026 DSC Foundation Gala on July 25 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, TX.

Bob Ameen's velvet blacktail deer scored 115 0/8, earning Pope and Young Club World Record status as the largest bow-harvested velvet typical blacktail in North America. The deer was shot in Southeast Alaska and surpasses the previous record by 5 1/8 inches.

The National Bowhunter Education Foundation congratulates board member Barb Terry on receiving the ATA's Industry Impact Award at the 2026 ATA Trade Show. Terry, an NBEF instructor and mentor for youth and veterans, was recognized for her contributions to archery and bowhunting education, safety, and ethics.

Marilyn Bentz, Executive Director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation since 2003, received the Archery Trade Association's Industry Impact Award at the 2026 ATA Trade Show. The award recognizes her contributions to growing participation in archery and bowhunting through safety education and industry leadership.

Wildlife Research Center® has been named the 2026 Kinsey's Dealer Choice Award winner for Best in Category – Hunting Accessory, as voted by Kinsey's dealers. The award recognizes the Ramsey, Minnesota-based company's commitment to innovation and quality in hunting scents and accessories, including products like Scent Killer® Gold® and Golden Rope®.

The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF) received four trademarks from the USPTO: ComeWith!, Connecting with Conservation, Fill A Bag While Filling Your Tag, and HATS. These programs support hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting participation, with partnerships including Fiocchi USA, Ruger, Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, and Alabama Department of Natural Resources.

The Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation presented Smith & Wesson with its 2026 Conservation Partner of the Year award. Over the past five years, Smith & Wesson has provided more than $236 million in Pittman-Robertson funds, making it one of the largest funders of wildlife conservation in America.

Big Game Treestands earned the 2026 Readers' Choice Gold Award from Bowhunting World in the Ladder/Tripod category, recognized for smart design and proven performance. The award highlights Big Game's commitment to stability, comfort, and reliability in elevated hunting solutions.

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.

Lee R. Anderson received the Beretta & Safari Club International Foundation Conservation Leadership Award at the 11th Annual Award Gala during the Safari Club International Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. The prestigious award, sponsored by Beretta, recognizes Anderson's exemplary leadership and lifetime commitment to wildlife conservation, outdoor education, and humanitarian service.

TenPoint Crossbow Technologies earned two prestigious honors at the 2026 Kinsey's Dealer Show: Best in Crossbows for the fourth consecutive year and Best Innovator in Archery for the Turbo X. The awards were voted on by dealers who recognize TenPoint's reliability, innovation, and dealer support.

Whitetail Institute won Gold in the Food Plot Seed category of the 2026 Bowhunting World Readers' Choice Awards. VP/GM William Cousins credited the company's research-driven approach to forage development and field testing, emphasizing commitment to hunter success and product reliability.

Dead Air Silencers' RXD30Ti suppressor has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 American Rifleman Golden Bullseye Award. The suppressor features advanced Triskelion™ and Nomad™ baffle technologies, an integrated E-Brake providing up to 40-percent recoil reduction, and broad HUB mounting compatibility for modern long-range and big-game applications.

The Archery Trade Association announced Rob Kaufhold, founder of Lancaster Archery Supply, as the 2026 ATA Industry Icon Award recipient. Kaufhold's contributions include founding Lancaster Archery Supply, establishing the Lancaster Archery Academy, launching Competition Archery Media, and creating the Lancaster Archery Foundation, which has awarded over $150,000 in scholarships and grants to support archery participation.

The Archery Trade Association announced Marilyn Bentz and Barb Terry as 2026 ATA Impact Award recipients at the January 7 Industry Celebration event presented by Mossy Oak. Bentz, executive director of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation since 2003, and Terry, trade show coordinator and pro staff manager at TenPoint Crossbow Technologies, were recognized for inspiring participation in archery and bowhunting.