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At its recent annual conference in Rochester, Minn., the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), The Voice of the Outdoors, recognized winners of the 2010 OWAA Excellence in Craft contests.

Backcountry Sportsman Contest

Sponsored by Sierra Club

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Jack Ballard, Red Lodge, Mont., “Into the outback,” Montana Headwall, Oct.-Dec. 2010

2nd Place: Gene Hester, Springfield, VA., “Drake Wood Duck on log,” Wildlife in North Carolina, October 2009

1st Place: Tim Christie, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “The last pack out,” Wyoming Wildlife, October 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “Give me a home,” Wyoming Wildlife, April 2009

2nd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “Moonstruck,” Wyoming Wildlife, February 2009

1rd Place: Kirk Deeter, Pine, Col., “In search of the river gods,” Field & Stream, July 20099

TV Category

3rd Place: Kris Millgate, Idaho Falls, Idaho, “Fish packers” KPVI News 6

2nd Place: Dave Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “The big ‘W’,” WQOW

1st Place: Chris Dorsey, Littleton, Colo., “Pirates of the flats 101: The Cast,” ESPN2

Big Game Hunting

Sponsored by The Outdoor Channel

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Jack Ballard, Red Lodge, Mont., “Into the outback,” Montana Headwall, Oct.-Dec. 2010

2nd Place: Tim Christie, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “The last pack out,” Wyoming Wildlife, October 2009

1st Place: Gary Kramer, Willows, Calif., “Success at last!” Gray’s Sporting Journal, September/October 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: P.J. Reilly, New Holland, PA., “Make mine a combo,” Sports Afield, November/December 2009

2nd Place: Tim Christie, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “Trophy hunting,” Wyoming Wildlife, October 2009

1st Place: Chris Batin, Virginia Beach, Va., “Grizzly Country,” Outdoor Life, February 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Glenn Sapir, Putnam Valley, N.Y., “Big game hunting in Newfoundland yields wiser perspective,” The Journal News, November 24, 2009

2nd Place: Mark Freeman, Medford, Ore., “A memorable spot on the ‘bragging wall,’” Medford Mail Tribune, October 8, 2009

1st Place: Paul Smith, Wauwatosa, Wisc., “Teen was truly a dear,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 6, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Jeff Kelm, Sheboygan, Wisc., “Super slam,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

2nd Place: J.K. Ferguson, Colby, Kan., “Matea Huggins, Oregon mountain goat hunt,” Great American Outdoor Trails Radio Magazine

1st Place: J.K Ferguson, Colby, Kan., “Kelly Holmin, Minnesota moose hunting,” Great American Outdoor Trails Radio Magazine

TV Category

3rd Place: Jack Abrams and Dan Small, Milwaukee, Wis. and Belgium, Wis., respectively, “Handicapped deer hunt,” WMVS-TV, Miwaukee, Wis.

2nd Place: Chris Dorsey, Littleton, Colo., “John Paul – Morris, New Mexico,” Versus

1st Place: Dave Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “Bucking the trend,” WQOW

Boating/ Paddlesports

Magazine Category

3rd Place, Gregg Patterson, Little Rock, Ark., “John Ruskey’s Life on the Mississippi,” Front Porch, July – August 2009

2nd Place: Ryck Lydecker, Alexandria, Va., “Fast-water fly fishing,” BoatU.S. Magazine, January 2009

1st Place: Tom Watson, Appleton, Minn., “The light within the darkness,” Ocean Magazine, Vol. 6, Issue 23, 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Brent Frazee, Kansas City, Mo., “Paddling into autumn,” The Kansas City Star, Oct. 25, 2009

2nd Place: Howard Meyerson, Grand Rapids, Mich., “Clearing a happy trail,” Grand Rapids Press, July 18, 2009

1st Place: Rich Landers, Spokane, Wash., “Paddling Option,” The Spokesman – Review, Nov. 22, 2009

Camping/Backpacking/Outdoor Recreational Travel/Biking/ Climbing

Sponsored by Coleman Company Inc.

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Bill Powell, Columbia, MO., “Serengeti sky,” Boone County Journal (Ashland, MO.), Dec. 3, 2009

2nd Place: Kent Dannen, Allenspark, Colo., “Samoyed pack dog,” Dogs USA, Oct. 2009

1st Place: Rich Landers, Spokane, Wash., “Backcountry base,” The Spokesman – Review, March 8, 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Karen Hoffman Blizzard, Austin, Texas, “Dream ride,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, November 2009

2nd Place: Lee Allen, Tuscon, Ariz., “Pathway to paradise,” Arizona Wildlife Views, September/ October 2009

1st Place: Lisa Densmore, Hanover, N.H., “Early Highways in Peru,” Appalachia, Summer/Fall 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Risa Weinreb Wyatt, Seattle, Wash., “China’s middle class takes to the slopes,” Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 29, 2009,

2nd Place: Rich Landers, Spokane, Wash., “Senior Moment,” The Spokesman – Review, June 21, 2009

1st Place: Steve Pollick, Fremont, Ohio, “Going wild,” The Blade (Toledo, Ohio), March 1-3, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Mike Walker, Phoenix, Ariz., “Outdoor Gear,” Toyota Outdoors Radio Network

2nd Place: Mike Walker, Phoenix, Ariz., “Take all of these,” Toyota Outdoors Radio Network

1st Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wisc., “Sunflower trout,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

TV Category

3rd Place: Grant McOmie, Forest Grove, Ore., “Black rock mountain biking,” KGW-TV

2nd Place: Bill Sherck, Minneapolis, Minn., “Nightfall,” Minnesota Bound/ NBC Minneapolis

1st Place: Bill Sherck, Minneapolis, Minn., “Mississippi River Dreams,” Minnesota Bound/ NBC Minneapolis

Conservation/Environment

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Eric Hansen, Corvallis, Ore., “Wood duckling,” Arkansas Wildlife, Sept. /Oct. 2009

2nd Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Rooster pheasant in stubble,” Montana Outdoors, Sept. /Oct. 2009

1st Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Flushing rooster pheasant,” Pheasants Forever, Spring 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Craig Springer, Edgewood, NM, “Jurassic Park – no bones about it,” Eddies, Summer 2009

2nd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “Coming of age,” Wyoming Wildlife, June 2009

1st Place: Ben Moyer, Farmington, PA, “Hugh Bennett: crusader for conservation,” Pheasants Forever Journal, Fall 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Richard Hall, Oshkosh, Wis., “Deer management politics get ugly,” The Country Today (Eau Claire, Wis.), May 6, 2009

2nd Place: John Tertuliani, Hilliard, Ohio, “Deer management 101: what does it take?” Ohio Outdoor News, Nov. 6, 2009

1st Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “Beetle impact: two part series,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Oct. 17-18, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Gold mine threatens Bristol Bay,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

2nd Place: Mike Walker, Phoenix, Ariz., “The Right Footwear,” Toyota Outdoors Radio Network

1st Place: Tom Stienstra, Weed, Calif., “Drought, or water heist?” KCBS (San Francisco, Calif.)

TV Category

3rd Place: Kris Millgate, Idaho Falls, Idaho, “Weed eaters,” KPVI News

2nd Place: Carol Lynde, Phoenix, Ariz., “Return of the black tailed prairie dog,” Phoenix II

1st Place: Grant McOmie, Forest Grove, Ore., “Bird island,” KGW-TV

Family Participation

Sponsored by RealTree

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Tim Christie, Couer D’Alene, Idaho, “A moment shared between father and son,” Wyoming Wildlife, Nov. 2009

2nd Place: James Smedley, Wawa, Ontario, “Family on a bluff,” Ontario Parks Guide, 2009

1st Place: Joe Byers, Hagerstown, Md., “Make your property family friendly,” Whitetails Unlimited, Summer 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: James Smedley, Wawa, Ontario, “Overnight on Nipissing Ice,” My Ontario, 2009

2nd Place: Ann Hirsch, Smithshire, Ill., “Dear mothers of hunting age children,” Arizona Wildlife Views, May-June 2009

1st Place: Bruce Ingram, Troutville, VA, “Time to take a kid hunting,” Virginia Wildlife, November 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Paul Smith, Wauwatosa, Wis., “The lessons of the hunt,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dec. 20, 2009

2nd Place: Bob Lamb, La Crosse, Wis., “Little one,” La Crosse (Wis.) Tribube, Oct. 22, 2009

1st Place: Mark Folco, New Bedford, Mass., “Sun setting on family hunts?” The Standard times (New Bedford, Mass.), Feb. 15, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Peter St. James, Warner, N.H., “Hawk watch,” Belgium, Wis., WTPL-FM (N.H.)

2nd Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Gary and Carson Lenherr, muskie champs,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

1st Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Sophie’s first deer,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

TV Category

3rd Place: Lawrence Pyne, Cornwall, VT., “Squirrel hunting with Grace,” WETK, Vermont Public Television

2nd Place: Karen Loke, Austin, Texas, “Life’s better outside experience,” News 8 Austin

1st Place: Lawrence Pyne, Cornwall, VT., “Green mountain conservation camp,” WETK, Vermont Public Television

Fishing

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Doug Stamm, Prairie du Sac, Wis., “Pumpkinseed on a popper,” New Hampshire Wildlife Journal, May/June 2009

2nd Place: Bill Watt, Flagstaff, Ariz., “Fly fishing still life,” Arizona Wildlife Views, March/April 2009

1st Place: Bill Lindner, Baxter, Minn., “Crankbait science,” North American Fisherman, Oct. / Nov. 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Jeff Williams, Little Rock, Ark., “It’s all about the bugs,” Arkansas Wildlife, Jan ./Feb. 2009

2nd Place: Jeff Williams, Little Rock, Ark., “The Manistee’s big brown,” Arkansas Wildlife, Nov. /Dec. 2009

1st Place: Kirk Deeter, Pine, Colo. “In search of the river gods,” Field & Stream, July 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Brent Frazee, Kansas City, MO., “A reel birthday gift,” The Kansas City (MO.) Star, May 12, 2009

2nd Place: Tom Stienstra, Weed, Calif., “Hold, please, I’ve got a monster on the line,” San Francisco Chronicle, June 4, 2009

1st Place: Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake City, Utah, “Uintas cast a spell that is waterborne,” Salt Lake Tribune, August 16, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Peter St. James, Warner, N.H., “Big kids,” WTPL-FM (N.H.)

2nd Place: Mike Walker, Phoenix, Ariz., “Trout tips,” Toyota Outdoors Radio Network

1st Place: Peter St. James, Warner, N.H., “Fishing memories,” WTPL-FM (N.H.)

TV Category

3rd Place: David Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “Whitefish daze,” WQOW-TV (Eau Claire, Wis.)

2nd Place: Carol Lynde, Phoenix, Ariz., “Casting for recovery,” Phoenix II

1st Place: Bill Sherck, Minneapolis, Minn., “False casts and brush strokes,” Minnesota Bound/NBC

Humor

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Bruce Cochran, Prairie Village, Kan., “Duck blind gourmet,” Wyoming Wildlife, September 2009

2nd Place: Joel Vance, Russelville, MO.,”Hurricane Jim,” Delta Waterfowl, Fall 2009

1st Place: Bruce Cochran, Prairie Village, Kan., “No river for old men,” Wyoming Wildlife, August 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “When the fish don’t bite,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Aug. 16, 2009

2nd Place: Mark Freeman, Medford, Ore, “Best and worst of 2009 outdoors,” Medford Mail Tribune, Dec. 31, 2009

1st Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “The language of a fisherman,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Aug. 16, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Miss largemouth bass,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

2nd Place: Peter St. James, Warner, N.H., “Bucky awards,” WTPL-FM (N.H.)

1st Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Bananas at large,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

Natural History

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Gary Kramer, Willows, Calif., “Snowy owl,” Silver Creek Press Wildlife Calendar, 2009

2nd Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Eye of the Goshawk,” Minnesota Conservation Volunteer, March-April 2009

1st Place: Gary Kramer, Willows, Calif., “Lesser prairie chicken,” Texas Parks and Wildlife, October 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Jack Ballard, Red Lodge, Mont., “Calving time,” Wyoming Wildlife, June 2009

2nd Place: Bruce Ingram, Troutville, VA., “The Truthiness,” Wildlife in North Carolina, December 2009

1st Place: Joel Vance, Russelville, MO., “A good problem to have,” Wildlife in Noth Carolina, August 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake City, Utah, “These monsters are misunderstood,” Salt Lake Tribune, June 14, 2009

2nd Place: Paul Smith, Wauwatosa, Wis., “Wisconsin fauna season’s true survivors,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jan. 18, 2009

1st Place: Steve Pollick, Freemont, Ohio, “Young bucks strut their stuff, study shows,” The Blade (Toledo, Ohio), Sept. 6, 2009

TV Category

3rd Place: Jack Abrams, Milwaukee, Wis., “Wisconsin black bears,” WMVS-TV (Milwaukee, Wis.)

2nd Place: Dave Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “The wolf whisperer,” WQOW (Eau Claire, Wis.)

1st Place: Jack Abrams, Milwaukee, Wis., “White pelicans,” WMVS-TV (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Outdoor Ethics/ Take Pride in America

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “A look ahead,” Wyom ing Wildlife, July 2009

2nd Place: Kirk Deeter, Pine, Colo., “Camo conservation,” Trout, Spring 2009

1st Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “Give me a home,” Wyoming Wildlife, April 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake City, Utah, “Let’s keep it clean – for everyone’s sake,” Salt Lake Tribune, Aug. 9, 2009

2nd Place: Bill Sherwonit, Anchorage, Alaska, “The bears of Katmai,” Anchorage Press, Feb. 19-25, 2009

1st Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo.., “Trapping bears,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, July 12

TV Category

3rd Place: Bill Sherck, Minneapolis, Minn., “Rush River cleanup,” MN Bound, Minneapolis/ NBC

2nd Place: Karen Loke, Austin, Texas, “Bamberger legacy,” News 8 Austin

1st Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “National Parks: Wisconsin,” WMVS-TV (Milwaukee, Wis.)

Outdoor-Related Essays

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “Give me a home,” Wyoming Wildlife, April 2009

2nd Place: Craig Springer, Edgewood, N.M., “Aesthetic exercise – where hunting and singing meet,” Inside Outside Southwest, October 2009

1st Place: Steve Griffin, Midland, Mich., “Blueberries are good for memories,” Michigan Outdoor New, Aug. 14, 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake City, Utah, “Going to the mountains for answers,” Salt Lake Tribune, Jan. 4, 2009

2nd Place: Steve Pollick, Freemont, Ohio, “Winter solitude,” The Blade (Toledo, Ohio), March 1, 2009

1st Place: Mark Folco, New Bedford, Mass., “A whale of a time at the beach,” The Standard-Times (New Bedford, Mass.), Aug. 30, 2009

Shooting Sports

Sponsored by Ducks Unlimited

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: Gary Kramer. Willows, Calif., “Incoming pigeons,” Shooting Sportsman, January/February 2009

2nd Place: Tim Christie, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “Dad’s coaching,” Predator Hunting, Winter 2009

1st Place: Gary Kramer, Willows, Calif., “Sea ducks over decoys,” WILDFOWL Magazine, April/May 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Dennis Neely, Brooklyn, Mich., “New life for old guns,” Woods-N-Water News, October, 2009

2nd Place: Ed Schmidt, Grand Rapids, Minn., “Minnesota 4-H shooting sports and wildlife invitational,” Whitetales, Winter 2010

1st Place: Dennis Neely, Brooklyn, Mich., “Chasing ‘Spiders,’” Woods-N-Water News, August 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: George Ingram, Ocean City, N.J., “For local archer, it takes only one arm to win,” The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.), Aug. 22, 2009

2nd Place: Paul Smith, Wauwatosa, Wis., “Sharpening their aim,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Aug. 16, 2009

1st Place: Mark Folco, New Bedford, Mass., “A natural riflewoman,” The Standard-Times (New Bedford, Mass.), Sept. 27, 2009

TV Category

3rd Place: Grant McOmie, Forest Grove, Ore., “Women who hunt,” KGW-TV

2nd Place: Kris Millgate, Idaho Falls, Idaho, “Shootout,” KPVI News 6

1st Place: Karen Loke, Austin, Texas, “School shooting sports,” News 8 Austin

Small Game Hunting

Art/Photo Category

3rd Place: P.J. Reilly, New Holland, PA., “Blizzard bounty,” WILDFOWL Magazine, December 2009

2nd Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Rooster pheasant in stubble,” Montana Outdoors, September/October 2009

1st Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Flushing rooster pheasant,” Pheasants Forever, Spring 2009

Magazine Category

3rd Place: W.H. “Chip” Gross, Fredericktown, Ohio, “Hunting a legend…,” Delta Waterfowl, Summer 2009

2nd Place: Joel Vance, Russelville, Mo., “Hurricane Jim,” Delta Waterfowl, Fall 2009

1st Place: Dave Books, Helena, Mont., “Rite of passage,” Ducks Unlimited, January/February 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: P.J. Reilly, New Holland, Pa., “Hunters prove their point,” Sunday News (Lancaster, PA.), March 1, 2009

2nd Place: Brent Frazee, Kansas City, Mo., “Beau’s legacy,” The Kansas City Star, Jan. 18, 2009

1st Place: Mark Freeman, Medford, Ore., “Hunting with the hawk,” Medford Mail Tribune, March 5, 2009

TV Category

3rd Place: Dave Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “Hare camp,” WQOW

2nd Place: Dave Carlson, Eau Claire, Wis., “Birds and buddies,” WQOW

1st Place: Gary Schafer, Peoria, Ariz., “Cibola youth goose hunt,” Phoenix TV 11

Technical

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Tom Watson, Appleton, Minn., “Reading the weather,” Paddling.net, Summer 2009

2nd Place: Chris Madson, Cheyenne, Wyo., “The last hurrah,” Wyoming Wildlife, October 2009

1st Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Photographing the hunt,” Ducks Unlimited, November/December 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “Fishing 101: four part series,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, June 1-4, 2009

2nd Place: Rich Landers, Spokane, Wash., “That nothing look,” The Spokesman – Review, Oct. 11, 2009

1st Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “Beetle impact: two part series,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Oct. 17-18, 2009

Radio Category

3rd Place: Jeff Kelm, Sheboygan, Wis., “Food plots for wildlife with Tim Bauer,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

2nd Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Chill killer,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

1st Place: Dan Small, Belgium, Wis., “Lip grip dangerous for bass,” Dan Small Outdoors Radio Network

Value of Wilderness to the Outdoor Experience

Magazine Category

3rd Place: Lee Allen, Tucson, Ariz., “Watchable wildlife,” The Desert Leaf, July/August 2009

2nd Place: Chris Batin, Virginia Beach, Va., “Grizzly country,” Outdoor Life, February 2009

1st Place: Lee Allen, Tucson, Ariz., “Pathway to paradise,” Arizona Wildlife Views, September/October 2009

Newspaper Category

3rd Place: Rich Landers, Spokane, Wash., “Wilderness one step at a time,” The Spokesman – Review,” Jan. 18, 2009

2nd Place: Tom Stienstra, Weed, Calif., “Thousands of miles of ‘working things out,’” The San Francisco Chronicle, June 28, 2009

1st Place: Shauna Stephenson, Wheatland, Wyo., “Goodbye modern world. Hello solitude,” Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Aug. 9, 2009

Book Contest

3rd Place: W.H. “Chip” Gross, Fredericktown, Ohio, Young Beginner’s Guide to Shooting and Archery

2nd Place: Dennis Dunn, Kirkland, Wash., BAREBOW! An Archer’s Fair-Chase Taking of North America’s Big Game

1st Place: W.H. “Chip” Gross, Fredericktown, Ohio, Pro Tactics: Steelhead and Salmon

Newspaper Outdoor Page/Section

Outdoor Section Contest

3rd Place: Terry Tomalin, St. Petersburg, Fla., “The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times”

2nd Place: Brett Prettyman, Salt Lake City, Utah, “The Salt Lake Tribune”

1st Place: Mark Freeman, Medford, Ore., “Medford (Ore.) Mail Tribune”

Photo Contest

Color Division

Scenic Category

3rd place: Doug Stamm, Prairie du Sac, Wis., “Fly fishing the Grand Canyon”

2nd place: Henry Zeman, Grand Rapids, Mich., “Light house and great wave”

1st place: Tom Ulrich, West Glacier, Mont., “Horses and Rocky Butte”

Flora Category

3rd place: William Mullins, Boise, Idaho, “Lupine”

2nd place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Icy Aspen leaf”

1st place: William Mullins, Boise, Idaho, “California False Hellebore”

Action Category

3rd place: Dan Cook, Ringgolde, Ga., “Splashy suspense”

2nd place: Mark Harlow, Walker, Minn., “Side winder”

1st place: Eric Hansen, Corvallis, Ore., “Fighting elk”

People Category

3rd place: Jacob Vanhouten, Midland, Mich., “Bogie and his girl”

2nd place: Bill Lindner, Baxter, Minn., “Boy, this is fun”

1st place: Gary Zahm, Los Banos, Calif., “Passing down tradition”

Fauna Category

3rd place: Art Weber, Whitehouse, Ohio, “Fox kits”

2nd place: Gary Kramer, Willows, Calif., “Mountain Lion with kill in snow”

1st place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “My favorite Marten”

Black & White Division

Scenic Category

3rd Place: Mark Harlow, Walker, Minn., “Superior sunrise”

2nd Place: Mark Harlow, Walker, Minn., “A new beginning”

1st Place: James Smedley, Wawa, Ontario, “Ice berg and mountain”

Action Category

3rd Place: Jon Blumb, Lawrence, Kan., “Brought to hand”

2nd Place: Mark Harlow, Walker, Minn., “Kickin’ it”

1st Place: Michael Furtman, Duluth, Minn., “Mallard Duck flying in snow”

Fauna Category

3rd place:, Mark Harlow, Walker, Minn., “Nap time”

2nd place: Lisa Densmore, Hanover, N.H., “Osprey takes off”

1st place: James Smedley, Wawa, Ontario, “Morning Loons”

About OWAA’s EIC contests: Annually, OWAA’s Contest Committee administers the Excellence In Craft Awards program. OWAA media members may enter their best works from the previous year in the competition. Seventeen competition categories are available.

The judging for each category is conducted by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the category field they are judging. The winners of the competition are announced at a special event held during the annual conference. Certificates and cash prizes are awarded.

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OWAA member debuts American Waterfowler magazine

Jay Michael Strangis is editor and publisher of new magazine American Waterfowler. The inaugural issue features articles about snow goose hunting during the spring conservation seasons in both Central and Atlantic flyways, sea duck hunting, Oklahoma goose hunting and a photo essay documenting Canada goose hunting in Alberta.

“Having regular writers of the quality of John M. Taylor, Robert Milner, Michael Hungle, David Rearick, L.P. Brezny, Jim Dougherty, Bill Graham…makes it easy to produce a magazine of the quality we envisioned from the start,” Strangis said.

American Waterfowler is published six times a year. For more information, visit www.WaterfowlerMag.com or e-mail info@waterfowlermag.com.

OWAA president launches website

John Beath launched GoFishMagazine.com, a quarterly online magazine devoted to fishing. Beath says subscriptions are free to anyone who signs up online.

Several OWAA members have contributed to GoFishMagazine.com, including Chris Batin, Mary Peachin and John Felsher.

“In addition to great magazine articles and photos, Go Fish Magazine has videos linked to stories and the magazine has a more social network feel to it,” Beath said. “Readers of Go Fish Magazine can submit comments and be more interactive than a print magazine.”

For more information about GoFishMagazine.com, contact Beath at jbeath@gmail.com. To sign up for a free subscription, visit www.GoFishMagazine.com.

Canadian NAWCA enhancement bill signifies milestone

A bill that allows the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) to use Canadian funding toward the dollar-for-dollar match required by the U.S. government was signed into law by President Obama after being passed unanimously by Congress last year.

The bill allows Canadian contributions for the first time since NAWCA began more than 20 years ago.

“Allowing Canadian funds to match the federal grants will help continue NAWCA projects to be matched by an average of $2 for every dollar from the U.S. government,” said Ducks Unlimited Director of Governmental Affairs Scott Sutherland at a hearing before the House Natural Resources Committee. For more information, visit www.ducks.org/conservation.

New magazine for the modern hunter-gatherer

Whether you fish, hunt or forage, Cooking Wild Magazine will help you bridge the gap from the field to the table. The new Sacramento, Calif.-based quarterly from Power Media is filled with wild cooking tips, recipes and techniques for the modern hunter-gatherer.

“We’ve always loved to cook the food that we bring home ourselves…We combined this love with the desire to increase awareness and expand people’s knowledge of cooking wild game, fish, foragables,” said Cooking Wild Editorial Director Andy Donald. “To put it simply the magazine is going to answer the question, ‘You killed it, now what?’”

For a free trial subscription, visit www.cookingwildmagazine.com.

Harlequin duck survival rates stabilize more than a decade after Exxon spill

A new article in the Wildlife Society’s Journal of Wildlife Management says wildlife managers should consider longer-term survival issues resulting from the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989.

The authors tracked the survival rates of 138 female harlequin ducks during the winters of 2000-03 in Prince William Sound, Alaska. They found that it took roughly a decade for survival of female harlequin ducks to recover following the spill, “much longer than had been assumed that deleterious effects on wildlife populations would be expressed,” they wrote.

Harlequin ducks were especially vulnerable to the spill because the oil invaded their habitat and remained in the sediment through at least 1998, according to soil samples.

Read the full article at http://www2.allenpress.com/pdf/wild-74-03-471-478.pdf.

Brucellosis increasing in Wyoming elk herds

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists say brucellosis, a bacterial infection of cattle, elk and bison, appears to be increasing in northwestern Wyoming elk herds.

The research, conducted at the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, found several cattle herds have been infected in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana since 2004 and recent cases of brucellosis cattle are thought to have spread from elk due to the lack of contact between bison and cattle.

USGS disease ecologist and lead author of the study, Paul Cross, said miscarriages are common among infected animals, and the presence of the disease within livestock results in additional testing requirements and trade restrictions.

For more information, visit www.upi.com/Science_News/2010/03/30/Brucellosis-increasing-among-some-elk/UPI-31231269978629.

BowNation: a little something for every bowhunting enthusiast

“The three longbeard gobblers stood together on the slope 80 yards away, checking out the situation. I cut and yelped and clucked and threw some other sounds in for good measure, watching to see what they responded to. My bow was ready but right now I held my camera, and intended on putting it to use,” wrote Robert Hoague in a blog linked to his newest Internet property, BowNation.

Hoague, who founded Bowhunting.net in 1996, now invites those who love archery and bowhunting to join BowNation. The amalgam of Facebook, Twitter, forums and blogs allows members to post photos, invite friends, find events and share their latest hunting adventure. Visit www.bownation.com to set up your own profile.

Missouri Department of Conservation among National Fish Habitat honorees

Leaders in aquatic resources conservation were honored by The National Fish Habitat Board during the Third Annual National Fish Habitat Awards ceremony in April. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Lower Bourbeuse Landowner Committee was recognized for Extraordinary Action in support of Fish Habitat Conservation for its efforts to improve aquatic habitat in the Meramec-Lower Bourbeuse watershed.

Nominations were submitted by hundreds of organizations that comprise the National Fish Habitat Partners Coalition and Fish Habitat Partnerships under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan. For more info, visit www.fishhabitat.org.

Campgrounds and RV sites recognized for ‘going green’

The recreational sites that pledge to adopt the environmentally friendly practices of the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds’ “Plan it Green” program will now be formally recognized. Since the program’s launch three years ago, more than 100 campgrounds and RV resorts across the country provide recycling programs for guests, planting trees to offset carbon emissions or avoiding the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment.

Now, the Larkspur, Colo.-based campground association has partnered with Woodall’s North American Campground Directory to list qualifying parks with a “Green Friendly” icon in the GoCampingAmerica.com and Woodalls.com travel planning websites, as well as the 2011 print edition of the Woodall’s directory. For a look at the association’s newly revised website, visit www.GoCampingAmerica.com.

NRPA reduces volunteer screening costs

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) now offers access to full-service, national background checks for potential volunteers at a reduced cost.

Originally, the volunteer management and screening Safe Tool Kit was available for free to NRPA members with a minimum commitment of 50 screenings at $18.50 per screening. Now, member agencies can receive a free tool kit with a minimum commitment of 10 background checks at the same price. The total cost of the program is $185 plus shipping and handling. Non-member agencies can purchase the tool kit for $995 with a minimum commitment of 10 background checks at $21.50 per screening. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/tlc2.

Project Learning Tree workshop offered in May

Featuring outdoor play, music and movement, literature, art and math, the new educational program, “Project Learning Tree: Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood,” encourages teachers to explore nature with their students.

The first 25 public preschool teachers, Head Start teachers, private child care providers and kindergarten teachers who register will be able to participate in a workshop on how to use the program.

The program will take place on May 8 at Brown County State Park in Nashville, Ind. E-mail Donna Rogler at drogler@dnr.IN.gov to register. Cost is $15. Participants will receive an activity guide and music CD.

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Live call-in TV show with game wardens is April 8

Vermont Public Television’s “Outdoor Journal” will present a live call-in show April 8 at 8 p.m. Outdoorsman, writer and “Outdoor Journal” host Lawrence Pyne will lead a discussion of the role of today’s game wardens and the challenges they face relating to game management, and fish and wildlife law enforcement. Pyne’s guests will include Vermont’s Chief Game Warden, Col. David LeCours, and Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Wayne Laroche.

During the program, viewers will be invited to call in with questions and comments. VPT will also take questions for the guests in advance starting April 6 and during the show via Twitter, Facebook and e-mail, all of which can be accessed at www.vpt.org.

The program will be broadcast on VPT and Web cast at www.vpt.org.

VPT plans to hold a Web chat during the program, where viewers can participate. All questions and comments, whether or not they are used during the program, are passed on to the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. ◊

Journalism forum to explore challenges of mobile technology  on newspaper industry

Clyde Bentley, a mobile publishing expert, will convene industry leaders April 19-20 to explore the challenges of mobile technology on the newspaper industry. The free, two-day event in Columbia, Mo., will stimulate conversation about what the future may hold for consumers, reporters and publishers. Held at the Fed W. Smith Forum at the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism, featured speakers include mobile newspaper editors and mobile phone industry leaders.

• Peter Barclay, Founder and Managing Director of Vaya Mobile
• Will Sullivan, Interactive Director at The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
• Art Howe, CEO and Co-Founder of Verve Wireless
• Eddie Alvarez, Presentation Editor at The Miami Herald
• Steve McGuigan, Vice President of Sales for Handmark, Inc.
• Katie Juhl, mobile manger at National Geographic
• Clyde Bentley, Reynolds Fellow and host
• Andy Waters, vice president for interactive media at the Columbia Daily Tribune
• Amy Gahran, info-provocateur and media consultant

“By 2013, mobile phones will overtake PCs as the most common Web access device worldwide,” said Bentley, a Reynolds Fellow and associate professor of journalism at the Missouri School of Journalism. “We hope this conference will give us new directions and insights to help newspapers figure out how to add mobile phones to their publishing platforms.”

Schedule:

Monday, April 19

• 9 a.m. – Opening Keynote
• 10 a.m. – Getting the News to the Phone: Newsroom Best Practices
• 11 a.m. – State of the Mobile News Industry
• 1:30 p.m. – Outside Sources for Apps and Software
• 2:45 p.m. – Alternatives to Apps

Tuesday, April 20

• 9 a.m. – What’s Next? A Round Table Discussion

Visit www.rjoinline.org/mobile for more information. Read the RJI Mobile Blog at mobile.rjiblog.org. ◊

Online survey addresses possible changes to Ohio deer firearms seasons

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife encourages all Ohio white-tailed deer hunters and those with an interest in deer hunting to take a survey at wildohio.com. (Direct link to survey here.) The survey will be available through mid-April.

The Division of Wildlife is considering some changes to the current deer firearms seasons. Anyone who would like to comment on this topic is encouraged to take a few minutes to provide some information and answer a few questions regarding preferences of possible new opportunities. Responses to the survey are confidential.

Information provided by hunters through surveys is vital to the successful management of Ohio’s wildlife and the division encourages all hunters to participate. Wildlife biologists use survey data in combination with biological data from wildlife populations to identify ways of improving hunting in Ohio. ◊

Send news briefs to OU Editor Ashley Schroeder at aschroeder@owaa.org.





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Conference Program Chair Mike Walker has put together an outstanding meeting agenda. Highlights include the annual Becoming an Outdoors Communicator workshop. If you’re new to outdoor communications, this session on the first morning of conference is a must-attend event.  Also on opening day, meet face to face with acquisitions editors at the annual “Meet the Editors” event. This is a tremendous opportunity to build relationships and sell yourself to prospective buyers.

The conference agenda will explore opportunities with technology, including social networking 101; finding sponsors for blogs; how to edit photos, video and text and quickly upload to YouTube; radio syndication and networking; what to expect from a professional Web site designer; and Internet marketing. Sessions are also planned on the sport utility rifle, philosophy of outdoor writing, floating the Driftless Area of Minnesota, and much more. The second day of the conference, Friday, June 11, will combine the Shooting Program and Breakout Day into an all-day affair at Gamehaven Scout Camp. Lunch will be provided courtesy of the National Shooting Sports Foundation. See the complete meeting agenda at http://owaa.org/2010conference/agenda/june10.

Local Conference Chair Tim Lesmeister has organized several pre- and post-conference trips. Bass and trout fishing are the emphasis. Find details and contact information at http://owaa.org/2010conference/trips. Lesmeister also recommends touring the nearby national headquarters and museum of the Pope and Young Club, where you can take in the Pope and Young Club’s plethora of artifacts and history. If you’re a bowhunter and/or are interested in learning more about their conversation program, it’s only a few minutes drive from OWAA’s conference site.

LINKS: Read more articles about Rochester. Check out more information about the 2010 conference.

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New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame inducts Glenn Sapir

Former OWAA president Glenn Sapir will be honored as a New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame inductee this month. Currently an outdoor columnist for New York’s Journal News for Putnam and Westchester counties, Sapir has promoted conservation and education throughout his career as a writer and media professional. He has served on the editorial boards of Outdoor Life and Sports Afield, held the regional editorial director position for Field & Stream and worked as editor of New York Sportsman. An OWAA member since 1975, Sapir received the organization’s J. Hammond Brown Memorial Award in 1996. The annual New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame banquet and induction will take place at the Rusty Rail in Canastota, N.Y. on April 24. For more details on the event or individual inductees, e-mail Leo Maloney at lmalone1@twcny.rr.com.

Hunting Heritage Trust hires OWAA’s LaBarbera

Former OWAA president and longtime member Mark LaBarbera will guide communication and development efforts for the Hunting Heritage Trust as director of development and partnerships. His initial responsibilities will include supervision of a two-hour TV documentary on America’s hunting heritage, expansion of the organization’s communications with the outdoor community and development of new fundraising partnerships. LaBarbera has served on the boards of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance and Tread Lightly.

Outdoor Trails Network adds Alaska and Missouri stations

The “Great American Outdoor Trails Radio Magazine” has added KMBQ in Wasilla, Ala. and KBNN in Lebanon, Mo. to its Outdoor Trails Network. KMBQ is owned by the Spirit of Alaska Broadcasting Inc., which broadcasts programming on five different frequencies covering 70 percent of the population of Alaska. KBNN is part of Good Radio.TV, which owns and operates 24 stations in Missouri and Iowa. Both stations will air the radio show, co-hosted by Jim Ferguson, on Saturday mornings. OTN now has more than 100 radio stations in 17 states broadcasting to a projected audience of more than 4.5 million. For details and programming, go to www.outdoortrailsnetwork.com.

AR Guns & Hunting premiers second issue

AR Guns & Hunting, the digital source for information about AR rifles, is now online with its second issue. Ex-Army Ranger Steve Adelmann explains how to obtain a rapid sight picture, Charles Shawley reviews AR-specified optics and Glen Zediker walks readers through the best techniques and powders. Read the magazine’s columns, tips, reviews and hunting narratives about the rifle that rose to prominence as a military long gun at www.argunsandhunting.com.

Submit to the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest

The 2011 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest is accepting wildlife and nature photography entries starting April 1. Now in its eighth year, the contest is open to any amateur photographer with exceptional pictures of flora, fauna, state parks and other scenic and nature-based categories. Published fives times a year by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Outdoor Alabama explores the state’s wildlife, natural diversity, outdoor recreation and scenic beauty with photos and feature articles. For rules and entry forms or to check out the recent winners of the 2010 contest, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

April kicks off nationwide NRPA Park Visit Day

The National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA) inaugural Park Visit Day will take place on April 9 nationwide. Organized by the student branch of NRPA, the project will connect student groups across the country with parks and recreation agencies and opportunities. Students will learn about jobs with the local, state and national park systems and meet with park professionals and advisory boards. For more information about Park Visit Day, contact Amy Perrottino, NRPA manager of member services, at 703-858-2153 or aperrottino@nrpa.org. Participants can register their Park Visit Day projects at www.nrpa.org/studentbranch/.

Press trips available for the top 10 scenic drives in the northern Rockies

The Top 10 Scenic Drives in the Northern Rockies (www.drivethetop10.com) is offering press trips to credentialed media for a “taste” of the Top 10 with a few days of experiencing one Drive in a small group press trip. We have six itineraries to offer in June and three in September. Please contact Erin Pagán at erin@pat-bach.com for more information. Confirmed RSVPs are due by May 6, 2010 and space is limited. We look forward to hosting you!

Cornell’s Sound Recording Workshop set for June

The annual Sound Recording Workshop offered by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology will take place June 12-19 at San Francisco State’s Sierra Nevada Field Campus in the Tahoe National Forest. Taught by Cornell Lab’s Macaulay Library staff, workshop attendees will learn techniques to capture professional-quality wildlife sounds through daily field recording sessions, lectures and demonstrations. The $945 workshop fee covers tuition, class materials, local transportation, food, lodging and the loan of a recording system for the course to the first six registrants who request it. For details, visit http://macaulaylibrary.org/inside/record/workshops/index.do.

Outdoor Life picks the year’s best tackle

After hundreds of casts with dozens of rods and reels, the editors of Outdoor Life have selected this year’s best in fishing tackle innovation. Ranked in the categories of performance, design and price/value, the best new tackle was selected for the Outdoor Life Editor’s Choice and Outdoor Life Great Buy awards. At $100, the Abu Garcia Soron SX40 was chosen as the best buy for spinning reels, and the editors chose the Quantum Tour KVD–priced at $200–as the best in the bait-casting rod category. For a complete list of winners, visit www.OutdoorLife.com.

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Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association names executive director

The Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association’s (M-DOWA) board of directors named Ken Tidy as their executive director. A freelance photographer and fishing and kayaking enthusiast, Tidy was already responsible for the M-DOWA Web site, membership development and supporting member liaison. He will vacate his position on the board of directors to assume the responsibility of executive director, offering support to M-DOWA President Alex Zidock and officers, and to work closely with the chairman of the organization’s annual conference. For more information about M-DOWA, visit http://mdowa.org/index.htm.

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This year’s Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association Annual Conference and Awards Banquet will be held at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center, located in the beautiful beach resort town of Rehoboth, Del. This year’s conference runs March 19-21, 2010.

OWAA Members are welcome to attend. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact Ken Tidy at 302-530-5115 or by e-mail: kptidy@comcast.net.

Registrations forms are also available on the MDOWA Web site http://mdowa.org/index.htm. ◊

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By Tom Huggler

MISSOULA, Mont. — Want to spend a week this summer with some of the nation’s best-known outdoor writers, practicing the craft of outdoor writing in writer-friendly Missoula?

Outdoor Writers Association of America will host its first Goldenrod Writing Workshop at the University of Montana in Missoula August 1-7, 2010.  Open to both novice communicators and published professionals, the week-long workshop is designed to improve skills in outdoor, nature and environmental writing.

The workshop is in a casual setting with hands-on learning from peer groups and veteran instructors. The curriculum includes assignments, discussions, readings and shared critiques along with time for writing and socializing with others who share a passion for outdoor writing.

Enrollment is limited to 30 students, and it’s on a first come, first served basis. The $995 fee includes tuition and room and board at The University of Montana campus residence. The deadline for applications is May 1, and a $250 non-refundable deposit is due the same time.

Four instructors teach the workshop. They include Lisa Densmore from New Hampshire, a book author, photographer, TV producer and Emmy-award winner; freelance writer Holly Endersby from Idaho, whose magazine articles have appeared in many markets; book author and humor writer Alan Liere from Spokane, Washington; and investigative reporter Ted Gup, who also heads the journalism department at Boston’s Emerson College and whose book about the CIA was a NY Times Bestseller.

Visiting faculty include best-selling author Patrick McManus from Spokane and Bill Schneider, founder of Falcon Press, from Helena, Montana.

For complete details, go to www.owaa.org, click on “Goldenrod Writing Workshop.” The direct link: http://owaa.org/goldenrod-writing-workshop.

Tom Huggler is a full-time freelance writer/photographer, editor, book author (20 titles), lecturer and video producer. A member of the Goldenrod Workshop Committee, Huggler served as OWAA President in 1992-93.

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Every year, OWAA headquarters changes the general password for members-only portions of its Web site.

UPDATE: The new password is effective immediately.

It is printed on the inside cover of the Spring Quarterly. The new password is also available at the top of OU Online e-mail announcement sent by HQs. Members-only features include OWAA financial reports, member discount information, Outdoor Market listings and the OU Quarterly archive.   Please note, your unique, individual login/password created for commenting on OU Online will not be changed. ◊

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Members, have your questions answered by the experts. The monthly “Ask the Editors” series will be returning to Outdoors Unlimited. It will feature a panel of editors’ responses to questions posed by OWAA members.

Do you have any questions you’d like answered?

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