Pinnacle Award Honorees
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:
Winner – Matt 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 Achievement – Laura 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
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
Newspaper/Web:
Winner – Tyler Frantz, “Bittersweet Bear”, Pottsville Republican Herald
Outstanding Achievement – Larry Whiteley, “The Last Cast”, Share the Outdoors
Photography/Art:
Winner – Timothy Flanigan “Tug of War Worm”, Texas Wildlife Magazine
Outstanding Achievement – Tim Christie, “Coming to the Call”, Tim Christie Photography 2020 Calendar
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:
Winner – Keith Crowley “Danger in Yellowstone”, Hawke Optics, Hawke Life
Outstanding Achievement – Keith Crowley, “Falls Bear”, Hawke Optics, Hawke Life
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Photography/Art/Illustration — Bill Konway — “Whack!! Broken Jaw” — Field and Stream Online and “Traditional Hunter” — straightcreekoutfitters.com
Broadcast – Andy Lightbody & Kathy Mattoon
Conservation – Frank Miniter
Magazine – Richard Bernier
Newspaper/Web – Tammy Sapp
Photography – Tim Flanigan
2008 HONOREES
Broadcast – Steve Scott
Magazine – Tes Jolly
Newspaper – Harry Guyer
Photograph – Tim Flanigan