The Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society (RGS & AWS) received two Professional Outdoor Media Association’s (POMA) 2023 Outstanding Achievement awards in the “Magazine Complete – Print” and “Wildlife Conservation” categories, presented during the 2024 POMA conference in July at the South Carolina Waterfowl Association in Pinewood, South Carolina. The Pinnacle Awards honor journalists for their remarkable achievements in traditional outdoor sports-focused communications, including magazine publication, writing, photography/illustration/art, broadcasting and content focused on wildlife conservation.
The Covers magazine issue that took home both awards was Winter 2022, which included articles on introducing young people to the world of upland hunting, raising pigeons for training and the coexistence of ruffed grouse and wild turkeys, to name a few.
“I’m very proud of the work we do every day for conservation, and the amazing team we have at RGS & AWS! From the top down, the organization is filled with people who truly care about habitat creation and the future of the upland birds we love to hunt. I’m honored to help share our mission through Covers, and to be recognized for excellence in my craft,” said Booth.
Photographer Bill Marchel took the image on the cover of the Winter 2022 issue, depicting two ruffed grouse feeding on crabapples after a snowstorm. Graphic designer Jim Walsh of Jim Walsh Design did the layout and design work for the Winter 2022 that took home the award.
Additionally, Covers received an APEX Award of Excellence from Communications Concepts, Inc. in the “Magazines, Journals & Tabloids” category. The APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence. The magazines submitted for this award can be about any topic and are open to the entire nation. Covers was among winners, such as the Air Line Pilots Association, American Society of Safety Professionals, AARP The Magazine, High Country Magazine and State Legislatures Magazine.
The issue that won this honor was the special edition, 10th-anniversary issue of the American Woodcock Society (Spring 2024), which included articles on everything woodcock-related. The cover featured one-of-a-kind cover art by Jay Dowd. RGS & AWS graphic designer and avid upland hunter Rob Thoresen did the layout and design work for the Spring 2024 award-winning issue.
