2010 SHOT Show – Big Night Out
I can’t remember if it was my first or second visit to the SHOT Show when someone from a little, cable network called “The Outdoor Channel” handed me a couple of passes to a special event, honoring the top hunting and outdoors television programs. The network was still pretty fresh in a new, but rapidly growing market, and I really didn’t know much about them. It seemed like a great opportunity to see what these folks were all about, and to get a look inside the fledgeling Hook-and-Bullet television phenomenon.
That party was my introduction to the Golden Moose Awards. I remember laughing in my Budweiser at the name of the award and at the idea of a “Golden Globes” for hunting and fishing TV. I can’t remember how many awards, or categories there were at that event, but I did recognize the start of something that was going to be huge. Since then, the industry, the network, and the Golden Moose Awards have grown exponentially… and it became one of the hot tickets at the annual SHOT Show.
In addition to the rewards ceremony, the event offered top-name entertainers (usually Country music). Two years ago, in Vegas, a surprise appearance by rocker/hunter Ted Nugent brought the program to a whole new level of popularity. By last year, the event had become so large and so popular that the organizers began to limit attendees to people directly related to the shows and the network. Unaffiliated writers like myself were no longer able to attend.
Last night. however, I was able to swing a highly coveted pass to the 10th annual, Golden Moose Awards program here in Las Vegas. Michael Waddell emceed the event at the Hard Rock Casino (and sponsored by Budweiser), announcing the categories and winners with classic, good-ol’ boy humor. There were 20 categories, including five “Fan Favorite” selections (fans voted via a poll on the Outdoor Channel website). The the Duck Commander team was a big winner in several categories. The categories, nominees and winners are:
- Best Overall Production | Winner: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures
Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Hunt Masters, Bone Collector, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Best of the West, Bow Madness , Leupold’s Big Game Profiles, On Your Own Adventures , Whitetail Freaks - Best Big Game | Winner: Bone Collector
Nominees: Hunt Masters, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany , On Your Own Adventures, Realtree Roadtrips, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, In Pursuit with Greg Miller, Ultimate Hunting, Bone Collector, Biologic & Drury’s Wildlife Obsession - Best Fishing | Winner: Bill Dance Saltwater
Nominees: Penn’s Big Water Adventures, Classic Patterns, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Jackie Bushman Show, Bill Dance Saltwater - Best Bird Hunting | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander
Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Outdoors 10 Best, Pheasants Forever, Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild, Benelli’s American Bird Hunter - Best Turkey | Winner: Realtree Road Trips
Nominees: Bone Collector, On Your Own Adventures, Realtree Road Trips, Muzzy’s Bad to the Bone, The Choice - Best Conservation | Winner: Beyond the Hunt
Nominees: Pheasants Forever, Beyond the Hunt, Knight & Hale’s Ultimate Hunting, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, Leupold Big Game Profiles - Best Educational / Instructional | Winner: Bass Pro Shops Next Generation
Nominees: Bass Pro Shops Next Generation, The Best of the West, Gold Fever, On Your Own Adventures, In Pursuit with Greg Miller - Best Videography | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander
Nominees: Benelli Presents Duck Commander, Bone Collector, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany, The Stihl Dogs N Logs World Championship, Hunt Masters, Destination Polaris, Tracks Across Africa - Best Sound Design | Winner: Hunt Masters
Nominees: The Best of the West, Whitetail Freaks, Hunt Masters, Benelli’s American Safari, The Crush with Lee & Tiffany - Best Graphics | Winner: (Tied for 1st) Hunt Masters & Bass Pro Shops Next Generation
Nominees: Bone Collector, Hunt Masters, She’s Beyond the Lodge, Bass Pro Shops Next Generation, Full Frame - Best Commercial | Winner: Benelli – “Vinci”
Nominees: Benelli – “Vinci,” The Best of the West – “Gunwerks LR-1000,” Duck Commander – “Carry-Lite Decoys,” Knight & Hale – “Pack Rack Tease,” Remington - Best Blooper / Outtake | Winner: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures
Nominees: Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, Inside Outdoors TV, Limbsaver’s Addicted to the Outdoors, The Jackie Bushman Show, Realtree Roadtrips - Fan Favorite Best Overall | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander
- Fan Favorite Best New Series | Winner: (Tied for 1st) Benelli Presents Duck Commander & Bone Collector
- Fan Favorite Best Hunting | Winner: Benelli Presents Duck Commander
- Fan Favorite Best Fishing | Winner: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Fishing
- Fan Favorite Best Host | Winner: Lee and Tiffany Lakosky for The Crush
- Golden Moose Honorary Award – Outdoor Adventure | Winner: Savage Wild
- Golden Moose Honorary Award – Off Road | Winner: Destination Polaris
- Golden Moose Honorary Award – Shooting Sports | Winner: Impossible Shots
Ted Nugent headlined the entertainment, and at risk of selling it short, all I can say is that there aren’t many entertainers who generate energy like Nugent. You’d never guess the man is almost 62 years old, as he belted out his trademark gonzo jams with a drive and passion that would exhaust most 20 year old rockers. The setlist was largely derived from his classics, including hits like Wango Tango, Stranglehold, and Great White Buffalo.
It was easy to see why this program has become such a high-demand event every year. 
As far as yesterday’s show, I didn’t get to a lot of booths. T. Michael Riddle was at the show all day, and I spent a good bit of time with him and his team as he provided interviews to various members of the press and media. Riddle is taking his operation to a larger audience, and by all accounts he’ll be getting some great exposure. Look for big things coming to Native Hunt soon.
Last night ran a little long, so I’m late heading out for this final day of the Show. There are still several topics I’ll be exploring, so hang tight and I’ll be back with more gear reviews and industry news this evening.
Sounds like a good time. They need a “best blog”, to tap into some multimedia.
January 22nd, 2010 at 10:40 am
Man!
I have not enjoyed a concert like the one that the Nuge’ put on as much in years (except watchin’ Ronnie of course).
The shot show itself was excellent!
But the whole show from start to finish was top notch!
Lots “O” fun!
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Josh, I’d love to get in on some of that Best Blog action… although I’m not sure they’d open the field to blogs outside their network of celebrities and writers.
Michael, it was great that you were there to enjoy the gig on Thursday night. That was definitely a great show.
January 24th, 2010 at 3:22 pm