The Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society (RGS/AWS) were honored to receive a recent 2017 APEX Award for Publication Excellence in the “Magazine Series” category for the 2016 Spring, Summer and Fall Hunting Special Edition issues of the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine. The award, given in the print magazines and journals section, marks the seventh consecutive year RGS/AWS has received an APEX award.

“In many ways, the Ruffed Grouse Society is a major voice of our organization, effectively communicating our important mission of preserving sporting traditions by creating healthy forest habitat to members,” said RGS President and CEO John Eichinger. “The magazine also educates the public on the essential messages of the necessity of young forest habitat for wildlife and passing on our sporting traditions to the next generation of grouse and woodcock hunters.”

Over 1,300 participants entered the 2017 APEX Award in all categories from magazines, print media, electronic media, websites and more with the Ruffed Grouse Society magazine being one of four winning in the “Magazine Series” category out of 304 magazine entries. RGS/AWS Editor and Director of Communications Matt Soberg performs the editing and publishing duties with design and art direction by Patrick Iten of Iten Creative in Nisswa, Minnesota.

“Production of this magazine is a culmination of many efforts, thus we sincerely thank all staff, members, contributors, writers, photographers, designers, printers and others who contributed to this award and continue to provide talents to RGS/AWS publications,” stated Matt Soberg. “I dare say our staff contributes more to this member magazine that at any other conservation organization, so please know we couldn’t do it without you.”

In its 29th year, the APEX Awards for Publication Excellence is an international competition open to writers, editors, publications staff, and business and nonprofit communicators. The awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence.