Editor’s Insight by Texas Outdoors Journal Founder and Editor, Bill L. Olson

On May 3, 2025, at the 67th Annual Texas Outdoor Writers Association Conference held at Charlotte Plummers Restaurant in Rockport — Texas Outdoors Journal, TOJ Team Members and Texas Outdoor News radio increased their awards totals. Each year T.O.W.A.’s Excellence In Craft competition recognizes the best in Texas print and broadcast journalism plus photography.
In the highly competitive Outdoor Publication category Texas Outdoors Journal received two of the four awards presented including First Place (August 2024 issue) and Second Place (January 2024 issue). Combined with winnings from the previous 26 years brings TOJ’s total to an unprecedented 27 consecutive years of recognition. No other outdoor publication can equal this level of sustained excellence.
Individual awards substantiated the consistent quality TOJ produces each month. Bob Zaiglin again dominated the Outdoor Photography – Wildlife plus Outdoor Photography — People categories. Zaiglin received four awards including First and Second Place in both Outdoor Photography — Wildlife and Outdoor Photography – People.
Danno Wise was recognized with an award in Outdoor Photography Wildlife. He also picked up a Second Place award in the Outdoor Illustrations & Graphics for his Saltwater Tackle Tips — “Reading the Surf and Picking the Bait.” Wise was awarded for his Outdoor Feature entitled “San Jose Island – A Texas Coastal Treasure”
I picked up a Second Place for my Outdoor Column, “Continued Obsession with Axis Deer.” Harold Gunn was recognized for his Outdoor Column entitled “Historical Hunting Arms.” Rounding out awards was a Second Place for TOJ’s information filled website that provides regular news updates plus useful tools for anglers and hunters not readily found or available. The content includes sunrise and sunsets, coastal maps of old production well locations from the General Land Office, current lake levels and much more.
Texas Outdoor News radio remains the most honored outdoor radio show in Texas. The long running 31 year old world-wide, weekly syndicated news/interview radio show collected two awards in the Outdoor Radio category including First and Second Place. This year’s guests on entries submitted were TOJ’s Saltwater Editor Danno Wise and TOJ’s Whitetail Editor Bob Zaiglin. Both guests provided timely insights for listeners in advance as primetime seasons began to open.
Founded with the October 1992 issue, Texas Outdoors Journal is distributed statewide across the Lone Star State with additional readers residing across the United States. Timely year-round fishing, hunting, outdoors travel, and forecasts are covered in every monthly issue, 12 times each year.
Texas Outdoor News radio was founded in 1993. Its news and interview format provides timely outdoor updates, weekly best bets plus insights from experts from the outdoor industry, the field, political leaders, manufacturers, plus top guides and outfitters.
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