.jpg)
Photo Courtesy Pioneer PBS
GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — October 19, 2026 — Prairie Sportsman received three awards at the annual Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) conference in Lewiston, New York, near Niagara Falls. The awards were presented to Prairie Sportsman host/editor Bret Amundson and videographer/editor Dan Amundson during AGLOW’s Awards-In-Craft ceremony, which recognizes excellence in outdoor media across television, video, web, print, radio, podcast and other platforms.
The Pioneer PBS outdoor program earned first- and second-place awards in the TV, Video, Webcast or Vlog category, with both winning entries showcasing the program’s focus on Minnesota’s outdoor traditions, wildlife and the people who enjoy and protect the state’s natural resources.
First Place: “Rabbit Hunting and Raptor Rehab”
The episode Rabbit Hunting and Raptor Rehab took first place for its segment in which Host Bret Amundson joins a group of longtime friends for their annual Black Friday rabbit hunt. The episode also visits the Raptor Center, where injured birds of prey receive care and the public learns more about these important predators.
The episode is part of Prairie Sportsman’s 17th season.
Second Place: “Along the Gunflint Trail”
Along the Gunflint Trail received second place for its exploration of one of Minnesota’s most iconic outdoor destinations. Amundson travels the Gunflint Trail, visiting fishing guide Jessica Berg-Collman of Seagull Creek Fishing Camp and the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, where he explores the area’s history, culture and wildlife along the Boundary Waters.
Third Place: “Motivational Mallards”
The Prairie Sportsman segment Motivational Mallards received third place for its story about an inspirational waterfowl hunt with John Kriesel, followed by a visit to the 42nd Prairie Pothole Day. The segment highlights both the personal connections that make outdoor experiences meaningful and the importance of Minnesota’s prairie pothole region and the habitat it provides for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Prairie Sportsman is a production of Pioneer PBS and airs on PBS stations throughout Minnesota and surrounding states. The program connects viewers with Minnesota’s outdoor traditions, natural resources, wildlife and the people who spend their time enjoying and stewarding the outdoors. Major funding for Prairie Sportsman is provided by the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund. Prairie Sportsman episodes, including “Rabbit Hunting and Raptor Rehab” and “Along the Gunflint Trail,” are available to stream online at Pioneer PBS and through the PBS App. Viewers can also check local PBS listings for upcoming broadcast times.
About Prairie Sportsman
Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates the love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing, and recreation while promoting environmental stewardship. The 2026 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Big Stone County, Yellow Medicine County, Lac qui Parle County, Meeker County, Swift County, and members of Pioneer PBS. If you enjoy Prairie Sportsman, become a friend of Prairie Sportsman by filling out a Google Form.
About Pioneer PBS
Established in 1966, Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station dedicated to sharing stories from rural Minnesota with the world. For nearly 60 years, Pioneer PBS has amplified local voices and reflected the people, places, and issues that matter most to our region.
Headquartered in Granite Falls, Minnesota, with towers in Appleton, Worthington, and Fergus Falls, Pioneer PBS reaches more than one million viewers across western Minnesota, the eastern Dakotas, and northern Iowa. We are honored to be your television station—the only station in western Minnesota telling your stories. As we celebrate 60 years of storytelling, we invite you to help ensure these stories continue for the next 60 years and beyond.
Learn more at pioneer.org or call 800-726-3178.
Support
Due to recent funding cuts to Pioneer PBS and other PBS stations across the nation, shows, particularly the local programming you love are in jeopardy. Consider becoming a member of Pioneer PBS to support the shows you love. For more information, including how to support Pioneer PBS, visit pioneer.org.
.JPG)
.jpg)