Mehall Phillips Named Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year

Carl Zeiss Sports Optics, an international leader in optics and optoelectronics, named American Hunter Senior Editor Karen Mehall Phillips its 2015 Outdoor Writer of the Year at the 2016 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 18.

"Karen is one of the most progressive writers and optic users in the industry," said Joel Harris, head of global public relations for Carl Zeiss SBE, LLC. "She is full of dedication and confidence in every aspect of her work. She masterfully communicates with a deep insight, along with accurate and in-depth information that greatly benefits her readers."

An avid hunter for 27 years, Mehall Phillips has pursued big game, upland birds and turkeys in 25 states and in Canada, Africa, Europe, New Zealand and Greenland. Five years ago she took up bowhunting, and since then has taken her best whitetail buck and bull elk to date.

In 1998, after seven years promoting NRA programs as a public relations representative, Mehall Phillips joined NRA Publications. She was the founding editor in chief of two NRA Official Journals (Woman’s Outlook and America’s 1st Freedom); she served as co-host of “American Hunter Television”; currently, she serves as Senior Editor of American Hunter. As an NRA Endowment member, Mehall Phillips actively promotes the involvement of women and youth in the outdoors.

Since 2003, 13 writers have been named Carl Zeiss Outdoor Writer of the Year. Previous winners include NRA Publications Editorial Director John Zent and AH Field Editor Ron Spomer.