NBEF’s Marilyn Bentz Receives Ann Hoyt Award

RAPID CITY, SD (June 9, 2026) – National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF)
Executive Director Marilyn Bentz was recently awarded with The Ann Weber
Hoyt Award of Merit. The Ann Weber Hoyt Award is reserved for those deserving
women who have demonstrated excellence in career achievements and service to the
archery community as an administrator, bowhunter, businessperson, coach, competitor
or official.

“It’s an honor to receive this award; especially after knowing and bowhunting with Ann
Hoyt,” explained Marilyn Bentz, NBEF Executive Director. “I’m passionate about archery
and bowhunting and really enjoy spreading that passion with others. Throughout my
career I’ve worked to increase participation and partnered with great individuals and
organizations to amplify those efforts.”

“Marilyn’s a great ambassador for archery and bowhunting. She’s an excellent
connector within the industry and while doing outreach,” said Tom Nelson, Archery Hall
of Fame Board President. “We extend congratulations to our friend and colleague
Marilyn on receiving the Ann Hoyt Award.”

A two-term board member of the Archery Trade Association, Bentz has led the National
Bowhunter Education Foundation as Executive Director since 2003. This global
nonprofit is dedicated to bowhunter safety and education through standardized
curriculum. Previously, she served on the NBEF Board of Directors from 1996 – 2003.
Continuing to serve the bowhunting industry, Bentz was elected to the Tree Stand
Safety Awareness Foundation in 2025. Bentz also served on the Archery Hall of Fame
Board of Directors. Marilyn was instrumental in the construction of the Archery Hall of
Fame and Museum located in Bass Pro Shops in Springfield, MO. Marilyn was onsite
two days a week from June 2012 until September 2012 when the AHOF was opened.
In recognition of her contributions to the archery and hunting community, Bentz has
received the prestigious Fred Bear Achievement Award. In 2005, Bentz was inducted
into The Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. She received IHEA’s coveted Gladney
Davidson award in 2016 for making significant contributions to hunter education. In
2026, Bentz was honored with the ATA’s Industry Impact Award for inspiring others and
growing participation in archery and bowhunting.

Bentz is a familiar face in the industry, attending many conferences and events each
year. NBEF exhibits at and sponsors many of these events with Bentz often providing

an update on bowhunter education or serving as a panelist. Representing NBEF, Bentz
regularly attends the Archery Trade Association trade show, ATA Summit, SHOT Show,
National Wild Turkey Federation conference, National Archery in the Schools Program
(NASP) competitions and state coordinator conferences, National Wildlife & National
Resource conference, Association of Conservation Information conference, Association
of Fish & Wildlife Agencies conference, National R3 conference, Pope & Young
conference, International Hunter Education USA conference, 4-H national conference,
Tree Stand Manufacturers Association conference, Archery Hall of Fame events,
Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame events, state R3 conferences, Professional
Outdoor Media Association conference and various state media conferences.

She began her career in the outdoor industry through a professional connection with
renowned entrepreneur Chuck Saunders. Bentz advanced through key leadership roles
in top archery and hunting companies, including National Sales Manager and Director of
Marketing at Saunders Archery, followed by senior positions such as Director of Sales
and Marketing and Vice President of National Sales at McKenzie Targets, Knight &
Hale; Hale/Code Blue–PRADCO, and Golden Eagle/Satellite Archery/Bear
Archery/North American Archery.

NBEF endeavors to spread NBEF’s message about its safety and success-focused
bowhunter ed classes, informational materials and to enthusiastically support the
industry.

NBEF helps bowhunters learn to be safe, successful and stewards of the sport. NBEF
offers bowhunting instructional items, books, videos, 3-D models, apparel and more at
nbef.org.

About NBEF
The National Bowhunter Education Foundation offers instructional content and tools for
bowhunter education classes in the US. Helping bowhunters learn to become safe and
successful hunters and stewards of the sport is important to the NBEF. NBEF provides
the bowhunter certification and class content that some states and certain
circumstances require to bow hunt. NBEF provides instructor training and certification.
NBEF oversees the International Bowhunter Education Program and works with the
International Hunter Education Association and state agencies to coordinate a unified
program. States may have additional requirements. Europe and other countries offer full
reciprocity for the NBEF (IBEP) certification and conduct classes.

NBEF also oversees the International Crossbow Education Program and works with
state agencies responsible for crossbow education to develop comprehensive online
crossbow safety courses that teach students important laws and regulations, game
identification, and safe, responsible handling of crossbow equipment.
NBEF is a 501(c)3 corporation that isn’t a membership-based organization. Tax-
deductible donations to support this non-profit are welcome.