In a 90-minute TV special featuring Outdoor Channel’s 2012 Golden Moose Awards, the focus was on excellence in the outdoor industry. And throughout the show, filmed January 19 in Las Vegas, there was a prevailing theme. Presenters and recipients alike made it a point to acknowledge the unprecedented contributions of lifelong outdoorsman and conservationist Ted Nugent.

“To be in the same room with Ted Nugent is pretty serious for me!”  said veteran Hollywood star and shooting enthusiast Joe Mantegna. “Thank you to Ted Nugent. The night we flew to the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming, (to film for Gun Stories) we caught the Piers Morgan Show and were able to see Ted Nugent give Piers Morgan an education on the constitution of the United States and the 2nd amendment, which made us believe we were doing the right thing.”

The acknowledgements continued. And upon announcing Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild as Fan Favorite Best Overall, presenter and outdoor luminary Jim Shockey was visibly moved, stating that Nugent is “a person I have huge respect for, a person who has taken the hunting message to over a billion people and not just hunters…”

As for Nugent, he declared, “We are moved by what moves you. We are honored and humbled to be in your presence. You are the BloodBrothers.” Before leaving the stage, Nuge took another opportunity to galvanize the crowd. “It’s 2012. May I beseech you. May I humbly request and prod that you as leaders of the best of humanity, turn up the heat so we can take this country back!”