MISSOULA, Mont.-In recognition of its 124-year commitment to sustainable-use conservation, the Boone and Crockett Club has received the prestigious Sporting Heritage Award of Excellence from Sporting Classics magazine.

Boone and Crockett will be featured in the March/April 2012 edition of Sporting Classics, one of America's finest hunting and fishing magazines.

Now in its 12th year, the Awards of Excellence program salutes the world's best sporting products, manufacturers, individual craftsmen and organizations that play major roles in conservation and promoting hunting and fishing. The Sporting Classics staff, along with 20 senior and contributing editors, annually selects recipients. Previous honorees include the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation and Dallas Safari Club.

Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, Boone and Crockett is one of the first and most influential conservation organizations. Its members founded the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostered the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, created the Federal Duck Stamp program and built the cornerstones of modern game laws.

"Boone and Crockett Club is known worldwide for helping to establish the North American model of wildlife conservation, as well as its ongoing commitment to habitat stewardship, wildlife management and big-game record keeping," said Chuck Wechsler, publisher of Sporting Classics. "In addition, the Club's ongoing work in conservation policy backed by science definitely makes them worthy of recognition through this award."

Club President Ben Wallace said, "Boone and Crockett has never been about seeking recognition for its accomplishments, preferring to work quietly behind the scenes to get done what is needed. Every once and a while, it is good to be noticed. Our members are certainly proud of this honor."

About the Boone and Crockett Club

Founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887, the Boone and Crockett Club promotes guardianship and visionary management of big game and associated wildlife in North America. The Club maintains the highest standards of fair-chase sportsmanship and habitat stewardship. Member accomplishments include enlarging and protecting Yellowstone and establishing Glacier and Denali national parks, founding the U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service and National Wildlife Refuge System, fostering the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, creating the Federal Duck Stamp program, and developing the cornerstones of modern game laws. The Boone and Crockett Club is headquartered in Missoula, Mont. For details, visit www.boone-crockett.org.