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Big Game Records Keeping
and Recognition
Hunter and Conservation Ethics
Conservation Research, Education,
and Demonstration
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The Boone and Crockett Club is a non-profit organization
founded in 1887 by Theodore Roosevelt. His vision was to
establish a coalition of dedicated conservationists and
sportsmen who would provide the leadership needed to address
the issues that affect hunting, wildlife and wild habitat.
The Boone and Crockett Clubs Fair Chase statement
was the first document outlining a code of conduct and ethics
for sportsmen, which later became the cornerstone of the
game laws we have today. Past Club member accomplishments
include: the protection of Yellowstone, Glacier, and Denali
National Parks; the foundation of the National Forest Service,
National Park Service, and National Wildlife Refuge System;
the passing of the Pittman-Robertson and Lacey Acts, and
the establishment of the Federal Duck Stamp Program.
Today,
the Club continues its 119-year-old commitment to hunters,
conservation, and our natural wildlife resources. Read
more>>>
Click here to read Baier’s interview with Sierra Sportsmen!
Boone and Crockett Club President Lowell E. Baier has been named 2008 Budweiser Conservationist of the Year, an honor that comes with a $50,000 grant for a wildlife or habitat project of Baier’s choice.
The Potomac, Md., hunter was selected over three other nominees in an open-ballot vote on Budweiser’s web site. He was honored this week in a ceremony in Las Vegas.
With 37 years of volunteer service to conservation, Baier has amassed a long and impressive list of accomplishments. He was the lead in drafting President Bush’s wildlife conservation agenda, and a delegate to the White House Conference on Cooperative Conservation as well as the U.S. Forest Service Centennial Steering Committee.
Baier also spearheaded a collaborative effort to protect Theodore Roosevelt’s historic 23,550-acre Elkhorn Ranch in North Dakota, a project that came to fruition in 2007.
“For almost three years, I've led a charge on behalf of the Boone and Crockett Club to acquire, preserve and protect the Elkhorn Ranch. Proceeds from this award will go into the habitat restoration and interpretive fund for the ranch, which is now held by the U.S. Forest Service,” said Baier.
Roosevelt established Elkhorn Ranch in 1884 and founded Boone and Crockett Club in 1887.
“It is with great humility that I accept this award not only for myself, but also for the other nominees, for my brethren in the Boone and Crockett Club and all of our fellow stewards who labor selflessly in noble service to enhance our country’s wildlife and natural resources. This award would have made Theodore Roosevelt immensely proud of his progeny,” said Baier.
Bob Fishbeck, Budweiser product manager for Anheuser-Busch Inc., said, “It is an honor for us to recognize Lowell, our 13th Budweiser Conservationist of the Year, and his many years of service promoting conservation initiatives with the Boone and Crockett Club and across the country.”
Since Anheuser-Busch was founded in 1852, the company has been committed to supporting the environment and conserving natural resources. In 1995, the leading American brewer bolstered its support by creating the “Budweiser Outdoors” program. The $50,000 grant from Budweiser and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation can be matched, which could increase the award to as much as $200,000.
Baier co-founded the National Capital Area Chapter of Safari Club International. He is founding charter member No. 14 of the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, serving as an officer or board member for 15 years and national convention chairman from 1978 to 1981. He spearheaded the rescue and preservation of the National Collection of Head and Horns. For the last 25 years, he has played a key role in the renaissance of the Boone and Crockett Club, with a principal role in establishing Boone and Crockett’s post-graduate wildlife program at the University of Montana and the National Conservation Leadership Institute for mid-career government wildlife managers.
A new award honoring the tenacious, collaborative spirit of America’s greatest conservationist, Theodore Roosevelt, was presented this week by the conservation and hunting organization that Roosevelt himself founded 121 years ago.
The Boone and Crockett Club has presented its first Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
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Boone and Crockett Club President, Lowell Baier (left) presents RMEF Chairman, Andy Hoxey with the award |
Given during a luncheon ceremony at SHOT Show, which concluded Feb. 5 in Las Vegas, the award recognizes the Elk Foundation’s collaborative role in acquiring and protecting Roosevelt’s historic Elkhorn Ranch in Medora, N.D.
The ranch is where Roosevelt developed his staunch conservation ethic and vision. Rugged and scenic, the land was purchased from willing sellers, the Eberts family, and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 2007. It was a landmark success following a two-year campaign led by Boone and Crockett Club with critical partnership from the Elk Foundation.
“Roosevelt understood the power of influential partners unified by strong leadership. He was a master at selecting the right people in the right places at the right time to do the right thing. These principles remain a cornerstone of the Boone and Crockett Club. Our Theodore Roosevelt Legacy Award is a special honor for a partner who best exemplifies this spirit,” said Lowell E. Baier, president of the Boone and Crockett Club.
In the Elkhorn Ranch project, the Elk Foundation brought essential expertise in legal, promotional and fundraising arenas, Baier said.
Andy Hoxsey, chairman of the board for the Elk Foundation, accepted the award.
“Cooperative partnerships are definitely the future of conservation. The Boone and Crockett Club has spent many decades developing key partners across state and federal governments, resource agencies, businesses and organizations. To be selected from their long list of partners is truly an honor for the Elk Foundation,” said Hoxsey.
David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO, added, “Any conservation organization would be honored and gratified to be mentioned alongside Theodore Roosevelt. There’s not a more authoritative acknowledgement that, together, our volunteers, members, donors and staff are an important resource for conservation today.”
The Club’s award winning television series finished its second season on the Outdoor Channel, but will be back this July, 2008 with a brand new show.
Be watching for updates regarding the new series and the complete Leupold Big Game Profiles Season II DVD, available this March. Season I DVDs are available now.
Thanks for watching Leupold Big Game Profiles presented by the Boone and Crockett Club.
Click here for more details and to download a video clip of the show introduction.
Planning a trip to Missoula, Montana? Stop by and visit our National Headquarters. For directions, click here>>> |