WTU award recognizes outstanding efforts to expand participation inhunting and the shooting sports.

A trio of outdoor industry icons received Whitetails Unlimited Tradition Awards during the recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

The Tradition Award is presented by Whitetails Unlimited in recognition of leadership and accomplishment in the areas of conservation, education, and the preservation of the hunting tradition - the essence of the mission of Whitetails Unlimited.

The three recipients for the 2012 awards have shown a consistent, long-time commitment to helping others participate in the outdoors, and have reached out to partner with Whitetails Unlimited to accomplish more than we could have done individually.

Mark and Terry Drury have produced exceptional hunting videos and television shows for more than two decades, and have always been outstanding ambassadors for hunting and the outdoor sports. Their partnership with WTU in the Dream Sheds program is providing an innovative, exciting opportunity to benefit the Catch-a-Dream Foundation, which provides hunting and fishingtrips to children with life-threatening illnesses.

Through the generosity and imagination of Mark and Terry Drury, the Dream Sheds program is succeeding far beyond estimates, and will be able to provide the resources necessary for Catch-a-Dream to succeed in their mission. For more information about the Catch-a-Dream Foundation visit www.catchadream.org.

The second WTU Tradition Award was presented to Larry Potterfield of Midway USA. Potterfield started the business in 1977, and has built it into one of the largest and most prominent outdoor retail operations in the country, where they sell "Just About Everything® for Shooting, Reloading, Gunsmithing and Hunting."

While Midway USA is a fantastic business success story, it is not the reason Potterfield was presented with the WTU Tradition Award. Larry has made it his mission to give back to the hunting and outdoor community, and through the Midway USA Foundation they have provided resources to many groups and organizations to further participation in hunting and the shooting sports. Their support for two programs with WTU have been instrumental for raising money for the Scholastic Shooting program, and to dramatically expand the WTU Kids on Target program.

"We're thrilled to present the WTU Tradition awards to Mark and Terry Drury, and to Larry Potterfield," said WTU President Jeff Schinkten. "By themselves they've had a tremendous impact in preserving our American tradition of hunting. In addition, by partnering with Whitetails Unlimited we've all been able to accomplish more than we could have done individually. We're proud to recognize Larry, Mark, and Terry for their exceptional efforts in encouraging people to participate in hunting and the shooting sports."

For more information on Drury Outdoors visit www.druryoutdoors.com. For more information about Midway USA visit www.midwayusa.com