In a pairing reminiscent of "The Odd Couple," Democratic U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is sharing Field and Stream magazine's Hero of the Year award with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

The pair, who share little in the way of political leanings, are being recognized for gains they've made on behalf of hunting and fishing enthusiasts.

The magazine is honoring Schumer for helping secure a bill to provide millions of dollars in incentives to landowners who allow hunting and fishing on the property. Palin is being lauded for being the first true hunter to run for executive office since Teddy Roosevelt.

"Hunting and fishing are not just recreational activities - they're vital parts of the economy. And this bill is a win-win that helps provide desperately needed access to land for our hunters and puts cold, hard cash into the hands of our hardworking farmers," Schumer said in a news release. "Receiving Field and Streams' 'Hero award along with Sarah Palin certainly makes an odd couple, but I'm proud of my work to support New York's hunting and fishing community."

Following a report last year that revealed a lack of hunting land, and a growing deer population that is responsible for destroying up to $60 million a year in crops, Schumer joined Sen. Kent Conrad in pushing a bill that would provide the opportunity to protect the state's sporting and gaming industry, give upstate farmers additional funding, and control the state's growing deer population, Shumer's office said.