Editor's Note: I'm a bit baffled as to why I wasn't included on this list. Go figure? But there are some pretty cool people here. Vote for your favorite before Dec. 15.
Outdoor Life announces its annual "Outdoor Life 25," naming the 25 most influential people in hunting and fishing, in its December/January 2009 issue. The magazine profiles a selection of outdoor leaders, innovators, conservationists and unsung heroes who have had a major positive impact on the outdoor sports.
Readers are encouraged to log ontowww.OutdoorLife.com/OL25 to vote for the most deserving individual, who will be presented with the Readers' Choice Award. The December/January 2009 issue will hit newsstands on November 20.
"These 25 people are a great example of all the innovation and hard work happening in the outdoor community." said Todd Smith, Editor-in-Chief ofOutdoor Life. "From making it possible for disabled veterans to hunt to inventing personal locator beacons to save lives-the contributions of this group are immeasurable."
Some of the familiar names making the list this year include famed outdoor writer Homer Circle and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, who is lauded for his promotion of outdoor sports and conservation efforts. They are joined on the list by conservationists like Adolphus Bush IV, who founded the Great Rivers Habitat Alliance for floodplain preservation after losing his family home in Missouri to a catastrophic flood.
The 25 honorees are grouped into four categories: Leaders, who by their individual efforts and sheer strength of will have had a strong impact on the hunting and fishing scene; Innovators, whose product breakthroughs make time spent in the outdoors more productive and enjoyable; Conservationists, who work to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the outdoors; and Unsung Heroes, who in quiet but important ways are doing great things for the outdoor sports. This marks the second year Outdoor Life has compiled the Outdoor Life 25.
Honorees, who were nominated by the magazine's readers and staff, were selected by a panel of Outdoor Life editors. Previous Outdoor Life 25 honorees include Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, Ted Nugent and Ray Scott.
"I hope these stories help inspire others," said Smith. "There are so many people who are making a difference in the hunting and fishing community, both globally and locally, and this list is all about celebrating them."
2009 OUTDOOR LIFE 25 LEADERS
* Homer Circle
* Toxey Haas
* Bill Jordan
* Randy Luth
* Johnny Morris
* Steve Scruggs
* Joan Wulff
INNOVATORS
* Lennart Arvidsson
* Paul Hardin
* Kevin Plank
* Ted Sakai
CONSERVATIONISTS
* Dave Brower
* Adolphus Busch IV
* Kathy Davis
* John Lewis
* Shane Mahoney
* Jeff Nania
* Don Peay
UNSUNG HEROES
* John Annoni
* Lew Deal
* Ann Evans
* Ron Fretts
* Dave Klein
* George Meyer
* Bob Pucci