Loomis began his groundbreaking career in 1974 at Lamiglas, where he operated its blank facility and was the first to use graphite technology in rod production. In 1980, he launched Loomis Composites Inc., and soon thereafter founded Loomis Franklin, a Taiwanese company that eventually became the world's largest producer of graphite fishing rods.
In 1982, Loomis started his own company, G. Loomis, Inc., designing and building his production equipment from scratch. Among the innovations spawned under his direction are the IMX and GLX series of rods, which use proprietary G. Loomis graphite. Having just celebrated its 25th anniversary, the company is a recognized leader in high-performance fishing-rod production, with five major product lines and a new line of fly reels.
In recent years, Loomis has spent increasing time and energy on fishing conservation projects, helping to expand the Coastal Conservation Association and founding the nonprofit Fish First organization. With its mission of "More and better fish in the Lewis River with no politics," Fish First focuses on the quality and quantity issues related to salmon, steelhead and their habitat, without getting into the heated issues surrounding fish harvest or other potentially divisive subjects. Projects currently under way include net pens, ecosystem restoration and habitat improvement for the entire Lewis River system. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!CRAIG MITCHELL DYER
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Brothers Jim (above) and Dick Cabela, along with Dick's wife, Mary, run the sporting-goods behemoth, which does business across North America and in 120 countries.
But their leadership in the hunting and fishing world is perhaps even more significant. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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Those in the know attribute the NASP's meteoric growth in great part to Richardson's enthusiasm and leadership. "Jennie set the benchmark for NASP. She proved it was achievable on a national level," says Ken Watkins, president of the International Bowhunting Organization.
This past June, the annual NASP National Tournament and Conference attracted 1,577 student archers from 120 schools and 20 states. Given the organization's current rate of growth, it's estimated that by 2010 more than 2.5 million middle and high school students could be shooting bows and arrows. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!CHAD GREEN
In Outdoor Life's 100th anniversary issue, Bass Angler Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) founder Scott was cited for his "flash of brilliant intuition"-an intuition that has fueled the sportfishing tackle and boating industry for nearly four decades. In that issue, OL Fishing Editor Jerry Gibbs noted, "The burgeoning sport triggered a wave of tackle and boating innovations, and elevated black bass into its position as the nation's favorite game fish."
Former president George H.W. Bush, who worked with Scott on the passage of the Wallop-Breaux Act in 1984, had this to say of him: "I am proud to say I know Ray Scott as a friend, fellow angler and committed conservationist. Ray has worked for more than forty years to promote bass fishing and whitetail deer management and to expand opportunities for anglers and hunters alike." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
Thanks to Brunson's prominence, Catch-A-Dream operates on a truly global basis as a functioning department of the MSU Extension Service. As an integral part of the university's infrastructure, the foundation is able to devote 100 percent of its resources to giving deserving youngsters something to hope for. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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Oh, yeah-did we mention that he plays guitar? Nugent recently released his 32nd album, an achievement practically unheard-of in the recording industry.
"He's a demographic-defying, label-defying and age-defying juggernaut of energy, spirit and attitude," says Doug Banker, Nugent's manager of 25 years.
Whatever your own opinion of Ted-and everyone seems to have one-it is probably similarly hyperbolic, just like the man himself. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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After a two-year stint as director of engineering for Smith & Wesson, Coburn accepted a challenge in 1983 to help reinvent the Case knife company, which had fallen on difficult times. Nearly four years and a success story later, he was called upon to work some similar magic with Savage Arms.
After Savage filed for bankruptcy in 1987, Coburn became president and CEO, and took the dramatic step of removing 9 of 11 guns from the product line-retaining only the 110 bolt-action rifle and the 24 O/U shotgun.
Today, as owner of the company and with restructuring a dim memory, Coburn, 59, holds 36 patents, including one for the company's premier product, the Accutrigger. He also serves as chairman of the 4-H Shooting Sports Foundation, sponsor of the Massachusetts Hunter Safety Certification Program and member of the NRA Board of Advisors. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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¿But it was an epiphany McGinley experienced while on a hunting trip in 1997-his brainstorm in the rainstorm-that changed the course of his company and attracted the attention of outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.
It was after a miserably wet eight days in Oregon's Cascade range, where virtually every piece of his allegedly "waterproof" gear failed to varying degrees, that he embarked on a personal quest to develop gear that actually delivered what it promised.
Nearly three years in the making, Hydro2 PowerLock, or the H2P Water-proof System, uses proprietary micro-cell technology to laminate a waterproof yet breathable membrane between two layers of fleece. The result is a 100 percent waterproof, windproof, stretchable, durable and, above all, quiet material that lives up to the hype.
Now in its seventh year of production, H2P has expanded its reach beyond the soggy Northwest, as hunters worldwide are noticeably drier, warmer and generally more comfortable afield than they used to be. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!STEPHEN BRASHEAR
The men responsible for this fish-catching phenomenon are Berkley's director of fish research Dr. Keith Jones (above right) and product development director John Prochnow (left). For the past 20-odd years, the two have been on the leading edge of research geared to identify the exact chemical components that trigger feeding action in various types of game fish. Prochnow and Jones have analyzed the chemical makeup of hundreds of natural foods and flavors, and used those findings to determine which act as positive, negative or neutral feeding stimulants. The latest collaboration from Prochnow and Jones-and the 2007 ICAST "Best of Show" in soft-baits-is the new, rechargeable Gulp! Alive biodegradable bait. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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Although the modest Emary is quick to share recognition for many of Hornady's recent achievements, he is widely credited with initiating the current trend in specialty and customized factory-loaded ammunition, launching the age of so-called factory-designer ammo.
In recent years, it was Emary's design and foresight that brought hunters and shooting enthusiasts the .376 Steyr, .204 Ruger, .17 HMR, .308 Marlin Express and Lever-Evolution ammo. He is also recognized as the driving force behind Hornady Light and Heavy Magnum loads, polymer-tipped SST and A-MAX bullet designs, and across-the-board improvements in propellant technology. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!LANE HICKENBOTTOM
The totally new, patented optics technology took five years to develop from concept to reality. It represents the first scope to offer such a large zoom magnification along with the widest field of view for rapid target acquisition. The man credited with its invention is the company's 37-year-old optics designer, Albert Fiedler, who joined Swarovski nearly 10 years ago.
Besides being the first 30mm riflescope with such an extensive magnification range, Fiedler's Z6 achieved nearly a 50 percent increase in field of view com-pared to state-of-the-art riflescopes with 4X zoom. It also provides a significant increase in eye relief. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
Hannon currently holds 15 patents, including one for his weedless propeller, an innovation that effectively revolutionized the trolling motor industry. His newest entry in the angling market, the WaveCast System, is said to represent the first significant improvement in salt- and freshwater spinning-reel design in more than 50 years. What sets the WaveCast apart from its competitors is that it's virtually impossible for the line to bird's nest during a cast.
The WaveCaster's modern-looking design features smooth, rounded teeth on the lip of the spool. These teeth completely eliminate the eruption of a bird's nest should a loop form on the spooled line during casting; the loop simply unwinds, lying down between the raised teeth. Put to the test by OL Fishing Editor Jerry Gibbs and some "pretty vile casters," Hannon's latest creation lived up to its claims. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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If you're a game-agency biologist stuck for information on wild turkeys, odds are you'll call the go-to guy in wild turkey research, management and conservation: Dr. James Earl Kennamer, senior VP for conservation programs at the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). A former professor of wildlife, Kennamer has forged strong ties between hunters and wildlife agencies, corporations and conservation groups, to help restore turkey populations across North America.
When the NWTF was founded, in 1973, there were an estimated 1.5 million hunters and just 1.3 million turkeys. Today? More than 7 million turkeys and 3 million turkey hunters, and Kennamer is a big reason why. One of his early moves was to create the NWTF Technical Committee, bringing together state-agency biologists to coordinate habitat work, trap-and-release programs and funding. Kennamer also devised a plan in which states providing wild turkeys would be repaid for trapping expenses and "replacement costs" of the birds. "James Earl has helped steer turkey research and restoration across this country," says Curtis Taylor, chief of Wildlife Resources for West Virginia's DNR. "He's an icon of wildlife conservation." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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Specifically, the Open Fields legislation would provide up to $20 million per year in grants to supplement state and tribal efforts to provide public access on private land for outdoor recreation.
"Millions of new acres are opened to hunters and fishermen, while farmers and ranchers get a little additional income," says Conrad. "My bill gives rural America an economic shot in the arm, and protects the land for future generations to enjoy the great outdoors."
By July, Open Fields had passed the House of Representatives, as part of the Farm Bill, and was headed to the Senate. "He was completely aware of the access problems and how they impacted hunters and fishermen," says Jim Range, chairman of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the group that originated the Open Fields plan. "His helping us move that bill in a bipartisan fashion is a major reason why we've gotten it as far as we have. We feel we've got a real shot at getting the program in place." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
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"From that moment on," Woods says, "I've never wanted to be anything but a deer biologist." He's done that-and much, much more. With a Ph.D. in wildlife biology from Clemson University, Woods founded one of the first wildlife consulting firms, Woods and Associates, in 1990. It advises landowners on deer management, harvest strategies and food plots. He also conducts deer research for several universities and is among the most quoted deer experts in the press. Many consider his book, Deer Management 101, the bible of the Quality Deer Management movement.
"He's done more than a hundred seminars for us over the last twenty years," says Brian Murphy, executive director of the Quality Deer Management Association, "often fully at his own cost and never with any compensation in return." Besides having a great passion for deer, Woods is a fine communicator.
"Grant has that unique ability to communicate across education and experience levels, and to motivate hunters and landowners," Murphy adds. "A lot of biologists just can't do that." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
The amendment surfaced before Huckabee took office, notes Steve Smith, president of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, but it didn't have the political legs to go forward. Then Huckabee got involved.
"He and his wife, Janet, endorsed our effort by making a special trip down the Arkansas River, from Fort Smith to Dumas, in their bass boat to draw attention to the amendment," says Smith. "They made sixteen stops along the way and got a lot of media attention."
Approved in 1996, the amendment pumps approximately $26 million annually into AGFC coffers alone, which the agency has used to build state-of-the-art nature centers. Huckabee also improved public access for hunters and anglers, and instituted programs to get kids fishing. "He wanted every young person in the state to be within a bicycle ride of a fishing opportunity," says Smith. In 1997, Huckabee was honored as the Man of the Year by the American Sportfishing Association, and in 2000 entered the Arkansas Outdoor Hall of Fame. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!AP PHOTO/JIM BRYANT
Since 1983, Professor Kaminski has mentored more than 75 graduate students, authored 90 science-based publications, edited a book and written numerous textbook chapters on waterfowl management. He's also garnered more than $4 million in grants for his research and educational projects. Recent research looked at how waterfowl use waste rice in harvested fields in the Mississippi Delta; such work helps waterfowl managers schedule hunting seasons and plan habitat projects. In 2006, Ducks Unlimited (DU) awarded Kaminski its Lifetime Achievement and Service Award in Wetlands Conservation. The organization has been so impressed with Kaminski's work that it has funded many of his graduate students over the last two decades.
"He's one of the small number of professors who have pretty much focused their whole careers on waterfowl and wetlands," says Scott Yaich, DU's director of conservation operations. At a time when many universities are doing away with wildlife-conservation programs, Kaminski is working to endow a "waterfowl chair" at Mississippi State. Outside of his academic career, Kaminski loves to introduce young people to waterfowl conservation. "He's very passionate about getting kids into waterfowl hunting," says Yaich, "and just getting them outdoors." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
But seven years ago, Howell started the Kicking Bear Foundation, which holds bowhunts, camp-outs and archery shoots for disadvantaged youths, at no cost to them, and this work has pretty much consumed his life. He uses his own money and much help from sponsors (he guest-hosts various television shows and is a pro staffer for several companies) to offer Kicking Bear in 16 states. Kicking Bear and Howell received the 2007 Pope and Young Club "Stewardship Award," given to an individual or organization conveying a positive image of archery to the public.
"You've never seen kids light up so much," says Keith Rosenthal, president of the Blackhawk Archers in La Crosse, Wis., which hosted two Kicking Bear events in 2007. "I can't say enough good things about the events-or Ray."
Howell, 53, takes little credit for the positive influence he's had on so many young people. "The Lord's at the helm of this ship," says Howell. "I'm just here to help." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!COURTESY OF DAWN MARTINEZ
Soon after, Sternberg persuaded the DNR to establish the Minnesota Fishing Round-table, a public forum that gives state anglers a big say in fishery management decisions. Then he proposed and got the state legislature to approve the "Accelerated Stocking Program," which increases fish stocking at lakes with little to no natural reproduction. In between, he managed to author or co-author some 50 books and write hundreds of articles.
Several years ago, Sternberg created an accelerated fisheries management plan for the Leech Lake Fishing Task Force. The lake, in northern Minnesota, had dwindling numbers of game fish, particularly walleyes. Today it is in full recovery mode. Task Force chairman Larry Anderson says, "Dick is a real leader. Minnesota is lucky to have him." Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
"But we didn't have a lot of anglers on board to collect the fish," Klumph remembers. "Jack pretty much carried that program in the early years." Smith is also president of the North Coast Salmon and Steelhead Enhancement Fund, which hosts the North Coast Salmon Rendezvous. The Rendezvous is a two-day fall fund-raiser held in Tillamook, for which guides donate their time, boats and gear to take out anglers, who pay $600 apiece to fish local rivers. The event has raised as much as $70,000, money that funds numerous fisheries projects along the North Coast. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
"At the first public meeting, in 1999, we were handed relocation brochures-for us!" Smithson recalls. The USFWS eventually changed its mind about creating a bat "refuge," thanks in part to Smithson's tireless opposition.
But Smithson realized people were often powerless to fight the government on land-use, access, environmental and endangered-species issues-even when their lands and livelihoods were at stake-because they didn't understand the laws and science surrounding these matters. So she tutored herself on these issues and has been educating sportsmen, ranchers and farmers ever since. Today, she ekes out a spartan living on donations generated by her research.
"She's the layman's expert, so to speak," says Jim Slinsky, who's had Smithson on his radio program, Outdoor Talk Network. "We need people like her."
You can visit Smithson's Property Rights Research site at propertyrightsresearch.org. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!COURTESY OF DEAN SHIPLEY
The suit was partly settled in the late 1990s, with the $215 million settlement devoted to Clark Fork restoration.
After leaving FWP in 1986, Bradshaw did two stints with Trout Unlim-ited, including his current position as a staff lawyer for the Montana Water Project.
In the 1980s, he helped the Montana legislature formulate access laws that have kept most streams open to the public. He has also fought various river diversion schemes. An avid hunter and angler, Bradshaw was named one of the 100 Most Influential Montanans of the 20th century by The Missoulian newspaper. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
"Ernie Perkins is an excellent example of how a citizen can make a difference for wildlife," says Travis Proctor, Utah Chukar and Wildlife Foundation president.
Perkins is a political force in Utah, too, Proctor notes, lobbying to secure vital funding for wildlife programs and following up to make sure those funds are spent wisely. "Ernie's efforts pay off for all upland hunters and many wildlife species in Utah," says Proctor. Now 66, Perkins says, "My only regret is that it is getting a lot tougher to keep up with the kids when we're chukar hunting!" Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
Blythe spent his career in the family sporting-goods business. A few years before he retired, the North American Waterfowl Management Plan was created. Among other things, it called for restoring the million-acre Grand Kankakee Marsh. With retirement, Blythe threw himself into this effort, working with partners to buy up lands, restore or enhance privately held wetlands and raise funds.
"Dick has been an incredible leader on this from the beginning," says Jim Sweeney, president of the Friends of the Kankakee. Blythe's status as both a local boy and an avid duck hunter, Sweeney notes, gave him instant credibility with area farmers and hunters, key players in the restoration. Have someone you want to nominate? Click here. Voting for the OL 25 Reader's Choice Award has ended.
Check back soon for the results!Outdoor Life Online Editor
Presidential nominee Mike Huckabee is on our list of people who have changed the face of hunting and fishing. Check out who else made honors in the first annual OL 25!
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