King of all Conservationists

So it's just a Budweiser's poll. But it's in partnership with the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation. The winner of Budweiser's 2006 "Conservationist of the Year" receives a $50,000 grant.

There are four entrants, but only one of concern to this pandologist: Ray Scott, founder of B.A.S.S., the world's largest fishing organization at 600,000 members. Ray is founder and champion of the "catch and release" philosophy - prior to him, largemouth routinely died prior to weigh in at professional tournaments. Thanks to Ray Scott's conservation efforts, the sport of professional bass fishing evolved from a backwoods redneck sport into the conservationally conscious and responsible recreation it is today. He implemented strict policies and penalizations from the tournament level down, thereby protecting the very resource that anglers were destroying for mere sport. Through this effort, Scott also changed the image of the bass angler, transforming it into a sport for all ages and genders. Sport fishing and especially bass fisherman owe a huge debt to Ray, for the sport would not have survived today were it not for him.

To vote for Ray Scott as Conservationist of the Year, click here.

To read more about Ray Scott and B.A.S.S., click here.