Photo by Dusan Smetana

The hunting and fishing community lost one of its best this week with the passing of conservationist James D. Range, 63, after a short battle with cancer.

There may be quite a few sportsmen who have never heard of Range, but every single hunter and angler in this country has benefited from the tireless work and unmatched passion he brought to the fight for wildlife and wild places. Simply put, he was a giant whose accomplishments will live on for years to come.

Range began his work in conservation as chief counsel to Sen. Howard Baker during the period from 1980 to 1984 when the senator was majority leader. Range played an instrumental role in the crafting and final passage of a string of landmark laws, including the Clean Water Act. Later, he cofounded the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and under his direction, the TRCP quickly took the lead in uniting hunting and fishing organizations to better work for habitat. He also served on the boards of many of the major conservation organizations. For a more complete look at Range’s accomplishments, check out the TRCP website.

Range was a passionate outdoorsman, a man who loved hunting and fishing so much that he made protecting fish, game, and habitat his life’s work. He brought an extraordinary set of political skills to the fight and used a bipartisan network of friends and contacts to get things done. He was particularly good at bringing people and groups with competing interests to the same table, and once they were there, he spoke with an eloquence and passion that was hard to resist.

On a personal level, for those of us who were lucky enough to know him, Jim was a generous mentor, an inspiring leader, and a great friend. Chasing pheasants or catching trout with Range in the places he loved was a special experience. And so was being invited to one of his legendary dinners, where the food and drink was plentiful, the people interesting, the conversation lively, and the goal always the same: figuring out how sportsmen can protect wild places.

For more tributes to Jim from the people who knew him best, please visit jimrange.com. He will be greatly missed.

Anthony Licata

Editor

Comments (7)

from bayboater9 wrote 42 weeks 6 days ago

Jim Range...
Though words rarely failed him, any of us who know, loved, laughed, fished or hunted with Jim Range understand their complete inadequacy in describing him and his impact and influence on our lives. I'm so grateful he was part of mine. Its just unimaginable we're having to press on without him. But he'd kick my ass if he heard me saying that. Which maybe Jim would say is as good a legacy as a guy can hope for. So, I think we better just press on with the job he set us out to do. He'll be just ahead in the next covert or around the next bend. I'll be listening for him.....

Bruce Matthews
Founding President, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

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from stumpthumper wrote 42 weeks 6 days ago

I didn't know Jim Range, but I know the TRCP, and those guys are the best ones fighting for the places we all love. God bless, and god speed.

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from AnthonyLicata wrote 42 weeks 5 days ago

Well said, Bruce. You're right...it's very hard to put Jim's influence, personality, and impact into words. He wasn't only a great conservationist, he was a hell of a man. You're right, what would make Jim happiest is all of us pushing forward and working for his goals.
Anthony

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from Scrap5000 wrote 42 weeks 4 days ago

The great ones are always taken too soon...

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from Albert A Rasch wrote 42 weeks 4 days ago

We've lost a great ally in the fight. All of us can try to do a little bit more each and every day, and remember his legacy.

Albert A Rasch
[url=http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/] The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles [/url]

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from dwaynez wrote 42 weeks 2 days ago

The outdoor community lost a great ambassador,

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from Love2Hunt wrote 42 weeks 1 day ago

Thanks for all that you did. Hopefully in part to your dedication future generations will be able to enjoy the sports of hunting, fishing, and shooting. I would venture to say too that you have inspired many people to become more active in conservation and pressing issues to sportsmen.

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from bayboater9 wrote 42 weeks 6 days ago

Jim Range...
Though words rarely failed him, any of us who know, loved, laughed, fished or hunted with Jim Range understand their complete inadequacy in describing him and his impact and influence on our lives. I'm so grateful he was part of mine. Its just unimaginable we're having to press on without him. But he'd kick my ass if he heard me saying that. Which maybe Jim would say is as good a legacy as a guy can hope for. So, I think we better just press on with the job he set us out to do. He'll be just ahead in the next covert or around the next bend. I'll be listening for him.....

Bruce Matthews
Founding President, Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation

+4 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from stumpthumper wrote 42 weeks 6 days ago

I didn't know Jim Range, but I know the TRCP, and those guys are the best ones fighting for the places we all love. God bless, and god speed.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from AnthonyLicata wrote 42 weeks 5 days ago

Well said, Bruce. You're right...it's very hard to put Jim's influence, personality, and impact into words. He wasn't only a great conservationist, he was a hell of a man. You're right, what would make Jim happiest is all of us pushing forward and working for his goals.
Anthony

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Scrap5000 wrote 42 weeks 4 days ago

The great ones are always taken too soon...

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from Albert A Rasch wrote 42 weeks 4 days ago

We've lost a great ally in the fight. All of us can try to do a little bit more each and every day, and remember his legacy.

Albert A Rasch
[url=http://trochronicles.blogspot.com/] The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles [/url]

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from Love2Hunt wrote 42 weeks 1 day ago

Thanks for all that you did. Hopefully in part to your dedication future generations will be able to enjoy the sports of hunting, fishing, and shooting. I would venture to say too that you have inspired many people to become more active in conservation and pressing issues to sportsmen.

+1 Good Comment? Yes | No | Report

from dwaynez wrote 42 weeks 2 days ago

The outdoor community lost a great ambassador,

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