Field & Stream’s 2009 Hunting and Fishing Heroes and Villians Face-Off
Over the past 12 months, we’ve compiled a big list of hunting and fishing’s heroes and villians. In this gallery...
The host of No Reservations went flyfishing on his show and actually caught, and released, a trout. vs. Tom Colicchio
The head judge of Top Chef flyfishes his backyard--the East River in Manhattan. He even eats what he catches there. Winner: Colicchio
He filmed an American Express ad supporting his local fly shop.
Heroes Division I: Match B
The actor does promos for Ducks Unlimited and was one of eight conservationists honored this year by Mississippi DU. Winner: Ermey
Nobody on TV does a better job of shooting up melons or jugs of water.
Heroes Division I: Semifinal
He filmed an American Express ad supporting his local fly shop vs. R. Lee Ermey
Nobody on TV does a better job of shooting up melons or jugs of water. Winner: Ermey
With Lock N’ Load, he’s officially the biggest “gun nut” on TV–honest, Gunny, a good thing.
Heroes Division II: Match A
The Secretary of the Interior supported wolf delisting because it was the right decision, “based on the science.” vs. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
The first gun-owning, NRA-supported senator from New York in living memory. Winner: Salazar
Recognizes the need for energy development, but in the right places.
Heroes Division II: Match B
President Obama flyfished in Montana’s Gallatin River, losing six trout. Mr. Obama, you did try, but you’re no Dick Cheney. vs. Benson the Carp
A hero (or heroine) to British carp anglers, Benson died in July at the age of 25–having topped 64 pounds. Winner: Benson
Made the 63 people who caught and released her happy. Obama–not so much.
Heroes Division II: Semifinal
Recognizes the need for energy development, but in the right places. vs. Benson the Carp
Made the 63 people who caught and released her happy. Obama (whom Benson beat to advance to the second round)–not so much. Winner: Salazar
He’s angered anti-hunters over wolves and other policies–which is a very good thing.
Heroes Final Round
He’s angered anti-hunters over wolves and other policies–which is a very good thing. vs.**** R. Lee Ermey
With Lock N’ Load, he’s officially the biggest “gun nut” on TV–honest, Gunny, a good thing. Winner: Salazar advances for targeting Interior funds to “bring young people into hunting and fishing.”
Villains Division I: Match A
He wanted to “borrow” $30 million from hunting and fishing license fees to dump into California’s general fund. vs. Mayor Michael Bloomberg
He is going after a Brooklyn man for owning a flintlock rifle without a license, which the firearm does not require. Winner: Bloomberg
Hizzoner fought the transporting of firearms in checked bags on Amtrak.
Villains Division I: Match B
El Rushbo did two public-service announcements in support of the virulently anti-hunting Humane Society. vs. Glenn Beck
On his “comedy” tour, he dressed as a Founding Father and got the crowd to boo Teddy Roosevelt for being a “Progressive.” Winner: Limbaugh
He praised the HSUS as an “ally” of law enforcement in “the animal realm.”
Villians Division I: Semifinal
He praised the HSUS as an “ally” of law enforcement in “the animal realm.” vs. Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Hizzoner fought the transporting of firearms in checked bags on Amtrak. Winner: Limbaugh
Rush called HSUS’s plan to enlist churches in its agenda “positive” for American values.
Villains Division II: Match A
Schumer spearheaded (spears not yet banned) the defeat of a national right-to-carry firearms law. vs. Cass Sunstein
One of the anti-hunting czars that caused us to name Obama one of the villains of the year. This head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has questioned the right to bear arms. Winner: Sunstein
He’s said that animals have a right to legal representation by a human in a court of law.
Villains Division II: Match B
The PETA president urged the governor of Pennsylvania to push for legislation that prohibits kids from hunting. vs. Barack Obama
For appointing such a big bunch of anti-gun and anti-hunting “czars” to various positions of influence in his administration. Winner: Newkirk
This year, PETA started a campaign to rebrand fish as “sea kittens.”
Villains Division II: Semifinal
This year, PETA started a campaign to rebrand fish as “sea kittens.” vs. Cass Sunstein
He’s said that animals have a right to legal representation by a human in a court of law. Winner: Newkirk
She and PETA told Spearfish High School (S.D.) to change its name to Sea Kittens High.
Villains Final Round
Rush called HSUS’s plan to enlist churches in its agenda “positive” for American values. vs. Ingrid Newkirk
She and PETA told Spearfish High School (S.D.) to change its name to Sea Kittens High. Winner: Rush
We know Newkirk’s crazy; we thought maybe Rush was not.
Heroes vs. Villains: Championship Round
Advances to the championship for targeting Interior funds to “bring young people into hunting and fishing.” vs. Rush Limbaugh
Advances to the championship for endorsing the rabidly anti-hunting Humane Society of the United States Winner: Limbaugh
By supporting HSUS, the Maharushi disrespected a large segment of his audience made up of sportsmen, proving he’s someone with “talent on loan.”
Over the past 12 months, we’ve compiled a big list of hunting and fishing’s heroes and villians. In this gallery we’re pitting them head to head, tournament style, to see which ones come out on top. First up: the Heroes. Next: the Villains. May the best (or most evil) person win!
Want to read more about why Tom McIntyre picked who he did? Read this.