Me and Huckabee
Thursday, January 17, 2008
by Ray Scott
Imagine my surprise when I picked up the December/January special issue of Outdoor Life to find myself on the cover along with a mighty impressive group of men and women, including – of all people – former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. We were two of 25 individuals honored on Outdoor Life’s debut list of those who’ve had the greatest positive impact on hunting and fishing.
It was one heck of a coincidence, as I had just made the decision to support Huckabee in his presidential bid and was preparing to stump for him in the South Carolina primaries.
Now I’ve never been a one-issue voter and never will be, but I have to admit it’s sure tempting when you’ve got a candidate who has not only been a longtime member of BASS, but a life member since l996. No, I wouldn’t support a candidate on his fishing credentials alone, but Huckabee comes with an outdoor background that is rock solid – no need to fake rod and gun photos with this guy.
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Photo: Ray Scott Outdoors
BASS founder Ray Scott meets with then-Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee at a BASS tournament in Little Rock in 2005. Scott is endorsing Huckabee’s bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
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He is a fellow bass fanatic for sure and grew up in Arkansas enjoying that state's magnificent natural resources. Arkansas definitely has a special place in my heart and in bass history as the home of my very first bass tournament – the All-American in l967 at Beaver Lake. In many ways it was the birth place of BASS, because with the success of that tournament, my eyes were truly opened to the widespread passion for bass fishing.
At our last tournament in Arkansas, the Governor slipped into the weigh-in without fanfare and came up to greet me. He genuinely enjoyed the event.
Genuine is the operative word for Mike Huckabee – he is just that. He is also approachable and a straight shooter. He looks you in the eye and makes good common sense. Plus, he’s got a great sense of humor. Folks in Arkansas say he knows how to lead and govern and reach across the aisle.
He also puts his money where his mouth is. Just months into his governorship (1996-2007) Huckabee helped pass Amendment 75 to the Arkansas state constitution, called the Conservation Amendment. It designated that l/8 of 1% of the state’s general sales tax go to four agencies, including the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Although the amendment surfaced before he took office, Huckabee is the one who pushed it forward.
As a matter of fact, he and his wife Janet endorsed the effort by making a special trip down the Arkansas River from Fort Smith to Dumas – in their bass boat, no less. They made numerous stops along the way and got a lot of media attention for the amendment.
Today Amendment 75 pumps approximately $26 million annually into AGF coffers alone. Huckabee has also improved public access for hunters and anglers and instigated programs designed to get kids fishing.
As a mater of fact, he has said he wants every young person in the state to be within a bicycle ride of a fishing opportunity. That’s not just a man who loves fishing, it’s a man who understands the lives and the dreams of Middle America.
Like I said, I’d be a fool to endorse a candidate based on love of bass fishing alone, but this is a man with a message of hope, prosperity and strength. Like a friend of mine said, “He’s the real deal.”
That about says it all for this outdoorsman.
Note: To read more about the inspiring story of Ray Scott and the multi-billion-dollar sportfishing industry he created, order Robert Boyle's biography, Bass Boss, at RayScott.net, or call (800) 518-7222..
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