What does it mean to have passion? Lifehack says,
"Passion is a strong desire that can get you to do amazing things. Passion is an emotion to be acted upon. Without action, passion yields no worthwhile results. Passion is the fuel in the fire of action. When you have passion for something, you love it even when you hate it."
An advocate is a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.
I hung up the phone, adjusted it on my desk, and glanced at the notes I had quickly taken: [Phoenix] next week. Arizona Outdoors Sports Show. Meet Don, work three days, and do Don’s radio show Sunday. "He’s a passionate cat." __WBS]
The following Thursday, I stepped out of the hotel onto the hot Phoenix sidewalk along the side of Wild Bill [the late “Wild Bill” Skinner]. Bill said, “Watch for a truck with flames.” I thought, "Man, I sure hope it’s got a good AC.” Bill chuckled and mumbled, “Bet you a coke, he’s wearing a cap with flames on it.” I bit and would later buy Wild Bill a Big Swig Diet Coke at the convention center.
He popped out of the truck with flames, a big smile, and, with a firm handshake, said, “Hey, I’m Don McDowell." I guess 15 years later, I’ve heard that greeting maybe a thousand times. On the weekly radio show, with almost every public and personal introduction or over the phone, Hey, Brother Fields, Don McDowell!
BTW, getting in the truck, it was “Hey, I’m Don McDowell; [looking at his watch], jump in, grab something, and hold on to it—I don’t do late.”
Yep, now fifteen years later, we’ve attended or worked outdoor or media events together, traveled together, fished together, laughed and cried together, and stayed close. I'm honored to do an occasional fishing in the Americas radio segment with him. He checked in on me last weekend as Dorian approached the Florida coast. "Brother Fields, are you good over there?” I’m good, Don, and I couldn’t be better knowing you’ve got my back.
And friends, you too couldn’t do any better than staying connected with Don McDowell. If you’re not already, it’s Don McDowell Outdoors, with all the DMO crew, now on Fox Sports!
Don McDowell is passionate to the bone about what he likes and what he doesn’t like. The sportsman’s advocate with a prominent voice is gaining national attention. Often relentlessly volunteering for causes where sportsmen’s rights are challenged. Passionate to the end for those he reps and those he helps, and to that end, the list is long. Check it out below.
So, Don, congratulations on your first twenty (20) years of radio, and with the growth of Shake, Rattle, and Troll, and best wishes for the next twenty years as the Sportsman’s Advocate and with Don McDowell Outdoors Radio now on Fox Sports!
Hey, Don McDowell, you may have lost the flames, but you’ll never lose the passion. I’m grateful for you, my friend!
About Don McDowell
Don McDowell, Arizona native, is an avid outdoorsman and has been an active bass pro fisherman for over 20 years and in the past 20 years has developed his own radio show promoting bass fishing and conservation efforts for bass fishing that escalated to nominations with several bass groups and organizations.
For over a dozen years, Don has pursued his conservation agenda through AZBFN-TBF as Conservation Director and with the Arizona Game and Fish Department, in the spring of 2014 he redesigned his website to include those efforts highlighted below and has increased the AZGFD exposure, public education of the AZGFD and Commission issues on his radio show and website soliciting local and national support for Arizona.
2014 saw the founding of SRT Outdoors, Inc., 501 C3 organization, “Not for Profit, for Conservation” which is concentrating on grants for mitigating the effects of Gizzard Shad on Roosevelt Lake thorough habitat enhancement, Florida Strain Bass stocking, lakes bottom mapping, etc., and feral hog research.
In addition SRTO is retrofitting a 42’ Grand Banks Trawler, twin diesel powered, to accommodate wheel chair bound veterans on the saltwater to learn and enjoy the saltwater fishing experience. The vessel “Challenged America” has handicap ramps, head, full galley and USCG certified crew and expert deck hands to mentor and care for the veterans. The “Challenged” America” is certified as a USCG Certified Facility to assist in USCG AUX patrols in Sector San Diego during down times, off season or on an as needed basis.
Don's Current Affiliations
Conservation Director – AZ BASS Nation- (AZBN) B.A.S.S. Conservation Director-The Bass Federation AZ- (TBF) FLW Arizona Lead for BigGame Forever-Maricopa County Active Member United State Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 10-11, District 11, San Diego Sector Committee Member with Senator John McCain, Sportsmen and Veteran’s Coalition Member Board of Directors: Anglers Feeding America-(AFA), Arizona Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation- (AZSFWC), Arizona Deer Association Wildlife Conservation Committee-(WCC) Military Families Foundation (MFF), Inc. and Project We Remember (PWR) Member Board of Directors Continued Military and Veterans Services (MAVS) committee, Subcommittee Chair for Outdoor Recreation Member-Southwest Fur Harvester’s Member – International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Member – National Rifle Association (NRA) Member-Sportsmen’s Constituency Group (SCG), Steering Committee and Subcommittee Chair for Legislative Affairs Member-AZFGD Fisheries Branch, Tournament Assessment Committee Member-Central AZ Quagga Mussel Team Member-Gila County Angler Round Table Member-Tonto Nation Forest Planning Team
Don’s appearances include the American Fishing Television Show, Good Morning Arizona and Fishing with Johnny Johnson . He further has conducted and participated in bass fishing seminars for Wal-Mart , K-Mart and various sporting goods stores in the Southwestern Region.
Don’s passion has to be kids and fishing. He has worked to promote and participate in Valley Big Brother and Sister Annual Fish-A-Ree , Make A Wish Foundation , C.A.S.T and Pathway to Fishing and Cast for Kids . These programs have been developed for children including the physically and mentally challenged.
Don’s goal is to expose his sponsors products and services to a serious marketplace while promoting good sportsmanship. His passion for the outdoors coupled with his extensive professional sales and marketing experience has made him a natural for the highly competitive world of bass fishing and performance bass boats.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, all-volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. The Auxiliary was created by an Act of Congress in 1939, and has grown to over 32,000 members who daily support the Coast Guard in all its non-military, and non-law-enforcement missions. We have members and units in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam.
Co-Editor and contributing writer for Arizona Boating & WaterSports publication, “Tight Lines.”
Visit Don McDowell at: www.huntingfishing.com
Don McDowell, The Passionate Advocate!