Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Don McDowell Outdoors is hosted by Don McDowell with a slew of guests from politicians, members of the AZ Game & Fish, avid hunters and anglers and so many more! Each Sunday you can be sure to hear great insight into current events both around the country and locally as well as the perfect guides for the current state of hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Meet Don McDowell

Don McDowell, Arizona native, is an avid outdoorsman and has been an active bass pro fisherman for over 22 years and in the past 15 years has developed his own radio show promoting hunting, fishing and conservation.

​

In the past 20 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 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 has seen 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 veteran 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. 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 is also the creator of the Hook & Bullet Club which provides certification of products presented the Shake Rattle and Troll.

The Ultimate Volunteer

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.​

Don is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, division 10 Vice Commander, 11 SR - 1011 which 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.​

Don is also the Co-Editor and contributing writer for Arizona Boating & WaterSports and Western Outdoor Times, Tight Lines, as well as a booking agent for Blue Mule Outfitters, Huites Bass Club and Adventures South of the Border.

Some of McDowell's articles on Arizona Boating & Watersports.

Western Outdoor Times.

Current Affilations

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

Member Board of Directors:

Anglers Feeding America-(AFA),

Arizona Sportsman for Wildlife Conservation- (AZSFWC),

Arizona Deer Association, - Board Member and Past Commander

Wildlife Conservation Committee-(WCC),

Military Families Foundation (MFF), Inc. and Project We Remember (PWR),

Military and Veterans Services (MAVS) committee, Subcommittee Chair for Outdoor Recreation,

Member-Southwest Fur Harvesters,

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,

Not Just Hunting & Fishing

Third Dan Black Belt, Chinese Keno & Special Weapons, under Sensei Barry Bernstein

Senior Staff instruction to Law Enforcement and Military, Phoenix House of Karate

Member of the Professional Kick Boxing Association, middleweight fighter, trainer James Weldon

Assistant to the AZ State Kickboxing Commissioner, Sensei Barry Bernstein

Brown Belt Taekwondo, under Master Sun Duk Choi 12th Dan

International Taekwondo Institute, staff middleweight fighter, trainer Jerry Wollet

Professional Association of Diving Instructors, Rating in Open Water, Advance Open Water, Rescue Diver Dive Master, Instructor

United States Parachute Service Ratings: Static, Free Fall, High Altitude Low Open (HALO)