For being one of the most 25 most influential people when it comes to hunting and fishing.

Washington – Outdoor Life magazine has named Senator Kent Conrad as one of America’s 25 most influential people in hunting and fishing. The magazine, which is on newsstands now, honors Senator Conrad for his efforts to enact Open Fields, federal legislation he authored to increase accessible land for hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation activities.

“I appreciate the recognition for my work on Open Fields,” Senator Conrad said.  “Hunting and fishing are a part of our heritage in North Dakota.  These are traditions that I value and appreciate and will continue to protect for people in North Dakota and across the nation.”

I’m sure Senator Conrad finds this hunting pork to be quite a convenient way to hide from his largely pro-gun constituency his D+ rating from the National Rifle Association. 

In fact, you’ll notice if you scroll down that list you’ll notice that Conrad consistently gets high ratings from anti-gun groups (The Brady gun control group, for instance) and very low ratings from pro-gun groups.

Except for in 2006 he got a 100% rating the Gun Owners of America (based on one vote in Congress).  Why that high rating in 2006?  It was an election year, and I’m sure Kent needed a pro-gun vote to hide behind.