SR. Why do you hunt?
AK. I typically hunt flooded corn or flooded timber here in Missouri. If I am in Nebraska you can find me hunting the north platte river or dry fields. You can find me chasing greenheads, Canada geese, or snow geese in any situation.
SR. How did you get into waterfowl hunting? Age?
AK. I got into waterfowl hunting at the age of 7 when I shot my first Canada goose, from there my passion grew. I was fascinated with all the calls, decoys, and gear, constantly trying to master the art of harvesting waterfowl.
SR. Ways waterfowl hunting has had a positive impact on your life?
AK. Waterfowl hunting has been very positive in my life, I have met many of my best friends and had awesome job opportunities through the people I have met along my journey.
SR. Ways waterfowl hunting has had a negative impact on your life?
AK. I would say waterfowl hunting, guiding more specifically has been negative on family and social life.
SR. Where do you see waterfowl hunting in 50 years?
AK. I hope waterfowl hunting in 50 years doesn’t change much from how it is now. I am pretty old school, I really like sticking to the basics and not getting caught up in the latest and greatest electronics and gadgets.
SR. Worst experience with a client?
AK. NA
SR. Biggest cluster-fck you have ever had while hunting?
AK. I would have to say the biggest cluster I have had going out to hunt with clients is getting a ranger stuck on the way to the field, or having a generator quit and having to sheet out ice an hour before being able to hunt.
SR. Best band story? Funny, arguments, unique bird, etc.
AK. When it comes to bands, I have seen some pretty cool ones over the years, but I would say the most memorable band on my lanyard was the first band I killed. It was a 10 year old drake mallard banded in peace river Alberta. When it comes to unique birds I would have to say either the blonde lesser I killed in western Nebraska, or the speck/snow cross I killed in Missouri.
SR. If you could legally hunt one day with no limits and no regulations, would you do it?
AK. I think it would be awesome to hunt with no laws of regulations, but looking forward I would much rather preserve what we have so future generations can enjoy what I have enjoyed.
SR. Go-to derailment food/beverage at gas station?
AK. Redbull, Bang energy drinks, or sweet tea.
SR. If you had to have a barrel sticker, what would it be?
AK. NA
SR. Favorite duck/goose recipe?
AK. Duck breast in crock pot with a packet of taco seasoning, cream of mushroom soup, pace picate sauce cooking on low all day then shredding the meat and mixing it with taco rice, then it is great for tacos or nachos.
SR. Ever been divorced or dumped because of your hunting?
AK. I have been dumped because of guiding; it is a tough life missing holidays and important dates, have to find a pretty understanding gal to put up with being gone months at a time.
SR. What are top three things a hunter could do to never get invited back? Funny or serious.
AK. NA
SR. Would you rather hunt with Donald Trump or Pamela Anderson?
AK. Trump for sure.
SR. Do you think the waterfowl industry has got soft? Explain.
AK. I honestly do think the waterfowl industry has got very soft. Anymore it seems as though everyone is trying to keep up an image. You might have 10K followers on social media but that doesn’t make you a killer. Some of the biggest killers I know are low key or not very active on social media. Its not about the gear and gadgets, people need to stick to the basics and work for birds. If you want to be a killer its not easy.
SR. Best advice for someone brand new to waterfowl hunting?
AK. Get out in the field as much as you can. Learn from your mistakes and try to get better every hunt. Practice calling a lot and watch how birds react. Always look for the small niche that nobody else is doing and that will help you kill more birds.
SR. Have you ever stripped a band from a terrible client, and how did it make you feel?
AK. NA
SR. What is your top bucket list bird to kill, that you haven’t killed yet?
AK. I would have to say my bucket list birds would be a neck collared bird, a brant, cinnamon teal, or a black duck.
SR. Who are your two favorite people to hunt with?
AK. I would have to say my favorite person to hunt with is my dad hands down, he introduced me to hunting and I love just going out us two killing our birds. Its not about the piles for me its all about having a pure hunt and killing the birds up close and personal.
SR. Chewer or smoker? Or other habits you only have during season?
AK. Probably hard for a lot of people to believe, but I do not smoke or chew. I don’t really have any bad habits that come and go with season.
SR. First decoys you ever bought with your own money?
AK. First decoys I ever bought with my own money were big foot goose decoys and GHG hot buy mallard floaters.
SR.Biggest “idol” hunter when you were growing up? Or today?
AK. Growing up I loved watching all of fred zinks videos with the hudnall brothers. I also watch a bunch of Jeff Foiles videos growing up. Today when it comes to waterfowling I really look up to Doug Steinke, not only do I like his photography, but I enjoys how he makes and tinkers with decoys. He always has the natural spreads and finds the niche that no one else does when it come to killing birds any time of the year.
SR. Greenhead purist or duck killer? opinions?
AK. If I am hunting for myself I like to shoot all green, but when it comes to hunting with clients, I am a duck killer, try to be in and out as fast as possible.
SR. How much would you have to be paid to throw all your bands in the ocean?
AK. There is a better chance of hell freezing over than me throwing all of my bands in the ocean.
SR. If you could be sponsored by three companies in the world?
AK. If I could get a sponsorship with three companies knowing that I had to rep their gear it would be boss ammunition, filson, and rolling thunder game calls. I believe all these companies make high quality products and stand behind them.
