Meet the Team -

Ralph West

The fact that I would sneak a North American Whitetail magazine into my book and read it during class never seemed odd to me when I was young. Or the time that I ran off the school bus up the driveway and threw my hunting clothes on and raced to the stand after school. And having a dad that passes a 130 plus buck so his 13 year old son can harvest it two days later. I sure liked taking that picture to school to show my hunting buddies. A lot of it has to do with my father and grand dad who taught me how to hunt, and the time I spent with them was awesome. Most of all I look forward to the days I can show my son the ways of the woods. The look in his eyes as everything is new to him. Those memories will be the best. Any hunt with family or friends is special and should always be cherished.

Kyler Moore

Kyler

My love for the outdoors and hunting has been instilled in my soul from a young age. Memories of dad and I squirrel hunting on the farm or retrieving downed doves for dad at the age of three. These are just a couple of memories that I will cherish for a life time. I am now a high school agriculture teacher and avid outdoors man. I am always thinking about the next cast or hunt from the first glance of a buck on a frosty morning to the thrills of a distant gobble, this is the life for me.

Robbie Smith

A fellow healthcare collegue describes me as the biggest oxymoron he's seen. My younger years were composed of pageants, fishing, playing in the woods, and singing. I've always been involved in athletics, playing soccer, basketball, softball, volleyball and track, but I never had the opportunity to hunt (perhaps it was because my dad knew it'd be impossible to keep me quiet in the woods). As years passed, I found myself wanting to shoot guns. Then, Kyler came along. I'll never forget the first day his sister mentioned him..."Robbie, if you can handle him during turkey season, you all will be just fine." I've "survived" turkey and deer season both and have enjoyed them thoroughly. Not only have I learned how to hunt, but I've learned how to cook wild game. Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies and I am thrilled to put a different spin on "bringing food to the table." I work as a registered nurse in a rural hospital in Tennessee and have been able to relate to so many male patients about hunting and what it means to them. I've learned how important hunting is in terms of conservation and health. On the other hand, fishing has always been one of my favorite things to do. I'm proud to say after all my years of fishing with dad, created a top water lure, "Smak-n-Shad" with his partner, which was published in May 2010 Bass Master. This lure has made my fishing trips even more enjoyable. The outdoors is such a big part of my life and I'm thankful to be around so many guys who enjoy it too.

Terry Speck

I started hunting with my Dad more than thirty years ago, long before I could carry a gun. This created a pattern of outdoor activity including both hunting and fishing that was the cornerstone for my life. I lived to hunt and fish. I thought nothing could compare to these experiences. Then I had a child. I still love to hunt and fish, but live to teach him about these things (as well as right and wrong). With this new outlook on things, I spend a lot of time with organizations that promote youth activities in the outdoors. (Friends of NRA, DU, NWTF, etc.) Getting others involved in what I love has given me more satisfaction than any of my personal accomplishments. That being said I still lay awake at night with anticipation of opening day.

Gabe Krantz

I thought I was normal as a kid. At some point I realized that not everyone eats squirrel for breakfast three times a week. I don’t chew around the shotgun pellets anymore for breakfast; but do get into the woods as often as possible. By day I work for the Department of Agriculture, which gives me access to many types of maps. I feel like that’s probably the one type of scouting I spend more time on than the average person. I also stick with the things that got me to where I am. I bought two things with my first couple paychecks after graduating college. An engagement ring and a Ruger M77 in 243. I still have both.

Michael Pick

Ever since I was little I have always been fascinated with the outdoors, especially the aspect of hunting. My dad first took me hunting when I was about seven years old. For the first three years I was jut an observer/student. Learning how to walk through the woods silently, moving in slow fluid movements, and learning how to locate game. Ever since that first hunt with my dad all those years ago, I knew that hunting was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.