I grew up in Central Wisconsin in the heart of some of the best hunting and fishing territory in the country. My father was an avid hunter and fisherman and he did a great job of sharing his love of the outdoors with me. As far back as I can remember, armed with my BB gun, I was accompanying my dad on small game hunts. By the age of 12 I was deer hunting with him and hunting rabbits, squirrels and grouse with my single shot 410. I shot my first deer with a bow at 16.

During college and my early career development years I wasn’t able to hunt as often as I would have liked. Busy or not, I would not miss my annual trip back to Wisconsin to deer hunt with my dad. Unfortunately these hunts stopped when my dad died of a heart attack while deer hunting with me. He passed away doing what he loved.

I’ve always been a serious whitetail hunter, but by the mid 80’s I was venturing out west with my hunting buddies to hunt mule deer and elk. We were never very successful, but we always had a great time. Soon I was able to start going on some outfitted hunts in Canada and out west. This eventually turned into many hunting trips to 14 states, Canada, Mexico, Africa and New Zealand. As you might guess, I love the outdoors and hunting whether it’s with bow, rifle, muzzle loader or shotgun.

If I’m not out of Missouri on a hunting trip, you will find me on my 500 acre farm in northern Missouri. I’ve been practicing quality deer management for the past 15 years. I spend almost every weekend working on food plots, putting up stands, checking my 20 trail cameras and doing whatever I can to improve the quality of my farm.

Like many hunters my age, I’ve evolved from shooting any OK buck to trophy hunting. I enjoy the challenge of harvesting a big buck. It also allows me to observe more game and spend more time enjoying God’s creation.

I’ve been fortunate to have harvested many trophies that have made the record books. I also have a very understanding wife that has put up with well over 150 trophies being displayed in our home and cabin. I’m a member of many different hunting and conservation organizations and President of Big Game Hunters Inc.

I’m pleased to be a member of Heartland Hunters Pro Staff. I enjoy sharing my hunting experience with those of you that love hunting and the outdoors. Feel free to contact me if I can be of assistance.

email: john@heartlandhunters.com