 My earliest hunting memory is when I was 4 or 5 years old. I remember climbing up in the big maple tree in my parent's front yard. I would listen to the geese as they flew overhead. In those days, Southern Illinois was like the mecca of goose hunting, Canada Geese seemed to be everywhere. For some reason though, I remember I just HAD to be up in that tree so I could feel closer to them. I would listen to the sounds they made and try to imitate them to the best of my ability with either my mouth or with my dad's Mallard Tone goose call. I did this so often that the hunters leasing the field in the property next to ours approached my grandfather and told him I'd be welcome to come hunting with them anytime. One of the hunters blew an Olt A-50 modified by Tim Grounds. By this time I was about 10 years old, and I remember thinking how much his call far surpassed anything I had ever heard before.
At 14, I worked and saved all summer long so I could have enough money to buy one of Tim Grounds Guide's Best Goose Calls and some Carry Lite Goose Decoys. In 1989, Tim Grounds started a goose calling contest called the World Open. I went, and after watching it, I thought I should give it a try. Shortly after the Open, I met Tim Grounds, who believe it or not, only lived about ten miles from me. I started taking my calls to him to tune when they didn't even need it. I just wanted to be around him, I was so in awe of him. I recall thinking, "This guy is the Grim Reaper of Canada Geese... wow, he really needs to cut his hair!"
 All joking aside, this man was unbelievably good to me. He taught me so many things I can never thank him enough for. He basically helped turn me into the hunter I am today. Tim Grounds is a hunter to be proud of, and a friend to be even more proud of.
Now, at age 35, I decided to try to do this on my own.. What better way to live your life than making your passion into your livelihood? I would love to be able to pass along the love of hunting to my two young boys, Drake and Chase, who are already beginning to show signs of following in my footsteps. I love them both so much and am so proud of them. I hope to be able to create a successful company that I could one day pass along to them. I can't think of any greater gift that I could give them than to afford them the opportunity to hunt and fish for a living if they choose to do so.
A special thanks,
I would like to thank Tim Grounds, for all that you have taught me. For the help you have given, on the stage, in the field, and my life in general. Your passion and drive, has driven us all to be better at what we love to do. You have always been there for me when I needed a friend. Thanks for the good times at the shows, in the pit, and in the basement. Thank you again for all you have done.
 Mark, Doc, and Marlene Schade (D&M) Hunting Club, the club where it all started for me. Thank you for the opportunity, and all the great memories I have from the country's greatist, most beauitiful piece of earth, I've ever shot geese from. Marlene, your goose breast with garlic ROCKS!!!
My parents, Bill and Ruby, for putting up with my hunting and fishing addiction for all these years.
My brothers Bill and Chris, for all the laughs and great hunting memories.
And Marisa, for giving me my 2 sons, Drake and Chase, the most precious things I will ever have in my life. I look forward to teaching them what I have been taught, about the outdoor life that I cherish so much. |
