Certified Master Elite Waterfowl Hunter

Elite Waterfowl

The second level above the Certified Journeyman Waterfowl Hunter is becoming a Certified Master Elite Waterfowl Hunter. To achieve this certification level a member must successfully harvest and become certified for a minimum of 30 of the 41 Official Certified UWC Species.

Once a member successfully certifies a minimum of 30 species, the status of Certified Master Elite Waterfowl Hunter has been achieved. The member will receive a custom 14” x 17” Master Elite Waterfowl Hunter wall plaque with their full certified waterfowl species list included on the plaque, as well as their favorite hunting photo. (see adjacent image for choice of 3 different plaque options).

The member’s upgraded bio will also be added to the Master Elite Waterfowl Hunter page of the UWC website and they will have the ability to add their upgraded bio and three favorite photos added to the page for fellow waterfowl hunters to read.

(All photos and bios can be emailed directly to: entries@waterfowlerschallenege.com)

Members are updated every Monday by 5 PM CST.

ATHONY ABBOTT

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-564
10/28/2021

“I started hunting at an early age for many different types of game. Deer, dove, turkey, anything and everything. I found early on that I was drawn to waterfowl….the action, all the different species, not having to sit quietly in a blind….waterfowl quickly took hold. It’s refreshing because although I’ve shot many of the species over my lifetime, I’m having to start over and this has brought a new life to hunting with my friends and family.”I cut my waterfowling teeth growing up on Catahoula Lake in central Louisiana and have been chasing waterfowl for almost 4 decades now.  That first mallard drake that I shot when I was 12 years old had me hooked.  My addiction to waterfowl hunting is not seasonal, it’s a year around affair for me.  I love all the aspects of waterfowling, the hunts, the locations, the people you share the blind with, the dogs, the many different ways you can waterfowl hunt, the conservation and the waterfowl themselves.  I have been blessed to hunt waterfowl in some of the coolest places.  My 30 year career in the United States Air Force afforded me the opportunity to live and hunt in some awesome places like Louisiana, Utah, Texas and Washington. I’ve hunted other cool places like Arkansas, Oklahoma, North Dakota, Illinois, Idaho, Maine and probably my favorite Alaska!  I’m only 2 birds away on my personal list, but when the Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge came out, I thought what a cool thing to be a part of and a great way to document my journey to the coveted Waterfowl Grand Slam

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

PATRICK MCCARTY

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-717
2/9/2021

“I started hunting at an early age for many different types of game. Deer, dove, turkey, anything and everything. I found early on that I was drawn to waterfowl….the action, all the different species, not having to sit quietly in a blind….waterfowl quickly took hold. It’s refreshing because although I’ve shot many of the species over my lifetime, I’m having to start over and this has brought a new life to hunting with my friends and family.”

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (34)

MATTHEW WENSTROM

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-698
2/7/2021

Growing up hunting ducks with my father and a group of family friends, I have always thought of waterfowl hunting as a passion you pursue with others. My pursuit of the 41 species began as just that, an opportunity to hunt with friends. What is has become however is a desire to chase birds. Finding myself in strange and unfamiliar places, meeting new people, and enjoying new hunting experiences has been rewarding. I hope that despite the species I check off the list, I never lose sight of the rare opportunity I have, enjoying some of the most beautiful habitats, sunrises, and sunsets with great people.

P.S – Thanks to a very understanding wife who despite her concerns about my sanity does support my pursuit.

UUWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (33)

JAMIE OWENS

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-401 GOLD MEMBER
1/25/2021

Starting this journey of obtaining the 41 species was an addiction. I have met several people and hunted some of the most intriguing areas. I have traveled and enjoyed the times and now my wife will be signing up and hunt along beside me. I’m looking forward to hitting the 41 species and then starting over with her . What an experience this has been . Jamie Owens.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

BRIAN RICE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-220
1/30/2021

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

CHRIS FULTON

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-401 GOLD MEMBER
1/25/2021

Been a big game hunter most of my life. Duck hunted a little when I was young. Started again when my son was young for something fun to do together. Take my daughter now. I enjoy hunting with my family and friends. I always enjoy seeing new places. Like my brother n law Lance said. This started over a conversation about swan. I like going after new birds that I’ve never seen before. Good luck to the rest of you. Hope your having as much fun as I am.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (32)

JIM PIERCE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-320
1/18/2021

Growing up I was an avid fisherman and a deer hunter. I never hunted waterfowl until my Father in law and brother in law introduced me to the sport 20+ years ago. Since then Waterfowl hunting has become my preferred sport. With the passion of waterfowl hunting and the challenge I have a new found addiction. Waterfowl hunting has become a major stress release in by busty life.

Ive enjoyed every trip I have been throughout the country and look forward to more with the friends I have made and the ones I continue to hunt with.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (34)

LEEN MADSEN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-627
1/17/2021

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

LANCE HENKELMAN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-349 (GOLD MEMBER)
1/13/2021

I’ve been waterfowling now for the better part of 30 years and had lots of fun doing it, I still love shooting limits of ducks and geese but chasing trophy waterfowl across North America is like no other feeling. The quest for the 41 begin for me when my brother-in-law Chris ask me if I knew anyone that had ever harvested a swan, I said no, and it was on. And thanks to the UWC we have hunted water fowl in many states and met many great outfitters and guides. I hope to be blessed with many more hunts in the future and continue to make memories.

Stay warm my fellow waterfowlers, and keep your powder dry.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

HOWARD WHYBREW

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-362 (GOLD MEMBER)
1/9/2021

Waterfowl hunting has been a passion/obsession since I got hooked at age 12. I have been lucky enough to hunt ducks with lead shot when it was legal, suffered through early (bad) steel loads, and am now enjoying modern steel loads as well as the new non-toxic alternatives.

Waterfowling has allowed me to make memories with family and friends and meet great, like minded people who became fast friends across the globe. Waterfowl hunting has taken me to 12 states and five other countries so far, and as I continue my quest for 41+, I am looking forward to experiencing new destinations and making more memories with new friends.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

ROBIN FITZGIBBON

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-555
1/5/2021

Reaching this level in UWC is a great accomplishment and has been an amazing adventure for me I was given my membership by my son Rob for my 62nd birthday in 2015 and so it began . I’m very fortunate to have my wife Kathy as my hunting partner plus my son Rob and Grandson RJ which are both UWC members. Good Luck to all and safe Hunting.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (33)

DOUG FOUT

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-00-583
1/4/2021

I live to duck hunt and I have been to extrodinary places thorough out our country and three others chasing ducks.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

SHAWN SEXTON

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-236
12/17/2020

While I grew up, my father taught me everything about big game hunting. I was fortunate enough to harvest many different game species. I was asked to go on day to duck hunt by my uncle. I remember the day like yesterday and when the hen canvasback dropped; I was hooked. I came across the challenge and it has been the best decision I ever made. I have traveled all over the country and met some great people. I have an addictive personality so once I do something I enjoy it’s literally all I think about on a year-round basis. This has provided me with great memories with unmeasurable happiness. I encourage every duck hunter to take the challenge as it will provide a better sense of hunting waterfowl.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (32)

ED MAGEE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-984
12/14/2020

I grew up on the SJ marshes around the Delaware bay. Started in 1970 with a single shot 410. Hunts thru school years were walking from home to the bay shore shooting ducks off the drainage ditches, small salt ponds and the meadows when they flooded. In the 80s we hit a great time of duckin in that area.

Now this passion (addiction) drives me to hunt all 41 species. I am meeting some wonderful and passionate waterfowlers amd trying to hunt as many different styles as the journey continues.

It is not about the piles, it is truly about the smiles. Here’s to Bobby Adams for taking me the first time, Cookie my life long hunting partner and to all the new friends along the journey.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (34)

TOM G CORNWELL

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-632
12/9/2020

I began waterfowl hunting when I was a young boy with my Father and Grandfather in the Southern California area. Now I have the great pleasure of teaching my son how to hunt, and traveling with him and my Father on UWC trips to learn how to hunt waterfowl in the different areas. The thrill and excitement of getting a new drake stays with each of us, and gives us many stories to share with new friends.

I am very thankful for all of the experiences and places the UWC challenge has taken me, but even more thankful for the people and friends I have met along the way. I have made life-long friends from Nevada, Maine, Florida and Texas through these diverse hunting trips. I look forward to continuing the UWC chal lenge with my son, Father, and good friends, traveling to new areas around the United States, Canada, Mexico and hopefully Argentina, and telling many great stories of these waterfowl hunting adventures.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

NICHOLAS BOROWSKI

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-276 Gold Member
11/5/2020

Hello, my name is Nicholas Borowski and I have been an avid waterfowl for the last 3 decades. Over the years, my career has afforded me many opportunities to hunt waterfowl in places I never dreamed of. I entered this challenge as a fun way to track my activities while traveling across the U.S. to hunt waterfowl. These photos were taken of me at various points in my waterfowling adventures and I am blessed to be as lucky as I have. I have owned two labs…Shelby (who passed away in 2019 at the age of 11) and am gearing up to take my new lab partner Malone this year (2020). I look forward to sharing my continued adventures with everybody for many years to come.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (35)

DONALD STORY

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-108
11/2/2020

I started upland hunting with my dad when I was barely old enough to hold and shoot my handed down 410. This led to a hunting passion with my family, as a teenager I found waterfowling with a couple of close friends. Now waterfowl hunting is what I live and breathe. Now I have the privilege of chasing the 41, meeting new people, seeing new places and new styles of hunting while chasing the 41. Along with the chase I love being able to pass down the love and transition of duck hunting to my children and others if given the opportunity.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (36)

CHANDLER KING

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-079
10/2/2020

It all started when I was around 5 years old when dad took me out waterfowl hunting for the first time, that was all it took to get me hooked on killing birds. My buddy Cam and I started hunting alot in high school, then after high school we started traveling to go on hunts. We have always talked about harvesting all of the waterfowl in north America but it was really just small talk untill we found out about the UWC. What a adventure it has been , i look forward to completing the challenge and all of the hunts in the future. Waterfowl hunting is truly my passion it what i love and its in my blood. Thank you to my Father Scott for starting me out at such a young age and to all of my hunting pals I’am truly blessed.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

JAMES FAULK JR

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-267 (GOLD MEMBER)
4/2/2020

My name is James Faulk Jr and I am 65 years old now I started the UWC when I was 61. Since then I have had a lot of medical issues and have been limited on what I can do. By the grace of God I have been able to continue on my quest to reach the 41 as I enjoy meeting new friends and seeing different places. I would like to think my good friend Shaun Tomlin for his help and standing by me to see I get my 41. Thanks UWC for all you have done to better the duck hunting world.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (33)

CHASE BUNYARD

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-978
2/28/2020

I started hunting when I was old enough to hold a gun. My dad has been into duck and goose hunting well before I was born with his best friend. When I was old enough to be able to go we started going all over our home county looking and hunting for birds. We then decided to make a deal if I kept up my grades we would go to Mexico to duck hunt for my senior as my father got to go to. We made it to Mexico and had a blast we met Sean and Dan who convinced us to join the UWC. That’s were this whole trip began I got to 30 in Washington on a trip with Trager.

We went as a family to North Carolina as our last big trip of the year to bag swans. My hunting career has been a family tradition and we plan to continue our journey till we hit 41 and don’t ever plan on stopping.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (37)

ELLIOT STAMSCHROR

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-264
2/7/2020

My name is Elliot Stamschror and I’m 31 years old. I grew up hunting the rolling hills and shallow lakes of Wisconsin. I joined the Marine Corps when I was 17 and hunting followed me wherever I went. I was recently medically retired and settled in the State of North Carolina. I was introduced to a great organization that is nationwide, who’s interests lie with veterans and the outdoors. I currently am the assistant team lead for The Fallen Outdoors, Team NC. Throughout the years TFO has helped me forge bonds with guys and gals slinging steel across fields and vast blue waters. I love waterfowl hunting; it is a therapy session for me every time I go out. Something about watching ducks or geese work a spread is like no other experience and I enjoy sharing these experiences with my military family. Duck hunting is a passion and is something that has slowly forced the bad areas in my life out.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (36)

CODY DESCHENES

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-762
1/29/2020

My Name is Cody Deschenes, I absolutely love being in the outdoors and like it even more when I’m in a duck blind with my ducking buddies! Waterfowl hunting is my out from the world. it’s the one place I can go and just be away. I really appreciate the UWC and what they have created ,it has sparked a fire in me to complete this challenge. It really makes you learn about the waterfowl you’re hunting and the habitats they live in. This challenge has made me new friends and has took me around the US to hunt theses majestic birds! Looking forward to 41!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

ANDY GIBSON

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-474
1/16/2020

I began waterfowl hunting when I was just a young teenager with my father and his friends near Swan Lake in Missouri. As I have grown older waterfowling has become my passion and I have enjoyed chasing birds all over this great country with some of my best friends. A few of us decided on going for all 41 species together one morning in the duck blind while sharing our dream hunts with one another. That was one of the greatest decisions I have made in my waterfowling career, it has afforded me a greater appreciation of the birds as well as the places I go to chase them.

I am very thankful for all of the experiences and places the journey for all 41 species has taken me but even more thankful for the people and friends I have met along the way. I look forward to completing the challenge with my good friends.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (35)

ROB SPRINGER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-334 GOLD MEMBER
1/14/2020

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (41)

BRUCE DANIELL

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-752
12/10/2019

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (38)

ANTHONY STANEK

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-342 GOLD MEMBER
12/5/2019

I started this journey with my great friend on a layout boat trip in Maine. From there we’ve been to some crazy places and have some amazing stories to tell because of it. The people I’ve meet along the way are simply amazing and worth ever penny.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (35)

CAMERON SLY

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-080
11/19/2019

I have been duck hunting for bout 15 years now. I didn’t come from a long line of duck hunters. My family only deer hunted here in Michigan. I have always wanted to do it and one day hunted with a friend and his dad and was hooked forever. I still enjoy hunting for anything you can get a tag for, but my passion is waterfowl. I always wanted to get all the birds i could get from around the country and the world one day. Couple years ago we discovered the challenge and decided to sign up and do it. Since then we have found ourselves traveling all over and seeing so much. We have took once lifetime trips, to meeting new people. The memories are endless that i have made with my friends and new friends traveling for birds. The challenge will take you to new heights as you will see the way hunt at home is not the same as the way you hunt somewhere else. I am thankful for my opportunities and keep on going and traveling as i get close to the goal. Waterfowl hunting is the ultimate there is nothing like being out there with your buddies and doing what you love no matter the day. I cant wait to complete the challenge and reach the highest level. Blessed with friends and family who support me and the opportunities i have in life.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

JOE MAHLER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-804
11/11/2019

Nobody ever thinks about work while ducks are back peddling in the decoys… The UWC has changed my perspective on waterfowl hunting in many ways from new friends, to new destinations. Growing up hunting in central Wisconsin I was fortunate with great puddle duck hunting but that was the extent of it. At the age of 18 I started guiding snow geese in the spring and thats when my addiction really started! This opened my eyes just how much variety in waterfowl hunting was really out there and how easy it was to do if you just put in the time and effort. Traveling to new states and meeting new friends is what it’s all about. The world of duck hunting is small, make friends and kill ducks!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (35)

KATIE PIERCE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-580
11/6/2019

My name is Katie Pierce.
I first got into hunting in 2005 but my husband and I started our family so hunting took the backseat until recently. Last year is when I really got into waterfowl hunting. I took a trip back east to go on my first ever sea duck hunt. After that trip I was hooked! Duck hunting is one of my favorite things to do. I’m excited to be able to teach my kids the ropes and to teach them how to be considerate and ethical hunters. It’s a great responsibility to teach the next generation of hunters and I am proud to pass my knowledge and excitement for hunting onto my children. I am super excited and feel blessed to have accomplished so much in just two hunting seasons. Waterfowl is my passion and I’m proud to be a part of waterfowl conservation!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (37)

HOLT ADAMS

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-060
4/15/2019

Since I was a little boy, I have always liked hunting. When I was five years old, my Dad would drag me around in a layout boat in the duck holes on our farm. My first duck to ever kill was a gadwall also known as a grey duck. My favorite duck is a pintail. Now I am trying to kill every species of duck in North America.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

CLIFF ADAMS III

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-001-059
4/15/2019

Hunting has been a hobby of mine for most of my life. My Dad introduced me to hunting at the age of five by giving me a BB gun. From there I graduated to a Benjamin pellet gun. I must say the blackbird and robin populations in my neck of the woods were decimated during those early years. Soon the 410g, 20g and 12g followed. From eight years of age until present I hunted big game, small game and birds around the world. I was aways fascinated by the endless colors of the birds I hunted, especially ducks. Waterfowl hunting soon became my favorite pastime. Over my fifty three years I have killed the forty one species of ducks, geese and cranes but most were taken before I entered the Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge two years ago. When I heard about the Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge, I immediately thought that this would be the perfect thing to do with my two sons who are avid hunters (Ford- age 19 and Holt age 9). Any time you can spend quality time with your children hunting ducks in some of the most beautiful places in North America – THATS A WIN! I will officially finish the Challenge next hunting season. Thank you for coming up with the very cool idea of an Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

BILLY BUNYARD

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-979
3/18/2019

My waterfowl hunting career began eighteen years ago with my best friend Joe, it was something that we did when deer season was over. As we got a little better it turned into a full-grown obsession. I started taking my son along as soon as he was old enough and eventually talked my dad into going, that’s when it got really fun and turned into a family thing. I booked a trip to Mexico as a graduation present for my son and that’s where I made a couple friends, that talked us into starting the challenge and I’m sure glad they did. This challenge has given me and my son many great memories and adventures. Who would of ever thought we would be going all over the place chasing birds?

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (38)

STEPHEN TALBOTT

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-557
3/15/2019

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (38)

MIKE LANDAU

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-983
2/5/2019

My passion for waterfowl started at a very young age as I enjoyed watching my dad’s passion for all things waterfowl. He would pull me around in a sneak boat through the marsh long before I could even hold a gun. He took me on my first duck hunt and at the age of 12, I had my first dose of success by shooting two ducks with one shot. I have been hooked ever since.

When I moved to Colorado almost six years ago, one thing I did almost immediately was join a waterfowl hunting club. Looking for friends and people to share hunts with, I was able to meet some great guys. One slow day when we were sitting in the blind, different dream hunts came up and within that same conversation so did the Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge. It incorporated all of our different dream hunts and it was a platform where we could share all the different experiences together. Within two days, all four of us signed up and we had our first hunt booked.

What I love about waterfowl hunting is the complexity of all the different variables needed in order to be successful. You have decoys, dogs, mojos, calling, guns, gear, ammo, boats, blinds, wind, weather, sun, clouds and the strategy changes depending if you are hunting private or public, fields, rivers, lakes, marshes, or oceans. The best part is, once you think you have it all figured out the conditions change and you are back to square one.

I never thought starting this challenge would be this fulfilling and rewarding. It brings another level of excitement and challenge to each waterfowl hunt. It’s not about the limits of birds anymore for me, it’s about the journey. It is about experiencing new experiences, traveling to different parts of the country, meeting new people, learning new skills, strengthening bonds with my hunting buddies, and truly enjoying each moment in the outdoors. Our adventures have been wild, the sheer beauty of each and every duck is breathtaking, and the memories are priceless. When the four of us challenge guys go hunting together, the comradery and laughter is off the charts and I cannot wait until our next adventure together and to continue the quest for all 41!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (40)

TOBY THOMAS

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-604
1/30/2019

Three years ago my close friend Danny Allen and I were driving back from a bear hunt and I asked him what his bucket list hunt would be and he mentioned hunting King Eiders in the bearing sea. A year later we were on a plane to start off the Ultimate Water Fowler’s Challenge with the arguably the hardest duck to harvest in North America. The UWC has taken me places I most likely wouldn’t have been otherwise. My hunting career started as a small child with a BB gun and this past year in 2018 I accomplished a world record shooting over 14,000 doves in one day in Argentina. Traveling the world, living with local’s and diving into diverse cultures has been an incredible experience for me. Having a wife and two young daughters who are equally involved in hunting has brought us even closer as a family and allowed us to teach others about hunting and the North American Conservation model. I hope to someday in the near future be a proud owner of the King Eider trophy and have many years to come in the outdoors through hunting.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

MICHAEL STARR

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-895
1/8/2019

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

ROBERT STARR

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-896
1/8/2019

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

JAMES STARR

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-281 (Gold Member)
1/8/2019

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (44)

DANNY ALLEN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-605
12/4/2018

I began duck hunting as a result of picking poor deer leases! After seeing no deer and jumping ducks on every pond, I finally got smart and picked up my shotgun. Seeing the beauty of my first duck and the variety of species really got me hooked.

A few years ago, my good friend Toby Thomas (also a fellow UWC member) asked me what my dream trip was. Without hesitation, King Eider came from my mouth. Next thing you know we were booked and headed for St Paul. One week before that trip I discovered the UWC and we joined.

The challenge has allowed me to see some of the most beautiful places in the country and hunt every major body of water surrounding the US. I have had the privilege of hunting with some of the best waterfowl guides in the country and do it with great friends. I have been able to create memories that just would not have happened without the challenge of completing the UWC.

Good luck to all who are chasing this quest! Enjoy the quest and cherish every memory.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (39)

CHAD LARSEN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-884
11/13/2018

I began my duck hunting career as a child with being taken out by my father. I can truly say that he is the one that started my facination for waterfowl. Not only did he teach me that it wasn’t about killing limits of birds, but more about watching the natural phenomenon of migrating birds and seeing the beauty that comes from everything waterfowl do. I was taught to respect the birds and never take them for granted and I can’t thank him enough for enstilling those ideals and morals in me. I can only hope I can make such an impact on my young children when they enter the wonderful world of waterfowling. I would like to also give my wife a huge thank you for supporting my waterfowling career and pushing me to reach my goals with UWC. She as been nothing but the best and I can’t wait to complete the UWC with her Nikon!

As many people do, I met many new faces while waterfowling and one in particular I am eternally grateful for. I have to give many thanks to My good friend Kaden for always being there for me in the blind and out, nasty weather or bluebird skies, ducks or no ducks, and for also introducing me to the UWC.

UWC has taught me to see the beauty in every single species and for that I can’t thank you enough. I really respect such a wonderful program that supports the practices of slowing down and focusing on wide waterfowling spectrum. Thanks again for everything you all do.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (34)

RJ FREEHLING

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-264 (GOLD MEMBER)
11/4/2018

My hunting career began in diapers, as my father Russ Freehling Sr. would take me along with him every chance he got. Before long I was asking for my first BB Gun, and shooting decoys from the blind (when Dad wasn’t looking of course).

I have been blessed to have shared the blind with my late Grandfather Fred Freehling, as well as my Father who have taught me so many life lessons that I carry with me everyday. None of which have to do with how many birds I may or may not have harvested on any given hunt, but all of enjoying the intrinsic values of the outdoors and the camaraderie built with fellow hunters.

The UWC was a gift given to me by my Father, and has led to some of the most memorable hunting adventures we have ever had. Traveling North America together in pursuit of completing the challenge, while harvesting species previously only seen in pictures or online has been surreal. I look forward to completing the challenge with my Father by my side, cheering me on, and one day embarking on the challenge with a son of my own.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (34)

GINA SADOWSKI

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-898
6/4/2018

I would never have imagined how much enjoyment and fun it would be to be a duck hunter and be a part of the North American Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge. I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and had never hunted before 2012. My idea of camouflage was wearing hi-heeled Prada boots! I began hunting when my husband introduced duck hunting to me in 2012. I instantly loved it, because we were able to enjoy the breathtaking mornings and beautiful outdoors, see incredible waterfowl, enjoy the company of family and friends, and learn the art of waterfowl hunting. Through the UWFC we get to go on many adventures, meet new people, and see amazing places. We have kept in touch with other hunters we have met, establishing new friendships. I feel blessed to be able to experience the memorable times I have had through this challenge!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

SCOTT SPRENGER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-289
4/13/2018

Since the early 90’s I have been trophy hunting big game animals typically with a bow. At the end of 2016 I was introduced to the ultimate waterfowl challenge. I never thought that hunting trophy drakes of every species could be this much fun, it is truly a blast. It’s another great way to travel the country and experience different hunts and meet new people. I plan to finish the challenge soon and then start all over with my two boys.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

STEVE SADOWSKI

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-897
2/18/2018

I have always loved waterfowl hunting, because it allows me to spend time with my family and friends, as well as experience the great outdoors. As a child, I hunted waterfowl with my father and it was usually a family trip with my mother and siblings.

Now I get to enjoy hunting with my son, my wife, and my friends. I enjoy meeting people and experiencing different places on the hunts. The Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge has been a lot of fun, and it teaches hunters not to just shoot as many as you can, but to be selective for drakes.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

SCOTT STARNES

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-819
2/18/2018

The grandson of one of the best skeet and trap shooters in the US during the 60’s led to a lifetime of pursuing anything that had feathers and flew. I’ve waterfowl hunted for over 40 years now and still get as excited as I did on my first hunt. I’ve since retired and excited to see where it will take me in the waterfowling world.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (40)

GREG CARPENTER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-253 (GOLD MEMBER)
1/31/2018

My name is Greg Carpenter and waterfowl hunting has been my passion for 34 years. When I first heard of the UWC, I thought that would add another twist to my waterfowl hunting but had no idea how much fun it would be. I have hunted places I never would have imagined hunting, hunted in ways I never would have hunted, and met some fantastic people that I never would have met, a lot of which I am good friends with now and friends that share the same love for waterfowling. I would recommend the UWC to everyone that has hunted waterfowl, young or old. It has been and will continue to be a great ride on my quest for 41. THANK YOU DAN!!!!!!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (41)

RYAN SCOTT

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-265 (Gold Member)
1/23/2018

This challenge has created a whole new fire inside of me when it comes to waterfowl hunting and maybe even a little crazy at time. As of now I am three seasons in on attempting the challenge and have luckily managed to make it to the Master Elite level. Along the way I have hunted and met people in areas I would of never thought of or even attempted to hunt at. The last few left in the challenge will make for some interesting times ahead and definitely memories that will last a lifetime. I hope that it will only take me two more seasons to complete the challenge, but we will see how the birds fly. Good luck to all on their way!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (41)

BRYAN SCHROEDER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-909
1/22/2018

My name is Bryan Schroeder, I have been waterfowl Hunting for only 3 years now. I grow up in a family of fishermen, so I never got to hunt tell I was older. After high school I joined the Marine Corps for 4 years once I was out I ended up getting involved with The Fallen Outdoors and the founder Eric Bakken got me into duck hunting and I’ve been hooked ever since. Through the unique networking that we do I’ve been able to advance through the challenge rapidly. I’m lucky enough to live in Washington state that has a very diverse amount of waterfowl. I was able to get the majority of them just in my home state. I’m looking forward to the adventures ahead to complete the Ultimate Waterfowlers challenge.

I love being outdoors and experiencing everything about waterfowl hunting has to offer. Weather it’s rain, wind, snow, you out with your friends having the time of your lives and that’s what it’s all about.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (31)

DAN MARSCHKE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-274 (Gold Member)
1/19/2018

I started the challenge in 2016 and have enjoyed harvesting ducks in many states. Once i found were the ducks had to be harvested I made a plan and started hunting in those states with different outfitters and some good fellow hunters. I have made many new friends in the duck blinds I have hunted in. Those fellow hunters will be friends forever and will hold alot of memories, for me in my coming years.My favorite two hunts have been in Mexico and Alaska. Alaska was a once in a life time hunt. Go and you will see what i mean.

I want to thank UWC for having a duck hunting program for duck hunters.At 70 years of age I hope to reach the Slam one day soon. I have some more trips planned, one to Alaska for the King and some more to reach the slam. God bless and wish me luck in my journey.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

CLARENCE CUSHING

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-255 (Gold Member)
11/23/2017

My name is Clarence Cushing I am fifty two years old and from the state of Illinois. I started hunting waterfowl about ten years ago, it was a way for me to get back into the outdoors after four combat tours and serving in the military for 30 years(marines,army,airforce). I was introduced to waterfowl hunt by two good friends, Pat Dempsey and Kevin Hickerson. Pat took me on a late Canadian goose hunt in central Illinois and with beginners luck, I shot my first Canadian goose with a band, and I was hooked on waterfowl hunting, And thanks to Kevin for taking me out everyday during duck season since 2010 and allowing me to hunt with him in his blind on Litchfield Lake. I joined the UWC and have had the opportunity to travel and meet a lot of good people from Maine(bold coast outfitters),to North Carolina (Teddy Gibbs),Alaska( Charles Summerville) ,Oklahoma(Crane Wreckers) and now I'm off to Mexico to get my cinnamon teal. My goal is to finish the challenge in 2018.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (41)

ROBERT BREWER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-635
12/10/2017

My name is Robert Brewer. I’ve been hunting since my youth and the outdoors has been engrained in me by my grandfather since my early childhood. I have always had a passion for waterfowl hunting and all that comes with it. Being the East Coast Regional Director for The Fallen Outdoors and having worked with this organization for years, I have had the opportunity to be a part of many special moments but by far the greatest is seeing Veterans harvest their first ducks. I am proud of my journey with the Ultimate Waterfowler’s Challenge and I am excited to continue the quest to 41!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

DON TERRELL

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-286 (Gold Member)
11/23/2017

Don joined The UWC at age 75, after seeing one of our ads in Wildfowl Magazine. At the time Don was heading up on a trip to Alberta and received his UWC Member Kit within days of leaving for Canada. On that trip Don harvested 3 species of geese and 3 species of ducks- including the elusive Barrows Goldeneye. He was off and running. By the end of his first season as a UWC Member Don had 13 different species under his belt and became one of our fastest growing members.

Oddly enough Don did not grow up as an active duck hunter. In fact his first experience in the marsh came at age 23 when he joined a couple friends from college out on the Santee Cooper marsh in South Carolina. Don recalled that trip being one of THE WORST duck hunting experiences of his life, as it was freezing cold that day and he fell through the ice and nearly froze to death. By the end of the hunt Don said he sailed one duck out in the middle of the lake and was never even able to retrieve it. It is a wonder he became the duck hunter he is today after that experience. Fast forward 52 years later and Don is closing in on successfully completing The UWC North American Waterfowl Grand Slam. He is an inspiration to us all!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (39)

NICHOLAS RADKE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-178
12/5/2017

I have been duck hunting since before I could carry a gun, but it was my military assignments around the United States that allowed me to expand my duck hunting horizons from coast to coast. Since leaving active duty, my love for the diversity that comes with waterfowl hunting has only grown. Partly because of UWC, I have traveled to Kodiak, Saskatchewan, the Outer Banks and the Jersey Shore in pursuit of the North American 41. A special thanks needs to go out to Scott Radke (my Dad) for introducing me this amazing sport and for joining me on parts of my journey.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (32)

DENNIS ACKMANN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-038
11/21/2017

I grew up in the Midwest and have always had the passion for hunting waterfowl. My dad hunted deer and I followed in his footsteps until I was old enough to chase my own passions. The dream of harvesting the canvasback was my first challenge. Then having a son that wanted to hunt with you fueled the passion.

I’ve hunted with Dan Wennerlind back when he was guiding Snow Goose hunts in Missouri, we kept in touch and he indicated he was starting the Ultimate Waterfowl Challenge, this sounded like such a fun idea I signed up #000-038. I’ve hunted with Dan in Colorado, Nebraska, Mexico, California and recently in Alaska.

Not only have I harvested different birds but seen different places along the way and made many new friends! My goal was never to achieve all 41 species but it still could happen!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

DR. CARY SIMONDS

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-269 (GOLD MEMBER)
10/9/2017

I began collecting waterfowl species just recently and have found that I LOVE this sport. I have collected big game species my entire adult life, all with a bow and arrow. After 25 trips to Africa and many other travels, I decided that I would stop that sport, except on our ranch, where we hunt deer, elk, moose, cougar, bear and turkeys! I began sea duck hunting and that type of hunting is still my favorite! I consider myself a conservationist and I believe we sportsmen have the responsibility to care for our wildlife and wild lands. I’ve found that most of the waterfowl hunters I’ve met feel the same about conservation. I feel privileged to be a small part of UWC.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

BRECK DICKINSON

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-200
2/21/2017

I began waterfowl hunting at age 12 on my own, nobody in my family hunted. Also that same year I began taxidermy from a book, and at age 54 I'm still at it.

Even at 12 years old it was a fantasy of mine to travel the world waterfowling and collecting new species. It wasn't until 2011 that I seriously began to apply myself to this goal, beginning with a DIY trip to New Zealand. North American waterfowl is my main focus but I'm open to hunt anywhere in the world. I'm collecting these species with the same A5 that I've been using since I was a teenager. We've grown old and ugly together.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (40)

RUSS FREEHLING

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-261 (GOLD MEMBER)
2/20/2017

Like many, I was introduced to bird hunting by my father. That started a consecutive Opening Day streak for dove hunting beginning in 1973. A tradition that I passed along to my son when he was eight years old. We were fortunate to have three generations hunting together for several years, until my Dad's passing in 2010.

Now the two of us start our season with dove, then turn to waterfowl in the Fall. My wife calls herself a "Duck Widow" for the three and a half months of our season while we chase the ducks and geese.

Joining the UWC in November 2015 has given my son and I a new slant on our waterfowl hunting. It has given us way to collect many of the species with that "first time" feeling all over again. We have hunted three of the Great Eight UWC Hunting Adventures, and have had great success in harvesting the birds we were after, plus met new lifelong friends.

I'm often asked why I am so passionate about waterfowl hunting. (There are two seasons during the year - hunting and preparing to go hunting).

It's about:
Respecting the resource, watching the world wake up at sunrise, getting snuck from behind by a screaming teal when you're looking the wrong way, seeing the excitement of your retriever as she hastily swims toward a floating bird in the water, then getting a shower as your dog shakes water all over you and your gear, teaching your young son how to hunt, watching him with pride as he drops his first bird, leaky waders, dropping your sandwich in the mud when you reach for your gun, not being able to hit your ass with both hands all morning, then stoning a banded trophy bird at the end of the hunt, shooting six consecutive birds without missing, then missing three in a row because you got cocky, and the ultimate joy of watching that bird fold up at the same time you hear the report from your 12 gauge.

The UWC is a great way to chronicle your hunting career. I'm looking forward to continuing the "Challenge" and to the hunting journey that lay ahead as I pursue collecting more "first time" trophies.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (40)

SEAN TOMLIN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-272 (GOLD MEMBER)
2/9/2017

I have been duck hunting for 20 years, all across the country and several others, to say that duck hunting is a passion of mine would be a vast understatement! I have made many friends over a duck blind and met many great people that I will always cherish. It's an honor to be among the UWC and the hunters who share the same passion in the pursuit of various waterfowl species and the places they inhabit. I've always found serenity in the waters they frequent and all the sunrises and sunsets I've been blessed to see. Good luck in your pursuit!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

JASON VAN DYKE

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-149
1/19/2017

I am a first generation hunter in my family and was unable to enjoy any type of hunting until well after my college years. I was originally only interested in deer hunting because I had easy access to private land owned by clients and knew nothing about duck hunting except that it was cold, wet, and early. Much to the chagrin of many who have been duck hunting for years, it was the A&E series “Duck Dynasty” that peeked my interest in waterfowl hunting. My first season was only a few guided hunts where I was able to shoot some bird and learn whatever I could from the guides. The second season was the first time I had access to private land and joined UWC so I could chronicle my newfound passion for waterfowl hunting. During my third season I became a very aggressive species-oriented hunter. By then I had my own calls, my own decoys, and even my own boat. It was also the first year that “Duck Season Eve” became an official holiday in my home (with my friends and I camping out to get the most coveted public land spots on opening day). I never would have guessed that I would achieve “Master” status by the end of my third season and “Master Elite” status by the end of my fourth. I have to credit the Duck Commander crew for getting me interested in the sport, but it was the UWC that gave me the passion for waterfowl hunting I might not otherwise have. My goal is to complete the challenge before I turn 40, retire from law practice, and become a waterfowl hunting guide. It’s good to dream!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

DUNTELL CARTER

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-177
1/19/2017

BIO COMING SOON...

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

BRANDON CROWLEY

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-003 (GOLD MEMBER)
10/1/2016

I was fortunate to be introduced to the sport of hunting at a very young age. My family raised my brother and I on deer hunting and today it’s still a pastime we look forward to each season. Waterfowling was a sport that I would discover through some friends in high school and I still remember my first hunt to this day; a late season Minnesota mallard hunt in which we had to chip and break ice just to set our spread. The hunt was filled with hundreds of migrating birds; I was quickly addicted! Since this date, I’ve been fortunate to hunt all across North America including decoying Tundra Swans in North Dakota, Eiders in the layout boat in New England and Brant Geese on the sunny beaches of California. It’s been a true blessing where the challenge has taken me and the relationships I’ve built. I look forward to finishing the journey of a lifetime and harvesting all 41 species to earn the title of Grand Master Waterfowl Hunter.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (42)

DAN WENNERLIND

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-001 (GOLD MEMBER)
12/22/2015

I grew up hunting waterfowl in western Minnesota with my Dad. My passion for the sport became an obsession as I grew older and I became a waterfowl guide after college. Years later my passion drove me to start the Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge and now I have been able to hunt the entire continent doing what I love and meeting fellow die hard waterfowlers like myself across the country. Nothing tops watching my chessy make a long retrieve, returning with her prize. This past year I have was fortunate enough to hunt a day with my 81 yr old Father. I harvested a delicious trophy Tundra swan that my chessy retrieved. And I topped of my season with a trip to New England, layout boat hunting with my good friend on the ocean for Eiders. God is Great!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (43)

CHRIS DECKELMANN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-136
3/30/2015

I have been hunting waterfowl for the better part of 8 years. It was a way for me to get back into the outdoors after multiple deployments. Since having been stationed in WA and being part of The Fallen Outdoors going on tree years I have enjoyed many trips across the country, from taking old friends out hunting in Rhode Island to broadening my hunting experiences to taking fellow soldiers sea duck hunting at the Canadian border which I have found a great joy in the better part of last season. Duck hunting for me is as much giving back to the resource as the resource is therapy for me as well as being able to share the outdoors with others and I am grateful for every chance I get to be in it especially in the great northwest.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (41)

DERRICK TACKETT

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-141
2/9/2015

The 2014/15 season marked my 30th waterfowl season where I started hunting the refuge system of California. As the seasons past I started exploring more of the pacific flyway and in the mid-nineties I started building my first mud motor.

Fast forward to today and I hunt almost exclusively on the Columbia River. I am a member of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff, Board of the Oregon Waterfowl Festival and Vice President of Pacific NW Outdoor Adventure. I have been lucky to spend a lot of time hunting with the Military Group, The Fallen Outdoors, over the last several seasons. Now I start the next thirty seasons by continuing my quest for the North America 41!

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (30)

ERIC BAKKEN

CERTIFIED MASTER ELITE WATERFOWL HUNTER
WF-000-130
2/4/2015

My name is Eric Bakken; I’m 28 from Minnesota where I’ve hunted waterfowl for 14 years. I’ve hunted all over the world due to the fact of my military background over the past 7 years. I currently live in Washington. This being my last duty station in the Army and it offers some world class waterfowl hunting so this alone persuaded me to stay. I hunt all classifications of waterfowl, including puddle, diver and sea ducks. I also target big, little and light geese. I run a military hunting and fishing organization that takes members of the military on hunting and fishing trips. The name of my organization is called The Fallen Outdoors, it’s comprised.

UWC CERTIFIED SPECIES LIST (36)