My name is Anthony Bertolino, most of my friends call me Tony.  I am 28 years old. I was born in the great state of New Jersey and did most of my growing up there as well. I joined the Navy in 2008 and I’m still active duty. I have cruised three times and traveled far and wide throughout the globe. As for hunting I am relatively new. I started to waterfowl roughly three years ago now and I got hooked on it from the very first day. Pretty sure I will be in the business of waterfowl until I am knee deep in the grave. I have not hunted much outside of waterfowl and upland birds however as I grow as a hunter I do want to add big game to the menu. Really looking forward to preparing through the spring for next fall to get more new blood out in the fields and in the blinds to hopefully share in what has become my passion.

Born and raised right here in the Skagit valley area, Rick knows a lot of the farmers. Rick grew up hunting with his Dad and uncle and shot his first deer at age 11. He picked up archery hunting at age 21 and has shot many deer, pheasant, turkey, and raccoon since then. Rick really got serious into hunting waterfowl in 1996 when living in Idaho and he brought that passion back to Washington when he moved back home a few years later. He says he loves the challenge of calling and decoying snow geese and ducks. He has a wide variety of decoys and is constantly searching forums and blogs for the next new thing to try. Rick spends many late nights in his garage hand-turning duck and goose calls on his lathe. He lives and breathe waterfowl hunting and says living in the La Conner area gives him a great advantage to scouting the fields and water holes for birds. Rick has spent many years photographing wildlife, which he says is a great way to learn their habits.

My name is Benjamin Kohler, I am 32 years old and happily married to my wife Rosie with whom I have four children with. I was in the Army for just over 7 years of active duty. While I was in the Army I served as a DART squad leader in Iraq as well as a helicopter powerplant repairer conducting maintenance on all Army type helicopters. My service in the military was cut short when I was involved in hard landing /crash in a helicopter. I was later medically retired from the Army due to my injuries. After several years of physical therapy my walking has become a lot better. Waterfowl is where my passion lies. I love to call in the ducks and geese close and really enjoy watching them work. I always love introducing new hunters to this experience and see their face as the duck’s dive in. Studying waterfowl in the off season has greatly increased my experience and changed how I look at them.

For me hunting and fishing is more than just a sport, its therapy. Over the years I have seen different VA therapist for PTSD, but nothing makes me feel more like myself (normal) than in the field chasing another adventure. I know there are many others with many more years of experience than me. What I lack in the years I make up for with determination, drive, and the love of hunting. Currently I’m in school pursuing a degree in digital entertainment in film. So, when I do not have a gun or bow with me I can still shoot them with a camera. I know what it’s like to be told you’re broken, and fighting with PTSD day in and day out. Traditional therapy just doesn’t cut it for many service members, but simply sitting in a duck blind with other veterans just enjoying the moment (feeling normal) for once, can change someone’s life.