Greenhead presents this year’s Executive Q&A featuring a slate of executives, headed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, sharing the moments, tips, guns and gadgets that have made their time afield special.
Number of days you hunt a season?
Thirty. Moving to Stuttgart, so I expect this to go up … for business purposes.
Where do you hunt?
Reydell and Ethel.
Club name?
One Horse Hunting Club
What kind of gun do you use?
Browning A5, semi-auto.
Favorite duck call?
Sentimental favorite: Chick Majors (gift from grandfather).
Actual use: Rich-N-Tone/Echo combo. Favorite depends on mood (mine or ducks).
Fields, reservoir or timber?
Yes. All the above. But timber is favorite.
Rainy, nasty or bluebird sky?
Bluebird and cold. But if you can time it right and be set up for snow to start when ducks are in the air, it doesn’t get much better. God has to help a lot on that one.
Favorite hunting story/memory?
I was in 7th grade. Ducks had found rice fields around Ethel. Local farmer/family friend Monte McKewen and my dad convinced my mother (a school teacher) that it was very important that I stay home and help them with a “farm project” early during the weekday. “Don’t worry,” they said. “We’ll get him to school on time.” We limited quickly, but missed the tardy bell. Detention was worth it (for me and Dad).
Close second: Gillett in the late 90s. Berry Farm during Coon Supper week. Close friend and relative Mitch Berry and I are hunting with his father, Congressman Marion Berry. We are in a rice field pit and Marion throws the lid back and watches as Mitch and I unload on a large group of ducks — six shots. Not a feather. Marion’s laugh is uncontrollable for a bit until he gathers himself and lets us know how disappointed our ancestors would be in that performance.
What got you into hunting?
Birth in Stuttgart. I had no choice.
If you have children do you take them duck hunting? If so what are some of the highlights from these youth hunts?
My son is 13 and my daughter is 10. While “lowlights” at the time, the [highlights are the] current stories we share; the most laughs about all include one or more of us falling into the water (me included).
What is your most unusual “must have” in the duck blind?
My grandfather’s coffee thermos. He was a member of “Hardley Able” Hunting Club and while it doesn’t keep coffee as warm as it did back in the day, it means a lot for me to have in my duck bag.
Which Arkansas executive calls ducks the best?
What I need to say: Riceland’s CEO Danny Kennedy.
What I actually believe: Brantley Farms CEO Dow Brantley.
Who’s an up and comer and better than he knows: Dr. Sid Dassinger, Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
