Bryan Leach grew up in DeRidder, Louisiana, and started duck hunting in the southwestern marshes of the state with his father at age 5. Decades later, he remains an avid duck and specklebelly hunter.

Leach’s history with Delta Waterfowl dates to fall 2002, when he became a member. The following year he joined a local chapter committee in LaFayette, Louisiana. The grassroots approach to waterfowl conservation inspired him, so when he moved to Lake Charles, Louisiana, in 2006, he joined another committee, the Gulf Coast Chapter. By 2010, his skills and drive to succeed were recognized by Delta leadership, who invited him aboard as a full-time regional director.

“I really enjoy contributing to waterfowl conservation, so it means so much to me to be able to actually do it as my job,” Leach said. “Working with passionate duck hunters that have the same goals in mind is probably the most exciting. We have some really great people that volunteer for Delta.”

Leach owns three female black Labs: Belle, Rita, and his current duck dog, a 45-pound speedster named Brees.

“Brees is the best retriever I’ve ever owned,” he said. “I love watching her retrieve almost as much as I love to hunt waterfowl.”

When he isn’t hunting, Leach enjoys going to his camp near Thornwell with friends and family, and watching Louisiana State University football games.

bleach@deltawaterfowl.org