The son of a Texas game warden, Aidan grew up on Texas’s south coast where he was able to experience and appreciate the waterfowl world. Early on, he started hunting with Captain Dana Smith whom he considers a “second father figure” in his life. Smith fostered his passion for hunting that turned into a passion for waterfowl, wetlands and the conservation of natural resources, as well as his career path.
He received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a master’s degree in fish and wildlife biology and management from State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
Aidan says, “After working in wetlands across the country, and growing in my career, I knew Delta’s HunteR3 was the perfect opportunity to give back and light the fire in new hunters so that they could also experience the waterfowl world, it’s history and importance in conservation.” He is most passionate about working to recruit new hunters and seeing the fire in their eyes when they come to realize their new love for the waterfowl world.
His favorite hunting is on the coastal Texas flats, particularly Redfish Bay. He says that there’s nothing like running an airboat through those saltwater marshes. Although redheads are considered the king of ducks there, he adds that he’s always looking for the lone wigeon mixed into those big flocks! When it’s not hunting season, Aidan’s still out running those same flats looking for elusive, skinny-water redfish.
Aidan’s canine waterfowl hunting partner is an unusual choice — an English pointer named “Kimber.” He says, “She’s a total spaz, and always surprises people with her ability to bird hunt on land or in the water!”