Born in San Diego, California, Thomas Reed grew up traveling across the United States and abroad due to his father’s service in the United States Marine Corps. Most of his childhood was spent in Tallahassee, Florida, before moving to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and later relocating in his adult life to upstate New York in 2012. During this time, Reed was working in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and did not return to the States until 2014.

Following his time spent on the road, he decided to have one of his dogs trained by Saabi Sil Retrievers, where he was introduced to the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Delta Waterfowl. After attending a few banquets with his wife, he was inspired by the chapter’s work and decided to create a chapter in Greene, New York, before applying his passions full-time for The Duck Hunters Organization.

“I love Delta’s UHP,” Reed said. “Our chapter has had some of the largest hunts within the program including those at Cornell University and Binghamton University. I’m most passionate about R3 and getting our youth involved. My son, Mason, is a diehard waterfowler and says that one day he will be at the top of Delta’s staff list. I love how we all end up family in Delta Waterfowl.”

When not working, Reed enjoys kayaking and fishing with his family as well as spending weekends camping and enjoying the outdoors. He loves taking their dogs out and keeping them ready for hunting season. But during hunting season, there is no doubt he is in a blind somewhere, either chasing after ducks or hunting some big Canada goose feeds.

“I enjoy any type of waterfowl as long as it is in good company,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if it is out chasing divers in a layout boat or tucked back in a corn row hunting big honkers. I also enjoy solo hunts in the kayak.”

Despite living in the north, Reed remains devoted to his love of sweet tea and has four Labs: Girlie, Beau Berry Biscuit, Ravenna Lynn, and JJ.

treed@deltawaterfowl.org