To start this all off, I have to thank the people that got me started in the outdoors, my Grandma and Grandpa Kooiman, and my Parents, thank you so much for letting me be the person I grew up to be.
Ever since I can remember, I was always the kid that had to be in the outdoors and it has definitely become my way of life. Some of my first memories start with my parents and grandparents taking me to the lakes to fish and camp, and that is totally what I lived for. Ever since I started in the outdoors, my love for it continues to grow. Starting with fishing, then rabbit hunting, bird hunting, deer hunting, archery hunting, bow fishing, big game and now finally starting to film in the outdoors, I have had an incredible outdoor life. To think back on how all this came together is an incredible story in itself. My passion is my family and the outdoors! I have been blessed enough to go from a beginner to now becoming pro staff for Mill Creek Outdoors which allows me to be in the outdoors as much as possible.
Next I have to tell you about my incredible family: I am a father of two absolutely incredible kids, Blake (7yrs) is my oldest and is wanting to follow in my footsteps, and Paige (4yrs) is my daughter, and loves the outdoors as much as I did at her age. It is an incredible time in my life to watch these two kids grow up and develop in their own different skills and ways. It is incredible the amount of support they bring to the table when I have to be away from home. My kids are truly a blessing and I love them to death and can’t wait for their love for the outdoors to grow like mine did. Along with all this I have to say I have an incredible girlfriend Ka Cey Struckman and her daughter, Bailee in my life. When I met Ka Cey she really had nothing to do with hunting but enjoyed fishing, now this has all changed. Ka Cey is my best friend, girlfriend and hunting partner. We have spent countless hours in the field and many days on the water, and have now started to film everything we hunt and fish. We have also partnered up together and entered many fishing tourneys and the 2010 Campbell Outdoor Challenge. For us it’s not always the catch or the kill, but the time spent and memories made together.
Being in the outdoors is a very intimate part of my life and I am very excited to bring this passion to my kids, Bailee and KaCey. There is nothing we love to do more than go camping, fishing, hunting, golfing, shoot bow, gun or anything else that involves the outdoors. I can’t stress enough how important it is to me to spend as much time with family and friends and there isn’t a better place to spend it than in the great outdoors.
A little about my career: I am a contractor and owner of a residential construction company in Sioux Falls SD. I started my business in 2001 and have been going strong ever since. I am now starting to get into the outdoor industry a little more and have become pro staff for Mill Creek Outdoors. This is where I have to be very thankful that I have the crew that I do and a brother that is willing to step up to the plate and take over and take control of the company when I am gone, because as we all know a job in the outdoor industry takes a lot of time away from home.
With all this said, hunting has always been my passion. Hunt hard, be safe and whenever possible teach our younger generations the love and respect for the outdoors. Thanks for taking the time to look at our Xtreme Dream and hopefully you have yours too!!!!
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