The Arkansas Board of Directors is always on the search for members from all areas of the state who are interested in serving the membership of the entire state. Volunteer opportunities exist in many areas—things as simple as hosting a clean up of a small stream to things as large as creating a signature fundraising event. We also welcome inquiries from those who seek leadership opportunities as state or regional captains. If you have an idea, we want to hear from you.
Larry Haden
I was born in southern Kentucky and moved to central Arkansas around the age of 10. Shortly after moving to Arkansas, I was introduced to deer hunting by my new friends and joined a small deer camp with my dad. I immediately knew that hunting and the outdoors would be something I'd do for the rest of my life. But I was baseball player and this took up most of my free time. I grew up on the baseball field and played all thru high school and college. During this time, I went to deer camp each year, went upland hunting in the midwest, and had an obsession with duck hunting.
After I met my wife, we moved to Texas and my outdoor pursuits were mainly limited to bass fishing due to the lack of public lands. After 6 years in Texas, we moved to northwest Arkansas. This stint in Texas opened my eyes to the importance of public land. Within a few months, I bought my first bird dog, a llewellin setter, and we began exploring the public uplands of Kansas and Nebraska.
I joined BHA because because 99% of my hunting takes place on public land and I wanted to support an organization that worked to ensure those lands stayed public. I watched the Arkansas Chapter do that exact thing in their efforts to prevent the sale of Pine Tree WDA. I knew then that I wanted to be involved with the Arkansas BHA chapter. I wanted to stand along the side and get to know the like minded people who fought for our public lands.
Kip Kruger
Kip is a native Arkansan and was raised hunting the Ozarks and Delta regions of the Natural State. As young man he was always interested in wildlife and ecology. At 16 he volunteered with Arkansas Game and Fish doing Whitetail studies at Hobbs State Park. After high school he spent summers as a wilderness guide in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Quetico Provincial Park. This is where he fell in love with public land and water.
Besides hunting and fishing Kip is an avid whitewater paddler. This passion has taken him all across the country to paddle. From the Ocoee in the East, all the way out west to paddle some of the country’s most iconic rivers: the Salmon, the Snake, the Arkansas, and the Middle fork of the Salmon, all of these in some of the most beautiful wilderness landscapes that exist on the planet.
His experiences in the country’s wild places have shaped his life, and led him directly to BHA. The passion he has for hunting, fishing, and paddling is matched by his passion for protecting our public lands and waters. Kip lives in Rogers, Arkansas with his 11year old chocolate lab, Anabelle and has just shifted careers out of teaching AP Environmental Science into being self-employed.
Mark Izard
I am a native, 4th generation Arkansasan. I have been married to my wife Rhonda for 22 years, have 4 kids and one grandchild.
I was was raised in a non hunting/no guns household until the age of 13. During those early years I had a burning desire to be in the outdoors which was flamed by reading every issue of Field and Stream I could get my hands on.
After meeting my dad at age 13, I was allowed to go hunting on my uncle's farm with very little guidance. Even though I loved roaming the 1000 acre farm I had to teach myself to hunt. I killed my first squirrel age 14 in a Pin Oak flat on a balmy October afternoon. As I stood there looking at the gray squirrel I became overcome with emotion - the emotion of taking a life and achieving a goal that I had taken so long to achieve. I was a hunter. As the years went by I graduated to deer hunting and then to turkey hunting, which is my real hunting passion. All my hunting success and failures have come from reading and watching videos, trying to figure out what works best for me.
I started hunting public land in the Ouachita Mountains about 20 years ago, mainly for turkeys, because I had a desire to roam big spaces and not be hemmed in by barbed wire fences. I have to know whats over the next hill. I had no idea what public land meant at the time, it was just a place where I could roam freely without all the rules of family farms and leases.
I joined BHA 2 years ago after searching podcasts for public land hunting. After hearing Hal Herring for the first time talk about why Public Lands are so important, I knew I had to be a part of that group. I had to do something to ensure that my kids, my grandkids and their kids always had a place to hunt, fish and roam these mountains that I love so much. BHA is a family affair for us. My oldest son is a member and hunts almost exclusively on public landy My middle son goes fishing with me on public land, and my youngest son has that same wanderlust that I have. My wife thinks its pretty dang cool when I bring a deer or turkey home from the mountains, because she knows I had to work for it.
Ryan Pettigrew
Since Ryan was a small child, he has been hunting and fishing in the Ozark Mountains. He learned how to chase nearly every game species in Arkansas from his father and uncles. Growing up, Ryan spent most of his free time in the woods right outside his back door, sneaking up on squirrels with a pellet gun and watching his beloved beagles run rabbits. Family camping adventures in the West, backpacking trips with his Boy Scout troop, and guiding wilderness trips in the Boundary Waters and Quetico, instilled in him a deep appreciation for our public wilderness.
Ryan has enjoyed so much positive influence from hunting, fishing, and public lands, that he cannot stand the thought of his children, and the future generations of this nation, being robbed of the same opportunity. BHA provides a place for Ryan to not only connect with great people, but to fight for our greatest treasures as Americans.Professionally, Ryan is an attorney who works in real estate development. He lives with his wife, Meredith, and their two young boys in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
Brad Green
Born and raised in North Central Nebraska I spent most of my childhood with a fishing pole or shotgun in my hand. With a lot of local ponds and free range access to the neighboring farm properties I fished and trapped in my elementary school years. Muskrat and raccoon furs brought me my first income. During the eighth grade we moved and spent a year in Cody Wyoming where I was introduced to fly fishing and the mountains. I loved everything outdoors and animal related. TV shows like Wild Kingdom, Wild America and Jacques Cousteau specials along with magazines like Fur, Fish and Game fed my unending appetite for animals and the outdoors.
I hunted and fished some through High school (back in Nebraska) but as I went to college and began trying to make a living on my own hunting and camping faded from my priorities. After about a 20 year pause and now living in Northwest Arkansas I began to consider hunting again. I was introduced to Meateater and the spark turned into a flame. I didn’t own private hunting land so public land became my stomping grounds and I began to understand their value and history as I hadn’t before. BHA became a way for me to protect and give back to the public lands and waters that I now enjoy so much.
I am now an avid hunter, fisherman, camper, hiker, scuba diver and adventure motorcyclist. I consider myself a generalist when it comes to hunting and fishing – if I can eat it I’m interested in chasing it. I have been married to a wonderful, supportive wife since 2003. I take great joy in providing healthy meat and enjoying a healthy, active, outdoor lifestyle together.
I’m grateful for BHA and honored to be a part of it.
Rick Spicer
My father brought me up hunting and fishing in the Delta of Arkansas but for the last 30 years Fayetteville has been my home and the Ozarks my stomping grounds. I've spent a great deal of time exploring the American west as well but mostly as a mountaineer and backpacker. In my 30's I decided I need to begin mixing my love of fishing at home with my western trips and began to fly fish public waters in the Wind Rivers, Tetons, Sawtooths and Cascades while on climbing trips. I suppose the natural progression was to want to bring my bow with me next which is my current quest. I love wooden bows and arrows and have been shooting them for over 20 year. My job at Pack Rat in Fayetteville takes me to trade shows every summer and a few years ago I had the opportunity to meet Land Tawney and some of the other BHA members while attending a public land march to the Capitol of Utah in Salt Lake. I signed up for a 3 year membership and got involved.
I'm also the father of a 5 year old and 8 year old and spend as much time with them outside as possible. We paddle the rivers fishing for small mouth and hike every chance we get on public land both here in Arkansas and in the western states as well. I hope to contribute a positive example to my own kids and other young people about what it means to be an ethical hunter and angler and to reinforce those values in them for the future.
Chase Henrichs
I grew up in central Arkansas deer hunting private land and making the annual trip every Thanksgiving to Deer Camp in the southeast corner of the state. This was my normal for all my life through college, and it wasn’t until I moved away to Colorado that I started learning about public lands. Fast forward a few years and I found myself back in my college town of Fayetteville, 6 hours away from Deer Camp and a job to worry about (no more cutting class). I had learned about BHA through a podcast and became intrigued as public land hunting was something I had never done. A quick search and I realized how many thousands of acres were well within an hour’s drive from my front door full of opportunities to hunt deer, squirrel, and fish. I joined BHA as a means to meet others who were utilizing these public lands and waters as a way to recreate and provide for themselves.
I enjoy BHA because of the connections and camaraderie with others, the opportunities to learn from those more knowledgeable, and BHA's core values to ensure hunting and fishing on public lands and waters continue long after I'm gone.James Brandenburg
When the term "adult onset outdoorsman" came into fashion, I had already been living the dream for a number of years. I started with a fly fishing lesson and then got into hunting when my own young boys showed an interest in chasing whitetail deer. You might say we all grew up together in the outdoors.
It wasn't until we vacationed with family friends that I truly realized the value of our vast public lands. That summer we fished several beautiful streams in Colorado. When the boys asked what "public land" meant, I had to do some research to be able to answer their question thoroughly. It was only then that I came to understand the treasure held in trust for us.
When I came back to Arkansas, I started to look around for new public land and water adventures. I have found the best of what I can be as a father and husband in the outdoors, and I am excited to be able to work on behalf of the new Arkansas Chapter and its members to protect and promote our unique public lands and waters.
Scott Knight
Born and raised in Little Rock, my dad took the time to introduce me to the outdoors at a young age. It began with camping trips to many of our state parks, soon followed by float trips to the Buffalo and Mulberry Rivers. I learned to fish for trout on some of our world-class rivers and small and largemouth bass on our lakes and streams. We trained a couple of good bird dogs while chasing after the few remaining quail in the state. I developed an even greater appreciation for our public lands pursing waterfowl throughout the flooded timber of Bayou Meto and various spots along the Arkansas River.
It wasn’t until college that I met a couple that had spent years as guides, making trips out west and north to Alaska. They introduced me to turkey and whitetail deer hunting in Arkansas and opened my eyes to several of the other big game species. Hearing their stories as they shared their experiences sparked a fire and a curiosity in me to not only want to explore these other wild places but to continue learning this outdoor craft. Since then, I’ve continued to explore Arkansas and have had the opportunity to venture to several western states in pursuit of fish, elk and deer.
As a proud husband and father of two boys, I continue to share my passion for the great outdoors, which was instilled in me by people in my life that took the time to do so. Being a steward of these wild and public places is critical, not only for their generation but for those that follow.
Natalie Krebs
I grew up in the St. Louis suburbs and in the woods of Indiana, then lived in New York City for most of my 20s while working for Outdoor Life and Field & Stream magazines. The Catskills and the Adirondacks weren't too far, and I’d sneak away often to hunt, fish, camp, and float the mountains. I’m a deer hunter first, but ultimately a shameless generalist who never says no to an open season. (And Arkansas has plenty of those.)
I've spent much of my career helping tell stories about conservation, access, public lands, hunter recruitment, federal policy, and more. Which sounds kinda dry, but it's awesome in practice. I essentially spend a lot of time talking to interesting people about the important stuff they do in and for the great outdoors. Coincidentally, that’s also what I find so appealing about BHA members.
Drew Garrison
I was born and raised in central Arkansas. I moved to Bentonville, Arkansas in 2020. I’ve spent most of my life fishing, white tail hunting and small game hunting. I was introduced to hunting by my father and his two brothers. It wasn’t till college that I started actively seeking out more hunts on my own. My friend Shifty and Halfy helped get me into becoming a more serious hunter. I’ve spent most of my life rifle hunting and have recently picked up bow hunting. Any opportunity I can get to be outside with friends or family I take. I enjoy the hunt but it’s cooking that brings me the most enjoyment. Changing peoples minds of wild game through a culinary experience is always a fun challenge.
I’m a barber by trade and operate a small apparel business on the side. I spend a lot of time camping and over landing with my family here in the Natural State. Taking my son on camping and hunting trips is one of my favorite things to do. I want to be able to give him every opportunity to enjoy the land and experiences that come with it.
Ben O’Dwyer
Born and raised in rural New Hampshire, I grew up being told “Go outside and play! Come home once it gets dark out.”… orders I’m still following to this day. Achieving Eagle Scout rank before my 16th birthday, I was exposed to outdoor leadership from an early age. I spent 15 summers as a camper and counselor at a sleepaway camp in the Upper Connecticut River Valley, where I led multi-day canoe and backpacking trips in the White Mountains, including ascents up Mount Washington as orientation for incoming staff. My college years were spent in Maine and Alaska.An active member of the UMaine Woodsmen Team and University of Alaska Outdoor Club, admittedly the emphasis was much more on libation than education. However, this experience would permanently galvanize my love for wilderness, wildlife and wild places. I’ve cast flies to tailing bones on the flats of the Bahamas and swung streamers to steelhead on the Deschutes River, but no amount of “Orvis squat” photos will ever change the fact that my first quarry was a bluegill, taken with push-button spinning reel and a thin strip of Oscar Meyer bologna… and yes, I plopped it into a 5-gallon bucket to show everyone.Coming from northern New England where I’d established a lifelong network and where nearly all land is private AND open to hunting, Arkansas was baptism by fire in terms of hunting and fishing access. Not knowing a single person when I arrived, gave new meaning to the words ‘public land owner’, which I previously thought was only a t-shirt slogan for people in Colorado. The first fish I caught in Arkansas was on public water. The first arrow I released in Arkansas was on public land. The first friends I made in Arkansas were through BHA.
David Dunn
Born and raised in Maryland, David grew up fishing and crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay and the eastern shore of Maryland. He’s the son of a police officer and homemaker. With family farms in Thornton, WV and Mt. Jackson, VA, David has spent much time exploring the foothills of the Appalachians and hollers of the Shenandoah Valley.
David’s first job was a butcher, and he has a passion for processing his own meat, growing his own vegetables (with the help of his wife) and cooking for family and friends. David lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas with his wife and two children and is a proponent of fair chase and pound the ground hunting; the bigger the challenge, the more inclined he is to get after it. As an advocate for those less fortunate, he is passionate about service work, youth education, community outreach and equal opportunity for all those that want to enjoy our public land heritage.
David will work on Corporate Sponsorship and Development for Arkansas BHA.