The Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers recently appointed Nathan Kettner to serve on their Executive Leadership Team (ELT) as treasurer.
Nathan grew up in a small town in southern Minnesota where his dad was the town butcher and had a very traditional introduction to hunting and fishing. “My dad and grandfather took me out deer and pheasant hunting in the fall, ice fishing and fox hunting in the winter, and lake fishing in the spring and summer,” Nathan said.
He attended public grade school, but went to a private school in Wisconsin for high school. “It was a life-changing decision,” Nathan explained. “Living in a dormitory in high school was the best time of my life and I also met my wife there.” Nathan went to college at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and graduated with a BS in Physics. He moved to Colorado for a space industry job, obtained a Masters of Engineering in Space Systems and then switched from the operations side (launch and on-orbit maintenance) to the ground software side.
Since moving to Colorado Nathan has focused mostly on big game hunting with a smattering of small game, turkey and spin-casting for trout. “About ten years ago I got into archery hunting and that has been my passion ever since,” he said. “I have been lucky enough to take several nice bulls and even a bighorn with my bow. I have hunted with just about every legal method, but spend most of my time in the mountains with a compound bow or rifle.”
Nathan moved to Monument, Colorado, from Colorado Springs during 2019. “The semi-rural life is great!” he exclaimed. “I joined BHA in 2019 after hearing high praise from Steven Rinella and Randy Newberg on their podcasts,” he added. Nathan is a long-time RMEF member and CPW volunteer and has been looking for a way to contribute year-round. “The treasurer position seems like it will be a great fit,” he said. Nathan is stepping up to replace David Kinn, who has been the Colorado BHA treasurer since May 2018.
“David managed the finances of a chapter that grew from some 1,300 members in May 2018 to nearly 3,000 members currently and oversaw the financial details related to more than 60 events and activities during 2019 alone,” said Colorado BHA co-chair, David Lien (a former Air Force officer). “We’re extremely lucky to have someone of Nathan’s caliber stepping in to this vital chapter role.”
“I have met Nathan at our local events and at CPW volunteer events,” Colorado BHA Southeast Regional Director, Ty Woodward, said. “He seems like an upstanding character, and I applaud him stepping up to fill the treasurer position.”
- For additional information about the Colorado BHA Executive Leadership Team (ELT)/Board, see: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/colorado_chapter_board
- The Colorado BHA Chapter currently has nine Groups: Boulder County, Northern Colorado, Denver Metro Area, Southeast Colorado, Central Rockies, Gunnison County, Southeast Colorado, Western Colorado and Northwestern Colorado. For additional information see: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/group_leaders
- For information about Colorado BHA’s Habitat Watch Volunteer (HWV) program see: http://www.backcountryhunters.org/habitat_watchmen.[1]
- Also see: “Colorado BHA Habitat Watch Volunteer Program History & Training.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/6/20.
- Colorado BHA Corporate Partners: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/colorado_corporate_partners
- David Petersen (founder of the first BHA state chapter, here in Colorado, and a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) books: www.davidpetersenbooks.com
Founded by Mike Beagle, a former U.S. Army field artillery officer, and formed around an Oregon campfire, in 2004, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is the voice for our nation’s wild public lands, waters and wildlife. With over 40,000 members spread out across all 50 states and 13 Canadian provinces and territories—including chapters in 45 states, two Canadian provinces and one territory, and Washington, D.C.—BHA brings an authentic, informed, boots-on-the-ground voice to the conservation of public lands. Since the Colorado BHA chapter was founded by David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot) in 2005 (the first official BHA chapter), they’ve grown their boots-on-the-ground presence to some 3,000 dedicated hunters and anglers.
[1] Dakota Warry. “Habitat Watch Program.” Backcountry Journal: Winter 2018, p. 25.