Matt was born and raised in Paris, IL and grew up hunting waterfowl in the many fields and lakes in Central and Southern Illinois. Hunting has been such an important part of his life that he decided to go to college and devote his energy to pursuing his love of hunting.
Matt is a graduate of Southeastern Illinois College, located in Harrisburg, IL where he earned two associate degrees, one in Game Preserve Management and the other in Shooting Complex Management. While in school he refereed over 40 major sporting clays shoots throughout the US. Matt is also a Level I Shooting Instructor. As part of his degree, he completed a one year internship at Heart’s Desire Hunting Club in Sugartree, TN. He then worked at Pa-ko Plantation in Midway, AL as the wildlife manager where he managed over 6,000 acres for deer and quail, but he returned to Illinois where he could continue his interest in waterfowl.
Matt has guided hunts at both Grassy Lake Hunting Club and Lyerly Lake Hunting Club in Southern Illinois, and in Central Illinois. He has been an avid duck hunter since the age of ten. He now owns and operates Gander and Greenheads Hunting Club in Paris, IL. He also competes in goose and duck calling competitions, and has several top five finishes.