Our Staff

Jeff Crane joined CSF in 2002 and brings nearly 40 years of experience in on-the-ground natural resource management and policy expertise at the federal, state and international levels. A life-long outdoorsman, Jeff spent five years working in the US Congress and was instrumental in establishing the Maryland legislative sportsmen’s caucus prior to joining CSF. In addition, he has experience developing wildlife habitat management plans in the United States and South Africa. During his eight years in Africa, Jeff obtained his professional hunter’s license and guided hunts for big game animals. Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a Master of Business Administration. At CSF, Jeff ensures a steadfast and successful relationship between the bipartisan National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus. He develops and manages the organization’s strategic business strategy and policy priorities, and serves as the primary liaison between CSF and leaders within the governmental and non-governmental conservation community. Jeff also supervises all program areas to achieve overall organization goals, including, but not limited to directing and supervising development, administration, fundraising, strategic planning and the day-to-day operations of the organization. Jeff serves as the Chairman of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council (HSSCC), a federal advisory council that reports to the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior. He is a past Chairman of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), the largest coalition of hunting conservation organizations. He is a Boone and Crockett member, a member of the Government Affairs Committee for Safari Club International (SCI) and served as Vice-Chairman of Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Committee for the National Rifle Association (NRA). Additionally, he is a Board Member of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports.

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The Hill: “Bipartisan solution is hooked on facts, not fiction”

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Kelli joined CSF in 2006 with over 15 years of professional experience in the government and corporate sectors. Kelli works directly with the President and is responsible for the financial operations of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

She oversees all aspects of financial operations including maintaining the organizational budget, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial reporting/analysis, state filings, annual audit and 990 filing.

She supervises the Senior Office Coordinator and oversees all aspects of office operations including human resources, employee benefits, 401(k), insurance policies, board meetings and all aspects of building ownership.

She received her B.A. degree with a minor in Math from Salisbury State University.

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Fred joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in April 2023 and serves as the Assistant Manager, New England States. Fred works alongside state legislative sportsmen caucuses in the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Prior to joining CSF Fred worked for the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), most recently, serving as the organization’s Social Media Manager, host of the NWTF’s official podcast, Turkey Call All Access, and early in his career, the New England Regional Director.

Fred is an active duty United States Air Force veteran serving 1999 to 2005. Fred saw a time in the Persian Gulf region as well as serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Afghan area of operation.

Fred is a passionate turkey hunter and looks forward to each spring as if it was his first as he sets his sights on visiting and harvesting a bird in all 49 states where you can legally harvest a wild turkey

Fred also enjoys spending his time coaching his son’s ice hockey team and spending time with both his children and wife in the wilderness of New England.

 

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PJ Carleton joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in 2008 and is now the Senior Director of Development and Events.In this role she manages CSF events in the Nation’s Capitol and around the country.  PJ also works with CSFs partners and sponsors for their continuing support.

Prior to joining CSF, PJ was the Director of Political and Special Events at Epiphany Productions, Inc. During her 5 year tenure, she planned and executed large and small scale meetings and events for a diverse clientele throughout the United States and Europe. Before working for Epiphany, PJ spent two years in the office of U.S. Representative Billy Tauzin.

Growing up in “Sportsmen’s Paradise”, PJ has been around hunting and fishing her entire life. PJ holds a degree from Louisiana State University, and enjoys LSU football, NASCAR and spending time with her family, including her English Bulldog Wally.

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John Culclasure joined CSF in February 2016 and is now the Director, Southeastern States and Forest Policy. John works with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus throughout the region.

Prior to joining CSF, John managed the land protection program at a land trust in his home state of North Carolina where he helped landowners conserve private working forests and partnered with state and federal agencies to improve access to public lands. As a volunteer sportsman, he worked with other hunters to improve wildlife habitat on National Forests by supporting active forest management projects and engaging in forest planning collaborative efforts.

John has been hunting and fishing since he was young and particularly enjoys hunting with his bird dogs, Susie and Sally.

John has a Bachelor of Science in forestry from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and a law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.

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Hannah joined CSF in September of 2021 and serves as the Digital Media Coordinator. In this role, Hannah works with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications and coordinates with the policy departments to conceptualize, execute, and deliver engaging content across all digital platforms.

Prior to joining CSF, Hannah attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. There she studied Strategic Communication, learning several concepts of marketing, advertising, and public relations. She also minored in environmental communication. Hannah graduated in May of 2021 with her bachelor’s degree, Summa Cum Laude. Hannah was chosen as the 2020 recipient of SCI & Bass Pro Shops/ Cabela’s Young Hunter Award. She frequently volunteers for several conservation organizations and wildlife agencies including the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Arizona Elk Society and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Hannah’s passion for the outdoors was instilled in her by her father, who worked as a game warden for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. She grew up as a ‘child of the west’, spending most of her childhood in Arizona, Colorado, and Utah. She has spent many miles on the Arizona Strip – the mecca of mule deer hunting, and in the desert Coues deer country of Arizona. Hannah is a passionate hunter and backpacker. If she is not in the backcountry glassing for elk, she’s probably at the creek fly fishing.

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Leslie Garrett joined CSF as Marketing and Communications Director in July 2015. Leslie brings more than 15 years of combined marketing, communications and public relations experience. In this role, her primary area of focus is to establish and implement CSF’s marketing strategies to increase brand awareness.

Prior to joining CSF, Leslie was Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at Intersections Inc.  During her five year tenure, Leslie played a pivotal role serving as the primary in-house media relations and corporate communications liaison where her efforts helped to secure media interviews with top-tier news outlets such as CNN and NBC. She also served as co-chair for the Intersections Corporate Charity Committee which helped to raise funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals nationwide through small and large events such as their annual golf tournament.

Before working for Intersections, Leslie spent 10 years at AOL where she successfully led multiple offline and online acquisition marketing campaigns and was awarded the Excellence in Action Award and earned a spot on the Designated Top Talent list two years in a row.

Leslie’s passion for the outdoors comes from her father who taught her the traditions of hunting and fishing and the importance of conservation. Leslie holds a degree from Saint Leo University and enjoys SEC football (Go DAWGS!), NASCAR, horseback riding, and spending time with her husband and three children in their hometown of Lovettsville, VA.

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Jacob joined CSF in February 2023 as the Great Plains States Coordinator. As part of CSF’s States Program Team, Jacob works closely with the legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

Jacob is an Illinois native, raised in the southern suburbs of Chicago. He graduated from Lewis University with bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus on public policy in December 2020. During his time at Lewis University, Jacob was also inducted into the Political Science Honors Society. Prior to joining CSF, Jacob served as the Senior Field Coordinator for a gubernatorial campaign in Illinois.

In his free time, Jacob is an avid angler and spends most of his time fishing for smallmouth and largemouth bass, preferably on the lakes near his hometown, and enjoys archery and trap shooting.

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Keely joined CSF in March of 2021 and serves as the Manager of Pacific States and Firearm Policy. Based out in the Northwest, Keely works closely with the state legislative and gubernatorial sportsmen’s caucus members in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Keely is a licensed attorney in Oregon and earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Willamette University College of Law, with a focus in Government and Lawmaking. During law school, Keely performed upper-level research and writing on the effects of managing wildlife through ballot initiatives in the Pacific States. Prior to law school, Keely completed her Bachelor of Arts in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Eastern Oregon University. Before joining CSF, Keely served as the State Director for the National Rifle Association-Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA), where she directed all legislative and political activities in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. While at NRA, she also served as a Grassroots Field Coordinator, leading mobilization efforts in support of legislative activities and ballot initiative campaigns in Nevada, Oregon and Washington, and served as a Campaign Field Representative in Washington state. Currently, Keely serves as the Vice Chair of the National Horse and Burro Rangeland Management Coalition and is on the Board of Directors for the Oregon Sportsmen’s Conservation Partnership and Oregon Sportsmen’s Caucus Foundation.

Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, Keely enjoys all things outdoors, including fishing and big game hunting.

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Chris Horton joined CSF in 2010 as the Midwestern States Director. In this role he oversaw and interacted with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus throughout the region. As the Senior Director, Fisheries Policy, he serves as CSF’s primary point of contact on federal recreational fishing issues, as well as assists the States Program Team staff with challenges for anglers at both the state and regional levels. Chris currently serves on the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and has served on the Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee, the board of the National Fish Habitat Partnership, and the Future Fisherman Foundation board of directors.

Prior to joining CSF, Chris served as the Conservation Director for the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.). His primary responsibility was to work with and represent the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and B.A.S.S. members on local, state and national conservation issues that impact sport fishing. During his tenure at B.A.S.S., he was part of a U.S. delegation to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in the development of a Code of Practice for Recreational Fisheries.

Chris received a master’s degree in fisheries from the University of Arizona. Prior to working with B.A.S.S., Chris served as the reservoir research biologist, as well as the black bass biologist, for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

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Kent joined CSF in April 2019 and currently serves as the Assistant Manager of Midwestern States and Agriculture Policy. As part of CSF’s States Program Team, Kent works closely with the legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Kent also works closely with mission partners at the state and federal levels to promote active conservation on private lands through support for policies such as the U.S. Farm Bill’s Conservation Title.

Kent earned a Master of Science in Wildlife Sciences from the College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University in 2019. During his master’s program, Kent performed research in close collaboration with the state fish and wildlife management agencies in Alabama and Georgia evaluating the conservation benefits and financial considerations associated with forestry and wildlife management practices on private lands. Prior to graduate school, Kent earned a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Wildlife and Conservation from Southeast Missouri State University. While working toward his bachelor’s degree, Kent served as the president of the SEMO student chapter of The Wildlife Society, participated in a Research Experience for Undergraduates program at the University of Kansas evaluating tallgrass prairie restoration efforts, and held various volunteer and hourly positions with the Missouri Department of Conservation.

As a native of southwest Missouri, Kent grew up hunting white-tailed deer on his family’s farm and enjoys hunting waterfowl and fishing for smallmouth bass and rainbow trout in the creeks and rivers throughout the Ozarks.

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Mark joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) States Program Team in August of 2020 as the Southeastern States Senior Coordinator. As part of the States Program Team, Mark works with the legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Mark served as a Brad Rowse Policy Fellow for CSF during the summer of 2019.

Mark is a lifelong Mississippian who developed an early passion for wildlife conservation through hunting and fishing. In November of 2020, Mark graduated from the College of Forest Resources at Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture. While in school, Mark was recognized by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as one of their Wildlife Leadership Award winners and was selected as a William A. Demmer Program Scholar, which is a Boone and Crockett Club University Program. Mark participated in numerous hunter outreach and youth engagement events while in school, and he also served as a Montgomery Leadership Program Fellow where he led community service projects on the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.

Mark enjoys many different types of outdoor recreation, particularly chasing turkeys in the spring.

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Before joining CSF, Kris worked in Denver, Colorado as a Sr. Account Manager for an insurance company. Prior to moving to Colorado, Kris worked as a Sr. Coordinator for the Development and Events Department at Bryant University. Kris grew up in Connecticut and started fishing and hunting at a young age.

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Bob joined CSF in May 2022 and serves as the Senior Coordinator of Great Lakes States. Bob works closely with the state legislative sportsmen’s caucuses under the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Bob earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Michigan State University College of Law, where his studies focused on Conservation and Wildlife law. During law school, Bob wrote several articles regarding impacts of federal energy development on wildlife. Before attending law school, Bob earned a B.S. in Political Science with a focus on Public Policy from Arizona State University. Prior to joining CSF, Bob clerked at two general practice law firms and interned with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, working on both litigation and conservation policy, and served as a Page in the United States Senate.

Bob’s favorite fishing spot is Baseline Lake in Allegan, Michigan, and he likes to camp Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his fiancé Ally and their dog Ivy.

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Brent joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in the fall of 2010, then spent over a decade managing CSF’s state-level work in the northeast region – supporting regional sportsmen’s caucuses and members; significantly expanding pro-sportsmen infrastructure; directly engaging in the policy process in support of hunting, angling, recreational shooting, and trapping; and supervising and mentoring others in the same. During this time Brent also served as the organization’s lead for firearm, knife, and deer management issues at both the state and federal levels, while providing a wide range of administrative support services for the States Program Team (SPT) – which ultimately saw him leading the SPT as Senior Director in 2022.

Now as Vice President, Policy, Brent continues to serve as the head of CSF’s state-level engagement nationwide and leads a team of 10 regional staff in support of the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus, and their members. Brent also oversees the management of CSF’s Brad Rowse Policy Internship Program, which provides support for CSF’s state and federal policy staff.

Brent has been trained at Harvard Kennedy School in Nonprofit Leadership, which included focal areas in organizational leadership and management, strategic planning, financial stewardship, marketing, and development. Prior education includes a Master of Science in Environmental Policy, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a Criminology concentration, two Associate of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Individual studies, and a Professional Development Certificate from The Wildlife Society. Brent currently serves as a Board Member of the American Suppressor Association Foundation; and previously served as Secretary of the New York Sportsmen’s Advisory Council, an inaugural Member of the Maryland Sportsmen’s Marketing Initiative, and as a Member of the National Wildlife Services Advisory Council under two Administrations.

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Isabella joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation in February of 2023 as the Southeastern States Coordinator. As a part of the States Program Team, Isabella works closely with the legislative sportsmen’s caucuses in the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Isabella graduated in December 2022 from the Trent Lott Leadership Institute at the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy Leadership. While at Ole Miss, Isabella was involved in a wide variety of organizations and initiatives. Notably, she was a student-athlete, serving the Women’s Club Lacrosse team as their fundraising chair. She also served on many Homecoming and Associated Student Body election campaign teams and eventually was nominated for Senior Homecoming Maid where she ran her own campaign. During her time at Ole Miss, Isabella also became heavily involved with Field to Family Dogs, a sporting dog rescue organization, and worked ensure that Ole Miss students would continue serve this organization after her graduation.

Isabella is a native Texan, spending much of her time on the Texas coast where she enjoys duck hunting, chasing redfish, and sunset boat rides with her dog, Nash.

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DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA

Joe joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in July of 2018 and serves as the Manager, Northeastern States and States Program Administration. In this role Joe works alongside state legislative sportsmen caucuses in the National Assembly of Sportsmen’s Caucuses, and members of the Governors Sportsmen’s Caucus in the northeast. Joe also serves as CSF’s representative on the National R3 Implementation Work Group, in support of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports.

Prior to joining CSF, Joe worked as a legal intern for members of the Pennsylvania Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives, and also assisted a candidate in the primary election for a Texas House of Representatives seat. Joe has previously worked in Washington, D.C. as an extern with the Department of the Interior-Departmental Ethics Office, where he assisted the Attorney-Advisors in vetting events and gifts for potential conflicts of interest. Joe earned a Bachelor’s degree from Chestnut Hill College in International Business and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law.

Joe is a native of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and takes every chance he can get to be in a tree stand or a duck blind. Joe is an avid outdoorsman and also enjoys fishing, camping, and hiking.

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Ashley joined CSF in April 2019 and currently serves as the Events Manager. In this role, she gets to put the fun in fundraising by planning and orchestrating CSF’s celebrated events such as the Annual Banquet & Auction; Wine, Wheels & Wildlife; and various policy briefings here in Washington D.C.  Before her work in the Development and Events Team, she held positions in the Finance and Human Resources Department for four years, developing a true appreciation for the sportsmen’s community.

Prior to moving to D.C., she worked in the Virginia State Senate as a Legislative Director for six years and she also served as the Communications Director for the Virginia Press Association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mary Washington, where she majored in Political Science.

In her free time, Ashley has recently taken up sporting clays and fishing but can also be found at brunch in Arlington or at a Nationals game.

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Kevin Perry joined CSF in January 2023 as the Vice President of Development where he will be leading the creation and expansion of strategic fundraising efforts that build upon CSF’s existing programs and partnerships in support of the organization’s mission across the United States.

Prior to joining CSF, Kevin’s extensive sales experience in the outdoor industry includes Under Armour Outdoors, Marolina Outdoors, and most recently, Dansons Inc. where Kevin served as the Director of National Accounts for brands such as Pit Boss, Louisiana Grill, and Country Smokers, to name a few.  Additionally, Kevin also previously served as an Intern for the National Deer Alliance and the NRA-ILA.

Kevin has a BA Degree in Public Policy Studies from Duke University and a Master’s in Wildlife Management from the University of Georgia.

An avid outdoorsman, Kevin enjoys hunting and fishing as well as spending time with his family at their lodge in Arkansas.

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Taylor joined the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) in 2016 and currently serves as the Director, Federal Relations. Taylor has been with CSF since he graduated college in 2016 from Frostburg State University.

Prior to joining CSF, Taylor interned in the U.S. House of Representatives during the summer of 2015. At CSF, Taylor works directly with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Administration to advance bipartisan, meaningful solutions to issues of importance to sportsmen and women. Taylor currently serves as the Secretary for the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), is a member of the Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, and in 2020 was named to the “40 under 40” list by SHOT Business. Taylor also serves as a member of the Maryland Coldwater Fisheries Advisory Council to help provide guidance and advice on efforts to conserve his home streams and rivers.

A native of Carroll County, Maryland, Taylor enjoys recreational shooting, fishing, and hunting. Taylor particularly enjoys bow hunting for white-tailed deer, waterfowl hunting, and chasing turkeys in the spring time.

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Katie returned to CSF as the Office Manager in 2023 and was part of the CSF team from April 2014 – May 2018. During her five-year hiatus from CSF, Katie relocated to Pinehurst, NC and was the Executive Assistant at a Life Plan Community for seniors that managed the care for nearly 500 residents under the Trinity Health care system. Katie is a 2011 graduate of East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) with a degree in Hospitality Management and Business Administration. Katie, her husband and son, now reside on Katie’s family farm in Southern Maryland nestled along the Wicomico River. Katie and her family enjoy spending their time crabbing and fishing on the river each summer, and farming and hunting throughout the year.

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Ellary joined CSF in June of 2019 and currently serves as the Assistant Manager, Rocky Mountain States and Predator and Furbearer Management Policy. Based out of Boise, Idaho, Ellary works closely with the state legislative and gubernatorial sportsmen’s caucus members in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.

Ellary earned her Master of Science degree from Auburn University, School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, with a concentration in Natural Resources. During her master’s program, Ellary performed research working with hunters, farmers, and forestland owners to understand and quantify their perspectives towards wild pig conflict, impact, and management within Alabama. Prior to graduate school, Ellary earned her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Hawaiʽi at Mānoa. During her undergraduate studies, Ellary worked with local non-commercial anglers to understand and quantify their perspectives towards a hypothetical non-commercial fishing license program within the state. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree, Ellary continued to work on projects related to fisheries management in Hawaiʽi before attending graduate school. Ellary has participated in numerous fieldwork opportunities, including habitat restoration, invasive species removal, white-tailed deer capture, blue-winged teal banding, and wild pig trapping. As a strong advocate of outreach and education, Ellary has taken part in numerous outreach events, exposing people of all ages to the outdoors, hunting, and natural resource management. Currently, Ellary is a member of the National Wild Pig Task Force and serves as a board member of Idaho Sportsmen, a non-profit organization that aims to increase sportsmen access and opportunity throughout the state.

Born and raised in Washington State, Ellary grew up hunting primarily waterfowl and upland game birds. During the summer months, Ellary spent her time fishing and crabbing the coastal waters stretching from northern Washington to Southeast Alaska on her family’s boat.

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