24.7 Hunt
Pro Staff Hunter
24.7Hunt is about building community through the outdoors with an urban influence. For us the goal is to make the outdoors interesting for people wanting to dive into the sport while keeping the young generations attention. Bringing new energy and a new approach helps spread the love of all things outdoors. We just want to do our part in our own way to keep outside open for all people for generations to come. Ducks are our thing, but we enjoy all aspects of hunting and the outdoors. It’s a blessing to be apart of the Benelli family.
Benelli: How long have you been a Benelli ambassador and what does it mean to you to be associated with Benelli?
Ranar: I have been a Benelli ambassador for 4 years now. It means a lot because my family has been shooting Benelli shotguns since I was a little kid. I remember when my dad and uncles first purchased their shotguns and brought them to the dove field.
Benelli: How long have you been hunting or shooting and what got you into this sport?
Ranar: I’ve been hunting since I was around 6 or 7. My dad got me into the outdoors at a young age and I’ve been all about it ever since.
Benelli: If you could only have one Benelli firearm, what would it be and why?
Ranar: I would probably go with the M2. This gun was my first Benelli I ever bought with my own money so it holds some a soft spot in my heart and hunt career. Aside from that, it is an all around workhorse and it can take a beating.
Benelli: What is your career highlight or achievement?
Ranar: Highlight would be when I first started traveling outside of Georgia to explore the country in pursuit of the hunt. It opened up my eyes and exposed me to things I did not know existed.
Benelli: What is your favorite hobby, other than hunting or shooting?
Ranar: My favorite hobby would be spending time with my family. We are a close family and we host a lot of family functions.
Benelli: Who was the childhood idol that led you into the hunting or shooting industry?
Ranar: Childhood ideal is my dad without a doubt.
Benelli: What advice would you give youth who want to be professional hunters or shooters?
Ranar: My advice would be to go for it! Enjoy the process and make sure you keep it fun. Don’t let the enjoyment fall through during the process to greatness.
Benelli: Tell us about a moment that you feel was a positive turning point in getting into the hunting/shooting industry?
Ranar: Positive turning point for me would be when kids come up to me wanting to chat. Its awesome and it keeps me grounded. It lets me know I am here for a bigger purpose and I have to continue to get better and be a better person.
Benelli: If you could hunt or shoot with one person, who would it be and why?
Ranar:It would be my dad, I started with him so I would want to keep it that way.
Benelli: What goals do you have as a hunting or shooting ambassador?
Ranar: I want to impact the youth in a positive way, especially the youth that don’t get these opportunities that we have. I want to show people that the outdoors exist and they can be apart of it.
Benelli: If you had to switch professions from hunting or shooting, what would it be and why?
Ranar: I would be a pilot so I could fly anywhere at anytime.
Benelli: Coldest / most miserable place you’ve ever been while hunting? Was it “successful” though?
Ranar: I would have to say Idaho on the snake river. It was a good hunt but it was for sure the most brutal weather I have ever been in.
Benelli: What was your first firearm and how did you get it? Do you still have it? It was a Remington 870 20ga pump. I still have the gun to this day. I will pass it down to my son.
Benelli: What is your favorite wild-game dish? Fav wild game dish would be fried or baked quail. Im from Georgia and grew up quail hunting, doesn’t get any better.
My name is Ricky Nicholas Jr. and I'm a proud father of three awesome children - Kamden, Korlen, and Karter. I've been serving in the Louisiana Army National Guard for 21 years now and I joined after the tragic events of 9/11. I'm happily married to my lovely wife Hillary Nicholas and we have a cute Black Lab named Kane.
Aside from my military career and family life, I've been an avid hunter since 1988. I'm also passionate about the outdoors and started a youth outdoor organization in 2014 to help the younger generation appreciate nature and wildlife. I was born on May 22, 1984, and I'm a firm believer in God.
When it comes to music, I have a soft spot for Duck Music. My favorite color is Olive Green, which I find to be very calming and relaxing. All in all, I'm just a regular guy who loves spending time with his family, serving his country, and enjoying the simple things in life.
Benelli: How long have you been a Benelli ambassador and what does it mean to you to be associated with
Benelli?
Ricky: This upcoming season will be my 3rd year as a Benelli Ambassador! It still feels surreal! I
can’t even say that it was a dream of mine because this was never something that I ever considered
possible.
Benelli: How long have you been hunting or shooting and what got you into this sport?
Ricky: I went on my first hunt when I was 4 years old. My dad was always pretty wired up about hunting. We would watch Tom Knapp videos and then top out and try some of the shots that he would make.
Benelli: If you could only have one Benelli firearm, what would it be and why?
Ricky: If I had to narrow it down to1 Benelli firearm, it would be the Benelli Ethos Cordoba 20 gauge! This is THAT Benelli that will get
passed down to my sons! With the right ammo combo- its the lightest, deadliest, smoothest
shooting shotgun in the lineup!
Benelli: What is your career highlight or achievement?
Ricky: I’ve been fortunate enough to achieve many amazing things in the military, but, becoming a part of the Sitka, Benelli, GatorTail and 24.7 Hunt family has brought me the most joy and the proudest of moments.
Benelli: What is your favorite hobby, other than hunting or shooting?
Ricky: That’s an easy one! ANYTHING with my little boys. We love to watch movies, play sports, video games, cook, ride 4 wheelers and boats.
Benelli: Who was the childhood idol that led you into the hunting or shooting industry?
Ricky: My dad has always been who I looked up to the most in the hunting/shooting world. He was a volunteer for the Texas Parks & Wildlife Youth Hunters Association. He would do anything that he could to create
opportunities for me in the outdoors.
Benelli: What advice would you give youth who want to be professional hunters or shooters?
Ricky: Find a mentor! There’s always someone in the family, at your parents job, or a friend of a friend’s dad.
Connect with them and express interest. Attend outdoor expos and become a member of Delta
Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited and/or NRA. Once you finally make it to a field or range, fall in love with
it. If you don’t become really good with a shotgun, become really good with a camera!
