Jake Terry

Benelli: How long have you been a Benelli ambassador and what does it mean to you to be associated with Benelli?

I’ve been a Benelli ambassador since 2018. It means the world to me to be a part of the team. I’ve been shooting Benelli shotguns since my first one back in 2003. So, I’ve been a big believer in Benelli for over 20 years now.

 

Benelli: How long have you been hunting or shooting and what got you into this sport?

I started hunting with my dad over 30 years ago. He started me out with a single shot .410 on squirrels and rabbits in the hills of northwest Arkansas.

 

Benelli: If you could only have one Benelli firearm, what would it be and why?

These days, if I could only have one Benelli it would have to be the SBE3 20 gauge. There’s no species or situation for waterfowl or upland that I couldn’t chase with that shotgun.

 

Benelli: What is your career highlight or achievement?

I don’t know that I have one achievement that sticks out to me, but I’m thankful for all the opportunities and relationships that I’ve been able to have in the outdoor industry. I’m thankful that I get to make a living in the outdoor industry, and it truly doesn’t feel like work. I’m excited to wake up every day and keep chasing my dreams.

 

Benelli: What is your favorite hobby, other than hunting or shooting?

My favorite hobby outside of hunting/shooting would have to be playing anything sports related with my son, Easton. I coached his baseball team last spring, and we won the league championship. That feeling was very similar to those special feelings I’ve experienced in the outdoors.

 

Benelli: Who was the childhood idol that led you into the hunting or shooting industry?

I mentioned that I started out squirrel hunting at a young age, but I didn’t get into waterfowl hunting until high school. For me, the dogs are what sucked me into waterfowl. Growing up watching professional dog trainer, Chris Akin and his black lab “Boomer” really put the fire into me to go waterfowl hunting and get my first dog.

 

Benelli: What advice would you give those who want to be professional hunters or shooters?

Find a mentor in the sport and discipline you’re interested in. Absorb as much as you can about it. Learn. Listen more than you speak. Never stop working on your craft and chasing that dream.

 

Benelli: Tell us about a moment that you feel was a positive turning point in getting into the hunting/shooting industry?

I got my start in the industry on the retail side, managing an archery shop and gun counter. I soaked up as much knowledge as I could in those years and knew that I was looked at as a “young kid” so I better know what I’m talking about and have the facts to back it up. I found out that I really enjoyed helping people get their new bow or rifle setup and steering them in the right direction for success. I knew from that point on that I would only be interested in a life in the outdoor industry.

 

Benelli: If you could hunt or shoot with one person, who would it be and why?

I always thought it would be great to spend a sunrise in a duck blind with Phil Robertson.

 

Benelli: What goals do you have as a hunting or shooting ambassador?

My goal is simple. To live a life that I can feel good about and enjoy the process. I would like to help as many people as possible along the way understand that you can do anything you put your mind to and there’s nothing like experiencing time in the outdoors with friends and family.

 

Benelli: If you had to switch professions from hunting or shooting, what would it be and why? 

I would be a baseball or football coach. I love sports and the discipline it takes. I’m also extremely competitive and I’ve always thought I would be good at that profession.

 

Benelli: Coldest / most miserable place you’ve ever been while hunting? Was it “successful” though?

When I first moved to middle Tennessee (not known for great duck hunting at all) we had a week in January where the temps dropped to single digits and most of the lakes were frozen. It was a chore to even launch the boat and make it out to an area to hunt. I’ve never seen so many ducks in Tennessee. Everything from mallards to divers. My lab, Hank was completely covered in ice and so was I. We shot our limit 4 days in a row and it took Hank and I a week to thaw out in front of the fireplace after that.

 

Benelli: What was your first firearm and how did you get it? Do you still have it?

My first firearm was a H&R single shot .410 more than 30 years ago. Although I don’t still have this particular shotgun, I still have a few of my other firsts and cherish them and they’ll stay in the safe forever to be passed down to my kids someday.

 

Benelli: Rapid-fire:

Physical Strength or Mental Strength? Mental

Time travel: into the past or into the future? Past

Cannonball into a pool or dip toe in first? Cannonball

Sleep in or Nap? During season? Neither!

Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee? Nobody beats Walker, Texas ranger!

Pineapple Pizza or Candy Corn? More of a goose sausage or venison jerky guy

Ketchup or Ranch? Ketchup

Funny story or one-liner? One liner

Air guitar or air drums? Guitar

Apple or Android? Apple

Loud neighbors or Nosey neighbors? Loud

Beer or Bourbon? Bourbon

 

Benelli: What is one subject you would like to learn more about?

 

I’m a sucker for History so anything related to ancient history.

 

Benelli: Show us your phone background and tell us why you picked this image?

My phone background is a picture of my son, Easton with his first buck from this last season. An 8-point that he got in Oklahoma. It means a lot to me because it’s his first but also because he’s been hunting with me for several seasons and passing on does and smaller bucks. His smile in the picture says it all.

 

Benelli: What is a weird or interesting fact you know?

It’s hard to say just one. I spend a lot of time researching topics I’m interested in. I love to garden and take pride in growing our own vegetables. So I know a lot of weird facts about vegetables, soil temps, insects/pests, etc.

 

Benelli: Give us two truths and a lie.

I think that gundogs are a great way to get more people into the sport of hunting waterfowl or upland game. I own 5 Labrador retrievers. My favorite color of labrador retriever is chocolate.