Ryan Bassham
Pro Staff Hunter
Ryan was born and raised in the pineywoods region of North East Texas. Much of his youth was spent in the outdoors with his father Bill and other family members. His first introduction to hunting was in pursuit of the plentiful whitetail deer throughout the area. But when he was 13 years old a cousin introduced him to waterfowl hunting. Although he was reluctant that first trip, his mind quickly shifted from deer to ducks. For the rest of his teenage years he dedicated himself to learning how to fool fowl. A self-taught waterfowl hunter, he was able to watch his passion grow and take him to places he never knew possible.
Immediately after graduating high school he lived in South America where he dedicated two years of his life as a missionary. During that time he learned that he had other passions outside of just hunting. Experiencing new cultures and adventures, and helping and exceeding the expectations of others became a new fuel for his hunting passion. When he returned to the United States he married his high school sweetheart, Marissa, and enrolled in college at Texas A&M University. While there he guided waterfowl hunters on the Katy Prairie and fulfilled another passion of endurance sports while on the Texas A&M Triathlon Team. Ultimately, the passion for hunting and being in the outdoors prevailed over almost everything else. Upon graduating college, he returned to the Dallas area with his family where he worked in sales and part time started his career as a hunt consultant for hunting adventures around the world. His thoughts were, "I love to travel. I love to hunt. Why not do so year around?"
While dedicating himself to being an expert of waterfowl hunting world wide and being fluent in multiple languages, he found himself hosting hunters on hunts all over the world. Over the past 10 years he has simultaneously managed marketing teams and efforts for influential brands such as Sitka Gear and Drake Waterfowl and aided in the growth of the family hunt consultant business, Trophy Expeditions. His hunting adventures have taken him to 6 continents and 17 different countries allowing him to successfully take 75 different species of waterfowl, 42 big game species, and most recently accomplish his World Turkey Slam.
Despite these accomplishments he says he still has a long way to go in achieving his goals. In addition to globe trotting the wide world of hunting he now holds board positions with several companies in the outdoor space and works as a strategic brand marketing consultant for others. He resides in Montana full time with his wife Marissa and their two daughters, Zoe and Cora. As a family they pursue all outdoor adventures and abide by the phrase, "We Live This Stuff!"
Benelli: How long have you been a Benelli ambassador and what does it mean to you to be associated with Benelli?
Ryan: The past 3 years has been nothing short of awesome. Being able to represent one of my favorite brands is on honor. I have been shooting Benellis all over the world for the past 16 years!
Benelli: How long have you been hunting or shooting and what got you into this sport?
Ryan: I was first introduced to hunting 32 years ago. My dad and uncles introduced me everything North East Texas has to offer. The addiction was reall and has since taken me all over the world.
Benelli: If you could only have one Benelli firearm, what would it be and why?
Ryan: My go to all around Benelli is the Super Black Eagle III 12/26. It has proven to me time and time again that I can rely on it for every waterfowl species, turkeys, and upland game.
Benelli: Tell us about a moment that you feel was a positive turning point in getting into the hunting/shooting industry?
Ryan: My first job in the industry was with Drake Waterfowl. Up until then I had worked as a guide and done freelance photography for different hunting brands outside of my full time sales/marketing job in a different industry. Finally the stars aligned and I was given a shot.
Benelli: If you could hunt or shoot with one person, who would it be and why?
Ryan: Probably my wife. We have been friends since middle school. I enjoy being with her more than anyone else and we both share a passion for hunting and the outdoors.
Benelli: What goals do you have as a hunting or shooting ambassador?
Ryan: To help others in their personal hunting goals and to the best of my ability promote the Benelli product line.
Benelli: Coldest / most miserable place you’ve ever been while hunting? Was it “successful” though? Ryan: Montana is home. So far it has been the coldest place I have hunted. Back in 2016 we hit lows with a real feel of -40. Frostbite was a real problem to be concerned with and I remember later in the day it warmed up to -5, I didn’t realize -5 could feel warm.
Benelli: What’s your favorite T.V. show and why? What show did you like as a kid?
Ryan: The Office. No matter what kind of day I have had I can always watch that show and have a few laughs to end the day right.
Benelli: What is your favorite food?
Ryan: Pretty tough to beat a wagyu steak.
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? Cannon Ball!!!!!!
Sleep in or Nap? Sleep In
Chuck Norris or Bruce Lee? Chuck Norris
Pineapple Pizza or Candy Corn? Pinneapple Pizze
Ketchup or Ranch? Ranch
Funny story or one-liner? One-liner
Air guitar or air drums? Air Guitar
Apple or Android? Apple
Loud neighbors or Nosey neighbors? Loud neighbors
Beer or Bourbon? Neither
Benelli: What is your favorite Holiday and why?
Ryan: Halloween. Lol for some reason my wife and kids love it and we always have fun with it. It’s the least stressful of the fall/winter holidays.
Benelli: What is a weird or interesting fact you know?
Ryan: In college I was certified in bovine AI and palpation. I worked for a company that shipped bull semen all over the world.
Benelli: Give us two truths and a lie.
Ryan: I accidentally flashed my grandma. I’ve lived in multiple countries. I’ve never broken a bone in my body.
