Wade Shoemaker
Social Ambassador
Born and raised in a rear view town USA, Quitman, LA. I make a living off of holding a camera taking photos and videos of people doing what they love in the recreational outdoor space. While strongly leaning on the waterfowl side of things I’ve been at it since 2017. I’ve been breathing since 1986, have the privilege of helping raise 2 boys alongside my wife of nearly 12 years, Brandi.
I love duck hunting over all the rest and prefer public land hustles at home and at our northerly neighbor’s place over the others.
The priority is to have a good time always. The passion is the pursuit, but the fuel for all of it is the people I’ve met and will continue to meet with the places these things take place coming in at a close second.
Benelli: How long have you been a Benelli ambassador and what does it mean to you to be associated with
Benelli?
Wade: Going on year 2. It means being at the top. Associated with the best. Tough. Unrelenting. Dependable.
Benelli: How long have you been hunting or shooting and what got you into this sport?
Wade: I’ve been shooting a shotgun since I was around 5 or 6. The sport of waterfowling came way later when some
pals invited me to go with them on some public land about an hour from the house.
Benelli: If you could only have one Benelli firearm, what would it be and why?
Wade: If I could only have one, it would have to be an SBE. No other reason than this is what put Benelli on the map for me and for so many others. It’s sentimental more than anything.
Benelli: What is your career highlight or achievement?
Wade:The highlight or achievement for me couldn’t be just one event. It would have to the be the a sum of everything that’s allowed me to do this full-time. The hands that have been shaked, emails replied, times with people that make this entire journey possible.
Benelli: What is your favorite hobby, other than hunting or shooting?
Wade: I’m not much of a hobbyist, so as cliche as it sounds it would have to be hanging with my two boys and their
momma. Watching them grow up and hoping they end up loving this sport at least as much as I do but knowing it’s
okay even if they don’t.
Benelli: Who was the childhood idol that led you into the hunting or shooting industry?
Wade: There really wasn’t one if I’m being honest. Just having a good time with good people is what attracted me to it. If I had to put any name on there I guess it would have to be Jim Ronquest. He was one I started paying attention to not long after I started down this road. His ability to do what he does in the woods lines up with his ability to connect with the people who watch what he does in the woods and that’s what makes him stand out to me.
Benelli: What advice would you give youth who want to be professional hunters or shooters?
Wade: Shake all the hands you can. Network hard even when it doesn’t matter. Hunt harder.
Benelli: Tell us about a moment that you feel was a positive turning point in getting into the hunting/shooting
industry?
Wade: I staffed for Rig Em Right for close to a decade. At some point they thought it would be a good idea to send me to a show. That turned into several shows. Somewhere along the way I realized they had given me a platform to use and I took advantage of it. I’m not sure the exact moment, but every time a door opened I walked through it. Rig Em Right’s trust in me played a pivotal role in that.
Benelli: If you could hunt or shoot with one person, who would it be and why?
Wade: This is a loaded question. Lol. Family. Friends. People I’ve never met. I have a really hard time narrowing down to just one. I think I’d have to say Teddy Roosevelt. He was vital in signing our National Wildlife Refuges. He signed
our first one into existence. I’d love to hear and understand his passion for public land.
Benelli: What goals do you have as a hunting or shooting ambassador?
Wade: Pretty simple really. Just to keep moving forward and stay positive. Treat everyone like I’ve known them forever even if I’ve never met them in my life.
Benelli: If you had to switch professions from hunting or shooting, what would it be and why?
Wade: If not in the hunting space, I think I’d really enjoy anything that allowed me to connect people with people and create opportunities through that!
Benelli: Coldest / most miserable place you’ve ever been while hunting? Was it “successful” though?
Wade: Coldest by far was Scottsbluff, Nebraska for a media camp a company I own with some pals was hosting. It was -14 and semi-successful as far as the hunt goes but the content was most definitely A+! Most miserable, without a doubt, was in the bottoms in Missouri during spring snow conservation season. Rained 4 inches in 4 hours. Carried
110dzn socks/silos 350yds from the trailer to the spread location. Each step was knee deep mud. Had to cross an
irrigation ditch every trip. Wind at 35-55mph. Rain at sideways. 😂 . By far the most physically demanding hunt of
my entire life. Got set up late. They started flying early. Flew right over us to the other corner of the field. We shot 4
or 5 snows. I’d probably do it again.
