North American Hunter's Melissa Bachman is "On The Trail" in October, and trying to get online as much as possible to answer your questions in our special Interactive Q&A. Send Melissa a hunting question, or just shoot the breeze with her. Plus, see what other NAHC members are talking about with Melissa.
Watch a video of Melissa's Highlights to see all of her exciting hunting moments.
Check out Melissa's NEW "In the Field" videos and read about how she nabbed a big black bear in Alaska.
Read Melissa's bio, and scroll down to watch Melissa's videos, see what she has to say in a Q&A and enjoy her photo gallery.
MELISSA'S BIO
I am a small town girl from Paynesville Minnesota who has been hunting and fishing for nearly 18 years. Yes I’m only 23, but I started at an early age thanks to my parents who brought my brother and I out to the duck blind and whitetail woods. I’m sure it would have been easier to leave us home, but it’s their dedication that sparked my love for the outdoors.
Before long, I convinced my parents to sign a high school work permit allowing me to start classes at 10 o’clock each morning. This was not used so I could sleep in rather so I could use the mornings to bow hunt, temporarily fulfilling my ever-growing passion for whitetails.
I graduated with honors from St. Cloud State University with a double major in Mass Communications and Spanish. Getting practice in the Spanish language was difficult in central Minnesota so I lived in both Costa Rica & Spain while completing my Spanish degree. I also competed as a pole vaulter on the SCSU track team.
After college I interned at North American for the summer, and within a few months became a full-time member of the team.
Last fall I spent over 90 days in the field. Although most of the days were spent producing North American Hunter television, I still found time to bag a 336 bull elk with my bow, a 52 inch Kudu in Africa, 2 trophy whitetails with my TC muzzleloader, and establish an on air presence after arrowing a 200 class Illinois whitetail on camera, all in the past year. I guess you could say I’ve been busy, my home is primarily used as a place to store extra hunting gear.
This fall I don’t plan on cutting back my days in the field, however there are a few new adventures waiting. A unit 10 Arizona archery elk hunt, a South Dakota Mule deer, and of course I’ll be spending most of my time chasing around those Illinois giants.
MELISSA'S "IN THE FIELD" VIDEOS
Melissa's Trophy Bruin
Melissa's Arizona Elk
CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO WATCH MELISSA'S VIDEOS
Q&A WITH MELISSA BACHMAN
Q. What surprises people about you?
A. What surprises most people is that I’m only 23 years old, yet have traveled the world and accomplished a lot in a short time, not to mention found a dream job that allows me to do what I love and make a career out of it.
Q. When are you at your happiest and why?
A. I’m at my happiest after accomplishing any goal whether it be taking a trophy in the field, capturing incredible footage, or putting the final touches on a show. I’m also a big fan of an afternoon nap.
Q. What’s your favorite type of hunting and why?
A. No question, chasing big whitetails with my bow. There’s something about getting a mature buck within archery range that gets my heart pumping. It’s not just the final moment before I touch off the release but rather the feeling of accomplishment that comes from everything you have done prior, the scouting, the preparation, and the waiting. An entire year is funneled down into one moment. At this point everything is in your hands, and I can’t imagine a better feeling in the world.
Q. What’s your favorite type of gun and why?
A. My favorite gun is the TC Muzzleloader. Often time states have a special muzzleloader only season and this allows me to extend my hunting season. I think everyone can agree the more time we can spend in the field the better whether it be early or late season. There is also an extra challenge that goes with shooting a muzzleloader. You have one shot, so you better make it count.
Q. Describe the rush or enjoyment you get capturing an animal with a camera rather than a gun?
A. I have found my hands to shake almost the same whether my finger is on the trigger or on the record button. Either way getting within range of a mature animal it is a true rush and huge sense of accomplishment. The nice thing about filming is once I hit record, the pressures off. I can take a step back and let the hunter take care of the rest, yet the sense of excitement is still the same, just a bit less pressure.
Q. If you could hunt with one famous person alive or dead who would it be? Why?
A. I’d hunt for Brad Pitt, with Brad Pitt. No really, if I had a choice I wouldn’t pick anyone famous at all. I would love to have one hunt with both my grandfathers whom I never had a chance to hunt with.
Q. Tell us about an unusual hunting adventure you've enjoyed?
A. Not many people know this or can say this but I arrowed a big buck in high heels. Yes wedged high heel boots. The airlines lost my luggage and instead of staying in I wore my fuzzy wedged boots to the stand and slipped on a couple of boot pillows to stay warm. However, tracking the big guy in heels wasn’t quite as easy, but sure made for good photos.
MELISSA'S CHILDHOOD PHOTOS
Click on picture to enlarge image.
MELISSA HUNTING & FISHING
MELISSA IN THE FIELD PRODUCING