Get to Know the Hunting and Fishing Academy Staff
In addition to volunteers, our Hunting and Fishing Academy staff works diligently across the state of Tennessee. They are all available for questions and assistance. Get to know the staff below!
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Jeb BeasleyHunting and Fishing Academy Manager Jeb Beasley has more than 25 years of hunting experience. He lives for time in the woods and on the water. Deer and waterfowl are his specialties, and he’s spent countless seasons honing his craft in both. Whether he’s in a tree-stand at daylight or tucked into a blind before the birds fly, he brings a depth of knowledge—and passion—that only decades in the field can build. |
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David LongEast Tennessee Field Representative David was born and raised in Maryville, TN, and has spent more than 30 years hunting alongside family and friends who helped shape him into an outdoorsman. He volunteered with Tennessee Wildlife Federation for nearly four years before stepping into the East Tennessee Field Representative role. Deer and dove seasons are his favorites, and he even dabbles in trapping—as shown by the beaver mount that now lives in his living room as a great conversation piece. Outside of work, he volunteers with the Melton Hill Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Foundation and stays busy chasing one outdoor adventure after another. |
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Bryant CheathamMiddle Tennessee Field Representative Bryant grew up in Columbia, TN, and has spent more than 39 years hunting and fishing. Turkey, deer, and ducks are his specialties, and he also enjoys chasing bass and crappie on the water. While most of his hunting happens in Tennessee, he frequently ventures to the Midwest and South-Central U.S. for new outdoor experiences. Bryant thrives in the outdoors and loves sharing that passion with others—whether swapping stories, teaching skills, or simply enjoying time with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. |
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Chris HearnWest Tennessee Field Representative Chris Hearn is a Jackson, TN native who has practically lived his life in the wild. He’s spent decades hunting, guiding, and matching hunters with unforgettable adventures across the United States and all the way to Africa. These days, he still squeezes every spare minute out of the calendar to get outdoors, but what he loves most is passing on what he’s learned—sharing stories, teaching skills, and helping others experience the art and excitement of the hunt. |
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ReignHunting and Fishing Academy Ambassador Reign is one of the hardest-working members of the Hunting and Fishing Academy staff! Reign is an incredibly smart dog that lives for the hunt. She has hunted alongside hundreds of waterfowl hunters and has around 7,000 retrieves on doves, ducks, and geese under her collar. She’s also earned a reputation as an incredible tracking dog. She’s an inside dog and thinks she is human. She also takes pride in licking any fish that is boated and has currently licked thousands of fish. |
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Lauren McDavidPrograms Coordinator Lauren grew up in the South, where most of her days were spent outside with the sunshine on her shoulders. These days, she still lives for the outdoors—usually with her young golden retriever, Daphne (pictured), happily trotting beside her and her husband Matt not far behind. Lauren may not be in the field as often, but she’s the engine that keeps everything running. She handles the behind-the-scenes work that most people never see—coordinating events, organizing details, and making sure every bit of paperwork is entered perfectly so hunts and programs go off without a hitch. |
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Michaela SandovalVolunteer Manager Michaela enjoys helping connect people with the outdoors. With a master’s degree in Conservation Biology, she loves sharing her knowledge of wildlife and helping others spot and identify the animals around them. She’s happiest on a good hike, at a campsite, or anywhere she can explore nature with others. Whether leading a group on a trail or supporting a program behind the scenes, she brings curiosity, care, and a love for the natural world to everything she does. |
Not sure who your Field Representative is? Click on the county you reside in or would like to volunteer in to find the Field Representative associated with that county!
