Pat Reeve

When you talk about someone that has knowledge, skill and has successfully taken over 60 wild whitetails in his career you most likely will hear the name Pat Reeve.

At the age of six he started hunting with his father Keith. His dad’s love for whitetail deer hunting soon rubbed off on him and now some thirty years later his love for hunting is even stronger than what it was when he first started. His professional career in the outdoor industry really began kind of by mistake or should I say “he lucked into it.” Pat was working as a whitetail guide for Tom Indrebo at Bluff Country Outfitters located in Buffalo County, Wisconsin.

Through the connections at BCO he met many people already in the hunting industry. Gene Bidespacher who was the current producer for Buckmasters TV urged him to take his passion and hobby of photography to the next level and start running a video camera. One year later, he stepped away from guiding and went to work as a freelance videographer for both Tom Miranda and Hunters Specialties.

Eventually after lots of hard work and determination he landed a full time field producer/pro-staff position with Hunter’s Specialties located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Working at H.S. was definitely a dream job for Pat and for five years he enjoyed filming and learned a lot from pro’s; Eddie Salter, Alex Rutledge, Matt Morrett, Bob Folkrod, Stan Potts, Greg Miller and the rest of the H.S. crew.

During his time at H.S., he was lucky enough to film the largest non-typical ever to be harvested on professional video. After working for several years he resigned and decided he wanted to take his skills to a higher level and become more included in the pursuit for whitetail deer.

His next big career break came when he was hired to produce and co-host North American Whitetail Television. The show quickly became popular and was nominated and won several awards. After working two years for NAWT, he started his own television show, "Driven TV", which explains his passion for hunting and specifically love for whitetails.

After putting over 50 Pope and Young bucks on the wall, three which gross Boone, Pat thought his hunting career was going well until his great accomplishment yet which was shooting the largest typical ever taken by hunter on professional video scoring 200” Boone and Crockett. He said “I don’t know if I will ever top that but I know I will have fun trying!”

If you were to ask him the downfall to his occupation, he would say being away from his four wonderful children; Olivia, Cole, Carson and Isabel. The upside is that they are all looking forward to getting involved and going hunting with their dad in the future. This year he’s enjoying time afield with girlfriend and successful hunter Nicole Jones. One thing he has learned so far on his journey is that everyday is a new day and life throws you curve balls. Defeat and failure is inevitable but its how you deal with it, which is really what determines success. He can’t wait to get a chance at the next big buck that comes down the trail but says, “Good Hunting and remember to stay “Driven”!



 

Nicole Jones

Growing up in small town Southern Illinois, Nicole spent her days in the woods following along side her dad Jim and two older brothers Zach and Jared. She started going with her dad when she was old enough to walk, and then harvesting her first deer at the young age of six years old. There was never a time she can remember that her dad left her at home.  It didn't matter what Nicole was doing, whether she was out hunting for that monster whitetail, fishing, mushroom hunting or creeping through the woods looking for squirrels.

As a little girl, her dad showed her the ups and downs of hunting and most importantly the relationships that are made by the experiences in the outdoors. She gives all credit for her love of the outdoors to her dad.  Thanks to him for passing down the passion, she is now following a second dream of getting the opportunity to spend time in the outdoors everyday and passing on her enthusiasm to younger generations.

Now even though Nicole loved the outdoors, her first dream was to become an elementary school teacher.  She began her path in the outdoor industry five years ago when she was going to college to become an elementary education teacher. She went to the Archery Trade Show in 2005 where she met Stan Potts, Greg Miller and Pat. She was then given the opportunity to appear on North American Whitetail television show that same year. Growing up reading her dad’s issues of North American Whitetail Magazine, she was excited to get the opportunity to work with outdoor professionals. After appearing as the “flag girl” in 2005, Nicole was asked to come back in 2006 and appear on the opening montage again except this time in her actual hunting garb.  These opportunties only fueled Nicole's passion even further to pursue an occupation in the outdoor industry.

Nicole joined forces with Pat Reeve's Production "Driven TV" in 2007.  The two of them make a great team.  They do many promotions and Deer classics so if they are ever in your area stop by and see them!  Nicole's favorite part of doing these shows is getting to meet all kinds of new people but the most special are the little ones who love the outdoors.  She states, "I love seeing kids faces light up when they come up to the booth for photos and autographs because I can see their passion coming out and that's why I do what I do!"  The show is going into the 4th year of production this year and Nicole is excited for the move to the Outdoor Channel.  Although Nicole is no longer teaching, she feels that someday she will return to the classroom with all of her experiences to share with her students.

Over the last 19 years of hunting she has harvested many beautfiul animals including countless Pope and Youngs, one Boone & Crockett, a 12-foot alligator, antelope, and many African Species. When she's not out hunting, hanging stands or planting food plots she enjoys spending time with friends and family!  She wants to thank her dad, mom and 2 brothers for all of their support throughout the past 25 years.  Nicole would like to give a very special thank you to her mom Susan.  Although she doesn't hunt, she always made sure Nicole was bundled up for the hunt and had a yummy meal on the table when they got home!  Happy Hunting!

Chad Nolte

Chad Nolte was born and raised in Southeastern Minnesota all of his life. He and his beautiful wife, Jennifer, have two boys, Caden and Westin. Those two boys are completely caught up with hunting and hanging out with Mom and Dad in the outdoors.  Chad is the owner of both a Land Surveying company and also has a thriving Taxidermy Shop.  Chad received his Bachelors degree in land surveying from St. Cloud State University.

In his younger days growing up on the small family farm near Spring Valley, MN, Chad’s passion for the outdoors grew with the help of his entire family.  That love of the outdoors allowed him to hone his hunting skills at an early age. He attributes his passion for the outdoors to the many days spent a field with his father and older brother. That passion has also carried through to his wife Jennifer who loves the sport of hunting as much as he does. Their two boys are next in line to carry on the tradition.

During Chad's junior year of high school, he saved up enough money from milking cows and baling hay to buy his first VHS video camera. That spring he videoed his first turkey hunt and has been hooked on capturing wildlife on film ever since. The love of hunting and chasing the elusive whitetail has even driven Chad to start raising his own deer.   

Chad hunts all sorts of different animals, but there is no substitute for the adrenaline rush you get when a trophy whitetail is within your sights and that is what keeps him "Driven".

Steve Snow

Steve Snow grew up in south central Minnesota on a dairy farm. At the age of four, Steve picked up his first gun and started hunting birds around the farm. He admits that even though it was a cap gun, he still wanted to bag every robin he laid his eyes on! For the next several years, Steve hunted for deer with a group but, because of farm duties he couldn't devote the time he wanted to the sport. In 1981, he decided to make a change in his hunting style. He laid down his gun and picked up the bow. His next big change came when he bought his first piece of property in south central Iowa in 1999- strictly for hunting and managing big bucks.

Steve became close friends and started hunting with Myles Keller around the same time and for those who don't know who Myles is; should know that he is one of the most accomplished bow hunters of all-time. Steve then moved to Iowa in 2002 and became a full time resident. He was seeing great results from his management efforts. The stage was set for good friend and fellow "Driven" team member Mitch Hagen and Steve to start filming on his Iowa properties. In just a few short years, the two managed to produce some monster bucks on tape and then produced their own hunting videos with "Pure Adrenalin" titles. After much success, Steve along with Mitch, moved on to help out Hunter's Specialties with their popular "Primetime Bucks" videos. All this time devoted to video was still happening around Steve's primary job- working in the pest control business.

Steve's success as a bow hunter is unbelievable and he has over forty pope and young's on the wall to prove it. Now, at the age of forty-one, he admits that his real fun is just beginning. His fourteen year old son Isaac is getting into hunting and now they can share the time afield together chasing whitetails. Steve also has a daughter ,Hannah, and as for Steve's hobbies, he loves to pick up shed antlers, go mushroom hunting and fishing.

Dennis Williams

Dennis is 35 years old and has lived outside of Rochester, MN his whole life. God has blessed him with his beautiful wife Janet and two wonderful children, Daniel-6 and Brooklyn-1. He hopes that he can share with his children what his father gave him, The passion to hunt.

While the school thought Dennis was home sick or at a dental appointment, he was with his father fishing, looking for deer, hunting pheasants, and everything in between. Dennis lost his father and best friend at the age of 45 to a heart attack. He plans to honor his father's passion for hunting as you follow him in Driven TV.

With some hunting shows, Dennis feels that the dedication it takes to hunting Whitetail Deer has become overshadowed. The patience, time and energy it takes to have everything come together to kill one of these incredible animals on video is the ULTIMATE challenge.

When Dennis met Pat Reeve 15 years ago, he knew they shared the same passion for whitetails, but he never imagined sharing their dream together. He is grateful to Pat for this opportunity.
Dennis hunts all kinds of wild game, but his love of a whitetail deer is what really keeps him "Driven".
At a regular job: UPS Driver

Mark Wimpy

Mark Wimpy was born and raised in central Illinois and graduated from the University of Illinois 1986. Mark is married to his loving and understanding wife Karen that also enjoys hunting and has taken many nice bucks herself. Mark works for Caterpillar Inc. and spends ninety percent of his vacation time in the tree chasing big Illinois whitetails. He also enjoys elk hunting in the fall and turkey hunting in the spring.

At the age of six Mark was introduced to hunting by his father and uncle and still to this day gets excited about the pre-hunt preparations. At thirteen, Mark was given his first shotgun and recalls harvesting his first fox squirrel, then at sixteen taking his first whitetail.

Since then Mark has harvested over sixty whitetails. His personal best scored 231 7/8 Non-Typical with a bow! In the past three years he has added a new challenge by using a camera to document the hunt.

He loves to film whitetails during the summer months while still in velvet and then catch back up with them in the fall. His work ethic and dedication behind the camera is what has earned Mark his position on the Driven TV team. His hunting abilities proves that he is "Driven".

Mike Jahnke

Growing up in West Bend, WI, Mike Jahnke was introduced to hunting at an early age by his father, Wayne.  At the age of six he began tagging along on hunts with his dad and two brothers until he could finally hunt at the age of twelve.  After his first year hunting he was lucky enough to shoot a deer with both, gun and bow.  His parents purchased a video camera for family events; however, Mike put it to better use and took it along to film his very own hunts. 

Ten years ago, Mike had the opportunity to meet Pat at Bluff Country Outfitters.  Shortly after that he knew he wanted to get into the industry.  In January 2000, Mike lost one of his hunting partners- his brother Jeff, to a snowmobile accident.  Jeff was incredibly supportive of Mike’s dream and after his death Mike knew he truly had to pursue it.  His path then begun in March 2000 when he landed a job managing a sporting goods store in Madison, WI.  In three short months he moved onto Little Jon’s Archery working in the proshop and distributorship.  From this experience, he met many people  involved in the hunting industry where he then moved on and joined Hunter’s Specialties field pro-staff in 2004.  He then quit his full time job to become a full time dad and also pursue his goal of having his hunts captured on film.  He received his first break in 2006 when he was offered a position on a show called “Beyond the Hunt,” where he spent three seasons.  
    
Although the last ten years have been full of many ups and downs, Mike wouldn’t change a thing.  He is very appreciative for this great opportunity to be a “Driven TV” team member.  Mike thanks his Mother and Father, his wonderful wife, Renee, and their six children: Katie, Brett, Trent, Clarice, Luke, and Trevor, as well as his granddaughter Taylor for they all make sacrifices when he is away on hunting trips.  Mike’s love for his family and his passion for  filming big Whitetails is what keeps him “Driven.”

Wade Christopherson

Wade is 35 years old.  He has three beautiful daughters Mhairi, Layla and Aubrie that he loves spending time with. Currently he resides in Brownsdale MN and has lived in southeast MN his entire life. His full-time job is a Heavy Equipment Operator for the Mower County Highway Dept for the past 13 years. 

His father took him deer hunting for the first time when he was twelve by the town of Lanesboro MN and has been addicted to bow hunting big mature bucks ever since. His father laid the foundation for him to hunt whitetails and for that he thanks him!

Over the past 23 years he has been fortunate to harvest quite a few mature bucks. He has a huge passion for bow hunting big game but the whitetail deer is were his heart is when it comes to his favorite game to hunt. Hard work, patience, time and luck are the four key ingredients he feels it takes to be a successful hunter.  Shed hunting is another passion he has and keeps him busy in the spring along with bow hunting for turkeys.

His first break in this industry was with Double Bull Blinds as Pro-staffer for six years. He met Pat back in 2005 at one of the show sponsors shops and was invited to go to his camera school.  Needless to say he has stuck around every since! 

After rolling over his truck in 2007 he was out of hunting for a year with a broken shoulder.   This is not the first year that Wade has been behind the camera for the team Driven but he is now going to get the chance as well to be in front of the camera.  He enjoy's having a cameraman with him on his hunts so they too can feel the adrenalin rush that happens when a mature buck walks in and presents a shot.

From scouting, planting food plots, to hanging dozens of tree stands a year he enjoys every aspect there is to be successful in the deer woods. He hopes that more parents give their children a chance to go hunting and enjoy the outdoors and is truly blessed with a great family and great friends!  He's looking forward to the 2009 season and becoming a team member of Driven TV!

Paul Brazil

Paul Brazil grew up in a small town in central Wisconsin. Although his parents did not hunt he had a passion for the outdoors. At a young age, Paul’s neighbor Dave Nabbefeld introduced him to whitetails and he has been “Driven” ever since.

In 1999, Paul and his wife, Deb moved their three girls, Maranda, Melissa and Morgan to SE Minnesota to be closer to Deb’s family. With the Mississippi, the beautiful bluff country and big whitetails, this was an easy move.

Paul is employed at Miken Sports, manufacturer of softball & baseball bats and hockey sticks. When he is not at work, he enjoys teaching his girls about whitetails. His 2 older daughters have started their life’s journeys, Maranda with a family and Melissa with the Army Reserves. With Morgan still at home and starting to hunt, it will not be long and she will be putting the pressure on her Dad for the Big Bucks that roam their property.

In 2005, Paul met Pat and went to Pat’s Camera School. It was there that he met the Driven Team and was given the opportunity to film with Chad Nolte and Dennis Williams and bring their hunts to you, Two Driven Team members that also share the same passion.

Who knew the young boy from Central Wisconsin would grow up, move to Minnesota and still have that same passion for whitetails that keep him Driven!