Z-Unit

The Zink Calls Pro-Staff is composed of waterfowl hunters, who have established a solid reputation as ethical men who care about the resource - ducks & geese. Some are accomplished callers and others are regionally known hunters, but all have the ability to put game in the bag when the going is tough and they can all Talk The Talk.


Troy Bailey

Troy Bailey, 38, lives in Hickman, NE with his wife Melanie and two children, daughter Taylor and son Trevor (Troy's #1 hunting partner). Living his entire life in Nebraska has given him the opportunity to hunt many kinds of game, from deer and varmints to upland birds and waterfowl. Though he still enjoys all types of hunting, waterfowl hunting moved to the forefront many years ago. Whether hunting the cornfields of eastern Nebraska, the Rainwater Basins of central Nebraska or along the central and western Platte River regions, Troy can be found chasing waterfowl from early goose season in September through the conservation snow goose season is April. Through his love for waterfowl hunting he became involved in contest goose calling, capturing his first championship in 2005 - the Nebraska State Open, to go along with fifteen other top five finishes.

Along with his place on the Z-Unit, Troy serves on the Pro-Staff of Avery Outdoors. As a part of the Zink and Avery teams, Troy enjoys attending events and giving seminars exchanging hunting experiences and knowledge with hunters from all over the country.

Troy works as a Deputy Sheriff and has served over seventeen years in law enforcement. He spends his spare time coaching his children's youth sports teams, helping with local DU committees and youth mentor hunts, training his two Labrador retrievers - Cass and Tank.


Chad Belding

Chad Belding was born in Reno, Nevada on October 21, 1974. He resides in Sparks, Nevada where he is a Territory Manager for Avery Outdoors. Although he enjoys hunting for mule deer and antelope, his true passion is calling and decoying ducks and geese. Whether he is hunting for Canada geese in dry fields out of an Avery Finisher Blind or calling mallards into a spread of Greenhead Gear Full Body Decoys, you can be assured that Chad is pursuing these wary birds.

Chad enjoys his duties as an Avery Territory Manager in the western United States because it gives him the chance to meet many people in the hunting industry. He cherishes the relationships that he has developed while being with Avery, as well as other pro-staffs. Chad is also involved with many other pro-staffs including Avery Outdoors, Greenhead Gear, Go-Devil, Realtree Max-4 Camo, Dynamic Decoys, and Waterfowl Haven Outfitters. Chad is also involved in competition goose and duck calling. He had enjoyed much success over the last three years. He won the Nevada State Goose Calling Championship in 2000, 2001, and 2004. He also won the Nevada State Duck Calling Championship in 2001 and 2003. He competed in the World's Duck Calling Championships in Stuttgart, Arkansas in 2001 and 2003. He has placed in the top three in many other contests since 2001. He uses an SR-1 while on stage and believes that it is the BEST all-around goose call on the market.

Chad spends his falls traveling from Canada to Texas trying to trick flocks of ducks and geese. He spends about one month every year in Colorado guiding his customers for Waterfowl Haven Outfitters. He feels that Colorado is the place to be during the late fall. Although Chad has many hunting memories, the ones that he enjoys the most are ones where he can look at his father, brothers, and friends, and see the smiles on their faces after a group of birds just got done "Doing It Right". Chad enjoys hunting in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, Canada, Missouri, and Arkansas. He enjoys cornfields, flooded rice, flooded cattails, flooded green timber, and the winter wheat fields of the northwest. During different parts of the season, you will find Chad in one of these regions chasing the birds that inhabit them.

Chad has been involved with the Zink Pro-Staff for the past three years and he feels that it has given him many opportunities that he will never forget. Whether he is giving a seminar, filming a video, working a booth, doing public relations work, or writing articles, Chad jumps at the opportunity to discuss the ability that Zink Calls can truly give a waterfowl hunter. He loves the industry and sees a bright future for anyone who is involved in it. He believes that you should always try to educate and include young hunters in your hunts. He understands that the future of our great sport depends on the generations of tomorrow. Chad lives and breathes waterfowling, and knows that TALKING THE TALK is the only way to get the job done right!


Brian Bowers

Brian Bowers was born and raised in Illinois, on the banks of the Mississippi. His earliest hunting experience was there deer hunting with his father at the age of 7. He wasn't allowed to carry a gun at this age but the passion for hunting was ignited nonetheless. At 16, a family friend took him on his first duck hunt. Every opportunity since has been spent hunting big game and waterfowl.

At age 29, after spending 9 years hunting waterfowl in Washington's Columbia River Basin, Brian's career relocated him to Cincinnati, OH.

His love for hunting has lead him all over the United States and Canada hunting big game and waterfowl. While hunting big game is a definite passion, it is Canada Geese that REALLY get the blood boiling. His favorite method of hunting is setting up on the "X" in a corn field, and calling and decoying flocks of Canada Geese. "There is nothing like a big flock of Canada's, with feet down, landing in the decoys!"

Hunting geese in Washington State really taught Brian the value of scouting. He knows that spending a lot of time scouting and finding just the right spot in the field is the key to having those flocks up close. During the season you can find him spending most every evening out watching geese and finding hunts for the Zink film crew.

Each year Brian puts waterfowl hunting in Canada and chasing geese in the cornfields of Ohio at the top of the list of places to spend his time. "The volume and sounds of massive flocks of Lessers is my favorite part about our trips to Saskatchewan."

Brian brings to Zink Calls a tremendous energy for the sport of water fowling and a desire to share that with other hunters around the country. You can find him working shows around the country as an Avery Pro-Staffer, as well as a Zink Calls Pro-Staffer.


Sean Evans

Sean Evans, 32, currently resides in Spring Hill, Kansas, a suburb of Kansas City, with his wife Erin and their son Cole. Sean grew up in the famous Marais Des Cygnes valley in east central Kansas, an area known for its rich tradition of waterfowl hunting and more importantly a staging area for thousands of ducks and geese each year.

When Sean is not out in the field, he works as a Safety Director for a major over-the-road trucking company in Kansas City where he is in charge of all Department of Transportation and OSHA standards and compliance. Aside from working a full time job, he also owns and operates Honker Down Outfitters, a waterfowl guide service located in Spring Hill.

Sean learned about waterfowl hunting from his father at very early age. He still recalls the very first duck hunt that he went on with his father at the age of 4. Sean said the best part of that day was being the bird dog. From that point, he was hooked for life.

Living in east central Kansas gives Sean the ability to chase fowl in ways different from other areas. When it comes to ducks, he prefers hunting out of his boat on any one of the large body lakes that surround his home. What he finds exciting about this is that he never knows what the big water is going to bring. From screaming Golden-eyes to big flocks of Mallards to the lonesome moans of Canada geese, he can find it all on the big waters of the Kansas reservoirs. Late in the season, he switches gears and moves into the grain fields to chase those big Kansas geese. Sean said that one of the things that made him successful this season was being able to adapt to the changing conditions and the willingness to try something new. In 2006 you will find Sean starting his season off in Saskatchewan, Canada and working his way down thru the central flyway.

Sean brings 27 years of hunting experience with him to the Zink Pro-Staff. When you come across Sean, you will immediately see that he never meets a stranger and is always willing to Talk the Talk. Sean learned the important concept of teamwork from his time in the United States Marine Corps and also learned the importance of helping others. Because of his exceptional attitude and his eagerness to help others, he will make a vital asset to the Zink team. Sean says, "The best part about being a waterfowler is taking a young hunter to the field for the first time and seeing the passion in their eyes and knowing that they are hooked for life".


Rusty Hallock

Rusty Hallock is a 39-year-old waterfowler from Centreville, Maryland. Rusty works for Anne Arundel County Fire Department. He has recently completed his 18th year with the Fire Department where he serves at the rank of lieutenant.

Rusty spends the fall and winter months pursuing waterfowl on and around the Chesapeake Bay. He actively pursues puddle ducks, Canada Geese and divers. In the springtime, you can find Rusty pursuing spring turkey in the swamps of the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. His favorite method of hunting is field hunting Canada Geese. In his opinion, there is nothing more exciting than working a flock of Canada Geese especially when you have a front row seat in a layout blind.

In addition to Zink Calls, Rusty is also on the Pro Staff for Avery Outdoors. Rusty keeps his passion for hunting fueled in the off season by competing in goose and duck calling competitions and decoy carving contest. Rusty has been competing in goose and duck calling competitions for the past three years. He won the New Jersey State Goose Calling Championship in 2005 and 2006. He won the Barnegat Bay Duck Calling Championship in 2006. He also has a number of other top 5 finishes during the past three years. His decoys have won awards and been recognized at regional events, including the Ward Foundation of Waterfowl Art. He feels that carving simple gunning decoys is the perfect way for him to put a little of himself into the traditions that he loves so much and leave a lasting legacy for the next generation as well.

Rusty Hallock comes by his interest for waterfowling and hunting honestly. He is the 4th generation of his family that has been involved with the sporting treasures and traditions that Chesapeake Bay area offers. Rusty has been waterfowling for more then 25 years, but his memories go back even farther. He fondly remembers tagging along with his dad building duck blinds and goose pits for the upcoming seasons. The memory of his first greenhead toll is permanently etched in his mind.

Rusty has been fortunate enough to hunt waterfowl in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. In his opinion, it is hard to beat the Chesapeake Bay Region for variety. The flexibility of field hunting for geese in the morning and gunning cans and bluebills in the afternoon on the Chesapeake Bay is second to none.

Rusty brings more then 25 years of waterfowling to Zink Calls. His combination of experience and ability to communicate are essential in passing on hunting on the great tradition of waterfowling


Mark Hoke

Born and raised in a small city Laurel, MD. Mark spent his time running the creek bottoms behind his house. He started hunting and scouting at the age of seven with his brother and father, not carrying a firearm until he was eleven. He feels that this is what gave him the foundation of who he is today. Still living in Laurel were he has a loving wife Susan of 19 years, a son Tony age 17 and a daughter Katelyn age 12.

At the age of 14, Mark's uncle took him turkey hunting and although he didn't get one, just hearing one got him hooked. So now he spends most of his spring chasing these timber barrons. South Carolina has to be his favorite place to hunt them but New York is a close second. Waterfowl hunting has always been a part of his family life growing up in Maryland and has given him so many opportunities.


Alex Langbell

Alex Langbell is 36-years-old and lives in the Tri-Cites area of Washington which is located in the heart of the Pacific Flyway. He is a 10 year veteran firefighter with the City of Yakima. Alex is an avid outdoorsman, his life is his family and hunting and fishing. In Nevada, where he grew up, he learned to wing shoot at the early age of 12. Alex then moved to Washington where he learned to bow hunt big game. He has hunted everything from dove to elk. Alex is also an avid salmon, steelhead and sturgeon fisherman, but his true love is waterfowl hunting. His favorite part of the sport is being able to take a youngster out and get them their first duck or goose. Alex recently began competition calling. In his first contest, Washington State goose, he was able to place 3rd. Alex is a co-owner of Columbia Basin Waterfowl, a guide service and outfitter in Eastern Washington.

Alex's fondest early hunting memory is when he took his Pope and Young black bear with bow. Teaching himself how hunt bears, he practiced everyday for a year and was able to harvest a beautiful 300 pound Washington State bruin.

One of his favorite areas to hunt is the prairies of Alberta, Canada, having been there 7 times, he enjoys the vast amount of land and waterfowl opportunities including the liberal bag limits our northern neighbors have to offer.

Alex is a very motivated and determined individual. He learned through the fire service about being a team player and because of his experience and attitude he will be an asset to the Zink Company in the Northwest while maintaining the high standards and professionalism expected of a Zink Pro-Staffer.


Brian Laux

Brian Laux, age 31 currently resides in North Olmsted Ohio with his wife Jessica and his two year old daughter Emma. Brian is owner and operator of Waldo's Nursery also located in North Olmsted. He attended Baldwin Wallace College where he studied business and played football. While in college he served as president of the Baldwin Wallace chapter of The Intercollegiate Sportsman Association. Brian is an alumni advisor for this association and frequently hosts waterfowl seminars and hunts for current club members.

Waterfowl is Brian's favorite game to pursue in particular Canadian Geese. Field hunting has become his waterfowling passion. In his opinion, nothing beats working a flock of birds with their feet down and wings locked and committed to his spread. He really enjoys the thrill of working birds up close and in your face. Brian has been an avid outdoorsman from very young age. Some of his earliest memories are spending time on the water and in the field with his father and uncles. One of Brian's fondest memories has to be the first time he called geese into his decoys. That was all it took to get him hooked. From that point on he has been addicted and committed to recreating the sounds of ducks and geese. When Brian is not in the goose field he can be found at several seminars and outdoor shows spreading his knowledge and passion for waterfowl hunting. In the off season Brian focuses on honing his calling skills and loves chasing Lake Erie Walleye. Brian loves to pursue waterfowl in his home region of North East Ohio. He takes a lot of pride in the quality of hunting that this region has to offer.

Brian is new to the contest calling world. Some of his contest calling accomplishments are:
Championships
2006 Ohio State Goose

Runner Up
2006 #3Ohio State Open Goose
2005 #2 Lake Erie Waterfowlers Festival Open Goose
2005 #3 Lake Erie Waterfowlers Festival 2 man Duck
2005 #3 Lake Erie Waterfowlers Festival 2 Man Goose
2005 #3 at the Kings of Crane Creek 2-man Duck and Goose
2005 #2 Pymatuning Waterfowl Expo Open Goose
2004 #2 Lake Erie Waterfowlers Festival Open Goose

Brian is an active member of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl. He also serves on the Avery Outdoors Pro-Staff and guides waterfowl hunts with Honker Bonker Guide Services located in Kent, Ohio.

Brian brings a great deal of professional salesmanship and outdoor passion to Zink Outdoors. His experience in the field and his devotion to promoting Zink calls makes him a great asset.


Shane McCoy

Shane McCoy spent his childhood hunting upland and big game with his father in the mountains near their Denver, Colorado home. While still a child, Shane fell in love with the challenge of calling and decoying waterfowl. When the opportunity presented itself, Shane moved to Loveland, Colorado and turned his love of waterfowling into a career by becoming one of the owner/operators of Waterfowl Haven Outfitters.

Shane is in the field daily during the entire Colorado waterfowl season, and while he enjoys all of it, he cherishes his time hunting Canada geese. His many years of experience hunting geese have allowed him to admit you can learn something new every day--whether it is a new tip from a fellow Pro-Staffer across the country or from a post on the Avery message board. Shane has also taken his calling ability to the stage, where he won the Colorado State Goose Calling Championship twice (2001& 2003) and placed 1st in the Cabela's Goose Calling Championship in 2002. In addition, he placed 2nd at the Best of The West Goose Calling Championship in 2003 and has placed in the top five in many contests since 2001.

Shane's determination caught the eye of many leaders in the hunting industry landing him positions on Avery, Zink Calls and Dynamic Decoys Pro-Staffs. For the past four years Shane has also participated as an Adult mentor for the Colorado Youth Weekend. Shane and Waterfowl Haven Outfitters have also donated many hunts to Ducks Unlimited and Shane is a member of the Loveland DU Committee.


Derek Rambo

Derek Rambo was born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas. His father brought him up in the world of outdoors hunting deer, rabbit, and dove. Along with that he also made yearly Christmas trips to Iowa to chase Ring-necked Pheasants with his uncle John. During these trips he would always be captivated by flocks of Canada geese and mallards circling cornfields while hunting pheasants. This is where the seed of a waterfowler was planted in Derek's heart.

Derek served in the US Navy supporting the US Marine Corps for 10 years in three countries. During this time he developed his 24/7 passion for waterfowling that drives him today. All it took was his first try at calling in and finishing birds over decoys that he truly felt his calling!

The past 15 years Derek has chased waterfowl and turkey in twelve states, three flyways, and a Canadian Providence. Yearly hunting/guiding trips to Canada, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa are the norm. Throw in a few invites in other states from fellow Pro Staffers and you get a well-traveled waterfowler in the fall. Decoying Canada geese, large or small, is his favorite pursuit with gobbling turkeys a very close second!! He has been guiding waterfowl, pheasant, and turkey hunts for the past 6 years and loves showing new waterfowl hunters the right way to do it….decoying ducks and geese!

Derek is a member of Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, the NWTF, the NRA, and also volunteers for The Texas Parks & Wildlife Youth Hunting Program. He is proud to be an Avery Pro Staffer since the inception of the Avery Pro Staff and being on the Zink Pro Staff. These are two jobs he takes very serious and is humbled to be part of such a great waterfowl family. He has been in many local, state, and national articles/ads such as Mack's Prairie Wing's, Lone Star Outdoor News, Texas Fish & Game, and The Dallas Morning News. He enjoys traveling the country-talking waterfowl, waterfowl hunting, and calling with people at trade/consumer shows. He is willing to talk to anyone about waterfowling and after spending a few minutes with him you will see how contagious this sport is!!

Derek has been married to his wife Dena for seven years and they are expecting their first kids (twins) in June of 07'. She is very understanding and supportive to let Derek make his living in this industry and travel to "work"!

Tony Vandemore

Hometown: Kirksville, MO
Occupation: Independent Insurance Agent
Areas of Hunting Expertise: Ducks, Geese, and Turkeys
Favorite Method of Hunting: Layout Boats, Layout Blinds

Tony grew up in Northwest Illinois where his father and uncle started him going to the blind when he was still in diapers. He grew up hunting geese on farm ponds and in agricultural fields and his grandfather was a member of two duck clubs in the famed Illinois River Bottoms. Many afternoons were spent pheasant and quail hunting with friends as well.

Tony attended college in Kirksville, MO at Truman State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing. The area is rich with outdoor opportunities and he loved it. After a stint in the San Diego Padres farm system he returned home to Missouri to put his Degree in Business Marketing to work.

He now resides in Kirksville, MO with his dog, Ruff, and hunts ducks, geese, and turkeys primarily throughout the Midwest. Since becoming an Avery Flyway Manager in 2005 Tony has contributions to the team have been great. From working dealer shows to helping to his photography submissions, Tony give his all to better both himself and the Avery Pro-Staff. He gets the opportunity to spend a lot of days in the field between the beginning of September and the end of May and this makes him an invaluable part of Avery's Pro-Staff product testing and feedback program.