Mark Braud

I’m a registered “Coon Ass”, born and raised in the swamps and bayous of south Louisiana. If it has a season, I will hunt it. Have gun will travel is my motto.

My Dad first brought me to the deer camp as soon as I was potty trained (he didn’t want to change diapers on the stand). I would stand up in his backpack and hold on to his neck as we climbed into the stands. I mostly slept until the deer showed up, then he’d wake me so I could see them. I was fortunate enough to watch him take many animals before I was old enough to hunt by myself. I killed my first deer at the age of eight, a slick head in front of our pack of Blueticks. Everything that I know about hunting, fishing and life I learned from my Dad. He’s still my best hunting partner and I treasure every moment we spend together in the field. I look forward to passing on to my little girl all the things he has taught me.

I do the majority of my hunting in Louisiana and Mississippi; however I have hunted throughout North America. My primary focus is whitetail, but I will hunt any and all game. I’ve made several elk and mule deer hunts out west and have killed three muleys with my bow and one with a rifle. No luck with the elk … yet! I’ve taken moose and caribou in Canada. I’ve killed my share of long beards. I got my first Rio this spring, thanks Steve. I try to make opening day of dove season and at least one trip to the rice fields for duck and geese every year. I have two terriers that tree squirrels, but I don’t get to hunt with them as much as they would like me too.

As for my personal life, I’m married and have a little girl. I married a city slicker, but she has jumped into my outdoor lifestyle with both feet. When we were dating, I presented her with a fresh backstrap roast. When she accepted it and cooked it for me, I knew she was the one. Her first hunting experience was a squirrel hunt. She was hooked from the moment that first squirrel hit the ground. Since her first introduction into hunting, she has killed three deer. I captured her two eight point kills on film. She is also a member of Team Hammerdog Pro-Staff, so you’ll see those kills and more in upcoming Team Hammerdog videos. My little girl Noelle is four and started sitting on the deer stand this season. She got to see her first deer taken this year. Her Paw Paw shot a doe with her. Now she is hooked and can’t wait to go to the camp. Noelle will be making her appearance on the Team HammerPup videos in a few years!!

God Bless and Happy Hunting

Mark