Blogger Biography: Justin Tackett

Host of Ducks Unlimited Waterdog & creator of The Super Retriever Series

Justin started his career in the retriever world as a 10 year old throwing birds and cleaning kennels for Joe Budd in the afternoons on weekends in his hometown of Texarkana, Ark. When he was 16, Justin became a guide for his father's duck-hunting operation in the renowned Pond Creek Bottoms. At 17, he ran his first AA stake with his yellow Labrador, Lucy.

College took Justin north to Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas, where he majored in finance. Upon graduation, he moved to Slamon, Idaho, to obtain his Mountain Guide licenses. After five years working out west as a big game and fly-fishing guide, Justin returned home to Arkansas to start Yellow Dog Outfitters. Yellow Dog Outfitters quickly became one of the country's most successful hunting and fishing travel services, outfitting more than 4,500 wing shooters and 6,000 anglers annually. At the same time, Justin began working for the local ABC affiliate as the host of their Outdoors segment.

In 1998, Justin and his staff were chosen to develop and lead the fly-fishing and retriever competitions within ESPN's Great Outdoor Games. Based on the popularity of the GOG, Justin created what has quickly become the largest and most popular sporting dog event in the world: The Super Retriever Series, now in its ninth year on the Versus network. Justin is the on-air analyst for the series as well.

In 2002, Justin accepted the host role on the popular TV series, Ducks Unlimited Waterdog, currently in its sixth season on Versus. Justin continues to work as a waterfowl guide and sporting dog consultant with Eukanuba, as well as managing the sporting dog efforts at Avery Outdoors Inc. Justin is working with his dog Yella toward her AKC field titles, after completing her UKC Grand Title and AKC Master Title.