Workn' Class Whitetails | Realtree ®

Workn' Class Whitetails invites you to come along for the ride as 14 average guys hit the dirt in a quest for total whitetail nirvana. We don't claim to be experts, or claim to have all the answers. We do it just like you, with hard work and a never-ending passion for chasing and harvesting big, mature bucks. The crew from WCW will show you how anyone can get it done with limited time, limited resources and an unlimited drive for success.

The hunters that you'll be following come from all walks of life. They are police officers, construction workers, salesman and even computer techs. The one common thread that they all share is a love of spending time in the outdoors with friends and the never-ending pursuit of whitetail happiness.

Come along for the wild ride and see what happens when these hard-working, dedicated hunters put their hearts and souls into a season of filming and hunting some true Iowa giants. We are the Workn' Class Whitetail Hunters.

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Aaron Volkmar

Workn' Class Whitetails

I grew up in the Midwest all my life, from 5th grade on I lived in Green Bay, Wisconsin...better known as "Heaven on Earth." I've been hunting from a very young age, starting with my dad before I could even hunt myself. I've been very blessed to meet a lot of awesome people in the industry and have the opportunity to take my passion and make it a way of life that I enjoy very much. Presently I am one of the owners of Tails of the Hunt Outfitters, along with Over the Shoulder Productions. A big thank you to Realtree for their never-ending support and continued friendships.

Follow along as we blog about our experiences and the fun we have throughout the year.

Brant "Toad" Fox

Workn' Class Whitetails

My name is Brant Fox, but everyone calls me "Toad." I grew up hunting with friends and family in Colfax Iowa, where I still live today. I never thought in a million years that someday I would be filming and producing whitetail entertainment. I really enjoy spending time with friends and family in the outdoors, whether it's taking a kid out for their first hunt, or putting a buddy on a buck of a lifetime. I've been fortunate enough to take some really nice bucks over the past years, but for me, it's all about the experience and having a good time. When I'm not chasing game, I'm running a large commercial greenhouse business, golfing and spending time with my wife, Marna.

Steve Tjornhom

Workn' Class Whitetails

Born in raised in Minnesota, I am one of the old timers in the group. I have been hunting now for some thirty years and filming for eight. I’m an owner of a concrete and asphalt company along with my brother. I run hard from March thru October, but come November I have some time to get into the stand and pursue my favorite big game animal, the Whitetail.

Now that my daughter is in college and my son is serving our country in the 82nd Airborne, my wife has been outstanding in her support for the pursuit of my passion, filming big Whitetails! I have had the opportunity to hunt all over the Midwest but I spend as much time as I can in Iowa and Missouri hunting with my friend of many years Aaron Volkmar at Tails of The Hunt. Whether I’m scouting, planting food plots, checking trail cameras, or running my business, I work hard to be successful but I especially work hard when it comes to filming hunts. I look forward to trying to bring these hunts back to the viewer whenever I can.

Casey Goetz

Workn' Class Whitetails

My name is Casey Goetz, and I'm a 21 year old student at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. I was born and raised in Iowa, and moved to my new stomping grounds in Mason City. At school I am majoring in Biology, and minoring in bow hunting big whitetail bucks. Coming from a non-hunting family, I started hitting the woods during high school. After learning from many mistakes and lost opportunities, I finally started putting a string of big bucks into the dirt.
 
My new goal is to take it to the next level and begin capturing my hunts on film. I have taken several photography and video production classes at school, and hope to transfer those skills to the treestand. I have future plans to study pediatric dentistry at the University of Iowa in a year or two, and hope to harvest a couple of stud Iowa bucks along the way.

Corey Gentry

Workn' Class Whitetails

Growing up in NW Missouri, Corey was introduced to hunting at a very early age. He grew up hunting with his father and uncle ever since he was able to carry a BB gun. He started bow hunting at the age of 16 and soon became addicted to chasing big mature whitetails with his bow. “There’s nothing that can compare to the adrenaline rush you get from bowhunting.” Corey spends his free time chasing whitetails, turkeys and even canadian geese with his bow. He works as a graphic designer in Kansas City, MO. Spending time with his wife Lindsey and 2 kids, Kirra and Gage, are most important to him.

Austin Brandof

Workn' Class Whitetails

I’m Austin Brandhof, and I like to whack n’ stack giant bucks in my free time! I have been hunting and filming for Workn' Class Whitetails for several years. My dad, John, got me into hunting when I was young and has taught me a lot about the outdoors and being a good sportsman. My dad and uncle got me into watching Realtree's Monster Buck videos, which started my obsession to hunt giant, mature bucks. I have been very fortunate to hunt some of Iowa’s greatest hunting territories and shoot some giant bucks. I am currently an Iowa State University student and also work for Heartland Co-op in the summer. I was born and raised on a farm, and wouldn’t have it any other way. My family farm has greatly influenced me in the way I live my life. I love being in the outdoors and hunt as much as possible.

I started filming hunts after I saw the first Real Hunting DVD and after I met Toad. My best friend, Tyler Dahms, and I brought a camera along when we went late muzzleloader hunting. The second day of the season I connected with a 182 inch buck and caught it all on film. This sparked us to start filming all of our deer hunts and we’ve been doing it ever since.

Daniel Mauch

Workn' Class Whitetails

I grew up in a small town of west Iowa located in the Loess Hills, a place I like to call God’s country. I got started in the outdoors at a very young age, from going out with my father and his hunting buddy on coon hunts, carrying the coon hides and holding the dogs back, to taking out the .22 with my father and brother to get a few rabbits or squirrels. As I got older my father started to teach me his knowledge about how to hunt for a whitetail deer as he learned from his father.

I am an archery hunter by heart but break out the smoke pole come December. Archery was a way of life for me growing up, being surrounded by family and friends shooting archery it just came natural to me to want to shoot stick and string. Now that I am older all that passion for hunting and the sport of archery my father taught me has only grown since then. Now married and having twin sons and a third one on the way, I can’t wait for the day I get to teach my children about the outdoors and the sport of archery as my father did for me.

My hunting life is balanced between spending time with my family and doing my part as a supporting father/husband with a full time job as a molder tech for Pella window and doors, to starting up an archery range/shop “Mauchs Xtreme Archery” with my brother and taking my hunting passion to a whole new level as a Workn’ Class Whitetail Hunter!!

Dave Ruiter

Workn' Class Whitetails

Editor / Cameraman / Hunter: I grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the midst of quality deer hunting but it wasn't until I attended college at UW-Platteville that I first tried deer hunting. It was in those Mississippi River bluffs of Southwestern Wisconsin that I was first smitten by the magical flight of the arrow when time seemed to stand still as the shaft sliced the air just beneath that first 8-pointer's chest! More than the lesson-learned of using the correct sight pin, that first bowhunt shattered the shell of my former urban existence to expose my adrenaline-addicted Predator true-self within. Over the years, a natural match between my hunting and photo/video/editing interests has developed to the point where I'm as thrilled now behind the camera, as I am being the hunter. I also enjoy the creative process of video editing to re-create the memories of hunts, especially those of youths and novice hunters including my two sons.  

My pursuit of these passions is always a balancing act, however, with my career as a US Army active duty Lieutenant Colonel. This profession has introduced me to worldwide cultures and ways of thinking, and has also offered some unique hunting opportunities along the way. I am currently assigned to Fort Leavenworth in Northeastern Kansas where I am responsible for the audio, visual and video-teleconferencing technology support of the US Army Command and General Staff College.

"Waidmannsheil! (European hunters' saying of greetings, congratulations, or good luck)"

Shaun Wiederholt

Workn' Class Whitetails

From northwest Missouri, I grew up on many acres of family owned farm ground. Hunting all began at age twelve when my dad dropped me off on the old railroad tracks at 6 a.m. one morning.  By 7:30, I was calling him back to tell him I had killed my first buck! Ever since that day I’ve been hooked.

I’m currently working as a full-time firefighter in Maryville, Missouri. During the month of April I enjoy helping guide hunters for Trails of the Hunt Outfitters or chasing turkeys myself. When June and July rolls around, I’m shifting gears as I prepare myself for some big MO whitetails. It’s a true blessing to get to enjoy the outdoors. When I’m not in the woods or putting putting out fires, I’m tractor pulling, helping on the farm, or relaxing with family and friends.
 

Tyler Dahms

Workn' Class Whitetails

My name is Tyler Dahms and I grew up in south central Iowa. I'm currently a firefighter and a paramedic which keeps me really busy. But when I'm not at the station I'm in a treestand. When I was growing up my family introduced me to hunting and the outdoors. I was soon hooked and always wanted to be doing something in the outdoors. After a few years of successful hunting with a gun, I decided to pursue bow hunting. After that first season of seeing what it is all about, I developed a true passion for bow hunting, making it a year long season by shed hunting, running trail cameras, and hunting all fall waiting for that chance at a monster buck.

Patrick Muellerleile

Workn' Class Whitetails

I started deer hunting about 35 years ago in Minnesota and Wisconsin with slug guns and rifles. I added archery to the mix in the early 80's. Wood riser bows and shooting with fingers has long disappeared for me but my passion for the sport continues to grow. I now hunt for whitetails all over the Midwest but I always come back to my old stomping grounds. I'm fortunate to be able to walk out my back door in Afton, Minnesota and hunt for trophy whitetails. This was certainly a deciding factor for Sandy and I in purchasing the property. Sandy and I have a daughter named Cassie, as well as two pointers that I take out to North Dakota bird hunting two to three times a year. The hunting seasons are never long enough!

Cody Wright

Workn' Class Whitetails

I've been hunting as long as I can remember. Bowhunting big whitetails in Iowa gives me a challenge like nothing else. I live for it 365 days a year. Whether it's running trail cams, shed hunting or planting food plots, I can't get enough. I started filming hunts several years ago, and I was instantly hooked on the challenge of not only harvesting a big mature buck, but capturing it on film. When I'm not consumed by whitetails, I spend my time predator hunting across the Midwest. I live in Holstein, Iowa, where I'm an insurance salesman and family man.

AJ Young

Workn' Class Whitetails

Born and raised in a small town in Southwest Iowa, I had the privilege to hunt and explore the family farm, or fish at our family cabin in Minnesota. From there I branched out to guiding duck hunts and heading west to elk hunt. But nothing fulfills my soul like chasing whitetails with a bow in hand back home in Iowa.

 

Collin King

Workn' Class Whitetails

I got started in the outdoors when I was very young, carrying ducks and pheasants for my dad and brother and slamming bobbers against the dock trying to make that perfect cast . Now that I am older, the passion for the outdoors has only grown, whether it be spending countless hours every year chasing whitetails in the Midwest, heading up north to Canada to hunt waterfowl, or even bowfishing in the summer. I am always doing something that gets me outside enjoying the outdoors.

Dave Fast

Workn' Class Whitetails

David grew up in the heartland of America in the Northwest corner of Missouri. When not in the woods or spending time with his wife, he spends his days working as a RT/CT Technologist at a Rural Community Hospital. He also spends much of his fall and winter running the football field and the basketball hard-court as a referee for the state of Missouri. David began hunting at a younger age with his father and brother. His brother was the first to take him day in day out during the Missouri firearms season. As he grew older he began taking friends with him to enjoy the outdoors, and eventually got into bowhunting. In 2007, David started doing a little filming for one of his fellow hunters and the rest is history.

Jamie Herek

Workn' Class Whitetails

I grew up on a family dairy farm in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Since I was a young kid, my dream and life goal was to make a career in the outdoor and hunting industry. In 2004 I became a guide and outfitter. Shortly after is when I picked up a video camera for the first time and discovered my new passion was filming hunts. In the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to move to the big buck capital of the world, Iowa, and continue hunting and filming with some of my good friends at Real Hunting. This is where I call home today. It has opened a great career door for me, and some awesome hunting opportunities. I am now the Promotion/ Video Production Manager At Archery Country & Archerycountry.com. To this point I've been blessed to have harvested seven Pope and Young whitetails with my bow; I've also harvested three bucks with a muzzleloader that scored over 130. I am very excited to be filming another year with Real Hunting, but most of all to be working with a great company like Realtree! The journeymen are going to put some great deer on the ground this year.

You wont be disappointed, so stay with us this fall, God Bless and good hunting.

Jay Willenborg

Workn' Class Whitetails

I am 21 years old and my true passion in life is the outdoors and hunting anything that I can. I especially love to deer hunt and chase anything that flies. I first started hunting when I was about 5 years old. I started filming my hunts about three years ago with my cousin, and we have progressively gotten better and have learned how special and fun it is to harvest an animal with a good friend or family member next to you in the tree. If I'm not hunting, I'm probably hanging out with my family or friends, because withoutout them supporting me I could never be where I am today. I have recently changed jobs and am working at Pella Windows Co. in Carroll, Iowa.

Jesse Richard

Workn' Class Whitetails

It's all about deer hunting, 365 days a year for Jesse Richard. It begins with shed hunting in the winter and spring and continues with running trail cameras in the summer and fall. Bowhunting kicks off in October and November, and then he's gun hunting in December and January. Jesse's other hobbies include trapping, turkey hunting, bowfishing, and 3D Archery. He's been filming with Real Hunting Productions since the beginning.

 

Josh McMillen

Workn' Class Whitetails

Born and raised in Northwest Missouri, Josh grew up chasing Midwest whitetails and gobblers with his father and two brothers. While he started out hunting whitetails with only a rifle, Josh developed a passion for bowhunting  when he was a teenager. He learned at an early age that the more one respects wildlife and their habitat, the greater they will reward you. By following this principle, he has been able to harvest several trophy bucks and toms. 

Today, Josh is focused primarily on hunting mature whitetail bucks, and the land management required to grow and hold those bucks. “I feel very fortunate to have a job that allows me to put time in the field and work with Real Hunting Productions. I am also blessed to have my wife, Katie, who supports my hunting lifestyle and passion for the outdoors.” Josh is currently employed as a police officer in Northwest Missouri.

Josh Orthel

Workn' Class Whitetails

Josh Orthel of Southeast Iowa has always been a person who loves to hunt, whether it be pheasants, ducks, geese or deer! He grew up in a family that owned and operated a sporting goods store for 25 years, so he was completely surrounded by people who would help broaden his hunting skills! After shooting his first deer at age 11 with his bow, he's never looked back! He surrounds himself with people that love to enjoy the outdoors just as much as he does, and you can bet that every waking, free moment his camera guy and him have they are 20 feet up a tree, camera and bow in hand, waiting to bring the next chapter together on a big buck!!

When Josh isn't hunting and exploring the outdoors, he makes his living by traveling around Southeastern Iowa selling space in an Advertising book to car dealerships. Josh has been working in advertising since April of 2006, and although he loves his job, he lives for the weekends and vacation days so he and his camera guy can venture into the outdoors and write the story of their hunting adventures!

Kevin Sturm

Workn' Class Whitetails

I am a working-class hunter. I work at Pella Corp. in Carroll, Iowa and have a videography business that I run on the side.  Videoing weddings, anniversaries and birthday parties all help to pay the bills. I grew up in small town rural Iowa. The hunting passion for me started with my first gun, the old Red Ryder BB gun. I started hunting deer at the age of 18 with my father, uncles and cousins. Those were some of the best times that I have ever had while hunting, and that's what it's all about.  Family, friends and the outdoors--it just does not get any better than that.

Nick McCollom

Workn' Class Whitetails

I'm a business man by trade who works to hunt and hunts to live. I grew up in small-town Iowa, hunting my entire life. I started out with Saturday morning pheasant hunts with my father. I became hooked on whitetails after my first Pope and Young kill with a bow in 2004. I spend every free moment I can outside family and work sitting in a tree enjoying the beauty of fresh air and giant whitetails. I live in southeast Iowa and thank the good lord for every day I get to spend chasing the animals that have shaped the way I live my life. GO HAWKS!!

Jay Shultz

Workn' Class Whitetails

Jay Shultz made the outdoor lifestyle his passion from day one. Since he was old enough to tag along with his dad, his life has centered around hunting, fishing, and managing wildlife. At the age of 14, he began his own taxidermy business which he continued through college. For 32 years, Jay has successfully run another small business, but is currently in transition of returning to his original passion as the proud owner of Twin Creek Taxidermy. He began deer hunting in the 1970's, before compound bows and deer stands were part of the bowhunting world. In those early years of hunting for Jay, he used to climb trees and sit on tree limbs while bowhunting. He eventually began building his own deer stands and bought his first compound bow, with which he shot his first nice 8 point. Hunting in those early years instilled a passion for deer hunting that has never wavered, and created a drive that fits right in with the Workn' Class Whitetails philosophy.  

Dana Shultz

Workn' Class Whitetails

Dana Shultz was always destined to have an outdoor passion as he was raised in the outdoors his entire life. His dad Jay and grandpa Bob began taking him fishing at the age of 3, and his interest in all aspects of wildlife just snowballed from there. He quickly became interested in hunting ducks, pheasants and turkeys, but really became intrigued with whitetails after his first still hunt, where he harvested his first doe at 5 yards. His passion for wildlife extends year round in his management of habitat in their woods and native prairies. He worked with a forestry company while he attended college, and learned many techniques of how to make properties more attractive to wildlife and these skills melted right in with his outdoor hobbies.

Dana began taxidermy at age 15 when he found his dad's books, and ever since has spent countless hours studying wildlife anatomy and habits, perfecting his taxidermy skills. He runs Twin Creek Taxidermy full time with his dad Jay, recreating sportsmens' trophies with an obsession for realistic taxidermy work. He has taken the Workn' Class Whitetails theme and applied it right back into the hunting world by working hard mounting other's trophies, and hunting hard to harvest a quality whitetail each fall.

Nick Davis

Workn' Class Whitetails

Born and raised in Maryville, my roots developed in Northwest Missouri. I have been taking advantage of God’s creation ever since I could slip on my boots, hunting side-by-side with my dad. Most everything I have learned about the outdoors can be attributed to my father. I wasn't even old enough to carry a gun when I first began enjoying the sport of hunting, watching as my dad trained German Shorthairs, while bagging limits of quail and pheasant. I often took part in deer drives, late night coon hunting with my uncles, and as time progressed began carrying a gun of my own. After smoking my first doe at the age of eleven, I was addicted. From guns, to sticks and strings, I found archery was the answer to a longer whitetail season. I still enjoy breaking out the muzzleloader, and occasionally the rifle, but spend countless hours with my bow. Bowhunting is a heart pounding experience that keeps me coming back for more!

I have always dreamed of filming hunts, and often find more excitement being behind a camera and capturing my dad’s or a fellow friend’s adventure. I love getting youth and new spectators involved, and enjoy passing on to them what my father has passed on to me.

When I am not hunting, I work full time for a manufacturing tool supply company. Outside all that, I am very family oriented. I spend my weekends traveling back home from Des Moines and catching up with family and friends!