Trent Swanson has dedicated his life to hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He has hunted or fished in most of the western states, Canada, Mexico, and Belize. He received his B.S. in Forestry from Northern Arizona University and worked for the Forest Service during college. In 2000, he served as the Campaign Coordinator for Arizona Ballot Proposition 102, which would have limited animal rights groups from affecting public policy. He then went to work in the outdoor recreation industry, first managing a shooting sports complex, then managing a hunting and fishing guide service where he also was a sporting clays instructor and guided clients on bird hunts, big game hunts, and fly fishing trips.

     He currently owns Scout Mountain Outdoors where he contracts with Taylor & Associates to conduct safety inspections of outdoor recreation businesses such as hunting and fishing lodges, trap and skeet ranges, horseback riding operations, and RV parks. Also, he reviews and summarizes all inspections across the U.S. completed by other members of the Taylor & Associates team.

    In addition to his work with Western Hunter, Swanson also has had stories and/or photographs published in The Huntin’ Fool, Rocky Mountain Game and Fish, Trophy Hunter, the Chino Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Relocation Guide, the Chino Valley Lioness Club’s Annual Calendar, and the Arizona Game & Fish Department 2008 Calendar. Each year he also assists the Outdoorsmans by working in their booth at various outdoor trade shows.

     He serves on the Board of Directors for Arizona Sportsmen For Wildlife, is a member of many statewide conservation groups, and participates in Project CENTRL, a rural leadership program. Swanson’s main interests revolve around the outdoors but he also enjoys reading, playing the guitar, and rodeo. He is married to Nichole, a Doctor of Physical Therapy. They have two cats, Gabby and Izzy, and a champion-bred yellow Labrador Retriever named Lacey.

Trent Swanson

Field Editor

Columnist

Chris Denham was born in the White Mountains of Arizona and raised in Douglas.  He graduated from Arizona State University in 1986 with a degree in agriculture.  Just a few weeks later he married his wife, Carla.

    In 1987, the couple moved to Tucson where Chris found work at Jensen's Custom Ammo. At the time this was the "mecca" for southern Arizona hunters.  While working at Jensen's, Chris learned about glassing from tripods, a passion that would shape the rest of his career.  In 1992 the couple moved back to Phoenix and Chris went to work as an independent sales representative.  In 2001 he signed a consulting contract with Swarovski Optik and began guiding with Yellowhorn Outfitters.  In 2004 he took over as editor of Western Hunter Magazine and started Western Hunter Services, and application and booking service.    

    Chris has been involved with many conservation organizations in Arizona.  He is a past president and current board member for the Arizona Deer Association, he also serves on the board of directors for the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife and the Arizona Wildlife Federation. In 2006 he was selected as Danner's Hunting Expert.  Chris is also a member of The Arizona Elk Society, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, Arizona Antelope Foundation, Federation for North American Wild Sheep, Life Member of the Boone and Crockett Club, Life member of the NRA, and the Arizona Bowhunters Association. 

Chris Denham

Editor

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