Michael Carter

There are people in any field who bring focus and purpose. They show us what hard work and quality look like. They can do this because they live it. Deer hunters young and old need look no further than Georgia’s own- Michael Carter. A committed outdoorsman, businessman, and mentor, Mike Carter is a Keeper of the Craft.

Whoever said, “It takes a village to raise a child,” must have been talking about the folks in Murry County Georgia. Located 70 miles north of Atlanta, this village had the perfect conditions needed to grow a hunter. Leading the way and laying a foundation that would last a lifetime were “Mom and Dad” who understood that the role of nature wasn’t just to put food on the table, but also to shape character. They took him on fishing trips where he listened, learned, and grew his knowledge. Those trips put him on the track toward future outdoor success.

For most youngsters, the introduction to the hunting world is through the BB gun. Mike had one and all the boys in his neighborhood had one too. The hunt was on. These future deer hunters went on expeditions behind the apartments where they lived and spent hours in pursuit of rabbits and squirrels. Things were just getting started. Deer hunting was a community tradition in Murry. This knowledge was passed from generation to generation, and Mike didn’t skip a beat as he transitioned from BB gun to gunpowder. He was in high school when he took his first deer, a 4-pointer, with a single shot 12 gauge on the property of a childhood friend. As he put it, “That was the one that lit the fire.” With that rite of passage, Mike stepped into the title of “Deer Hunter”, and never looked back.

Mike is clear that outdoor education never ends, and while he recognizes the value of social media as a learning tool, he is from the old school where the rule is to be on the ground hands-on, honing your skills through doing and learning from your accomplishment’s and your mistakes. Even seasoned hunters need guidance, and Mike was blessed to access the wisdom of hunting giants, for whom he has the greatest respect and admiration. It was at the feet of these walking libraries that he sat, picking their brains for information. The collective knowledge of Bub Jackson and Kelly Darden had no superiors. They were hugely inspirational and paved the way for many Black hunters in the filming and business sides of the outdoor industry.

Being at the top of your game means being active. Mike will tell you, “I’m always on my grind.” Whether it’s refreshing minerals, cutting shooting lanes, maintaining feeders, moving stands, or promoting a quality product like NoseDown attractant, he is in the game. Mike had to develop a multi-state hunting strategy because the friendships he’s forged over the years have created hunting opportunities in several states, including Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama just to name a few.

Ask any hunter what their favorite cocktail is, and most will say the mix of gunpowder and autumn leaves. Mike enjoys this mix, but he prefers his leaves blended with a bow and an arrow.

Archery lets him get up close and personal, especially near a water source, in the thick nasty stuff where the veterans hang out, both man and beast.

The blueprint for Mike's outdoor career wasn’t an accident but rather a plan built into the DNA of the village. It can be seen in his commitment to conservation, his time-tested strategies, and in every young person he mentors and inspires to appreciate outdoor pursuits. The greatest tribute to one’s life legacy is to have future generations say, “I knew Mike Carter.”