Guide Life: Nich Glatt
Will Poston for SPLIT REED
The drive of hunting fuels most of us. Few people would choose to wake up at 4:00 am on a Saturday where it’s 18℉ with a 20 mph north wind. We suffer through those mornings because the memories of ducks circling and ripping into the spread are not soon forgotten. What separates that drive and passion from one guy to the next are those who do it each day of the season and turn that drive into a career. Nich Glatt of Flatland Flyways is one of those guys.
Growing up in North Dakota, Nich was exposed to hunting at a very early age, mainly with the rich tradition found at deer camp. As he got older, he quickly found the alluring chaos of waterfowling. After his first spring Snow Goose Conservation Hunt, Nich recalled, “It was nothing I’d ever seen or done before; there’s just something about being under a loud chaotic spin of geese.” Hes been hooked from that point on.
Split Reed: How did you turn waterfowl hunting into a profession?
Nich: When I was in high school, I hunted every weekend, but all day during class, I could only think about scouting a field or the next hunt. I had intentions of going to college, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to balance hunting and school--I also knew the 9-5 wasn’t for me. There was a local guy from my hometown who guided spring snow goose hunts that always had snow goose equipment for sale, and I would buy a little bit here and there. Then, after meeting him a few times and talking, I told him I was interested in guiding. He Was nice enough to make some calls, and one of his buddies who ran spring hunts in Arkansas was looking for a few guides. Ended up getting his phone number, and little did I know I was a phone call away from getting my foot in the door in the waterfowl guiding industry. I was pretty jacked and nervous at the same time.
Nich’s love of waterfowling extends far beyond shooting as many limits as he can; waterfowling has become his life, in a good sense. As referenced at the onset of this article, few guys are able to do something professionally that they genuinely live and breathe. Well, Nich and the entire Flatland Flyways operation lives and breathes waterfowling. More importantly, their drive is getting others hooked on waterfowling and sharing incredible experiences with others.
Split Reed: Favorite part of guiding?
Nich: I think my favorite part about guiding is getting to meet new people. But also taking them on a hunt and making those memories possible. The laughs and smiles on people’s faces after a good hunt is the icing on the cake for me. Also getting to hunt everyday and learning things day in and day out that might help you in other hunting scenarios.
SPLIT REED x FLATLAND FLYWAYS 2019
This is the type of dedication and drive that you will find at Flatland Flyways. They will do what it takes to put you on birds. Sure it’s Nich’s job, but he also gets just as much satisfaction and enjoyment at seeing clients drop birds as shooting them himself.
Q&A
Split Reed: What separates FF from the rest?
Nich: At Flatland Flyways, hospitality is absolutely king. We want to make sure that everyone who visits us has a safe and enjoyable trip, and leave happy with memories they won’t soon forget. We like to make sure everyone is taken care of and has a stress free and action-packed trip. That means putting in the miles before each hunt, getting everything set the night before, and being up hours before clients.
Split Reed: Before we get into it, I’m going to put you on the spot….Ducks or Geese and why?
Nich: That’s a tough one! I grew up hunting ducks and honkers before I got introduced to the snow goose hunting side of things. I have a couple of buddies that I met when I was in high school that religiously hunted every weekend, and they had their hands tied into the snow goose game. So long story short, they invited me to come on a hunt during the spring conservation season. After that hunt, I was hooked. It was nothing I’d ever seen or done before; there’s just something about being under a loud chaotic spin of geese. Also, who doesn't love screwing on the extension tube?
Split Reed: For you, what goes into guiding?
Nich: Organization is huge when it comes to a successful hunt. Making sure you’re prepared and ready for a hunt helps it run smoothly and professionally. Doing all you can do to increase the odds of killing birds for clients if you have to change things up or try something different instead of just sitting back an let’s say you’re flaring birds or they aren’t decoying taking the knowledge you have gained to try something new to get birds to decoy is also huge. Safety and happy clients make for an awesome hunt.
Split Reed: What’s the hardest part about being a guide?
Nich: I think the hardest part about being a guide for me is not being able to carry a gun all the time haha. I love shooting waterfowl and some days you just really wish you had a gun by your side. Lack of sleep and irregular hours can be a hard thing to get used to. After a while, however, your body just resets itself after the repetitive days, early mornings, and late nights. The most rewarding part about being a guide is hearing from clients how awesome a hunt was or how much fun they had. That makes me realize that I’ve done my job and provided them an experience they enjoyed. Some people come to hunt South Dakota’s dry fields where there are tons of birds because they don’t have that back home; so, watching them witness that never gets old.
Split Reed: How has this season been going?
Nich: This season has been awesome. The weather has been very mild compared to years past with a few cold days mixed in. Those cold days produced some snow and some awesome duck and goose hunts. Some snow and tons of birds have made for a great start to the waterfowl season!
Check out Nich on Instagram and be sure to check out the unbelievable Flatland Flyways operation.
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Click on Will to find him on Instagram
Click on Nich to find him on Instagram