The Story Behind the UWC Adventures Team
At UWC Adventures, our team was not built in a boardroom.
It was built in duck blinds, layout boats, and long days in the field—often in tough weather, chasing birds across some of the most challenging environments in North America and around the world.
Over the years, we realized something important. The people who make the best partners are not just skilled hunters—they are individuals who understand responsibility, professionalism, and the importance of taking care of clients. They are the kind of people who show up early, stay late, and take pride in doing things the right way.
That is how our team came together.
Each member of the UWC Adventures team has earned their place through experience, reliability, and a genuine commitment to helping others enjoy the hunting lifestyle. Many have spent decades in the outdoors. Some have served in the military. Others have built careers in conservation, guiding, or outdoor leadership. What they all share is a strong work ethic and a passion for waterfowl hunting.
But most importantly, they share a belief in service.
Our team members do more than promote trips. They host hunts, represent UWC Adventures at events and shows, and help hunters plan experiences that often become lifetime memories. They are mentors in the field, problem-solvers when conditions change, and trusted representatives of the standards we expect from every partner and destination we work with.
This is not a group assembled for marketing.
It is a team built on trust.
You will find our team members scouting locations, testing new destinations, supporting conservation efforts, and standing beside our clients from the moment a trip is planned until the last bird is packed and ready for the trip home. Their role is simple but important: make sure every hunter has a safe, well-organized, and memorable experience.
As UWC Adventures continues to grow, this team will remain at the heart of what we do. We are committed to surrounding our clients with knowledgeable, dependable people who understand both the responsibility and the privilege of hosting hunters in the field.
Because in the end, great hunts are not just about the destination.
They are about the people you share them with.
Meet The Team
Craig Shumate
UWC Adventures Field Representative
Hailing from Michigan, Craig Shumate is a lifelong outdoorsman and accomplished waterfowler whose roots trace back to the legendary waters of Lake Erie. The son of a passionate duck hunter and a World Champion decoy carver, Craig was introduced to waterfowling at an early age—and it quickly became a defining part of his life.
As Craig recalls, “I have fond memories at an early age being sandwiched between my father and his friends in a two-man layout as swarms of divers dumped into the decoys. I was hooked—and the passion just grew.”
That early spark evolved into a lifelong pursuit of waterfowl and artistry. Craig is a highly skilled taxidermist, wildlife artist, and award-winning decoy carver, known throughout the community for his exceptional craftsmanship and deep appreciation of the natural world.
A Certified Ultimate Waterfowler, Craig successfully completed the Ultimate Waterfowlers Challenge in 2025, joining the ranks of an elite group of dedicated hunters. He has since continued his journey by pursuing the International Challenge, with a successful trip to Argentina already under his belt and plans to hunt New Zealand in 2027.
Over the years, Craig has hosted groups to nearly all of the UWC Adventures destinations, sharing his hunting expertise, artistry, and passion for the waterfowling lifestyle. As he prepares to retire from his main career in early 2026, Craig looks forward to devoting even more time to UWC Adventures—hosting hunts, mentoring members, and inspiring others to pursue their own waterfowl dreams.
Craig is a valuable asset to the UWC Adventures Team, bringing unmatched knowledge, creativity, and enthusiasm to every trip he leads. If you ever get the chance to join Craig on one of his hosted adventures—you should!
Rich Hagedorn
UWC Adventures Field Representative
Rich Hagedorn’s passion for waterfowl hunting began at just ten years old on his family’s farm near West Point, Nebraska—where early mornings in the marsh and fields shaped his lifelong love for the sport. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who hunted those same grounds in the 1930s, Rich grew up immersed in the traditions, tactics, and camaraderie that define the waterfowling lifestyle.
A proud U.S. Army veteran with 25 years of service, Rich brings the same discipline, leadership, and integrity from his military career into his work with UWC Adventures. He is deeply committed to giving back—regularly taking service-disabled veterans on hunts throughout his home state of Nebraska as a way to share the healing power and fellowship of the outdoors.
Today, Rich serves as a Waterfowl Specialist and UWC Adventures Field Representative, combining decades of experience with genuine enthusiasm for helping others experience the best wingshooting opportunities. He specializes in premier waterfowl destinations across Nebraska, Missouri, the Dakotas, Canada, and Mexico, and also hosts exclusive group hunts to select destinations.
Whether discussing decoy spreads, calling techniques, or planning your next bucket-list adventure, Rich’s dedication, authenticity, and passion shine through in everything he does.
Jim Riley
President, UWC Adventures
For more than 25 years, Jim Riley has been at the forefront of worldwide waterfowl hunting travel and consulting, crafting extraordinary wingshooting experiences across the globe. From the legendary marshes of Argentina to the remote wilderness wetlands of Alaska, Uruguay, and New Zealand, Jim’s firsthand knowledge and dedication ensure that every client adventure meets the highest standards of excellence.
Jim’s passion for waterfowl hunting began at the age of five, following his father into Minnesota's lakes, rivers, and marshes where he developed a lifelong respect for the sport. That early introduction grew into a deep understanding of the strategies, calling, decoy spreads, and dog work that define a truly successful hunt. Today, that same passion fuels his commitment to helping others experience the very best the waterfowling world has to offer.
Since 1999, Jim has worked full-time as a professional hunting and fishing consultant, personally hosting and coordinating premium hunting experiences for individuals and groups. His expertise and relationships with top outfitters worldwide make UWC Adventures a trusted name for those seeking both adventure and authenticity.
Whether you’re pursuing the Original 41 North American Waterfowl Challenge, taking on the International Challenge, or simply looking to share a remarkable hunt with friends and family, Jim and the UWC Adventures team are dedicated to bringing your waterfowl dreams to life.
UWC Adventures isn’t just about destinations—it’s about achievement, tradition, and creating the hunts you’ll remember forever.
Behind the Scenes
UWC Adventures is truly a family-supported operation. Jim’s wife, a retired United States Air Force officer, frequently assists behind the scenes with planning, coordination, and logistics. Her background in military service brings a strong sense of organization, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence that supports the smooth execution of our trips and client experiences.