In the most recent episode from DU Films, Game Keepers tells the story of Mossy Oak founder and CEO Toxey Haas and his sons, Neill and Daniel.
In Game Keepers, Haas and his sons demonstrate their passion for conservation and love of waterfowl and wildlife stewardship. Watch the film at www.ducks.org/dufilms.
In 1986, Toxey Haas revolutionized hunting camouflage by taking elements from nature and creating patterns that disappear in the wild. The world now knows his company as Mossy Oak, the Official Camo of Conservation and the company behind the official camouflage patterns of Ducks Unlimited.
In this film, the Haas family traditions of tending the land and improving wildlife and waterfowl habitat is showcased. The tradition began with Toxey’s father, Fox Haas, teaching his son and grandsons the importance of giving back to the resource.
“Every bit of it has been grounded in the land, the farm, the wildlife, the habitat, and more than anything, taking care of it,” Toxey said. “It makes you realize how much more important your connection with the earth is.”
Daniel and Neill Haas grew up tagging along with their father and grandfather in the woods, learning about caring for the land and everything on it.
“Ever since we have been following them in the woods, they have always been about managing the land and making it as good as it possibly can be,” said Daniel.
Neill realizes the importance of the next generation carrying on the lessons learned from those that came before.
“We got into hunting because our dad and granddad did it,” Neill said. “If we want hunting to grow as a sport, our generation needs to get others involved, teaching them the way we were taught to respect the land and the wildlife.”
Mossy Oak is a key relationship for Ducks Unlimited, one born of mutual conservation goals. Director of Corporate Relations Jeremy Smith appreciates their commitment to DU.
“Toxey Haas and the Mossy Oak family have been tremendous supporters of Ducks Unlimited for many years,” Smith said. “Not only are they a Proud Partner of DU, they are true conservationists in every sense of the word. They set an excellent example for everyone to follow.”
What is a GameKeeper?
“It’s having reverence and respect and an obsession for taking care of the land because you need to and you want to,” Toxey said. “We call that being a gamekeeper.”
DU Films is a unique online film series from Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetlands and waterfowl conservation. Each film features thrilling hunting footage but also tells a story about waterfowl hunters passionate about hunting, conservation and giving back to the resource. DU Films presents all of this through breathtaking waterfowl footage and intimate conversations with hunters across North America.
DU Films is produced by Rock Road Creative and sponsored by Mossy Oak, Drake Waterfowl, Winchester Repeating Arms, Winchester Ammunition and Yeti.
Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14.5 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit ducks.org.
