The Unicorn

For nearly two decades, Melissa Bachman has been the standard. Entering the outdoor industry landscape at its peak in 2006, Melissa had her sights set on the big things…and in her own words “I just wanted to hunt every day”. Before that, she was a girl from Minnesota who grew up in the outdoors with a family who embraced the hunting lifestyle, so much so that during her high school years her parents would sign a work permit so she could start school after her morning hunts. With a dogged mindset and determination that would later in her career power her up mountains, Melissa broke through first as a camera operator and editor for North American Hunter. In 2010, Melissa founded her own production company, Deadly Passions Productions, where she would launch the self-produced and hosted Winchester’s Deadly Passions television series to millions.

Hunting everything from gobblers to mountain goats, Melissa quickly became known for her grit and determination, her authenticity and deep knowledge of the hunting and shooting sports, but the road wasn’t always smooth. In 2012 and 2013 Melissa faced national criticism from the anti-hunting community for her hunting lifestyle that would ultimately eliminate her from an opportunity to participate as a contestant on NatGeo’s Ultimate Survival Alaska. A year later, an African hunt drew more anti-hunting outrage. Just bumps in the road, Melissa stood tall for her hunting heritage and continued to lean in and carve her path forward in the industry.

As a longtime Team Winchester ambassador of 15 years, Melissa most recently received the Winchester Legend Award for her commitment as a mentor and role model for hunters and sport shooters worldwide through her published articles, television series and local outreach. An award-winning host, a business owner, a producer, editor, writer and cinematographer, Melissa has been all over the world telling stories and is truly a unicorn in the outdoor industry.