Aaron B. Futrell
Business Partner at DeLong Lures | U.S. Army Veteran | Author | Outdoorsman
About Aaron Futrell
Aaron B. Futrell is a business partner at DeLong Lures, bringing decades of real-world outdoor experience, historical insight, and disciplined leadership to one of America’s oldest fishing lure companies. He is a retired United States Army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, accomplished author, and lifelong hunter and angler from Canal Fulton, Ohio.
With extensive combat and operational experience, a formal background in history, and a lifetime spent hunting and fishing, Aaron offers a grounded, experience-driven perspective that aligns directly with DeLong Lures’ history and legacy of practical, field-tested fishing tackle. His passion for the outdoors, respect for tradition, and belief in American-made craftsmanship help guide DeLong Lures’ continued commitment to producing lures anglers can trust.
Military Service & Leadership
Aaron joined the United States Army in 2000 immediately after high school, attending basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by Advanced Individual Training at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where he became an Ammunition Specialist (MOS 55B).
His first duty station took him overseas to Miesau, Germany, where he served with the 23rd Ordnance Company and supported multiple missions, including temporary duty assignments to Bosnia and Slovenia. It was during a mission in Slovenia that the events of September 11, 2001, unfolded.
After Germany, Aaron was reassigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he joined the 8th Ordnance Company and deployed to Afghanistan in spring 2003 in support of combat operations.
Upon completing his active-duty enlistment, Aaron returned home to Ohio and enrolled at The University of Akron. After a brief time as a civilian, he reenlisted—this time with the Ohio Army National Guard, serving as a Flight Operations Specialist. He went on to serve 16 years in the Guard while also working as a full-time federal technician at Army Aviation Flight Facility #1.
During his Guard career, Aaron deployed to Kuwait in 2015 and Iraq in 2020. He was medically retired in May 2022 after sustaining a traumatic brain injury during Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Al Asad Air Base on January 8, 2020. Aaron is a Purple Heart recipient, recognized for wounds sustained in combat.
Education, Writing & Historical Work
Aaron holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from The University of Akron, a background that strongly informs his respect for legacy, tradition, and documented storytelling.
He is the author of four books, including:
- Why We Hunt: The Five Motivations of the Modern Hunter
- The Deer Stand Devotional: Walk with the Creator Through Hunting Season
- Following His Tracks: A Hunter’s Guide to Christ
- When the River Ran Red: Murders and Massacres of the Ohio River Valley, 1770–1795
His work reflects a deep understanding of hunting culture, faith, and American history.
Outdoor Experience & DeLong Lures
A lifelong hunter and angler from Canal Fulton, Ohio, Aaron has spent decades fishing Midwestern waters and hunting across Ohio and beyond. His hands-on experience with bass, panfish, and predator species gives him real insight into what works in the field—not just in theory.
At DeLong Lures, Aaron helps support the company’s mission to preserve traditional, American-made fishing lures while ensuring they remain effective for modern anglers. His historical knowledge and respect for craftsmanship align directly with DeLong’s legacy of hand-poured lures dating back to 1946. Much of Aaron’s real-world experience aligns with DeLong’s Soft Plastic Bass Fishing Lures.
His hands-on experience also contributes to educational guides such as the AI Fishing Lure Recommendations Guide.
Family & Life Today
Aaron lives in Canal Fulton, Ohio, with his wife Christina and their three children—Cora, William, and Evalina. As a family, they enjoy spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and traveling together.
In addition to his work with DeLong Lures, Aaron is the main administrator of the Sportsman Party Facebook page, engaging thousands of fellow hunters and anglers through conservation-focused and outdoor content.
Areas of Expertise
- Military service & leadership
- Hunting fishing ethics & conservation
- Outdoor writing & history
- American-made sporting goods
Aaron is also the author of multiple books exploring hunting culture, faith, and American history, including Why We Hunt: The Five Motivations of the Modern Hunter.