Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Sergi.
Robert, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was introduced to hunting at a young age by my family—especially my grandfather, Arthur Sr., who immigrated from Cuba as a child. He played a huge role in shaping who I am today. Beyond teaching me how to hunt, he instilled values that stuck with me: discipline, respect for the outdoors, and the importance of giving back to your community.
Growing up on the East Coast, I carried those lessons with me and spent a lot of time volunteering with different organizations. That mindset of service became a core part of my identity and continued through my time at the University of New Hampshire.
Eventually, those passions—hunting, conservation, and community—came together when I took over Legends Ranch in 2014 in Bitely Michigan. From there, I set out to build something bigger than just a hunting destination. We launched the nonprofit The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch a 24,000 sq foot museum with a mission centered on conservation, education, and creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect with the outdoors—including disabled youth, Purple Heart veterans, and students.
A big part of what we do today is focused on expanding that impact beyond our property. We partner with schools and homeschool groups across Michigan, covering transportation costs so students can experience conservation firsthand. While they’re here, they take part in guided tours focused on wildlife and habitat education, along with a 1.1-mile hike or snowshoe trek where they learn wildlife science along the trail.
We also host hunter education courses in partnership with the Michigan DNR, organize veteran retreats, and award the Daniel F. Rosman Wildlife Conservation Scholarship to college students each year. Throughout the winter, we bring the community together through wild game fundraising dinners that directly support the nonprofit’s mission. Beyond that, we actively fund conservation projects both across Michigan and around the world—because we believe stewardship of wildlife doesn’t stop at property lines.
At the core of it all is the same foundation my grandfather gave me—respect for the land, a passion for the outdoors, and a commitment to giving back.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most things worth building, there have been plenty of challenges along the way—especially in the early years of taking over Legends Ranch and working to grow it into something more than what it was.
One of the biggest hurdles has been balancing long-term vision with real-world circumstances. In 2018, we built out the Wildlife Center museum as a foundation for our educational and conservation programs. Not long after, COVID hit, and in 2020 nearly all of those programs came to a halt. That disruption lasted close to two years and significantly delayed the momentum we had worked hard to build.
Location has also been an ongoing challenge. The Wildlife Center is very much a destination—it’s not located near a major population center. Because of that, most visitors either plan a dedicated trip to experience it or stop through on their way elsewhere, which can make consistent traffic and awareness more difficult.
Another challenge has been finding the right team—people who not only have the skillset, but also share the same values and long-term vision for what we’re building. We’ve been able to solve that by developing an internship program that brings in individuals from across the country, helping us build a team that’s aligned, driven, and passionate about conservation and the outdoors.
On top of that, building both a business and a nonprofit at the same time comes with its own complexities. Whether it’s funding, staffing, or scaling programs in a meaningful way, there’s always a balance between growth and staying true to the mission.
But in a lot of ways, those challenges are exactly what have shaped us into what we are today. Being a destination, building the right team, and growing through setbacks has made this more than just a business—it’s become something people seek out. And that’s what makes it special. It may be off the beaten path, but for the people who find it, it’s an experience that sticks with them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At the core, what we do is create a place where people can experience the outdoors at a much deeper level—whether that’s through hunting, education, or conservation. Legends Ranch has grown into a destination for high-quality whitetail experiences, but what really defines us is the impact we’re able to make through the nonprofit side with The Wildlife Center.
What sets us apart is how hands-on and immersive our programs are—especially when it comes to working with youth and first-time hunters, veterans, and others who may have never had access to the outdoors.
Through our Disabled Youth Challenge Hunt and Learn to Hunt programs, we give young people—many of whom have never had the opportunity before—a full introduction to hunting and conservation. These are guided, multi-day experiences where they’re paired with mentors, learn safety and ethics, and truly understand the role hunting plays in wildlife management before ever stepping into the field. For many of these participants—especially those facing physical or financial challenges—it’s a life-changing experience and often their first real connection to the outdoors. To date, just over 400 youth and first-time hunters have come through these programs.
That same approach carries into our Purple Heart Hunt and veteran retreats. Each year, we bring in 8 combat-wounded veterans for what we consider a hunt of a lifetime. It’s not just about the hunt—it’s about connection, camaraderie, and giving these men and women a place to reset. Over time, that’s added up to over 180 veterans who have come through the program, each one leaving with relationships and experiences that stick with them long after they leave.
We also run women’s programs for beginners that are structured around education first. Participants go through hunter education alongside hands-on training before entering the field, giving them a clear understanding of safety, process, and expectations from the start. These programs are supported through partnerships with Safari Club International and Wild Sheep Foundation.
We’re also intentional about how we fund and sustain these programs. Through our Taxidermy Giving program, families can pass down collections that are either displayed or auctioned, with proceeds directly supporting youth and veteran programs. We also partner with artists through our Artisans of Conservation initiative, with over 120 artists featured throughout the museum and one-of-a-kind pieces helping fund education and conservation efforts. Together, these programs allow us to turn passion for wildlife into real, measurable impact.
What I’m most proud of is the long-term impact—helping develop future conservationists, giving people a new sense of purpose, and building connections that last well beyond their time here. And ultimately, that’s what sets us apart. A lot of places offer hunts or outdoor experiences—but very few are built around a mission like this. Everything we do is purpose-driven. It’s not just about what happens here while you’re on the property—it’s about what stays with you after you leave.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, our focus is on continuing to grow the impact of what we’ve already built. We want to expand our programs through The Wildlife Center—bringing in more youth, more veterans, and more first-time hunters each year, while continuing to improve the quality of those experiences.
We’re also continuing to grow our fundraising efforts by hosting more corporate dinners and private events, creating opportunities for people to get involved and support the mission in a meaningful way.
At the same time, we’re continuing to develop the destination side of the property, including our long-range training courses. These are structured, multi-day experiences led by a master instructor, where participants work through a progression of skills—from shooting fundamentals and rifle setup to wind reading and real-time shot execution. The focus is on building confidence and consistency in a controlled, professional setting, with hands-on coaching that allows people to see measurable improvement over the course of their time here.
More than anything, the goal is simple—we want to keep building something that lasts. Expanding the reach, increasing the impact, and continuing to create experiences that people can’t find anywhere else. And if anyone reading this is connected to a school, homeschool group, or organization, we encourage you to reach out and experience The Wildlife Center firsthand.
Pricing:
- Wildlife Center Admission $20 adults/$10 Children
- Long Range Two day Course $1,500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildlifecentermi.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendsranch/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildlifecentermi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LegendsRanchMI
- Other: https://www.longrangelr.com
