While pursuing his dream outside of the classroom, Hunter conjointly graduated from Currituck County High School. By the time the school bell rang at 8:15 in the morning, when most students were struggling to make it to their first class, Hunter had already tended to his main priority and completed his first lesson of the day, beginning at 5 a.m. on the Currituck Sound. Hunter’s teachers knew he had been fishing because he would often smell like his fresh catch, but he would explain to them it was the smell of money, and of his future.

Wayne Twiford, a sergeant for the Currituck County Sheriff’s Department, a fellow crabber, and family friend, has known Hunter all of his life. He recalls that Hunter has always been a good kid, a hard worker, and knows the waterways of the Currituck Sound extremely well.

“He works on the water all of the time,” Twiford said. “He was raised by the best and that’s how he makes his living.”

Through the years, Hunter’s commercial fishing vessels have grown larger and multiplied in number along with his crab pots. As you can see, I Got Your Crabs Steam Bar has been in the works for several decades! It’s an operation that has grown from a child pulling a wagon, to a refrigerated trailer in the Border Station’s parking lot, and now to a seafood market and steam bar in Kitty Hawk! When sitting at our stainless steel bar having your crabs and oysters shucked for you, remember that this is not just a new business on the Outer Banks. Serving you the freshest, local catch in the Outer Banks is this local boy’s passion, his dream, and his way of life. ~ Abby Stewart”

From all of us here at I Got Your Crabs Steam Bar: Congratulations on achieving your life-long dream, Hunter! We couldn’t be more proud of your accomplishments or more honored to have been chosen to see them through with you. You’re truly a success.