Where was Mark born?
Dell Rapids, South Dakota
What was Mark’s first game animal?
Ring-necked pheasant…are you kidding? I was raised in South Dakota!
How old was Mark when he shot his first big game animal?
I bowkilled my first deer ever at the age of 15. I was 16 when I shot my first turkey.
How many states, provinces and countries has Mark hunted?
17 states, 5 Canadian provinces and 2 countries (Namibia and Argentina)
Where was Mark’s first extreme hunt?
Ontario where a black bear tried to get up in the tree with me. I arrowed him a few minutes later and didn’t sleep for two days due to the adrenaline.
What’s your favorite species to hunt?
Elk and whitetails are a neck and neck tie. I also have to admit to being a coyote hunting junkie.
What’s your favorite hunt?
Anything my kids want to hunt. I love watching them get buck fever and pulling off a super shot.
How many days and miles does Mark log each year hunting?
I spend a minimum of 180 days on the road each year and log 15,000 miles or more on my truck.
What’s your favorite restaurant to hit while traveling?
If there’s a Pizza Ranch nearby I’ll hit it otherwise I’m a big fan of KFC when I’m burning calories.
What’s Mark’s favorite sporting team?
I got to be honest. I’m not a huge fan of sports and rarely watch them. My Super Bowl Sunday tradition has been to go coyote hunting and get back in time to watch the last half of the game.
What’s your favorite music?
I like country. Billy Currington is great. I also like rock and enjoy Breaking Benjamin. That said, it’s difficult for hunting folk like me to like too many groups since it seems like every day I discover another donating to animal rights groups.
What’s your favorite pastime when you’re not hunting?
I love to spend time outdoors with my family. When I’m not doing that I love hiking the Bighorn Mountains in my backyard with a goal to pick up a few shed antlers.
What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?
If I hadn’t ended up in the outdoor industry I’d likely be selling tractors to farmers in eastern South Dakota. My main chore tractor is a 1950s era 350 Farmall that runs like a top.