Hidden among the stately mountains and vast desert plains of Wyoming there exists some of the greatest hunting in all of North America. Affectionately known as “God’s Country” by its residents and visitors, the vivid blue Wyoming sky and the varied terrain is breathtaking on all fronts. Home to dozens of species including antelope, big horn sheep, bison, mule deer, white tail deer, moose, elk, turkey and mountain goat, the very existence of this ecosystem rests delicately upon the devotion and dedication of resolute conservationists.
Residents Dan Winder and his wife Nora provide us with a real life example of the great effort needed to foster the symbiotic relationship between knowledgeable advocates who work for the preservation of this extraordinary environment and its precious wildlife. Dan manages the Elk Country Inn in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. You get a clear sense of this man’s character when reviewing the comments posted about his resort. Frequent references to his first name and his consistently outstanding customer service gives travelers the feeling that they will always be in good hands when they visit this friendly and comfortable inn.
Beyond his thriving resort, Dan Winder is an active leader of BIGGAME FOREVER. Based in Bountiful, Utah, this not-for-profit conservation organization was established In 2010 to counter threats to wildlife, sportsmen’s rights and their way of life. Since its inception, the members have successfully secured funding, completed research, provided education, guided herd management, and engaged in the legislative process all for the betterment of wildlife management in several states including Wyoming. A vital part of any successful conservation program is culling herds when needed and protecting others as required. Hunting is a critical part of this strategic habitat plan. Due to these and other protection efforts, securing hunting tags for certain species in Wyoming can require a bit of luck, especially for non-residents.
That bit of luck came to the Kniestedt Foundation by way of a chance meeting several years ago. It was an intersection of lives that happens every so often and, clearly, was just sort of meant to be. Kniestedt Foundation President and founder James Kniestedt had travelled to the Elk Country Inn on a hunting adventure and had the privilege of meeting Dan Winder during his stay. Grounded in a common devotion to conservation and hunting, the two stayed in touch.
Recently, Dan and his wife, Nora, have generously donated 2 mule deer tags and 2 elk tags for use by veterans who are at least 50% disabled. These tags are highly coveted and hard to come by. The team at the Kniestedt Foundation will review applicants and select servicemen who meet the criteria and have the ability to attend the hunt in October 2017 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Each serviceman will be accompanied by a skilled guide. The hunting group will enjoy a trip balanced between hunting among the colorful crisp fall foliage and relaxing beneath the wide Wyoming skies. This is truly a rare hunting opportunity. If you, or someone you know may be interested in supporting this hunt, please contact jrhodes@kniestedt.org.
The members of the Kniestedt Foundation are sincerely grateful to Dan and Norah Winder. For those unfamiliar with Wyoming and its fine residents, it might beg the question of why they are so generous. In a recent phone conversation, Dan explained that his brother served in Vietnam, and he and his wife share a sincere appreciation for all who have served in the military. Their motivation behind this unique gift is quite simple. Dan stated, “It’s just time to give back.” In light of their devotion to protecting and preserving nature, their generosity should not come as a surprise. Care and kindness are surefire ways to keep any ecosystem in balance.
For more information about the Elk Country Inn and BIGGAME FOREVER, contact these websites:
