He was in partnership with his brother for a few years and in 1985 they separated. Tom married Shelia McDaniel in 1986 and they continued to ranch and expand both the ranching and outfitting businesses. They ran registered and commercial Angus cattle for 15 years and quarter horses and currently commercial cattle and horses. Shelia grew up northeast of Philip SD on a cattle/sheep ranch and also attended a rural school then went onto high school at Philip. At one point in her “country school days the boy-girl ratio was 13 to 1 –thus she did as the boys did—riding horseback to school and hunting rabbits on the way was a frequent activity. After graduation from PHS Shelia attended SDSU and then graduated from BHSU in business and education. Tom took the job of booking for Dakota Trophy in 1987 and has expanded into other areas: turkey, prairie dog, antelope, pheasant, grouse, varmint and archery. In addition to hunting their own ranch and in South Dakota, Tom and Shelia and their children, Mark, Mick and Tomilyn have hunted many western states as well as Alaska, Canada and Africa.
Tom and Shelia have 3 children—Mark was born in 1989 after serving Dakota Trophy hunters dinner Tom took her to the hospital! Mick was born in 1991 and Tomilyn in 1993. Mark, Mick and Tomilyn all attended rural school until Mark graduated 8th grade –at which time we decided to take all 3 kids to Philip for high school. We purchased a house in town—soon to be labeled the “school” house. This allowed the kids to participate in all the activities and not on a 70 miles drive every day! Shelia stayed in town evenings when the ranch/hunting schedule allows. The activity list was long: football, volleyball, wrestling, basketball, FFA, music—of course academics! It was a busy schedule but a great ride! The kids are very active in the ranching operation . Mark and Mick are currently ranching and working on taxidermy and Tomilyn is a freshman at SDSU. You’ll find Mark, Mick and even Tomilyn guiding, skinning, caping and cutting meat during seasons. Mark and Mick attended Northwest Iowa School of Taxidermy and are currently doing taxidermy for our operation and others.
We are proud supporters of NRA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, SCI and the Mule Deer Foundation.
.jpg)