Mark Kayser Q&A
Where were you born?
Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Midwest corn country!
What was your first game animal?
Ring-necked pheasant…are you kidding? I was raised in South Dakota and had to be broken from road hunting!
How old were you when you shot your first big game animal?
I bowkilled my first deer ever at the age of 15 (shot my second deer with a rifle). I was 16 when I shot my first turkey, but anything with antlers drives me nuts!
How many states, provinces and countries have you hunted?
19 states, 6 Canadian provinces and 4 countries (Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Argentina). So far, I haven’t hunted any planets, but I am willing and able if Elon is listening.
Where was your first extreme hunt?
Ontario where a black bear tried to get up in the tree with me. I arrowed him a few minutes later, checked my underwear and didn’t sleep for two days due to the adrenaline overload. My DIY, solo elk hunts tend to get extreme with severe weather and intense backpacking of deboned meat… not to mention the incredible ascents to elk haunts. With half my life behind me, my body constantly reminds me of those mountain hunts, good and bad!
What’s your favorite species to hunt?
Elk and whitetails, but elk do take the crown. I’m also a coyote hunting junkie and shed antler hunting is a spring addiction with no cure!
What’s your favorite hunt?
Hunting with any new hunter, especially kids! My kids are out on their own, but watching my son arrow a six-point bull and my daughter bust a five-point buck were hunts of a lifetime!
How many days and miles does Mark log each year hunting?
I spend a minimum of 100 days on the road each year and log 15,000 miles or more on my truck. Can anyone recommend a truck sponsor?
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 (sponsor hint again). Doc approved of my cholesterol, so a little grease keeps the joints lubed!
What’s your favorite sporting team?
I’m not a huge fan of sports, but go Broncos! My Super Bowl Sunday tradition has been to go coyote hunting and get back in time to watch the halftime show for wardrobe malfunctions, plus enjoy the last half of the game.
What’s your favorite music?
I like country and rock. I’m a fan of 80s rock, classic rock and mainstream rock, but I also enjoy classic country and even a few new artists that maintain the message of great rural living!
What’s your favorite pastime when you’re not hunting?
I love to spend time outdoors with my wife Sharon while attempting to de-energize our border collie Sully (impossible!). I’ll often load the ATV up and head out solo with the dog to find the end of a trailhead and hike into new country, of course 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 as an outdoor communicator, 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 …after I swear at it for 15 minutes.
