Kendel Hofer Hunting Legacy

One of five sisters, Kendel Hofer, Williston, ND, had years of duck hunting under her belt before she could even lift a shotgun. Today, she can say she has bagged bucks by bow in North Dakota, elk hunted in Montana, brought down snow geese, and even watched her dad successfully hunt stag in New Zealand.

Her grandfather, Charles Nehring, made hunting a family priority. Both he and his wife, Persis, were excellent shots, competition winning even for his part. Her grandmother encouraged the girls by "cleaning" their faux play game, and everything they packed home from their early hunting adventures, from pigeons to gophers. Kendel fondly remembers pretending to duck hunt with her siblings while her dad and grandfather did the actual shooting, and younger sisters falling asleep amongst the reeds while they waited.

Every fall, her grandpa picked her up early from school for deer opener. Helping his granddaughters fill their tags was a point of pride for him. Once after helping Kendel push brush for a buck she had scouted all summer, he made sure to tell her that he could have shot him, but out of love for her, didn't. He had choice words however when ducks were shot out from under him; even as his sight failed from cataracts.

Family vacations were almost always a hunting trip growing up, and even as an adult they still choose to make them so. Last fall, the Nehring-Hofer family sacrificed two elk hunting seasons to travel to New Zealand to fulfill her father, Dennis Nehring's, dream of hunting stag. The successful hunt was well worth passing on last and this fall's elk season, and they are looking forward to a full season of pheasant hunting close to home.

Kendel loves bird hunting behind a dog, and grew up with Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and then Labrador Retrievers. They transitioned to hunting German Shorthaired Pointers at one point, and today she hunts a German Wirehaired Pointer named Hatchet. Hatchet is a bit more laid back than a German Shorthair in her opinion, and the thicker coat helps her with waterfowl conditions as well. Her dad often steals Hatchet for his own hunts.

Kaston and Kannan, Kendel and her husband Leroy's boys, have been tagging along since they could walk. They enjoy shooting and helping wherever they can. Once when elk hunting, Kasten was so excited about his grandpa and dad downing cow elk, he took off running after them with all the packs and left Kendel to bring the horses on her own. His excitement, and impressive surefootedness with extra gear, made the harvest all the more special.

Conservation is deep in the hearts of Kendel's family, and on their ranch, they are careful to preserve the animal populations that call it home. Each sister that wishes to deer hunt will take a turn claiming a buck each year, and they do not harvest bucks below a certain size to ensure young ones get the years to grow into a mature animal. Bluetongue Disease has ravaged their area, and they hope to encourage the animals that have survived to thrive. They also trap coyotes to further assist the deer and prey animal populations.

Good luck this fall to Kendel and her family on their hunts, and thanks to their care, it's a good winter to be a deer, pheasant, or rabbit on the Nehring-Hofer Ranch!