I swore I'd never stop

I swore I’d never stop.

Horn hunting was the coolest thing I’d ever done to make money. I was young and strong and could walk all day. Elk antlers were worth $7 a pound, the country spectacular, and the grizzly bears -- fresh out of hibernation -- added an edge that I relished.

After a winter in Cooke City spent scraping by on whatever work was available, spring offered an opportunity to finally make a few bucks.

While snow still lay deep in the mountains, the foothills began baring off in April and I looked forward to a chance to walk on dry ground.

A couple of friends and I would...