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Author
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Topic: The Passing of Dan Thompson
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Mark Zepp
PAKMAN
Member # 3400
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posted December 31, 2011 04:06 PM
A few minutes ago, on New Years Eve, 2011, the phone rang and I was once reminded how precious, fleeting and quickly our time on earth, and this thing we call “life” passes.
The message was from a friend in Nevada who informed me that Dan Thompson, at the age of 68, passed away on Christmas Day.
I think I am qualified to say a few things about Dan; I was lucky enough to spend several months with he and his late wife Wanda, back in 1997 or ’98. I was living out of my van, traveling the west and stopped in Rawlins to meet him. …… I knew then, that instant, that it was a great day for me and have come to appreciate it even more as the years have passed. What a common bond, coyotes, we formed and a great friendship.
Dan Thompson was a wolfer in every sense of the word… many of todays most popular names simply were never worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence. He often told me he was happy to have been born when he was and young when the fur boom hit in the late 70’s… of nights sleeping under his truck and gasoline stashes’ set out in the desert and living off the land.
I have always said that I am Dan’s Thompson’s greatest admirer. Like all of us he had some flaws, some holes, some chinks in his armor and some of those got a little bigger as he got older, but don’t hold that against him, if that is the Dan you knew. I knew him in his glory and can hear him laughing now, what a great guy to be around. I know what a positive influence he had on my life and countless others and how much he loved this great sport of ours. I am a better man, person, and absolutely 10,000 times better coyote hunter because of Dan Thompson. Some guys can talk a good game, he could walk and talk it…..and shoot like few others.
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Danny Jr. and his daughter Estraella at this moment.
Hug your wife a little longer when the bells chime at midnight tonight, tell your kids you love them.
God Speed Friends,
Big Mark
Posts: 9 | From: Vail, AZ | Registered: Jan 2009
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the bearhunter
HM PROSTAFF & MIDWEST REGIONAL GURU VOTED MOST HANDSOME MINNESOTAN
Member # 3552
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posted December 31, 2011 04:31 PM
damn sad to hear that Mark.
Posts: 1049 | From: minnifornia | Registered: Jan 2010
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Jay Nistetter
Legalize Weed, Free the Dixie Chicks
Member # 140
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posted December 31, 2011 04:38 PM
Dan and Wanda are together again. Oh how he missed her. I miss them both.
Dan was one of the most positive through and through coyotes hunters I ever have known.
Thank you for letting us know Mark.
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Understanding the coyote is not as important as knowing where they are.
I usually let the fur prime up before I leave 'em lay.
Posts: 1006 | From: Arizona | Registered: Feb 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted December 31, 2011 04:39 PM
Very sad news, Mark. Thanks for providing it. I'm surprised it has taken this long to make this Board, but an appreciative that it finally did. Yes, we grumpy old men sometimes get a little direct, but there is still some value in having that historical perspective.
Dan Thompson will be remembered for a long time.
Good hunting. LB (shit, I'm almost two years older! Don't lend me any money)
edit: Jay, thanks for the card!
[ December 31, 2011, 04:41 PM: Message edited by: Leonard ]
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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Big Red Fox
PAKMAN
Member # 3648
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posted December 31, 2011 04:39 PM
Definately a name that will remain in the predator world. Well written as always Big Mark. Thanks for the insight into what kind of man he was.
Posts: 5 | From: Montana | Registered: Aug 2010
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nd coyote killer
HUNTMASTER PRO STAFF
Member # 40
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posted December 31, 2011 05:04 PM
Thats too bad i still use his Red Desert Howler and yes that name will be remembered for some time to come.
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"Sure are cocky for a starving pilgrim" - Bear Claw
Posts: 385 | From: On a hill | Registered: Jan 2003
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TRnCO
FUTURE HALL OF FAMER
Member # 690
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posted December 31, 2011 05:14 PM
thoughts to his famly. Another coyote hunting icon has left us behind on this earth.
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Is it hunting season yet? I hate summer!
Posts: 996 | From: Elizabeth, CO | Registered: Aug 2005
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Wily E
unknown comic
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posted December 31, 2011 08:08 PM
I liked the fact that Dan thought for himself as opposed to being a follower. He contributed a lot to the sport of coyote calling. Dan started his own hunt in Rawlins when he saw how corrupt the National was getting. Dan T. was a good man.
~SH~
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Alaskan Yoter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 169
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posted December 31, 2011 09:18 PM
Sad news indeed. Thanks for letting us know.
Posts: 235 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2003
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Randy Roede
"It's Roede, like in Yotie
Member # 1273
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posted December 31, 2011 09:43 PM
He may be gone but he will never be forgotten!
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The only person dumber than the village idiot is the person who argues with him!
Posts: 669 | From: Pierre SD | Registered: Mar 2007
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jimanaz
2nd Place RICHARD FARNSWORTH LOOK-A-LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3689
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posted December 31, 2011 09:55 PM
Sad news indeed. Randy said it best. Condolences.
Posts: 940 | From: AZ | Registered: Oct 2010
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Chris S
"SPECIAL ACCOUNT" HM's Facebook page moderator & runs with scissors
Member # 3888
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posted December 31, 2011 11:00 PM
Another great one with superior skill and knowledge has left us for greener pastures. That is indeed sad news.
Posts: 534 | From: Oakland County, MI USA Earth | Registered: Jul 2011
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UTcaller
NEVADA NIGHT FIGHTER
Member # 8
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posted January 01, 2012 01:33 AM
Very sad to hear.Definitely a giant in the sport of Predator calling.He will be missed.
Chad
Posts: 1708 | From: Utah | Registered: Jan 2003
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Cdog911
"There are some ideas so absurd only an intellectual could believe them."--George Orwell.
Member # 7
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posted January 01, 2012 05:21 AM
Sorry to hear this. Do you have a link to an obituary?
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I am only one. But still, I am one. I cannot do everything, but still, I can do something; and, because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do.
Posts: 5440 | From: The gun-lovin', gun-friendly wild, wild west | Registered: Jan 2003
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4949shooter
SECOND PLACE HIGGINS (MAGNUM P.I.) LOOK A LIKE CONTEST
Member # 3530
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posted January 01, 2012 05:35 AM
May he rest in peace.
Posts: 2274 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Dec 2009
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Alaskan Yoter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 169
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posted January 01, 2012 05:56 AM
http://rawlinstimes.com/obituaries/
[ January 01, 2012, 05:57 AM: Message edited by: Alaskan Yoter ]
Posts: 235 | From: Wasilla, Alaska | Registered: Mar 2003
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JD
HONORARY OKIE .... and Tim's at fault!
Member # 768
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posted January 01, 2012 08:14 AM
Sad indeed.....as a testament to his love of coyote hunting and ability to make a decent call, myself and I'm sure MANY others have accidentally scattered his howlers or at least the horn all over Gods country, Maybe he can look down at the handful I've lost in Nebraska and see it as a compliment from someone who didn't know him personally but appreciates what he did and accomplished. RIP
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Jason
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What do Obama & TA17Rem have in common........both are clueless asshats!!!
Posts: 1456 | From: NE. | Registered: Dec 2005
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coyotehunter
Knows what it's all about
Member # 3282
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posted January 01, 2012 09:04 AM
My prayers go out to his family. Well said Mark.
Jamie P Olson
Posts: 55 | From: west | Registered: Oct 2008
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J_hun
Knows what it's all about
Member # 872
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posted January 01, 2012 11:05 AM
Much to my regret, I never met Dan,but knew of him. Thanks Mark for sharing your thoughts. Sounds like he was a great fella. My heart go out to his family.
Posts: 141 | From: Pierre,S.D. | Registered: Jun 2006
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Kokopelli
SENIOR DISCOUNT & Dispenser of Sage Advice
Member # 633
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posted January 01, 2012 05:53 PM
Rather than mourn Dan's death, why not celebrate his life???
Go hunting & slow down. Enjoy yourself.
Blow a hand call for a change. They still work.
Take the time to learn to really read sign. The ground will talk to you if you listen.
Watch the sunrise or sunset. Sometimes it can be pretty spectacular.
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And lo, the Light of the Trump shown upon the Darkness and the Darkness could not comprehend it.
Posts: 8231 | From: Under a wandering star | Registered: Apr 2005
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knockemdown
Our staff photo editing Guru, par excellence
Member # 3588
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posted January 01, 2012 06:07 PM
To all who knew Mr. Thompson, I'm sorry for your loss. I have of of Mr. Zepp's videos with Mr. Thompson in it and really enjoyed watching it...
Posts: 2202 | From: behind fascist lines | Registered: Mar 2010
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Possumal
HONORARY CALLS FORUM MODERATOR edit: AND TOKEN LIBERAL
Member # 823
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posted January 01, 2012 10:16 PM
Really sad news. Dan Thompson and his wife were always ready to help anybody interested in coyote hunting, and he surely made some unique calls. I'd say Mark is a lucky man to have spent so much time in Dan's company. Prayers on the way from Kentucky for Dan and his wife, together again, and to his family.
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Al Prather
Foxpro Field Staff
Posts: 781 | From: Nicholasville, Ky. | Registered: Mar 2006
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