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PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KASEY LEE SAMPSON
Rhody, his grandpa Darn Sampson and mentor Bert Mitchell after harvesting his first elk.
Rhody McClellan; First bull elk scores 320 WRITTEN BY KRIS BLANKMAN Western Wasatch Contributor
I had the privilege of interviewing Rhody McClellan and it was a treat! Rhody is not only a talented and polite young man, his is an impressive hunter as well. Rhody, from Richfield, Utah, is the oldest of 3 kids with a 10-year-old little brother and a 3-year-old little sister. He is a 9th grade student at Richfield High School where he is active in sports. When asked what sports he likes he said he participates in Football, Wrestling and Track. It was not shocking when I asked what his favorite class in school was and he replied, “Gym class.” He also shared that he likes to fish and shoot trap as well. His quick 30 Standard-Examiner
quiet wit and humility added to the charm of this likeable young man. We moved on to the subject of hunting and I asked if he comes from a hunting family and he replied, “Yes, my grandpa Darin Sampson and my Uncles are crazy hunters.” Rhody shot his first elk on September 12, of this year in Fishlake, Utah. Not only was this his first big hunt, but his elk scored a 320. That is impressive by any standards but notably so when you are 14 years old. Rhody was accompanied by family friend and mentor, Bert Mitchell, and his Grandfather Darin Sampson. Bert not only shared his hunting experience and wisdom as Rhody’s mentor, but he and Brody shared the tag as well. It is not only the thrill of
the hunt that Rhody loves but he said that being with family and friends that love doing the same things that he loves to do is one of the best parts of the experience. He said he harvested his elk with a Gunwerks Custom Works 7mm LRM rifle that he borrowed and that they are going to do a European mount. Rhody’s favorite color is blue and he likes hanging out with friends and he has a quote that he likes to use. When asked what that quote was, he replied, “Old man, I’m gonna come at you like a spider monkey.” After I quit chuckling I asked where on earth that quote came from and he said it was from ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’! This very funny and impres-
Rhody shows off his 320 point elk with hunting mentor Bert Mitchell.
sive young man has big goals for the next five years which include graduating from High School, earning an athletic scholarship to college and serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. When I pressed him and asked what life looks like in 10 years he said, “I don’t know, my Swarovski scope won’t let me see that far!” Some of you like me may need to google that! My Swarovski tells me that hunting will be a big part Rhody’s life.
As the interview was sadly coming to a close, I asked Rhody if there was anything else, he or his parents would like to share. He said no, but his Grandpa Darin Sampson did! “My grandpa is the greatest spotter out there and my grandpa has PMS, Pre-Mountain Syndrome. And he is addicted to hunting and he would love to have a Winchester gun safe for his birthday.” Rhody McClellan.
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