Dude Ranchers' Association

Clay Miller
Paradise Ranch, Wyoming

 Doug Hare
Red Rock Ranch, Wyoming

I started my ranching career early on as a young guest at Elkhorn, MT. A number of years and many summer season later I started working for Elkhorn Ranch after graduating from Knox College, Galesburg, IL. Like most out of college, my career path was not set, the winter months were filled with cooking at Lone Mountain Ranch in MT. This led to another direction; I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York and returned to Montana to work in the culinary field. I returned to Lone Mountain Ranch and was the Food and Beverage Director. After that I opened up my own restaurant in Manhattan MT. This was a great eye opener for me to realize that the hospitality industry was fantastic, but I was missing something. The return to dude ranching came with the opportunity to work at the Red Rock Ranch as the manager for the MacKenzie family owned ranch. Here with my wonderful wife Addie and our two children Ellory and Paedon we have found our “home,” we are a part of the Red Rock Ranch family and a dedicated part of the larger family of dude ranchers.

Phone:  307-733-6288

Mark Cardall
T Cross Ranch, Wyoming.

I grew up as a teamster, working cattle, and outfitting. Big game trophy hunting has been a passion; chasing cats, deer and elk, oh and my favorite- bears. I have run mustangs. I have ridden the mountain ranges of (Idaho)White Clouds, Salmon River, Caribou, Sawtooth, Camas,(Colorado) San Juan, Sango Cristo Wilderness, (Utah)Wasatch, Fish Lake, Boulder, Manti-La Sal, Uintah, Ouray, Deep Creek, Grouse Creek, Promontory,(Montana) Cabinet, Gallatin, Gravely, Mineral, Beaverhead, (Nevada) Humboldt, Diamonds, Ruby, Pequop, Jarbridge, (Wyoming) Salt River, Wyoming Range, Bridger-Teton, Teton Wilderness, Head Waters of the Yellowstone, Head Waters of the Snake, Wind Rivers, Medicine Bow, Absaroka, Hoback, Gros Venture, (Alaska) Mentasta, Head waters of the Tetlin River, Chichagof, Yakobi, and Tongass. No BS degree here.

I married at 38, the best loop I ever threw, and have since had 2 children, Kameron and Ethan. My life is full. The demands are plenty, but I am grateful.

 William (Bill) Ferguson
Eatons' Ranch, Wyoming

Bill was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1950, a fourth generation member of the Eaton family who pioneered and maintained ownership and management of Eatons’ Ranch.  Bill came home to Wolf to join his family and even in the early years of his life was a presence on the ranch.  By the time he was fourteen, his help in the summers for the dude season, was considered critical and he was a full time employee.  His livestock expertise with both horses and cattle grew with the tutelage of his father, Tom, and his grandfather, Bill.  For a short time in his young adult years, he worked with thoroughbred race horses with a trainer in Colorado adding another dimension to his experience.

Bill was educated in the country school at Wolf for his first eight years and then continued at Sheridan High School. He attended Sheridan College for a time.  Working and living on the ranch for his entire life has given him the greatest portion of his education in managing and operating a multifaceted ranching operation. Bill manages the livestock and corral, puts up the ranch hay with the help of his son and nephews, and serves on the corporate board of the ranch. Involvement in various organizations such as rodeo has given him community experience. His service on the DRA board and as president continues the tradition begun by his father. 

Presently, Bill and his wife, Karen, live on the ranch.  They are the parents of two children, Will and Amanda, both having work experience at the ranch.  Will, a teacher at a local school, works summers and weekends at the ranch.  Amanda is married and lives in Cheyenne where she is an attorney, as is her husband, Luke. 

Phone:  307-655-9552
info@eatonsranch.com

Jerry (J.T) Taylor
Covered Wagon Ranch, Montana

My wife Debi and I purchased the Covered Wagon Ranch in the spring of 2005. We have quickly developed a love and passion for our little historic ranch in the Gallatin Canyon north of Yellowstone; and the enrichment the guest ranching industry provides to our clientele. In my previous life I owned and operated an architectural firm in Bozeman for over 20 years serving clients over a four state region. Since I had ridden the trails surrounding the ranch for over 30 years prior to its sale, I enthusiastically traded my desk, computer, and the stresses of deadlines for this lifestyle of days in the saddle and treating people to the serenity of the mountains. I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve on the DRA Board, and look forward to working with the members of this association.

Ernie Barker
JJJ Wilderness Ranch, Montana

Having grown up on a family dude ranch & outfitting business, I've been blessed with the opportunity to show many guests their dream vacation and the beauty of the backcountry. After graduating from Montana State University, I married Kim and we returned to the ranch where we have raised our two daughters, Kelsey and Hayley. I've been very involved in many aspects of our industry, so am honored to serve on the DRA board.

Phone:  406-328-6858

John Fisher
The Home Ranch, Colorado
 
I’ve been in the dude ranch business since 1968. It’s been very good to me. I raised two children on the ranch and get to work with my family – not always a positive. My fellow dude ranchers are competitors and yet among my best friends. We have camaraderie. Serving on the board of the DRA is an honor and is something I take quite seriously. Whether you are a fellow rancher or prospective guest or employee, I would be glad to answer your questions regarding dude ranching.

David Van Berkum
Rainbow Trout Ranch, Colorado

I am from Iowa but I have been involved with dude ranches since 1988, when I was fortunate enough to get hired on at the 63 Ranch. After five tremendous years there, and the dude ranch bug firmly planted, my family bought the RTR in southern Colorado. I am very blessed to be able to work with my parents, Doug and Linda. I am married to a very shy woman, Jane, and we have three great children: Mary-Anne is 12, Caroline is 10 and Derek (aka Snuff) is 8. I look forward to representing the DRA as a delegate from CO. Jane and I are also the representatives for the DRA-AQHA Alliance. We raise and train our own quarter horses and we love to team rope.

Rita Cote
Tanque Verde Guest Ranch, Arizona

When I started at Tanque Verde about 19 years ago, I felt I had found my calling. I left the corporate world behind (7 years with Marriott) and found the world of Dude Ranching. Along the way Bob and I fell in love and married. What pleasure and joy I have found over the years with running the ranch, helping raise Bob's four children and experiencing wonderful memories with our employees and guests. I am blessed.

Cory Inouye

Red Horse Mountain Ranch

I’ve always thought of Idaho as home, and in 2005 was honored to become a part of Red Horse Mountain Ranch. The vision of our ranch I consider priceless and I am determined to pass on the tradition of Idaho dude ranching to the next generation.
 When I can get a chance to sneak away, you’ll find me spending time with my family, floating rivers searching for trout, or pursuing elk in September. I thoroughly enjoy the ranching lifestyle, its seasons, and the people. I’ve always been told to surround yourself with good people, and as a member of the Dude Ranchers’ Association, we’ve done just that.
 I am grateful for the chance to serve the members and staff of the DRA. I look forward to learning, collaborating, and working hard to continue the protection and preservation of all member ranches and to strengthen and promote the importance of a ranch vacation.

Phone: 888-689-9680
info@redhorsemountain.comnouye

 Russell True
White Stallion Ranch , Arizona
 
I picked my parents very well as they bought our ranch The White Stallion when I was 5 years old and I have never had another job. Now I have the high privilege of raising our two sons, Steven and David on the ranch where I grew up. I am currently the Past President of The Dude Ranchers' Association.

Colleen Hodson
The Dude Ranchers' Association - Cody, Wyoming 

Along with being Executive Director of The Dude Ranchers' Association I am the Authorized Agent of The Dude Ranchers' Educational Trust. I have worked for the association for 10 years. I love the dude ranch industry and feel it is extremely important to protect and preserve its heritage. If you have any questions please, do not hesitate to contact me.