Who’s the Oldest Montana Hunter You Know and Can They Top This?

If you Google “oldest elk hunter,” one of the names that pops up is Gordon Blossom, who killed an elk when he was 103.

"LITTLE" BROTHER DID WELL, TOO!

Gordon passed away in 2020, but Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks tells us that  younger brother, Dick Blossom, isn’t far behind. At age 101, Dick shot a cow elk this past fall.

"I'M PLANNING TO GO AGAIN NEXT YEAR"

Well, Dick, we can't wait to do another article on your success in 2026!

A LITTLE HELP FROM HB 328

Dick’s success was in part due to House Bill 328, which the Montana Legislature passed during last year’s session. It allows resident hunters who are 75 years and older to use a general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk on private lands. As of the week of January 5, 7,941 hunters who purchased a Montana general elk license are 75 or older.

THE BLOSSOM HUNTING PARTY

Dick was accompanied on his successful hunt by his two sons, Loren (66) and Neal (64). The brothers put together a special hunting bench for their dad, which has a platform for Dick to perch his gun. Dick typically uses a walker to get around, but when he hunts, his sons walk with him arm-in-arm.

He also shot a buck antelope this past season, but says, “Elk are my favorite to hunt and to eat, though. I don’t hunt bulls. They’re not as tender as cows. And you can’t eat the horns.”

The three Blossoms got up before dark to search for their quarry. Neal said he could hear the cows “talking,” so they immediately set up and waited. Soon enough, a group of about half a dozen elk came close. Some ran off before Dick could get a shot, but one cow stayed standing broadside and he drew a bead on it and pulled the trigger.

The group thought he missed, but when Neal walked over to the area where Dick had aimed his gun, he saw the cow lying on the ground.

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HUNTING HERITAGE

Dick has been hunting elk for over 80 years. He estimates that he has harvested about 30. At his apartment in Helena, Dick has photos of himself and the animals he shot this year.

Standing next to him, of course, are his two sons looking proud of their father.