If you watch any hunting shows on TV and enjoy some of the larger-than-life characters, you can thank, in part, Steve Puppe for that experience. Steve Puppe was “The Man” before the Michael Waddells, Lee Lakoskys, Pat Reeves and Mark Drurys hit their collective stride on national TV programs.
And it all started with that catch phrase, “I tell you what…”
Steve’s TV hunting exploits are well documented. From huge whitetails to massive elk and eye-popping mule deer, Steve would invariably release the arrow — watch it “thunk” perfectly into the kill zone — then turn to the camera, lips quivering, and exclaim, “I tell you what!”
That was Steve. He was one heck of a hunter. But more so, he was one heck of a guy. It is with heavy hearts that everyone here at Deer & Deer Hunting reports the news that our friend Steve passed away this weekend. We will pass along more details as they become available. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to all of Steve’s family members and friends.
Steve was born and raised in Red Wing, MN. He currently resided in Hamliton, MT, where he was senior producer for Muddy Boot Productions. Recently, Steve was the senior producer of the reality TV show Wardens. The show tracks the exploits of Montana game wardens.
