From Firearms to Horse Sales: Navigating Auctions (and Marriage) with Strategy

Recently, while driving to a horse sale that we were working at, my husband Tigger turned and asked me, “So... are you getting a bidder number today?”

I smiled and responded with a firm, “Yes, and glad we’ve now had that discussion.”

Translation? I’m buying something, and we’re not arguing about it.

Truth is, when you’ve been around livestock, auctions, and rural life as long as we have, these conversations become part of your auction day ritual. What Tigger also knows is that I don’t buy just to buy. I invest — whether it’s a colt, a saddle, or yes, even a rifle. If something is going to eat feed, take up stall space, or use up a gun safe room, it better bring value, joy, or a decent return one day.

And let me tell you, this particular sale day delivered a little more excitement than expected...

So, there we were at the horse sale. Tigger was busy representing another ranch, completely unaware that his lovely wife(BEC) was quietly (but confidently) bidding against him from the other side of the ring.

The auctioneer knew. The ringmen knew. Heck, the crowd knew — and they were loving it.

Then came the big moment:

Auctioneer: “SOLD!”

That’s when the place erupted in laughter. And to his credit, Tigger took it like a champ. Was he thrilled I'd just dropped cash on a horse we hadn't even discussed? Maybe not. But did he respect my judgment? Absolutely.

And that’s what makes our auction adventures work: mutual respect, financial boundaries, and open communication.

While livestock sales are a regular part of our lives, firearm auctions are another exciting (and tempting) avenue we both enjoy.

But before we register, load up the trailer, or open the gun safe, we always have a talk:

These conversations aren’t about permission — they’re about teamwork and transparency. When you’re in a relationship where big purchases are common — whether horses, hay, or handguns — keeping the lines of communication open keeps the peace (and the budget balanced).

For all our fellow auction-goers, collectors, and Second Amendment supporters out there — mark your calendars!

Wolff Auctioneers Firearm Auctions (with Live & Online Bidding):

Visit WolffAuctioneers.com for details, catalogs, and to register for online live bidding.

Whether you're looking for collectible firearms, hunting gear, or just something to pass down to the grandkids - these auctions are the real deal.

Auction days are more than just sales — they’re events. They’re part of the lifestyle we love. But they can also become points of tension if you're not careful.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

"Bidding is fun. Buying is thrilling. But mutual respect is what keeps the relationship strong."

Whether I’m bidding on a gelding or Tigger’s eyeing a vintage Winchester, we know what matters most: being a team, backing each other up, and being just a little competitive — even if I do yell “I love you” after I outbid him.

Two young elk hunters who went missing during a trip in southern Colorado were tragically killed by a lightning strike, according to the county coroner. Andrew Porter and Ian Stasko, both 25, were found dead after a six-day search near the Rio de Los Pinos Trailhead in the Rio Grande National Forest.

Porter's fiancé, Bridget Murphy, confirmed on Facebook that the men were hit indirectly—likely by a ground strike nearby—and died instantly. No burn marks were found on their bodies, but the lightning’s massive voltage was enough to be fatal from a short distance.

The two hunters had returned to the area for a quick evening hunt before storms moved in, leaving their gear locked in the car. Their last known location pinged on Sept. 11, and they were officially reported missing the next day. The search involved hundreds of volunteers and multiple agencies and came to a heartbreaking end on Thursday when their bodies were located about two miles from the trailhead.

Murphy honored Porter as an experienced outdoorsman who simply "was in the wrong spot at the wrong time." Autopsies are pending, but officials confirm nature's raw power played a devastating role in this tragedy.

Lightning strikes to humans are rare, but powerful. A typical lightning flash is about 300 million volts, according to the National Weather Service; in comparison, most household currents are 120 volts.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/survival/lighting-strike-kills-elk-hunters-colorado/

According to Outdoor Life, a massive number of people — over 163,000 — applied for just 172 bear hunting tags in Florida’s upcoming black bear hunt, but not all applicants were hunters. A significant chunk of those applications came from anti-hunting activists trying to game the system and block lawful, conservation-based bear harvests.

One bear advocate posted on Facebook Monday, September 22 that the activist group, Angels in Distress, had spent $185,000 on lottery entries — about 37,000 applications, nearly a quarter of the total — with no intention of using the tags. Their goal? Keep bear tags out of the hands of hunters. Also, earlier in September the Sierra Club Florida shared a tutorial video showing those against hunting bears how to purchase a hunting license online. This video specifically showed how to check a box to request a deferral from Florida’s hunter education requirements. By using the deferral program, Florida’s Fish & Wildlife Conservation allows applicants without hunter’s education to hunt with someone who already has their hunter ed or is exempt from these requirements.

Despite this coordinated campaign, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says these efforts haven’t affected past hunts and likely won’t derail this one either. If anti-hunters do manage to draw tags but don’t use them, FWC will track unused permits and adjust future quotas to ensure bears are properly managed.

Hunters can also take some pride in knowing that all this money — over $817,000 so far from $5 lottery entries, plus future tag fees — goes directly to wildlife conservation efforts in the state. So even sabotaged entries are indirectly helping fund habitat and wildlife management.

Winners will be notified soon and have until October 6 to claim their tags. If they don’t, those tags roll down to the next eligible applicant — likely a legitimate hunter.

FWC originally planned to issue 187 tags, but trimmed that number slightly due to other bear mortality factors in the north. The hunt runs December 6 to 28 and is Florida’s first bear hunt in a decade. After the bear hunting season closes, the officials will evaluate the hunter's success to the number of unused permits to adjust future bear hunting seasons.

Reference: https://www.outdoorlife.com/hunting/anti-hunters-apply-florida-bear-tags/

According to New York Upstate, A seasoned New York fisherman had what should’ve been a record-breaking moment — only to have it stripped away due to a quirky technicality. Cliff Chamberlan, who’s been fishing the Great Lakes since the '70s, was fly fishing and drifting a plastic bead on August 31, 2025 when he caught a 6-pound, 1-ounce pink salmon on the Salmon River — well above the long-standing state record of 4 pounds, 15 ounces set in 1985.

Chamberlan followed all the rules: on September 4th it was determined by officials he caught the fish legally, had it confirmed by a fisheries biologist, and was even told congratulations — the record was his. Then, hours later, the state called him back with crushing news: New York had quietly retired pink salmon from its record books in 2024, just months earlier. The reason? Not enough recent entries — even though that had nothing to do with Chamberlan's impressive catch.

Chamberlain was quoted in the New York Update, “I went from the highest high to the lowest low in about five hours.”

And who could blame him? He caught a rare fish, heavier than any recorded in New York history, and still walked away empty-handed — all because the species was removed from the eligible list after decades of inaction by the state.

The pink salmon, also called a “humpy,” is not stocked by New York, making catches like this incredibly rare. The species originally entered the region through Canada back in the 1950s and slowly spread to Lake Ontario. Even today, they show up occasionally — and when they do, they often go unnoticed or misidentified.

So while Cliff Chamberlan may not get his name etched into the official state record books, among fellow anglers, his catch stands as a true accomplishment — proof of skill, patience, and a bit of old-school luck.

Reference: https://www.newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/2025/09/this-super-sized-salmon-just-obliterated-the-new-york-state-recordso-why-isnt-a-state-record.html

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or stories to share about bighorn sheep, outdoor adventures, or wildlife conservation, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call or text us at 305-900-BEND (305-900-2363), or send an email to [email protected]. Stay connected by following us on social media at Facebook/Instagram @thebendshow or by subscribing to The Bend Show on YouTube. Visit our website at TheBendShow.com for more exciting content and updates!

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Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt & Rebecca ‘BEC’ Wanner are passionate news broadcasters who represent the working ranch world, rodeo, and the Western way of life. They are also staunch advocates for the outdoors and wildlife conservation. As outdoorsmen themselves, Tigger and BEC provide valuable insight and education to hunters, adventurers, ranchers, and anyone interested in agriculture and conservation.

With a shared love for the outdoors, Tigger & BEC are committed to bringing high-quality beef and wild game from the field to your table. They understand the importance of sharing meals with family, cooking the fruits of your labor, and making memories in the great outdoors. Through their work, they aim to educate and inspire those who appreciate God’s Country and life on the land.

United by a common mission, Tigger & BEC offer a glimpse into the life beyond the beaten path and down dirt roads. They’re here to share knowledge, answer your questions, and join you in your own success story. Adventure awaits around the bend. With The Outdoors, the Western Heritage, Rural America, and Wildlife Conservation at the forefront, Tigger and BEC live this lifestyle every day.

To learn more about Tigger & BEC’s journey and their passion for the outdoors, visit TiggerandBEC.com.

https://tiggerandbec.com/