Idaho Outdoors briefs (Dec. 16): Shepp Ranch managers retire

Mike and Lynn Demerse are moving on after 34 years of managing the guest ranch in the Salmon River country in central Idaho.

New managers Christina Castelanelli and Wes Gregory will take over, along with owners Tim and Madeleine Turnbull.

Mike Demerse has worked at the ranch for 40 years. He started as a camp cook on big-game hunting trips and worked up to managing the ranch with Lynn beginning in 1982.

“We tried to foster a sense of family at Shepp Ranch, and we ended up with this big family of friends,” said Lynn Demerse, who started working at the ranch in 1978 when she was 20. “There’s so many people who have done so much for us. We just want to say thanks.”

“The physical work is getting to be just too demanding anymore,” Mike said. “I’ll be turning 66 this year. But it’s been a great run. I felt I hit the jackpot when I moved to Idaho and started working at Shepp Ranch. All I ever wanted to do is work outside in the mountains. And that’s what I’ve done. I feel blessed.”

This story was originally published December 15, 2015 at 11:42 PM with the headline "Idaho Outdoors briefs (Dec. 16): Shepp Ranch managers retire."