Bart Schleyer, born in 1955 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, was a remarkable outdoorsman whose life story exemplifies a profound connection with nature. From an early age, his father Otis fostered Bart's love for animals and hunting, taking him on expeditions including African safaris. This upbringing developed into a lifelong passion, with Bart becoming particularly skilled in archery after being introduced to bow hunting by his sister's boyfriend Jim. His preference for recurve bows over compound bows demonstrated his appreciation for traditional hunting methods.

Those who knew Bart described him as possessing an almost supernatural ability to understand wildlife, earning him the nickname "Wolverine" during his college years at Sheridan College and later Montana State University. Beyond his hunting prowess, Bart was known for his unique sense of humor, often carrying props and costumes on hunting trips and keeping a mummified cat named Sparky as a companion. His academic achievements in art and wildlife studies complemented his natural talents, preparing him for adventures that would take him from Yellowstone to Russia, where he even tracked Siberian tigers.

Key Takeaways

Bart Schleyer developed exceptional hunting skills from childhood, becoming particularly renowned for his archery abilities and deep understanding of animal behavior.
His adventurous spirit and ability to thrive with minimal comforts enabled his successful expeditions across various wilderness areas worldwide.
Beyond his outdoor expertise, Bart was remembered for his distinctive humor, generosity, and academic accomplishments in wildlife studies.

The Disappearance of Bart Schleyer

Bart Schleyer, born in 1955 to Otis and Lula Schleyer in Cheyenne, Wyoming, developed a profound connection with nature from an early age. His physician father, an enthusiastic hunter, introduced young Bart to hunting expeditions and African safaris, cultivating a lifelong passion for wildlife.

As a youth, Bart and his friend Glenn Garton became remarkably skilled outdoorsmen through countless hunting, fishing, and camping trips in Wyoming's wilderness. Though initially trained with firearms, Bart's introduction to bow hunting through his sister's boyfriend Jim transformed his approach to the sport. He particularly favored recurve bows for their balance of power and ease of use.

Fellow hunters consistently described Bart as possessing extraordinary outdoor talents. His hunting companions often remarked that he seemed able to "communicate" with animals, a skill stemming from both natural instinct and scientific curiosity. During one memorable foggy hunting trip, Bart's elk calls attracted a bull elk that emerged from the mist, approached them, and then casually wandered away.

Notable Personal Traits:

Renowned for practical jokes and humor
Carried props and costumes on hunting trips
Traveled with "Sparky," a mummified cat he had rescued
Known for kindness, generosity, and humility

Bart's physical prowess earned him a state wrestling championship in high school and a scholarship to Sheridan College, where he studied art and wildlife, earning an associate's degree. He later attended Montana State University for advanced degrees. At Sheridan, he gained the nickname "Wolverine" after passing the infamous "coyote test" by consuming raw skunk meat, demonstrating his remarkable resilience.

His education and natural abilities prepared him for challenging expeditions across Yellowstone, Alaska, and even Russia. Professor Don Collins of Montana State noted that among 42,000 students who had taken his "Man and the Environment" class, Bart stood out as someone who seemed destined for his chosen path in wildlife studies.

Early Life and Influence of Otis Schleyer

Otis Schleyer, a physician in Cheyenne, Wyoming, profoundly shaped his son Bart's life through their shared outdoor experiences. Born in 1955 to Otis and Lula Schleyer, young Bart accompanied his father not only on local hunting trips but also on African safaris in Mozambique.

These formative experiences instilled in Bart a deep appreciation for wildlife and outdoor skills. Otis encouraged his son's growing interest in animals and wilderness, even as Bart developed in ways different from family expectations. This early exposure to hunting culture in Wyoming became fundamental to Bart's identity.

During his youth, Bart and his friend Glenn Garton frequently ventured into the woods independently, developing remarkable outdoor skills through hunting, fishing, and camping trips. They gradually became experts in wilderness survival and tracking.

Bart's hunting evolution took a significant turn when his sister's boyfriend Jim introduced him to bow hunting. He particularly favored recurve bows for their balance of power and ease of use, preferring them even after a brief experiment with compound bows that ended when Jim suffered hand injuries from equipment failure.

Fellow hunters frequently noted Bart's exceptional talent for understanding animal behavior. His approach combined natural instinct with scientific study, allowing him to connect with wildlife in ways that seemed almost supernatural to observers. One foggy hunting trip demonstrated this ability when Bart's elk calls drew a bull directly to their location.

Beyond his wilderness skills, those who knew Bart highlighted his sense of humor and generosity. He developed into a champion wrestler in high school, earning a scholarship to Sheridan College where he began formal studies in art and wildlife before continuing to Montana State University.

At Montana State, Professor Don Collins observed that Bart seemed to have prepared his entire life for his chosen field of study. His academic pursuits formalized the passion for wildlife that Otis had first inspired during those early hunting trips in Wyoming.

Deep Passion for Archery

Bow Hunting Beginnings

Bart developed a strong affinity for bow hunting after being introduced to it through his sister's boyfriend Jim. This method quickly surpassed traditional gun hunting in his preferences, becoming his primary approach to the sport. His natural talent for archery complemented his already impressive outdoor skills. Friends and family frequently noted his exceptional ability to track and locate animals, comparing it to an almost supernatural communication with wildlife.

Mastering the Recurve

Jim taught Bart specifically on recurve bows, which proved to be an ideal match for his hunting style. These mid-strength bows offered a perfect balance between power and ease of use. Unlike longbows with their difficult draw weight or more complex designs, recurve bows provided Bart with reliable performance while remaining straightforward to operate. His proficiency with this type of bow contributed significantly to his reputation as an extraordinary hunter with remarkable woodland instincts.

A Cautionary Compound Experience

While Bart primarily used recurve bows, he and Jim did experiment with compound bows during their hunting adventures. This experimentation came to an abrupt end during one particular hunting expedition. While aiming at an elk, Jim's compound bow catastrophically failed, snapping unexpectedly and causing several painful lacerations and cuts to his hands. This dangerous incident prompted both men to return exclusively to the more reliable recurve bows. The experience served as a formative moment in Bart's archery journey, reinforcing his preference for traditional equipment over more mechanically complex options.

Bart's Expertise and Connection to Nature

Bart Schleyer developed an extraordinary connection to wildlife from a young age. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1955, his passion for the outdoors was nurtured by his father Otis, who introduced him to hunting and took him on African safaris. These early experiences laid the foundation for Bart's lifelong pursuit of understanding animals beyond mere hunting.

His remarkable outdoor skills became evident during his adolescent years. Together with his friend Glenn Garton, Bart gained extensive wilderness experience through numerous hunting, fishing, and camping trips. When his sister's boyfriend Jim introduced him to bow hunting, Bart embraced archery wholeheartedly, preferring recurve bows for their balance of power and ease of use.

Fellow hunters often remarked on Bart's almost supernatural ability to connect with wildlife. His approach combined natural instinct with scientific curiosity. In one memorable incident during a foggy hunting trip, Bart's elk calls attracted a bull elk that emerged from the mist, stared at them briefly, then wandered away.

Educational Background:

Associate's degree in Art and Wildlife from Sheridan College (wrestling scholarship)
Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Montana State University
Stood out among 42,000 students in Professor Don Collins' "Man and the Environment" class

Alongside his outdoor expertise, Bart maintained a playful personality. He was known for practical jokes, sending humorous postcards, and bringing unusual props on hunting trips. Perhaps his most eccentric trait was carrying around "Sparky," a mummified cat he had rescued and preserved.

His resilience and ability to thrive with minimal comforts earned him the nickname "Wolverine" at Sheridan College. This adaptability served him well during challenging expeditions to Yellowstone, Alaska, and even Russia, where he tracked Siberian tigers.

His college professor noted that Bart seemed to have prepared his entire life for his chosen career path. This dedication to understanding wildlife and survival skills made him uniquely equipped for his professional endeavors tracking and studying animals in remote wilderness areas.

Bart's Humor and Personality Traits

Bart Schlier possessed a remarkable personality that perfectly complemented his outdoor expertise. His sense of humor was considered an essential part of his character, as noted by his sister Claudia. Unlike most hunters who traveled light, Bart would carry costumes and props during his expeditions to stage humorous photos with his kills.

One of his most notorious quirks was traveling with "Sparky," a mummified cat he had rescued and preserved. While many found this practice unusual, Bart considered it hilarious and kept Sparky by his side during his adventures.

His college years revealed even more about his unique personality. At Sheridan College, Bart participated in the "coyote test," a challenge involving the consumption of unusual meats. He passed by eating raw skunk, earning him the nickname "Wolverine" from impressed peers.

Friends and family consistently described Bart as kind, generous, and humble. Despite his extraordinary skills, he never boasted about his accomplishments. His professor, Don Collins, remarked that Bart stood out among over 42,000 students who had taken his class.

His practical jokes extended beyond his hunting trips. Bart regularly sent funny postcards and pictures to family and friends, maintaining his reputation as a prankster even during his extensive travels to remote locations.

The combination of his scientific mind, physical prowess (as a state champion wrestler), and unique sense of humor made Bart an unforgettable character. His ability to survive on minimal resources while maintaining his good spirits served him well throughout his adventures in Yellowstone, Alaska, and as far away as Russia.

Education and the Wolverine Nickname

Bart Schlier's educational journey began at Sheridan College, where he attended on a wrestling scholarship after becoming a two-time state champion in high school. At Sheridan, he earned his associate's degree with a focus on art and wildlife studies. During this time, his unusual resilience and wilderness skills earned him the nickname "Wolverine" among his peers.

His reputation was solidified through unusual tests of mental fortitude, including the infamous "coyote test." This challenge involved consuming strange, unappetizing meats—with Bart notably passing by eating raw skunk. These demonstrations of his ability to survive on minimal comforts served him well throughout his hunting career.

After Sheridan, Bart continued his education at Montana State University, where he completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees. His academic performance was remarkable, with one professor, Don Collins, noting that Bart stood out among the 42,000+ students who had taken his "Man and the Environment" course. Professor Collins observed that Bart seemed to have prepared his entire life for his chosen career path.

His academic pursuits were always connected to his passion for wildlife and the outdoors. Rather than studying animals merely for hunting purposes, Bart approached his education with genuine scientific curiosity and a desire for deeper understanding. This academic foundation complemented his natural instincts and lifetime of practical experience in the wilderness.

The combination of formal education and field experience made Bart exceptionally qualified for his later work tracking and studying various wildlife, including his ventures in tracking Siberian tigers. His educational background provided the scientific framework that elevated his natural talents into professional expertise.

Bart's Adventures and Academic Achievements

Bart Schlier, born in 1955 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, developed a profound connection with wildlife from an early age. His father Otis, a physician and passionate hunter, introduced him to hunting expeditions and African safaris that shaped his lifelong passion for the outdoors.

As a young man, Bart honed his outdoor skills alongside his friend Glenn Garton through numerous hunting, fishing, and camping trips in the Wyoming wilderness. His hunting technique evolved significantly when he discovered bow hunting through his sister's boyfriend Jim, developing a particular affinity for recurve bows over compound models after witnessing a dangerous equipment failure.

Fellow hunters consistently described Bart as possessing extraordinary talent in the wilderness. His approach combined natural instinct with scientific methodology, allowing him to track and call animals with remarkable effectiveness. During one memorable foggy hunting trip, his elk calls attracted a bull elk that emerged from the mist, demonstrating his exceptional connection with wildlife.

Bart maintained a distinctive personality characterized by:

Exceptional hunting skills
Scientific approach to wildlife
Legendary practical jokes
Unusual companion (Sparky, a mummified cat)
Remarkable mental and physical toughness

His academic journey progressed from Sheridan College, where he studied art and wildlife on a wrestling scholarship, to Montana State University. At Sheridan, he earned the nickname "Wolverine" for his ability to survive on minimal resources and his willingness to undertake unusual challenges like the "coyote test," which involved consuming raw skunk meat.

Professor Don Collins of Montana State University noted that Bart stood out among over 42,000 students who had taken his "Man and the Environment" class. His educational background combined with his natural talents prepared him exceptionally well for a career studying and interacting with wildlife across diverse environments including Yellowstone, Alaska, and Russia.

The Mysterious Death of Bart Schleyer: Missing 411's Most Haunting Wilderness Disappearance