The Story Nanotyrannus, Told By the Rancher Who Found It | Dinosaur Cowboy, Clayton Phipps | Ep. 024

Описание: After years of searching, third generation Montanan rancher Clayton Phipps and his friends Mark Eaton and Chad O'Connor, discover one of the greatest dinosaur fossil specimens of all time: the remains of two perfectly preserved dinosaurs seemingly locked in battle. The find is worth millions, and quickly becomes the focus of not only the paleontological world, but an intense legal battle over who will see the profits. Ultimately the case will be decided by Montana's supreme court and become the basis for landmark legislature.

Today, we're in Eastern Montana getting the story straight from the horse's mouth. We sit down with Clayton -- known to most as the "Dinosaur Cowboy" -- as he tells the complete story of the Dueling Dinosaurs, as well as the series of events that led him to trade his saddle for a shovel, and life on the range for a career in commercial paleontology. Whether you're a fossil fanatic or just love a good underdog story, this episode is all about grit, glory, and the bones of ancient beasts, waiting to be discovered.

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 | Intro
00:01:10 | Clayton Phipps, the Dinosaur Cowboy
00:02:09 | Branding Calves in Eastern Montana
00:04:13 | From Ranch Work to Fossil Hunting
00:05:37 | The Stygimoloch Skull That Started It All
00:07:02 | Showcasing Clayton's Fossil Collection
00:13:52 | Unveiling the Dueling Dinosaurs
00:15:02 | The Hunt That Changed Everything
00:20:23 | Unearthing Two Articulated Giants
00:25:37 | A Backhoe Swing Reveals the Carnivore
00:32:49 | Navigating Private Land and Fossil Rights
00:36:25 | Seven Years Broke: Searching for a Home
00:38:46 | The Auction Gamble and Setbacks
00:42:16 | The Mineral Rights Lawsuit Battle
00:50:12 | Ninth Circuit Drama and Academic Support
00:55:50 | En Banc Appeal and Montana's Fossil Law
01:02:26 | Victory and the Museum Journey
01:04:32 | Reflections on the Exhibit and Legacy
01:07:39 | Chad's Inspiring Role in the Discovery
01:11:02 | Academic vs. Commercial Paleontology Rift
01:12:29 | Prepping the Fossils for Science
01:14:48 | The Nanotyrannus Debate
01:17:24 | Hopes for the Dueling Dinosaurs' Future
01:19:17 | Wrapping Up Dino Days

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Clayton Phipps Instagram:   / the_dinosaur_cowboy  
   / @hellcreekhooligans  
North Carolina Museum: https://www.ncmuseumofhistory.org/

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SPONSORS
Special thanks to our partners at Shared Pour! Visit SharedPour.com - Use code “BACKCOUNTRY” for 10% off at checkout.

CREDITS
Intro and Animations by Barry Thompson
Photograph Contributions for Animation by Carver Weeks
Additional Graphics by Andrew O’Neill
Production Assistance by John Stock
“Welcome to the Backcountry” theme song by Logan Roth, Will Brown, Arjun Dube and produced at Treacle Mine Studios, Phila, PA

Copyright Outdoor Visions Media LLC, 2025
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