Les Ohlhauser spent his first 16 years pursuing the abundant wildlife near the North Dakota ranch where he was raised. At 17, Les left the ranch to join the army and completed Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces training. After spending several years as a soldier, Les was offered scholarships in football, rode and ROTC to North Dakota State University. Upon graduating from college, Les returned to serve in the Army as an officer. Les has completed over 360 qualified airborne jumps, many of which were overseas. He has been awarded several awards for his military accomplishments.

After leaving the military, Les moved to Colorado and was hired by the Nestlé Purina Pet Food Company as a commodity buyer, where he is still employed today.

Growing up on a ranch, Les has been involved in the auction business since he was 12. He picked up the auction chant from attending livestock auctions and began auctioning as a hobby. Two local auctioneers recognized his talent and put him to work selling livestock as one of the youngest auctioneers in the business. Winning the North Dakota State Auctioneer contest proved that young Les was the real thing, and he earned the respect of livestock buyers and sales barn owners. Les went on to win several more titles in other states. He is now a highly sought-after auctioneer all across the United States and Canada.

Les competed professionally in Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeos in bull riding, saddle broncs and steer wrestling. In addition to competing, he worked as a rodeo announcer.

“My knowledge of the events and the ability to construe that to the paying audiences went hand in hand,” said Les. 

Retired from the riding events after 18 years, Les still steer wrestles on a competitive basis and announces over 25 rodeos and bull riding events a year. Several times, he has won Announcer of the Year for  various PRCA circuits.

"I figured after winning over 126 buckles and 20 saddles I had proved to myself I could ride in the rough stock events. I pursued my announcing duties more seriously. Heck, now they are giving me buckles for telling people about the sport of rodeo! I love it."

A major turning-point in Les' life occurred when a local conservation organization asked Les to work their fund-raiser. When they attempted to pay him, Les refused the check, instead donating it to the conservation effort. Soon after, Les began donating his time and skill to more and more fundraisers of this nature.

“I knew livestock and how to sell livestock, but did not know that much about the art work and various items being offered for sale at the conservation auctions,” said Les. "I wanted to learn more about the artwork. When a rancher sells his cattle I am selling his lifeblood of hard work.

I wanted to represent the artists in the same fashion. I found out about a couple of the artists and went and visited with them and learned exactly what work went into the various mediums of painting. When people see art at an auction they will ask how many hours went into that particular piece. I tell them not hours, but a lifetime. I cannot draw a stick horse, but I guarantee you I can tell a bad one from a good one now! I have auctioned original art pieces in excess of $150,000. I knew I could not give anything back to conservation, but my abilities as an auctioneer; this is why I do all of my conservation auctions for free. Conservation auctions are fun and you meet the same kind of people you are, sportsmen and hunters. What a great group to work with."

Les has served several conservation organizations on their board of directors and served as president for several of those. He is a past president of the Denver Chapter of Safari Club International and has  served as an officer/director for various FNAWS, RMEF, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and the Mule Deer Foundation conservation organizations. 

"One year I did over 40 of the 70 Ducks Unlimited events in Colorado. The chapters all got together and presented me with a Remington Peerless over and under shotgun. I was overwhelmed alone with that gift, but DU National presented me with the Silver Teal Award as well. 

I was thankful to say the least, but wanted my work to be recognized as a contribution to successful auctions and support of all conservation organizations. I am continually asked which is my favorite auction. All of them, we are all under the same umbrella regarding our goals, conservation, habitat, education, hunters rights and the future of tomorrow YOUTH!"

Les has been one of the auctioneers at the Safari Club International Hunters Convention for the last 24 years and is the senior auctioneer on the team. His tenure and service was recognized and he was given a Life Membership. His service to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep was also recognized and he was given Life Memberships to those two organizations as well. 

Les runs over 40 auctions a year for conservation, working 22 states and 2 Canadian provinces. His experience  as a conservation auctioneer has taken him as far as Alaska, where he does 6 different auctions each year.

An avid hunter, Les pursued the guiding business as well. 

"Fall comes and the auction committees know I am in the field. I assist in guiding for a friend of mine who runs a very successful elk camp. I then guide for various outfitters who have whitetail, mule deer and antelope leases. "

Les found himself writing about the various hunts for the chapter newsletters. Several of these found their way to established outdoor writers.

"Jim Zumbo kicked me into pursuing writing for established hunting magazines. Some of these magazines tell me I am an editor at large, I tell them no, I am a large editor. It is fun writing and I enjoy it. Thank goodness for SPELL CHECK!!"

"People need to understand that wildlife is one of our greatest natural resources. The past is history, we are the present, and the future is our youth. What we can do today will be their future. “If I were to put a price on friendship, I would be a millionaire! I love what I do and will continue to support the world of conservation."