Hendrick's hunting hobby

As a civil defense attorney whose clientele includes the city of Odessa and various oil and insurance companies, Cal Hendrick has litigated his share of high-stakes cases. But while the Odessa man enjoys the challenge of 70-hour workweeks and the competition of going to trial, this hunting aficionado prefers the thrill of a more dangerous game.

“In the practice of law, you have a lot of elements going against you. It could be the judge or it could be the jury. You don’t make up the facts of the case,” Hendrick said. “Hunting to me is more like playing football or sports. I don’t care who you are, if you can’t get excited about a football game on Friday night, there’s probably something wrong with you.”

At least once a year, Hendrick ventures to a place he’s never been on a big game hunting safari. He’s tracked and hunted some of the world’s most exotic animals as far north as Alaska and Canada and as far below the Equator as Argentina and South Africa. 

His ambitious goal is to hunt on each continent of the world.

“It’s indescribable the raw beauty of seeing a different country and a different culture,” Hendrick said. “Every place has its own set of unique geographical features. I think Africa has some of the most beautiful game.”

Over the years, Hendrick has amassed a collection of mounted animals and antlers that would put many museums to shame. He calls it the Hendrick Museum of Natural History — a massive trophy room that towers 30 feet at its apex.

A 500-pound elephant head hangs above a custom-made bar. A life-size lion stands in front of a full-size billiard table. Dozens of other animals, including a leopard, buffalo and crocodile, are meticulously arranged around a 2,500-square-foot room.

“It expresses his love for the sport,” said Ken Weidenfeller, a longtime friend of Hendrick’s and former roommate at Angelo State University. “It’s one of the most impressive trophy rooms I’ve ever seen. There’s no doubt he’s very passionate about it.”

Each animal adorning the walls of the trophy room has its own story. There’s the bighorn sheep Hendrick gunned down in Nevada, a 400-yard shot Hendrick made after lying prone for four hours. For long shots like that one, he relies on skills he acquired from a Marine sniper.

“Picking your favorite animal or hunt is a lot like picking your favorite child — it’s impossible,” Hendrick said. “It’s the ones you work for the hardest that you never forget.”

A gregarious man, Hendrick discusses his beloved hobby with unbridled enthusiasm. During a recent tour of his trophy room, he showed off his animals like a grade-schooler boasting of his toys, referring to his collection at one point as “my legacy.”

“It represents a lot of hard work, and it almost models who I am, “ Hendrick said. “I just want to be in the hunt.”

Hendrick spends hours surrounded by his animals as the trophy room also includes an office. Hanging across the room near a small living area is a mule deer considered to be the largest of its kind shot in the state of Texas in 1997, a kill Hendrick made a bit closer to home in Andrews County.

It was after that shot that Hendrick learned about and became involved in the Texas Wildlife Association, an advocacy and conservation group he joined as a life member in 1999.

“One of the biggest things they’re doing and why I support them is they’re trying to bring young hunters into the hunting field,” Hendrick said. “How do you learn how to fish if your dad’s not a fisherman? How do you learn about deer if your dad’s not a deer hunter? We provide this opportunity for them.”

Hendrick said TWA offers programs that teach young hunters the basics of shooting and also important conservation principles.

“It’s not just shooting animals, “Hendrick said. “It’s the whole experience. It’s camping out. It’s making a fire at night and cooking marshmallows and s’mores. It’s your buddies talking at night.”

The organization will host a membership reception at 6 p.m. Thursday at Shack in the Back for people interested in joining.

While Hendrick estimates he has shot some 500 big game animals over the years, he insists his hunting has benefited the animal population. When hunting, Hendrick said he strictly targets older males who are no longer breeding and contributing to the population.

“Without any thought, it sounds foolish that killing animals is helping the population — but it is,” Hendrick said. “All you’re doing is taking out somebody competing for food.”

Hendrick is currently planning his next excursion to Africa, a trip that is certain to add to his ever-expanding collection.

“I intend to make it more crowded,” Hendrick said, adding he’s still waiting to pick up about three dozen animals from the taxidermist.

IF YOU GO

>> What: Texas Wildlife Association membership event

>> When: 6 p.m. Thursday.

>> Where: Shack in the Back, 11520 Highway 80 East

>> RSVP: 1-800-839-9453