Kristi Noem Shows Off Elk from Wyoming Hunting Trip

At least it’s not a dog.

Kristi Noem, who previously made headlines for tragically shooting a family dog she didn’t like, recently showcased a massive elk she hunted during a trip to Wyoming. She shared her experience on Instagram, posting a slideshow with the caption, “Finally had a little time to post a few pictures of my archery elk.”

In the lead photo, the former South Dakota governor is seen triumphantly standing behind the enormous elk, holding one of its antlers with a compound bow resting against the animal’s bloodied body. She described the hunt as “super fun” and expressed gratitude toward her hunting friends for their help in the endeavor, saying it made the effort worthwhile.

Interestingly, none of her photos included her husband Bryon, known for his love of larger-than-life figures, or her rumored boyfriend Corey Lewandowski.

The sight of Noem next to the slain elk was met with mixed reactions. Critics couldn’t help but recall her past admission about killing her family dog, Cricket, a 14-month-old hunting dog she deemed “less than worthless.” She explained in her memoir, “No Going Back,” that shooting Cricket was a tough decision but deemed necessary due to the dog’s so-called aggressive behavior.

This past incident reportedly affected her chances of being selected as Donald Trump’s running mate for the 2024 election. While many commenters on her post congratulated her on her hunting skills, others voiced their disapproval. One critical comment read, “You killed a beautiful animal, wow what a hero,” with another asking if she truly thought this was a great accomplishment, questioning her empathy.

In response, Noem called out her detractors as “ignorant and uninformed.” She emphasized that the elk would serve as nourishment for her family and others, reflecting on her experiences learning about these “majestic animals” from her father and creating cherished memories with him and her brothers in the mountains.

“Shame on you who desecrate and don’t understand the stewardship responsibilities God has given us,” she added, suggesting that those unaware of the realities of food sourcing should take a look at grocery store shelves.

Noem previously served as the head of the Department of Homeland Security until March of this year, when she was replaced by President Trump, who concurrently appointed her as the special envoy for his Shield of the Americas initiative aimed at combatting drug cartels.