Clayton Phipps Is the Cowboy Who Found One of the Most Impressive Dinosaur Fossils Ever

Jun. 19 2020, Updated 1:32 p.m. ET

If you get enthralled with the suspense of observing miners dig for gold on Bering Sea Gold, then you'll likely benefit from the other type of search that is featured on Dino Hunters. The Discovery series, which premieres on June 19, is the modern Wild, Wild West version of the gold rush. 

Instead of having a look for treasure that lies beneath sea stage, the cast of Dino Hunters is composed of ranchers and cowboys who are having a look for dinosaur fossils.

Naturally, finding those fossils proves to be a troublesome task, and the various cowboys featured at the show are put to their limits. 

Clayton Phipps has been looking out for dinosaur remnants for years, and he's enlisting the help of his younger son at the display. Who is Clayton Phipps from Dino Hunters? Read on to learn about his background, and his past giant finds.

Who is Clayton Phipps from 'Dino Hunters'?

The Montana-based dinosaur hunter is from a circle of relatives of farm animals ranchers and he first found a big fossil in 2003 on his own land. It was an entire cranium of a Stygimoloch, which he later bought for $40,000. After his initial in finding and the decline of the ranching business, Clayton was dedicated to taking a look for dinosaur remnants full-time.

"It was a hobby at first. When my father passed away I inherited a small ranch. My ranch was too small to make a living on and support my family, so I decided to quit my job to run the ranch and look for fossils to help supplement our income," Clayton instructed Pacific Standard Magazine. "My hope was to find something really great so I could buy more land."

Fossils can be offered to museums or privately for upwards of a number of million bucks. Though the work is challenging, the payoff will also be vital. 

Just 3 years into his fossil career, Clayton found the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil, which is in large part regarded as to be one of the vital vital fossil discoveries in recent years. Clayton and his cousin Chad O'Connor and friend Mark Eatman went looking out in the area known as Hell Creek in Montana, which is identified for having fossils. After an unsuccessful first day, the pair reluctantly returned to the spot a month later, which used to be when they made their discovery. 

The fossil showcased two dinosaurs that gave the look to be in a fight with one some other. They both died on the same time, whilst they were fighting.

"These two dinos were obviously not friends. There are snapped-off teeth from the nano imbedded in the flesh of the ceratopsian. They undoubtedly killed each other," Clayton told Pacific Standard Magazine.

A three month excavation procedure then took place as a crew labored to get the superb fossil out of the bottom. 

Several museums ultimately handed on purchasing the "Dueling Dinosaurs" fossil, so it used to be reportedly positioned up for public sale at Bonhams in New York. Per Pacific Standard Magazine, Clayton hoped to get between $7 million and $Nine million for the fossil. It's unclear now how a lot the piece used to be auctioned off for, or if it offered in any respect. 

It's a circle of relatives affair for Clayton Phipps on 'Dino Hunters.'

The 2006 to find proved that Clayton has indisputably earned his nickname as the "dinosaur cowboy." On Dino Hunters, he's operating along with his son, Luke Phipps, with the hopes of discovering their subsequent large fossil. 

Outside of his paintings, Clayton is a married father of three. The circle of relatives lives on a 1,one hundred acre cattle ranch in Brusset, Mont. 

Dino Hunters airs on Fridays at Nine p.m. at the Discovery Channel.

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