Rich Lewis (Mountain Men) Biography 2025: Life, Wife Diane, Dogs, Net Worth & Why He Left the Show

Rich Lewis is a celebrated American outdoorsman, mountain lion hunter, and reality TV personality, widely known by his nickname “Houndsman.” For many years, he served as the trusted guardian of Montana’s Ruby Valley, protecting livestock from relentless predators. Trading the comforts of modern life for the rugged challenges of Montana’s wilderness, Rich honed his tracking and hunting skills alongside his loyal pack of hounds. His fearless lifestyle and unmatched expertise eventually attracted television producers, leading to his five-year stint on the hit History Channel series Mountain Men.

Rich is known for his piercing blue eyes, rugged grey beard, and weathered appearance, traits often associated with seasoned outdoorsmen.This comprehensive biography explores Rich Lewis’s extraordinary journey, from his early years and rise to television fame to his personal life, net worth, and enduring legacy as one of America’s most respected modern-day mountain men.

Early Life

Rich Lewis was born in January 1954 in Idaho, USA. Public information about his early life, family, and upbringing is limited. However, he has long been associated with outdoor living and wilderness skills, which later became central to his career as a hunter and outdoorsman. Details about his parents or siblings have not been disclosed publicly.

Career Beginnings

Driven by his love for nature and a desire for a simpler life, Rich eventually left Idaho and settled in Ruby Valley, southwest Montana. There, he embraced a humble but demanding lifestyle: hunting elk, managing cattle, and protecting the community from predators.

His skills soon became well-known among local ranchers and farmers. Livestock losses to predators like mountain lions, wolves, and bears were common in the region, and Rich’s unique ability to track and hunt these threats earned him widespread respect. Word of his success spread, and even wildlife officials occasionally sought his help when rogue predators posed dangers.

Rich’s bond with his dogs deepened during this time. He personally trained each hound to work as a cohesive team, responding to his calls and learning the dangerous craft of pursuing lions through the rugged Montana wilderness.

Tragedy and Triumph: The Loss of Roxie

Throughout his hunting career, Rich faced countless dangers. One heartbreaking moment came when he lost his beloved hound Roxie to a lion attack—a sobering reminder of the risks both he and his dogs braved to keep Ruby Valley safe. Roxie’s loss was a personal tragedy but also a testament to the courage and sacrifice that defined Rich’s life and work.

Rise to Fame: Mountain Men

By 2013, Rich’s unique lifestyle and skillset had caught the attention of television producers. He joined Mountain Men during Season 2, debuting in the episode Into the Wild, which aired on June 9, 2013.

Rich appeared in over 83 episodes across six seasons, contributing extensively to the show’s focus on wilderness survival and predator tracking. His rugged charm, unyielding work ethic, and loyal hounds captivated audiences. He frequently demonstrated tracking techniques, dog training, and survival strategies, giving viewers a rare glimpse into the challenging but rewarding life of a true mountain man.

In Season 2 (2013), Rich played a prominent role in several key episodes:

• Three Toes Returns (Episode 5, July 7, 2013): Rich and his hounds tracked his nemesis, the killer mountain lion known as Three-Toes, across Montana’s Ruby Valley.
• Disaster Strikes (Episode 8, July 28, 2013): Rich’s cougar hunt took a dark turn, highlighting the dangers he faced in the wild.
• Settling the Score (Episode 13, September 8, 2013): Rich and his wife Diane moved their cattle herd while dealing with threats from predators.
• Judgment Day (Episode 14, September 15, 2013): Rich trained his oldest and youngest dogs, Brandy and Hatchet, preparing them for future hunts.
• Misty Mountain (Episode 16, September 29, 2013): Rich groomed his youngest hound to lead the pack as an influx of cougars posed new challenges.

Season 2 also gave deeper insights into Rich’s day-to-day life. As captured in the show, Rich and his wife Diane were among the only residents living deep in the Ruby Valley, making a living by riding cattle in the summer and hunting lions in the winter. They worked for multiple ranchers, helping to move cattle and patrol against wolves and other predators. During one segment, Rich spotted fresh wolf tracks trailing their cattle and noted the increasing predator pressure in the area. He described the rising challenges of protecting livestock as game became scarce and predators turned to easier prey like cattle.

Rich often packed rifles and ammunition while herding, ready to defend the herd if needed. He also demonstrated how he trained his dogs to assist in herding cattle, though he acknowledged the dangers, mentioning that while he had not personally lost a dog to wolves, others in the area had.

Over the seasons, Rich shared the television screen with other renowned outdoorsmen such as like Eustace Conway, Morgan Beasley, Tom Oar, Marty Meierotto, and Jason Hawk. His episodes often highlighted the dangers of lion hunting, from treacherous mountain terrain to close encounters with deadly predators.

Departure and Replacement

During his sixth and final season on Mountain Men in 2017, Rich acknowledged that the physical demands of lion hunting were becoming increasingly challenging with age, signaling his eventual departure from the show. His retirement opened the door for new talent, and in 2018, young lion hunter Jake Herak joined the cast.

While Jake Herak assumed a similar role to Rich—tracking and hunting lions using a team of dogs—the two hunters represent different generations and levels of experience. Though comparisons between them are common among viewers, Rich and Jake have distinct approaches shaped by their backgrounds and eras. Jake’s addition to the cast appeared to fill the niche Rich once occupied, continuing the tradition of predator control and mountain hunting that had become a key theme of the series.

As of 2025, there is no confirmed relationship or mentorship publicly known between Rich Lewis and Jake Herak beyond their shared role on Mountain Men. They are not related by family or known personal ties.They are not related by family or personal ties. Rich Lewis has not returned to the series since his final season in 2017. Although some viewers continue to speculate about a possible return, there have been no public statements or credible reports indicating any such plans. Jake Herak continues as one of the show’s leading mountain lion hunters, maintaining a role similar to Rich’s in predator tracking and control, though the two hunters differ significantly in style and experience.

Life After Mountain Men

Following his departure from Mountain Men, Rich Lewis has kept a low public profile and does not actively use social media. However, he occasionally appears in photos shared by fans who meet him in person. In February 2025, a fan named Justin Alexander shared a photo with Rich, confirming he remains active within his community and engages with admirers of the show.

In the photo, Rich appears with his signature long grey beard and rugged outdoor attire. He maintains his characteristic look that fans remember from his television appearances, including his thick beard, blue eyes, and a weathered but friendly expression. While details about his current lifestyle are limited, he remains a recognizable figure and continues to be admired for his contributions as a hunter, outdoorsman, and television personality.

Personal Life

Marriage and Partnership

Rich is married to Diane Lewis, his steadfast partner both in life and on the hunt. The couple met in Idaho, fell in love, and soon married. Seeking a simpler, more adventurous life, they moved together to Montana.

Diane shares Rich’s deep connection to the natural world. She assists in training their dogs, scouting for tracks, and occasionally joins Rich on his hunts—riding horses and carrying rifles. Diane’s skills extend beyond the hunt: she manages their home, cooks hearty meals from game meat, and tends a garden that sustains their off-grid lifestyle.

In the early days of their Montana life, Diane not only supported Rich’s hunting endeavors but also contributed to managing their small cattle business. Together, they braved the harsh winters, financial uncertainties, and physical challenges of life in the mountains.

Family of Hounds

Though Rich and Diane do not have children, they consider their dogs their family. Over the years, they have raised and trained numerous loyal hounds, including Brady, Roxie, Turbo, Ranger, Ruby, and Rusty—each valued for their unique skills in tracking and hunting. Many viewers of Mountain Men came to recognize these hounds alongside Rich for their important role in his hunting work.

Rich Lewis Net Worth

Rich Lewis’s income increased during his time on Mountain Men, as his livelihood expanded to include television earnings in addition to his hunting and livestock protection work. As of 2025, Rich Lewis’s net worth is estimated at $200,000. Public information about his current financial activities or business ventures is limited. Despite his television exposure, he has maintained a generally modest and self-sufficient lifestyle.

Rich Lewis Wiki Bio Fact Table

Field	Details
Full Name	Rich Lewis
Nickname	Houndsman
Birthdate	January 1954
Age	71
Birthplace	Idaho, USA
Nationality	American
Known For	Mountain lion hunting, Mountain Men TV series
TV Show	Mountain Men (History Channel)
Seasons Appeared	Season 2 to Season 6 (2013–2017)
Total Episodes	Over 83 episodes
Debut Episode	“Into the Wild” (Season 2, June 9, 2013)
Last Episode	Season 6, 2017
Profession	Hunter, outdoorsman, cattleman
Spouse	Diane Lewis
Children	None
Dogs (Notable)	Brady, Roxie, Turbo, Ranger, Ruby, Rusty
Residence (as known)	Ruby Valley, Montana
Net Worth (2025)	Estimated $200,000
Social Media	No official presence; occasional fan sightings
Return to TV Status	No return as of 2025; no confirmed plans
Relationship to Jake Herak	None (no family or mentorship ties)