Total surprise: Wild animals on display in tiny town's only supermarket

Twisp, population 940, in northeastern Washington is the last place you would expect to see a wildebeest. It's the last place you would expect to see an African Lion attacking a wild boar. 

But, if you go grocery shopping in Twisp, at Hanks Harvest Foods, which is the only supermarket in town, you will immediately notice a zoo of stuffed animals high atop the frozen foods section. When you're finished shopping, you'll pass by an African Lion bringing down a wild boar just beyond the cash registers.

Hanks is a small town supermarket owned and operated by Hank Konrad with able help from his son Jackson. Hank opened the store in 1975. About 30 years ago he brought in his first wild animal to display. Today, there are three to four dozen, most high above shelves and cold boxes. A cougar greets visitors toward the front of the store. A black bear stands high over the meat department.

Oh, they aren't just animals Hank bought somewhere. He and Jackson hunted them in far away places. Many are from Africa. Many of the deer are from Alberta. Most years, Hank and Jackson head off to faraway places to hunt big game. They do so "fair chase"-style, says Jackson, meaning they don't just show up, plop down money and shoot a helpless animal that's there for anyone who can point a gun and pull a trigger. They actually go out into the native lands of the animals to stalk their prey.

The two men support organizations that fight poaching, and they donate the meat from many of the animals they shoot to people who don't have enough to eat.

The locals in Twisp go about their shopping at Hanks as anyone would in their hometown market. I bet most don't even see the animals anymore. But it's a different story for the tourists and others passing through, who are awed by the display. The gawking is most evident in hunting season, when hunters stock up on supplies. They bend their necks to look upward, marveling at one exotic animal after another including a giant mule deer from Alberta that for a time was the largest ever taken in the province.

You can't miss Hanks Harvest Foods. It's right on the main drag, which is state route 20.