On any other day it would be tough to roll out of bed before dawn to catch a flight, but an invitation to hunt on a private ranch in the Rockies made it a lot easier for U.S. Army Veterans Sam Vanhorn of St. Louis, Missouri, and Alex Jaimes, of San Antonio, Texas. Through the generosity of Hooker Mountain Outfitters, The Break TV Program, and the Kniestedt Foundation, Vanhorn and Jaimes enjoyed a well-deserved, spectacular hunting weekend in western Colorado on October 20-22, 2017.
Vanhorn flew out of St. Louis with The Break TV producer Derek Dirnberger, crew member Craig Heisserer, and Kniestedt Foundation Project Manager Joe Rhodes. When they arrived in Denver, they caught up with US Army Veteran Alex Jaimes and they all headed west to Hayden, Colorado. There, they met up with Hooker Mountain Outfitters Owner Tom Kostur and two of Tom’s experienced hunting guides, Gary and Al. Kostur graciously donated his services to the Kniestedt Foundation for this event.
Kostur and his team don’t just know how to hunt, they know how create a memorable hunting experience that makes every hunter and their family want to come back again and again. Their mastery of hunting, matched with their knowledge of the wild game on Hooker Mountain, creates an ideal package for any hunter, novice or advanced.
Kostur accompanied the veterans and crew on a tour around one of his three expansive hunting properties on Hooker Mountain. The gorgeous mountain with stunning views has a reputation for abundant wild game. Even with the bounty of mule deer, skill is still required. Tom Kostur generously offered his expertise as well as anecdotal tips for a successful hunt. While out with him, the hunting group glassed the hillsides to scout for mature mule deer bucks that the veterans might be interested in taking. They saw several very nice bucks that the veterans put on their hit list.
As rain moved in, the team headed to Steamboat Springs to get settled in their town home and organize their gear for the early Saturday morning hunt. They awoke and discovered that the rain had rolled into a sloppy snow requiring them to adjust their gear to accommodate the wet hunting conditions. They travelled up to Hooker Mountain to meet up with their guides, Gary and Al.
After a hunt briefing, they headed out into the field. Within the first 45 minutes of hunting, a great mule deer, almost presented Alex Jaimes with an opportunity. However, the buck never turned broadside to offer a clean shot. The hunters and guides developed a plan to come at the buck from the other side of the mountain.
While heading up to the other side, the group saw Tom Kostur and discussed a plan of attack. While working to pursue the buck from their first encounter, they happened upon another group of three bucks. Quickly, they decided to make a move. Tom and his guide, Al, put the hunters within 300 yards of the animals. They determined that Sam Vanhorn would take the first shot. When the largest of the three bucks presented the opportunity, Sam zeroed in on the deer, skillfully squeezed out a great 295 yard shot with a Browning AB3, and took down the mule deer. Vanhorn was beyond himself when he approached his imposing 5×4 mule deer. The team quickly recovered the animal and headed back to camp to field dress it.
Once the animal was taken care of, they took a break for lunch back at their town home in Steamboat Springs. Always on their game, guides Al and Gary texted the hunting group during lunch and called them back earlier than expected. They astutely observed that the animals were already up and moving around, most likely due to the cold weather. Temperatures were in the 20s and 30s and it was prime hunting —not to be missed!
When they returned to Hooker Mountain Outfitters, the team decided that Veteran Alex Jaimes, Derek Dirnberger should head up to pursue the mule deer with Al. Joe, Craig, and Sam hung back at the base to cape and quarter Sam’s mule deer from that morning. After the animal was caped it was donated to Colorado Parks & Wildlife who would then donate it to a family in need.
While on the evening hunt Alex, Derek and Al spotted 3 great mule deer and stealthily set up Alex for the shot. As Alex carefully positioned himself for the shot, the largest mule deer in the group stepped broadside and presented him with an opportunity. Alex executed a nicely! He fired a 187 yard shot with a Browning AB3. They saw the deer fall, recovered the animal and happily took off back for base camp.
They quickly field dressed the animal. After the adrenaline ran out, the entire hunting group realized exactly how hungry they were so they headed back into Steamboat Springs for a celebratory dinner.
Avid connoisseurs of big game meat, the hunters had wisely saved the back straps from Sam’s deer for their own hunting party. The Break team member, Craig Heisserer, had spent a good part of the afternoon prepping dinner and everyone was extremely grateful as he rolled out an amazing meal.
In one day both veterans had filled their Colorado mule deer tags. With full bellies and the pressures of the hunt lifted, the guys slept well on Saturday night.
Sunday morning, they woke up and had a nice breakfast before heading out to Hooker Mountain Outfitter base camp. There they saw how other hunters had faired that morning and began the process of caping and quartering Alex’s animal for the taxidermist and for the meat donation. Joe Rhodes headed back to St. Louis early and the rest of the group capped off their day at the Double Z BBQ for dinner and drinks.
On Monday, after a leisurely morning, the guys headed back out to Hooker Mountain Outfitters to tag along on some mule deer and elk hunts for some other guests. They also enjoyed the camaraderie at the base camp.
On Tuesday afternoon, with their hunting adventure coming to a close, Tom Kostur invited the veterans along with the other hunters, out for a fish fry lunch to visit with them once more.
At the conclusion of the party Veteran Sam Vanhorn took off down to the Yampa River for one last outing before leaving Colorado. He was fishing, instead of hunting, and he landed several nice rainbow trout.
After Vanhorn wrapped up his fishing, the guys took off back to the town home for a meal of mule deer steak tips, onions, potatoes and mushrooms. That evening they enjoyed visiting and reliving the events of the past few days while watching game 1 of the World Series. Finally, on Wednesday morning they took off back to Denver to catch their flights home.
Gorgeous country, perfect weather, expert guides, and new friends makes for an exceptional hunting experience.
If you are interested in learning more about hunting with Tom Kostur in Hooker Mountain, visit:http://www.hookermountainoutfitters.com/main.html
Video footage of this event can be viewed during the 2018 season of The Break. Until then you can catch action from The Break hunters on Pursuit at 12pm (central) on Tuesdays
