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Check Station
A 'Happy Man' 8x7
46" beams,
44" spread
Weight 614/798
GR & Guide
(John Azzato)
8:00am
11/15/2001
GR & GH on our
back deck
11/17/2001
 Driftwood
Check Station,
PGC Trailer Transport
 2001
PA Elk Harvest Record
Walkin' Stick
Walkin' Stick
Finished Mount
10/2002
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George,
George & George wanted to go on Pa’s first elk hunt.
My husband George Roth & George Hofmeister have hunted
together in Bucks and Bradford counties most of their lives.
Hoffy’s son, G. T. is also an avid sportsman & member
of the Bucktail Hunting Club Inc., Yardley & Powell, Pa.
As luck would have it, only George Roth applied & was
picked out of 50,000+ for Antlered Permit #2 in the 10/29/01 drawing
at the Elk Expo in Benezette, Pa. Since he has no contacts in Elk County, we posted inquiries
on the Elk Forum website provided by Hunting Pa. Don Schatz of the St. Mary’s area suggested Mark
& Joe Rupprecht at Elk Co. Ammo & Arms, and the owners of
a camp in area 1 offered it to rent.
We did receive offers from other outfitters & guides
but happened to choose the first as best for us.
The Rupprecht brothers, along with John Azzato III, head
Quehanna Outfitters. They
guided 2 other successful hunters, Mike Bradley and Charles
Zabrosky, as well as George this season.
John became our guide assisted by Sam Breniman & video
man Kork Azzato, John’s father.
George Hof. obtained a Guide Permit to help his pal too.
Day
1: The team met at
our base, Rock Hill Camp, at 5:30a.
The first hunt was nearby on Gray Hill.
A spike & a large bull with a broken rack were seen but
no clear, safe shots.
Day
2: John & Sam had
several spots scouted. They
saw a nice 5x5 raghorn but again, not in a good position.
Day
3: A real dandy was
seen above Weedville along with 2 smaller bulls.
They winded the men & took off.
Even though John & George trailed them for almost 2
miles, they never got close enough for a shot.
Day
4: Finally!
The plan came together.
The team returned to the ravine & so did the elk.
George’s 30-06 Mannlicher Styer Daimler did its job as it
has for 30 years now. One
shot, at 50 yds, using his Breniman Special Hunting stick &
the bull was theirs. George
is a quiet man but there was jubilation in the woods when the men
approached the animal & realized its size.
Later, after the PGC had transported it to the Driftwood
check station, the bull was recorded at 614lbs hanging wt, 800est
live wt, 8x7 points, 46” beams, 44” spread – the largest
rack of the hunt & 3rd heaviest animal.
The team went out to celebrate together that evening in St.
Mary’s.
“The
George’s” trophy will be mounted & displayed at Elk Co
Ammo & Arms in time for the next elk season, we hope.
George Hof. & Son plan on applying for elk tags next
year. Who knows?
Maybe we’ll get to do it again in 2002.
Lynne Nelson, Mrs. G.R. |
