Spring 2015 Stories Contest Winner

We are excited to announce that Josh Veverka of Marshall, Virginia is the winner of our Spring 2015 Stories Contest! For submitting the winning Story, Josh receives a fully guided elk hunt, provided by Rawhide Guide Service in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. Congratulations, Josh!

Josh is originally from western Pennsylvania, where he grew up in an avid whitetail hunting family. Josh’s winning story recounts his first western elk hunt with his dad and three other family members. The group prepared for nearly three years before embarking on their big adventure.

After winning the elk hunt with Rawhide Guide Service, Josh informed us that he is giving the free hunt to his dad. His dad wasn’t able to take a bull on their first Montana hunt, and Josh told us that he’d love to see him get another opportunity at an elk. Josh will accompany his dad while hunting mule deer that week.

We recently spoke to Josh about winning the Stories Contest. Josh shared some background on the story, and what he’s looking forward to most about this next Montana Elk Hunt. Here's what he had to say:

Q: Josh, tell us more about where you're from and your hunting background.

Josh: I grew up in western Pennsylvania, where whitetail hunting is a celebrated sport, and where businesses and schools close on opening day. For me, it was always a family affair. I grew up hunting with my dad, brother and uncles.

Q: How did you first hear about Guidefitter?

Josh: I've dreamed of elk hunting and hunting out west for years. Several years ago, I made the commitment that I was finally going to do it. My dad, brother, uncle and brother-in-law all committed to going with me. As I was doing research leading up to our 2014 Montana hunt, I found Guidefitter. I also met the folks from Guidefitter at last year's Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
After our elk hunt last year, I saw the Stories Contest announced on Facebook. I decided to write my story, and enter to win the free elk hunt.

Q: In the end, you won a Montana elk hunt with a story about a Montana elk hunt. Tell us about that first elk hunting experience.

Josh: That was my first western hunt, and a great experience. We hunted with Montana OutWest Outfitters. Between the five of us, we took home three bull elk and three mule deer. I was able to take a beautiful 6x6 bull on the first day of the hunt. My only regret is that I wish my dad would have been able to harvest his first elk.

Q: What are you looking forward to most about your next Montana elk hunt, the hunt provided by Rawhide Guide Service?

Josh: Well, after speaking to the folks at Rawhide, they agreed to let me give the winning hunt to my dad, and allow me to come along and hunt mule deer for the difference in cost. So I'm very excited for my dad to have another opportunity at a bull. I can't believe I get the opportunity to hunt elk two years in a row. It was not expected and I'm really looking forward to it!

Congratulations again to Josh! We are excited to read his next Montana elk hunting story at Guidefitter.com.