Chad | Craig | Dary | David | Dennis | Donald | Hugo |Kelly | Kevin

 

Kevin, Craig, Dennis & Donald at the Lower Park Camp

We at Over the Hill Outfitters are fortunate in that we simply have the best staff in the world. What this means to you is that on every adventure that you take with us, our staff will take care of you, providing you the best SERVICE that you can have anywhere.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chad Shoulders posing for one of our Photography Workshops in the meadow at our Lower Park Camp

Chad Shoulders...

As the newest (and the youngest) of our crew, Chad has already established himself as indispensible to the outfit. No matter what it is that needs to be done, Chad is always there. His previous experience at a dude ranch gives him the people skills and patience to help out all of our guests. He is an expert packer and is also a highly trained chef. During the winter, he is also the coach for the Fort Lewis College ski racing team. Last but not least, he is the favorite subject of all of our photography workshops!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craig Deeds works the Over the Hill Outfitters Booth at the RMEF Elk Camp

Craig Deeds...

Craig first came on one of Over the Hill Outfitters archery hunts back in 2000. He returned again in 2001 for another archery hunt. Then, in 2002, his wife took a job in Durango and they both moved here. After establishing a residence, Craig began helping out on trips, including packing, wrangling, guiding hunts, and finally exhibiting his culinary skills as camp chef. Then, in the spring of 2006, he and his wife sold everything they owned and moved to Mexico, where he now spends most of his time. He still returns to Durango to help out on a trip now and then, including working the booth at our winter shows. Craig is an Orvis certified fly fishing instructor and spends lots of time on the rivers around Durango as well as in the blind as he hunts ducks and geese at his hunting club in Arkansas.

Craig Deeds (center) with a Blackpowder Bull that he Guided

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dary Longfellow...

Dary Longfellow, an Over the Hill Outfitters institution

Dary has been the heart and soul of Over the Hill Outfitters for a long time. He worked for John Neely before Randy and Terry took over and has continued entertaining both the guests and the staff ever since. He has held every position in the outfit from wrangler, hunting guide to chef extraordinaire. This is his favorite and he continues to cook up delicious meals. If you don't bust a gut when Dary is in the kitchen cooking up one of his meals like his signature pork chops and mashed potatoes, then you must not have a funny bone in you.

Dary Longfellow in the red desert country of Southeast Utah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Klawitter, the Newest Member of our Guides

David Klawitter...

David is the newest addition to our hunting staff. David originally came on an archery hunt with Over the Hill Outfitters. It was obvious that he was a very competent hunter and was joining us on a hunt to learn about a new part of the country. One thing led to another and he soon returned as a guide. David hunts more than about anyone alive and his enthusiasm will infect everyone around him.

David Klawitter pointing out a New Elk Rub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dennis Huis, long time guide, wrangler, and chef

Dennis Huis...

Dennis hired on with Over the Hill Outfitters in 1999. He is an avid flyfisherman and one of the best mountain guides anywhere. He spends his winters teaching skiing at Telluride, further cementing his mountain skills. Dennis has done everything there is to do with us. He has packed, wrangled, guided elk hunts, taught flyfishing, and is an excellent chef.

Dennis Huis, Fishing the Florida River below the Lower Park Camp

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Schoonover & his son, Zach with Zach's first bull

Donald Schoonover...

Simply put, Donald is the luckiest hunter there is. He has a way of bringing an elk out of the woods on a dead run. Of course, this is the result of plenty of hard work and an extraordinary amount of enthusiasm to get out early and come back late. Donald is Randy's cousin, another of our family, and has been guiding hunts with Over the Hill Outfitters since 2000. Donald has hunted elk and deer all of his life, is an avid duck hunter and fished a lot too. He sells cars to local Durangoans in his spare time. If you need a new Toyota, give him a call.

Donald Schoonover & Ricky with his Blackpowder Bull

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hugo Rhodes leading one our Horseback Adventures in Mexico's Copper Canyon with La Ventana in the Background

Hugo Rhodes...

Hugo spends most of his time on his ranch in Bahuachivo, Chihuahua, where he runs the Paraiso del Oso lodge and horseback expeditions throughout Mexico's Copper Canyon together with his mother Anna Chavez and stepfather Diego Rhodes. However, we always enjoy it when he comes up north and helps us out on our Colorado horseback adventures. He is our head guide on our Mexico horse packing adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelly & Randy Palmer with Lucy at the Needles Creek Overlook

Kelly Palmer...

Kelly is much more than staff. As Randy's wife, she is the backbone of what goes on at Over the Hill Outfitters. While she is not full time at the outfit, her knowledge of the natural world, her horsemanship and her incredible cooking bring much to the experience. When not on one of our adventures, she spends her time defending the air and water of the San Juan National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness, obviously one of the most important endeavors in the world.

Kelly Palmer, Chef Extraoirdinaire of Over the Hill Outfitters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Madler at the Needles Creek Overlook

Kevin Madler...

Kevin and Randy worked together at Bear Basin Ranch in Westcliffe, Colorado in 1997. Together they ran the Mountain Sports week program which was a tent based adventure camp with two days of horseback riding, two days of mountain biking, one day of rock climbing and one day of whitewater rafting. They also teamed up to guide elk hunts in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. They became great friends and when Randy & Terry took over operations of Over the Hill Outfitters, Kevin came on as hunting guide. He has been here ever since, having guided 30 or more hunts with us in addition to many pack trips and our Continental Divide Trail Ride. Kevin is one of the best guides in the world and if you are lucky enough to join him on a trip, you will become friends as well. His other pastime is building and remodeling homes.

Kevin Madler with his Blackpowder Bull