Our Staff
J Bar H Outfitters is blessed with a tremendous staff. In 2011 J Bar H Outfitters was named "Colorado's Outfitter of the Year". That honor was a result of the hard work and dedication of this team.
Below are just a few of the folks that make up the team at J Bar H. Prior to hunting season we will update with the latest team information.
J Bar H Outfitters is blessed with a tremendous staff. In 2011 J Bar H Outfitters was named "Colorado's Outfitter of the Year". That honor was a result of the hard work and dedication of this team.
Below are just a few of the folks that make up the team at J Bar H. Prior to hunting season we will update with the latest team information.
Klein Nielson joined the J Bar H Team in 2022 but has been involved in the hunting community his entire life. He was introduced to hunting by his father who started taking him along on hunting trips even before he could walk. He has been professionally guiding hunters in this area since 2012. His wife Natasha was also born in Moffat County and also has a love for the outdoors and hunting. When Klein isn’t guiding hunters he works as a farrier; this makes his knowledge of horses and mules a valuable addition to the team. After both Klein and Natasha attended, and received degrees from the University of Wyoming they were able to return to Craig and start a family. They have been blessed with two beautiful daughters, McKenna and Adrie, who they are raising to love and appreciate the outdoors and hunting ( as much as you can in the occasional fancy dress and high heels)!
Kasandra Rodriguez is one of our camp cooks. Not only is she an extraordinary cook, she is a very capable horse person. She helps pack the mule loads and saddles riding horses. She is a hand and a very hardworking individual. She exemplifies the term "Team Player".
"Kas", as we call her, is from Colorado and enjoys much of what the State has to offer including snowboarding. She is also a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and takes her workouts seriously.
She is an exceptional young lady and brings her sense of humor and good nature to our camps. Her cooking is phenomenal! There's not been a client (or staff!) yet who didn't rave about the wonderful meals Kas prepares. Her desserts and baked goods are some of the best. Maybe in part because her family at one time owned a bakery in Colorado. I'm blessed to have her as part of the outfit.
"Kas", as we call her, is from Colorado and enjoys much of what the State has to offer including snowboarding. She is also a Certified Personal Fitness Trainer and takes her workouts seriously.
She is an exceptional young lady and brings her sense of humor and good nature to our camps. Her cooking is phenomenal! There's not been a client (or staff!) yet who didn't rave about the wonderful meals Kas prepares. Her desserts and baked goods are some of the best. Maybe in part because her family at one time owned a bakery in Colorado. I'm blessed to have her as part of the outfit.
Drew Dworak joined the J Bar H team Fall of 2017 as a guide. He is a Colorado native, has hunted his entire life, and is an avid bow hunter. While 2017 was his first year on staff with us, Drew has been part of our operation since 2010 as a client. He has hunted our area extensively and having the nickname of "the goat" tells you a little about his abilities to cover ground! Drew is one of the friendliest guys you'll ever meet, quick with a smile and always willing to help out. His clients will tell you Drew goes above and beyond to provide a safe, successful and enjoyable hunting trip. We are pleased to have Drew on board.
Matt Dworak, no stranger to us at J Bar H, guides during archery and rifle seasons. We met Matt and his brother Drew back in 2010 as archery hunter clients. Both are excellent hunters and we were excited to have Matt join us.
Matt has published a book called "Public Land Elk Hunting" which is available on Amazon. Matt is quick to share his knowledge and enjoys helping others learn more about elk hunting.
Matt's home is Colorado where he enjoys the outdoors with his wife and two sons. The "boys" are growing up quickly and becoming excellent hunters as well. Hmmmm, future guides in the making?
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Matt has published a book called "Public Land Elk Hunting" which is available on Amazon. Matt is quick to share his knowledge and enjoys helping others learn more about elk hunting.
Matt's home is Colorado where he enjoys the outdoors with his wife and two sons. The "boys" are growing up quickly and becoming excellent hunters as well. Hmmmm, future guides in the making?
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Jeanne Horne started professionally outfitting in 1998. Born and raised on a farm in South Texas, she developed a love for the outdoors early on with a mother and father that lived to hunt and fish. Jeanne's passion for the outdoors is evident to anyone that meets her. She is dedicated to the outfitting profession and considers herself immensely blessed to have a fabulous hunting area, the best crew ever, and great horses and mules to help get the job done. Jeanne moved to Colorado in 1984 and calls Hamilton, CO (just north of Meeker) home. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on Colorado's Parks and Wildlife commission for two terms in addition to serving on the Executive Board for the Colorado Outfitters Association for 12 years. For Jeanne, this way of life's not what you do; it's what you are.
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Nikki Harrison has been packing for J Bar H off and on for many years. Nikki and her husband Travis live in Wyoming on a working cattle ranch. She has a passion for horses and the outdoors as well as lion hunting.
No stranger to horses she grew up in the saddle and has a wealth of back country horse skills and knowledge. Nikki is a great asset to our outfit and we count our blessings she is part of the team. |
Jason Byington started packing and guiding at J Bar H in 2010. He grew up with horses and mules on his family farm in Michigan. Knowing he and his wife Lorri were going to “fly the coop” and move out West once their three kids had graduated, Jason attended Colorado Outdoor Adventure Guide School. Recently after he graduated, Jason reached out to us for a position packing and guiding and joined our team. He and Lorri are both avid bow hunters, and love the outdoors. They also enjoy time with their kids and now grandkids. A few years back Jason successfully competed at the State and National level in “Train to Hunt”. And if you need some advice on the latest hunting gadgets, Jason’s your man.
Arriving for hunting season 2016 from Kansas is Austin Henley. Austin attended Swan Mountain Guide and Packer School in Montana the summer of 2016 then stayed on with Swan Mountain to work in one of their horse ride concessions for the summer. Joining us just in time to pack elk for archery 2016, Austin quickly learned the ropes here at J Bar H.
Austin does not meet a stranger and will readily be there to help our clients out in any way he can. Austin's upbeat personality is an asset; he has earned his spot here on the team.
Austin does not meet a stranger and will readily be there to help our clients out in any way he can. Austin's upbeat personality is an asset; he has earned his spot here on the team.
Cody Goodman joined the J Bar H team summer of 2018. Kentucky is his home state where he is an avid hunter, has coon dogs and enjoys riding bulls. Cody is close to his family back home and quickly became part of the "family" here in Colorado.
Cody is an excellent hand with the horses and mules and is part of our pack team. He also guides for us during archery, muzzleloader and rifle seasons. He does a great job and his hunters have shared how much they enjoy hunting with Cody and how much they appreciate his hard work and efforts to help them have a successful hunt.
We are happy to have Cody as part of the J Bar H team.
Mitchell Buuck became part of the J Bar H family in the summer of 2022 and quickly became a huge asset. Having served in the U.S. Army for several years, he was distinguished as a Sniper Team leader as well as Staff Sergeant. Mitchell was stationed in Colorado much of his enlisted time and knows the mountains well.
He is a certified farrier, and grew up with horses. Mitchell is an avid hunter and outdoorsman and his love of the outdoors is evident. Mitchell’s passion spills over to our clients and he works super hard to make sure they have a safe and enjoyable time. Mitchell guides as well as being an exceptional wrangler/packer.
Younger Fawcett has been a part of the J Bar H team since 2008. Texas is home for Younger where he spends time with his son Lane. Younger comes from a ranching family and is steeped in tradition. He's a great hand with the horses and mules and is an exceptional packer.
He is quick with a smile and ready to help out wherever he can. Our clients wish he would guide! But packing and leading mule strings is what Younger is happy doing. |
September of 2021 Katie Hughes rode into our lives here at J Bar H. She is from Maryland, but the Sierra Mountains and Rocky Mountains are truly her “homes”. Horses and mules are, and have been, a big part of Katie’s life. She’s been a wrangler and packer for the Grand Canyon’s famous Mule Rides to Phantom Ranch. Katie has trained horses and people in many equine disciplines. She’s a graduate of the University of Maryland and has also worked as a Vet Tech which proves to be invaluable when you’ve got a herd of horses and mules like we do.
Katie’s smile and laugh come easily. She is professional and one of the best packers we’ve ever had at J Bar H. She shares her knowledge and is quick to help out wherever needed with the Outfit. She regularly competes at Bishop Mule Days in the Pack Scrambles, both team and individual events. If you don’t know what that is – google it!
The summer of 2021 Maggie Kwiatkowski joined the J Bar H team. She is originally from Ohio, but if you asked her now, I’m sure she would say Arizona is home. Maggie works seasonally for us as a wrangler/packer extraordinaire. Her “real” job is being head of the Equine program at the Phoenix Zoo. She has a major in Agronomy and Minor in Equine Science from Willington College. Maggie packed and guided at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the famous Mule Rides to Phantom Ranch. Prior to that she worked at the World Equestrian Center as a marketing intern as well as preparing competition horses working with trainers and clients. We are blessed to have Maggie as part of our team and welcome her back each year to join us for some mule wranglin’ and elk packin’. |
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At 5’3” and tipping the scale around a buck and a quarter, Madison McGee is a mighty force when it comes to tackling the job of being a wrangler/packer at J Bar H. She joined us summer of 2021 and learned the ropes of working for an outfitter. Madison is from South Florida and coming to Colorado was her first time out of Florida – and her first time to experience cold and snow…. She proved she was up for the challenge!
Madison started riding horses at 4 years of age and is now a winning barrel racer. She is an avid hunter, bow and rifle. Madison also loves to fish, camp, and spend time with her family and 4 dogs. She successfully competed with her market steer as well as her show heifer “Stella”. Horses, cattle and the outdoor lifestyle are part of who she is. Her “real” job is being a Vet Tech at one of the largest Equine Vet facilities in South Florida working closely with top notch equine veterinarians.
Madison started riding horses at 4 years of age and is now a winning barrel racer. She is an avid hunter, bow and rifle. Madison also loves to fish, camp, and spend time with her family and 4 dogs. She successfully competed with her market steer as well as her show heifer “Stella”. Horses, cattle and the outdoor lifestyle are part of who she is. Her “real” job is being a Vet Tech at one of the largest Equine Vet facilities in South Florida working closely with top notch equine veterinarians.
Originally from Kentucky, Tanner Smith now lives in the West working cattle most of the year and then being part of the J Bar H team as a wrangler/packer and guide. Tanner is a natural with horses and mules having been around them most of his life. When Tanner interviewed with us he shared a story of his dad taking him to Cody, Wyoming and Yellowstone at 7 years of age. He said he knew then he wanted to come West and live the cowboy lifestyle. Tanner is an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoys being outdoors. He also did some saddle bronc riding.
Hunting and horses are big parts of Tanner’s life. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with others and truly enjoys being in the mountains elk hunting and guiding.