Hell's A-Roarin Outfitters

HISTORY

Warren's father, Vern Johnson, moved to Jardine in 1932. He started outfitting that year in the Jardine/Crevasse area, and also had backcountry camps in Hellroaring and Buffalo.

Vern ran trap lines from Jardine to Hellroaring, and would often go 20 miles or more in a day. He would never miss a dance, and thought nothing of snow shoeing out 20 miles, to ride his horse to town, and dance all night! He was tough and he knew how to enjoy life!

Hunting was different then, and not nearly as comfortable as it is today. You might have gone out for 2 or 3 weeks, with only your guide to cook some wild game and potatoes. Many times Vern and his hunters would travel to wherever the game was

Vern Johnson driving Sally & Blue

plentiful,with nothing more than a tarp to sleep under, and some jerky or beans to get them through.

Vern Johnson on trapline, early 1930's	Vern Johnson at head of North Fork
Vern's favorite game to hunt was the grizzly and there were plenty to hunt. One night, a hunter wanted to shoot a grizzly that had been coming into camp, so unbeknownst to Vern he tied an elk quarter to his leg. When the grizzly pulled on it, his plan was to wake up and shoot it. You can imagine what really happened! Luckily the hunter lived!

Bill Johnson, Jim Pewberton, Nile Proffer, Buster Matheson (the rest unknown)	Bill, Vern & Earl (left to right)
Hunting was wooly in those days, and that is the environment that Warren grew up in. His father outfitted until he was 83 and Warren learned and lived with a self made man that knew every nuance of the woods. Warren loved the life and hunting, and his up-bringing, attention to detail and outgoing personality is what makes him the best outfitter in the business!