The article by G. Fred on Roger was great. I couldn't agree more with him on how great and down to earth guy he is. Many years ago I was going past his town on the 4th of July weekend and stopped, unannounced, at his place and even though his whole family was there and getting ready for dinner he invited us in and spent more than an hour with us and even showed us a home made video he made of a recent spring bear hunt! I'm glad to see he's doing so good. He was my second big influence on the way I hunt to this day with Fred Bear being the first.
Roger IS one of the greats. I thought it was an excellent article/interview.
Ol Roger had the mysteries of scrapes down 10 years before anyone else even knew what a scrape was. He's probably one of the top 5 whitetail hunters of all time.
Good article.
I have never met Roger *in person* but have spent countless hours talking with him on the phone. You would be hard-pressed to find a nicer, more knowledgeable guy. I ordered both of his books from him earlier this year. He autographed both books and sent me a couple of pictures of the two deer that he took this past fall, along with a short story on their demise. If I am ever out in Iowa, I definately plan on paying Roger a visit and shaking his hand.
Winterhawk1960
Is that in the Aug/Sept. issue?
Just read it last night and it was great. Roger was a big influence on me when his books first came out. I had both of his books get destroyed in basement flood and I really want to buy copies to replace them.
I haven't seen the article yet but I'm looking forward to it. When it comes to whitetails, Roger is as good as they come. In fact, just last month I was looking for something else and came across a cassette tape Roger sent me probably 35 years ago. Back then we used to correspond via tape recorders because it was a lot cheaper than corresponding for hours by long distance via telephone. I learned a lot from the man. And I think he'd agree we really enjoyed sharing thoughts, opinions and theories because we had the same "disease". You know, one hears negatives about everyone, and I mean everyone. A lot of negatives surface through jealousy. Unlike very many people I know, Roger molded his life "In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetails" (excuse the pun) and now is rightfully capitalizing on all the efforts on his own farm in rural Iowa. I say more power to him. My hat's off to the man! Take it from me, in my opinion, when it come to whitetails Roger is not only good, but one of the best there ever was...ever. And I'm proud to consider him a friend. BW
Well said Barry! Your comments about the negatives is right on target. Back when the vultures were prowling some of us went on the offensive to beat them back... I remember you being a supporter then. Roger is... and always has been quite a guy!
Back in the 70's my first wife's father died. He lived in Ohio so when we were done taking care of his estate and funeral we spent some time in Ohio visiting my wife's old friends. We were close to Roger's hometown so I gave him a call. The result was a two day visit and an introduction to Don Assenheimer who had just started making bows. It was Roger who got me to put my compound away and for years afterward I hunted with Snuffers. He taught me how to sharpen three blade heads and told me the story about the beginnings of the Assenheimer bow...which was the result of Roger dropping his Howard Gamemaster from a tree and breaking it. It is a weekend I will never forget. I got lots of slides of my visit....wish we had digital back then as I would post some of them.
I enjoyed the article in TBM :) ...Van
I spent one week with Roger bear hunting in Ontario with Sergio Venneri. His knowledge of whitetails is second to none. He introduced me to the Snuffer, gave me a bunch to take home. always smiling, fun guy, good shot and a great Prankster!!!
The article was nice and gave Roger credit for what was due.
I wish the price was included for his books, his address was there but no mention of cost for the two books he wrote.
I would love to read them and will need to send him a letter for the price I guess.
DEATHMASTER
It was a good article. I found his treestand blind interesting. I would have never expected a mature deer would tolerate something like that. Suppose they are left up year round?
Yeah Mike I was thinking the same thing. I have noticed deer in some places don't look-up so much as in others. Iowa being one of them. I mean you can't do jumping jacks in the tree but they don't automatically look up like they do down south.
I used to hunt a place in Montana that the deer would stumble around in the woods cause they were looking up in the trees as they walked along...
I read Rogers book and really enjoyed it. I met him last year at Compton and just shook his hand and thanked him for a fine read.
I agree a good guy!
Bill
Biggie,
Perhaps the deer were looking up at you because they thought you were a big ol' grizzly in Montana?
I scond what uncle Barry says. Back in the early 80's when I was a high school kid...Gene, Barry and Roger provided me with a wealth of whitetail knowledge that helped me tremendously. When it comes to whitetail bowhunting, The Wensels and Roger are in a class by themselves...Of course Ol' Jackie Bushman (The Buck Master" ) may disagree...
Peter
If you buy Roger's most recent book (Whitetail Magic), you can't help but come away from it with a great respect for the man's approach to hunting, and also feel the high regard he has for the animals themselves. I highly recommend that book!!
He's the real deal and I finally got to meet him at the '06 Compton shoot.
I am embarrased to say, but I never heard of him. I am not " up to date" with all of the traditional bowhunting lergends because I didnt really start getting into it until 4-5 years ago. However I did read the artical, and all I can say is WOW :thumbsup:
Yes, it is a good article about one of our great Trad Whitetail hunters. I started noticing Roger from his writings in BOWHUNTER magazine back in the early 1980's. Not only does he know his stuff, he can be very funny!
My brother and I have put his big ol' Snuffers through lots of elk and mule deer over the years.
Hey, them things work!
Glad to see his Son Ryan posting here on occasion. Olebow
QuoteYeah Mike I was thinking the same thing. I have noticed deer in some places don't look-up so much as in others. Iowa being one of them. I mean you can't do jumping jacks in the tree but they don't automatically look up like they do down south.
I used to hunt a place in Montana that the deer would stumble around in the woods cause they were looking up in the trees as they walked along...
I know what ya mean. You must spend time on a farm that doesn't get much pressure though. Most places I hunt they stumble frequently. :)
Anyone know what county Roger is in? Just wondering how far he is from me. I personally would like to see him as our guest speaker for our Spring banquet or Fall festival sometime. Does he do that?
I've read "Whitetail Magic".....good sound advise and good stories to learn from.
I took the pics for the article in early April...we don't spend much time in those stands after the leaves fall. But the deer do get used to them, and with a few leaves around they aren't so bad. I think that particular stand has been up for 4 or 5 years, kind of becomes part of the scenery.
It's not very well known, because he's not much of a self promoter, but Dad's 6 biggest whitetails net score around 1005 inches total. That's net, not gross (I know, Gene, "Nets are for fish." ha ha), and includes 4 typical bucks and only 2 non-typicals. Over half of his bucks over 150 inches were taken on property that was not exclusive (anyone who asked could get permission to hunt there). He's only had "exclusive" property to hunt for the last few years.
Ryan
Yeah, that's the amazing thing - taking those huge bucks on NON-exclusive properties.
Have never met him (or Ryan) but would like to thank them for all the enlightening reading material. Can remember reading Roger's articles in the early Bowhunter magazines during the late 70's and how much they opened my eyes. Learned a tremendous amount from them and his authored books. I still own both of the books although the first one isn't autographed.
QuoteOver half of his bucks over 150 inches were taken on property that was not exclusive (anyone who asked could get permission to hunt there). He's only had "exclusive" property to hunt for the last few years.
I find his accomplishments in that regard, much more impressive than the late and greats who hunt on deer paradises. He's in a class of his own IMO.
I bought a pack of Snuffers years ago and was having problems with arrow flight. I now realize it was due to improperly spined arrows. I was new to trad gear back then.
Rogers phone number was on the pack. I called him and he one of the nicest guys you would want to talk to.
I have both of his books. Take care. Mike.
Ryan, You were probably there when my family stopped in since everybody was just setting down to eat when your Dad took us back to watch his bear hunting videos. I still feel so fortunate to have met him and I can say he is one of my only "book" heros that didn't dissappoint me by meeting him. I currently make it a practice to try and "not" meet my heros so they can stay heros in my mind.
Ryan, I didn't know youwere a photographer as well as a hairy cow hunter :^). It was good talking with you at Compton, and I look forward to hunting this fall again.
The article on your dad was great. I think it is something that should have been done long ago. When it comes to whitetails few would rank higher than your dad.
I met Roger in the mid-80's. He sat down and autographed one of his books for me, and we talked about deer hunting for a while. I remember him as a great guy.
Just talked to Roger. Here is his contact info.
641-938-2506
Roger Rothhaar
2439 710 Ave.
Blakesburg, IA. 52536
Price for the books is $20.00 each, shipping included. The first book, "In Pursuit of Trophy Whitetails" is in very limited supply. "Whitetail Magic" is the second book.
I sure would love to see Roger pen another book. I am sure some of his opinions and ideas have changed over the years and it would be great to see him put something together like Gene Wensel did with "Come November". I would bet money that it would sell like hot cakes! :)
TBM " Do you wear camo"?
Roger...i prefer traditional plaids or neutral colors.I am certain they are at least as effective on animals as any camo pattern and most importantly, do not remove you from genteel society. I prefer to look like a gentleman, instead of an IDIOT!
I just LOVE that line. If I have to explain why then you wouldn't understand..........One Heck of a Traditional Qoute...Roger , please come to Mississippi and show me how to kill these big Mississippi River Delta whitetails..........great job G. Fred...loved it
It was simply nice to see Roger airing out some stuff publicly. Roger has always been one of the guys I've admided for his drive and dedication to a specific nitch in the wide world of hunting.
All to often I've seen guys reach a hard earned level of success in a very difficult area such as archery only to become a target for those who've not earned their respective place in the sport. I take my biggest hat off to you Roger. Good to see you out and about. If you ever want to share some secrets I'll be glad to listen tentatively. :thumbsup: :D
Nice article BTW. CK
I've only met Roger once, at the 2007 UBI banquet where he sat in on a whitetail hunting seminar. Long after most of us had retired to our rooms that night (actually early the next morning), Roger was still sitting in the hospitality room, talking about deer hunting with folks. I only wish I had that much energy.
I finally had a chance to read the article while I was flying home from San Antonio today. I figure if I ever learn a tenth of what Roger's forgotten over the years, I'll still be doing well.
Barry, You are alright. Nice testimony.
Nice testimony Barry. You are alright.
Can't wait to read it. I gave my Dad 2 books in his lifetime, Rogers was one of them. "The" expert on whitetails for sure. Gotta go find the mag now.
I enjoyed the article, I would have liked to learn more about how he invented the snuffer etc..