Jeff and I have been friends for over 50 years. We have hunted deer and elk in Utah many times since we both love our mountains and hunting. An African hunt has been a dream of ours for many years – but there always seemed to be a reason for pushing the date out one more year. In 2019 we decided to make the financial commitment and paid for the hunt to take place the coming year 2020….then Covid hit. In 2022 Jeff was diagnosed with cancer and we had to cancel again. In 2023 I had spinal surgery with 5 vertebrae’s fused. We thought 2024 would be the year – then Jeff need should surgery…on his shooting shoulder and we had to wait another year. All the planets finally lined up for a March 2025 hunt. We were both pretty healthy for being nearly 70 – but we had no idea how difficult the hunts for animals we wanted to harvest would end up being. Our hunts for kudu took us up some of the highest mountains, covered with rock and thorn trees. We worked hard for the animals we harvested, but it made for a hunt and memories that will last forever.
Jeff and I have been friends for over 50 years. We have hunted deer and elk in Utah many times since we both love our mountains and hunting. An African hunt has been a dream of ours for many years – but there always seemed to be a reason for pushing the date out one more year. In 2019 we decided to make the financial commitment and paid for the hunt to take place the coming year 2020….then Covid hit. In 2022 Jeff was diagnosed with cancer and we had to cancel again. In 2023 I had spinal surgery with 5 vertebrae’s fused. We thought 2024 would be the year – then Jeff need should surgery…on his shooting shoulder and we had to wait another year. All the planets finally lined up for a March 2025 hunt. We were both pretty healthy for being nearly 70 – but we had no idea how difficult the hunts for animals we wanted to harvest would end up being. Our hunts for kudu took us up some of the highest mountains, covered with rock and thorn trees. We worked hard for the animals we harvested, but it made for a hunt and memories that will last forever.
My daughter, Jaycee went on her very first hunt of any kind this year. She did the youth turkey hunt in the vernal area and got herself a beautiful Tom.
My daughter, Jaycee went on her very first hunt of any kind this year. She did the youth turkey hunt in the vernal area and got herself a beautiful Tom.
My daughter, Jaycee went on her very first hunt of any kind this year. She did the youth turkey hunt in the vernal area and got herself a beautiful Tom.
Story of Goliath “Bison with a bow and arrow, are you kidding me?” was the response, I received from everyone who heard I was going to attempt to shoot a “Once in a Lifetime” bison with archery equipment. On opening day, and after much glassing and stalking several groups of bachelor bulls. I found only one bull meeting my expectations. At 25 yards, I felt so small in the presence of this 2000 lb. “Goliath.” Ignoring his size and taking time to breathe slowly, I aimed small while focusing on the heart. Not remembering the release of the arrow, it was a perfect shot. “Goliath” bounded and met up with two other massive bulls. A broad side shot presented itself with a second arrow from 35 yards. It was a clean pass through the lungs, another lethal shot. As “Goliath” ran against the horizon, he bled out for two minutes before expiring. Bison with a bow and arrow? I would never want to do it any other way! *This Bison (Goliath) ranks 1st place at the 34th Recording Period of The North American Big Game Awards for Pope and Young and ranks 3rd ALL-TIME ever received by the Pope and Young Records Program in its category. This bison was scored by the Pope & Young Club Panel of judges for the awards ceremony held on April 12, 2025. This has been submitted as the new Utah Archery State Record, officially scoring 122 2/8. December 4, 2023, this bison was taken fair chase by Kim Fuller on Utah’s Antelope Island; using a Mathews compound bow, The Stalk Archery arrows and Iron Will broadheads.
Story of Goliath “Bison with a bow and arrow, are you kidding me?” was the response, I received from everyone who heard I was going to attempt to shoot a “Once in a Lifetime” bison with archery equipment. On opening day, and after much glassing and stalking several groups of bachelor bulls. I found only one bull meeting my expectations. At 25 yards, I felt so small in the presence of this 2000 lb. “Goliath.” Ignoring his size and taking time to breathe slowly, I aimed small while focusing on the heart. Not remembering the release of the arrow, it was a perfect shot. “Goliath” bounded and met up with two other massive bulls. A broad side shot presented itself with a second arrow from 35 yards. It was a clean pass through the lungs, another lethal shot. As “Goliath” ran against the horizon, he bled out for two minutes before expiring. Bison with a bow and arrow? I would never want to do it any other way! *This Bison (Goliath) ranks 1st place at the 34th Recording Period of The North American Big Game Awards for Pope and Young and ranks 3rd ALL-TIME ever received by the Pope and Young Records Program in its category. This bison was scored by the Pope & Young Club Panel of judges for the awards ceremony held on April 12, 2025. This has been submitted as the new Utah Archery State Record, officially scoring 122 2/8. December 4, 2023, this bison was taken fair chase by Kim Fuller on Utah’s Antelope Island; using a Mathews compound bow, The Stalk Archery arrows and Iron Will broadheads.
Story of Goliath “Bison with a bow and arrow, are you kidding me?” was the response, I received from everyone who heard I was going to attempt to shoot a “Once in a Lifetime” bison with archery equipment. On opening day, and after much glassing and stalking several groups of bachelor bulls. I found only one bull meeting my expectations. At 25 yards, I felt so small in the presence of this 2000 lb. “Goliath.” Ignoring his size and taking time to breathe slowly, I aimed small while focusing on the heart. Not remembering the release of the arrow, it was a perfect shot. “Goliath” bounded and met up with two other massive bulls. A broad side shot presented itself with a second arrow from 35 yards. It was a clean pass through the lungs, another lethal shot. As “Goliath” ran against the horizon, he bled out for two minutes before expiring. Bison with a bow and arrow? I would never want to do it any other way! *This Bison (Goliath) ranks 1st place at the 34th Recording Period of The North American Big Game Awards for Pope and Young and ranks 3rd ALL-TIME ever received by the Pope and Young Records Program in its category. This bison was scored by the Pope & Young Club Panel of judges for the awards ceremony held on April 12, 2025. This has been submitted as the new Utah Archery State Record, officially scoring 122 2/8. December 4, 2023, this bison was taken fair chase by Kim Fuller on Utah’s Antelope Island; using a Mathews compound bow, The Stalk Archery arrows and Iron Will broadheads.
Story of Goliath “Bison with a bow and arrow, are you kidding me?” was the response, I received from everyone who heard I was going to attempt to shoot a “Once in a Lifetime” bison with archery equipment. On opening day, and after much glassing and stalking several groups of bachelor bulls. I found only one bull meeting my expectations. At 25 yards, I felt so small in the presence of this 2000 lb. “Goliath.” Ignoring his size and taking time to breathe slowly, I aimed small while focusing on the heart. Not remembering the release of the arrow, it was a perfect shot. “Goliath” bounded and met up with two other massive bulls. A broad side shot presented itself with a second arrow from 35 yards. It was a clean pass through the lungs, another lethal shot. As “Goliath” ran against the horizon, he bled out for two minutes before expiring. Bison with a bow and arrow? I would never want to do it any other way! *This Bison (Goliath) ranks 1st place at the 34th Recording Period of The North American Big Game Awards for Pope and Young and ranks 3rd ALL-TIME ever received by the Pope and Young Records Program in its category. This bison was scored by the Pope & Young Club Panel of judges for the awards ceremony held on April 12, 2025. This has been submitted as the new Utah Archery State Record, officially scoring 122 2/8. December 4, 2023, this bison was taken fair chase by Kim Fuller on Utah’s Antelope Island; using a Mathews compound bow, The Stalk Archery arrows and Iron Will broadheads.
Story of Goliath “Bison with a bow and arrow, are you kidding me?” was the response, I received from everyone who heard I was going to attempt to shoot a “Once in a Lifetime” bison with archery equipment. On opening day, and after much glassing and stalking several groups of bachelor bulls. I found only one bull meeting my expectations. At 25 yards, I felt so small in the presence of this 2000 lb. “Goliath.” Ignoring his size and taking time to breathe slowly, I aimed small while focusing on the heart. Not remembering the release of the arrow, it was a perfect shot. “Goliath” bounded and met up with two other massive bulls. A broad side shot presented itself with a second arrow from 35 yards. It was a clean pass through the lungs, another lethal shot. As “Goliath” ran against the horizon, he bled out for two minutes before expiring. Bison with a bow and arrow? I would never want to do it any other way! *This Bison (Goliath) ranks 1st place at the 34th Recording Period of The North American Big Game Awards for Pope and Young and ranks 3rd ALL-TIME ever received by the Pope and Young Records Program in its category. This bison was scored by the Pope & Young Club Panel of judges for the awards ceremony held on April 12, 2025. This has been submitted as the new Utah Archery State Record, officially scoring 122 2/8. December 4, 2023, this bison was taken fair chase by Kim Fuller on Utah’s Antelope Island; using a Mathews compound bow, The Stalk Archery arrows and Iron Will broadheads.
Moms first deer hunt: After years of applying for deer hunts and with maximum bonus points I was able to draw a premium deer hunt along with my older daughter on a dream unit, the Paunsaugunt! I have to admit that initially I was extreme nervous! My husband has always been a hunter and I have never understood why he enjoyed all the work and preparation it takes before and during a hunt? Now, I understand….its not about the hunt, its about the time spent away in beautiful country with family and friends. My entire family was there with us including my six months pregnant daughter. We found this beautiful buck opening morning and I was able to harvest this deer with my father in laws rifle that everyone in the family has taken their first deer with. My daughter was able to harvest another beautiful buck a few days later. The memories we made camping, riding, scouting and spending time together are irreplaceable! We have great stories to tell for years and I can’t wait to take our grandson back out to do the same.
I am submitting this for my grandson Jake Jensen He caught this 5 lb large mouth bass on Lake Powell on Friday April 18th.
