Going for Gould's

by
posted on May 2, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
going_goulds_1.jpg

So this is Mexico? Not exactly what I had in mind when I envisioned Sonorait's much better. Water is plentiful, along with huge white-barked sycamores and oaks in the creek bottoms where the Gould's gobblers roost.

Four of us are hunting with Ted Jaycox of Tall Tine Outfitters about a 2-hour drive south of Douglas, Ariz. After a smooth border crossing yesterday afternoon, we patterned our Mossberg shotguns with Federal Premium 3rd Degree loads and found them devestating to beyond 40 yards. We're trying a new sight setup on the Mossberg 535 shotguns, an aperture-style rear from Marble Arms called the Bullseye Sight. Mossberg pairs it with a fine fiber-optic front pipe. Together, the two align quicklycenter the fiber optic in the aperture--and force the shooter to keep his head down on the stock while concentrating on the bead.

The gobblers rose early this morning; they were gobbling before 4:30. Right at first light fellow writer Josh Dalke slammed a big bird at a mere 8 yards, but only after the bird gobbled about 100 times and passed within feet of Josh's blind. After a midday siesta, we're heading back out. It won't be hard to fall asleep with a little creek gurgling in the background. This is turkey-hunting paradise.

Latest

Colorado Flag
Colorado Flag

Colorado Right to Hunt Amendment Makes the November Ballot

Colorado voters will decide this November whether there should be a constitutional right to hunt and fish in the state constitution. Initiative 302, officially titled the Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish, cleared its final procedural hurdle on August 20, 2026, when the Colorado Secretary of State’s Elections Division certified that proponents had gathered enough valid signatures.

In Memoriam: Randy Brooks: 1949-2026

Randy Brooks, creator of the famous Barnes X Bullet and the 2016 NRA Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award winner, passed away peacefully on the morning of Aug. 27, 2026. The Brooks family believes Randy may have suffered a stroke. He had suffered mini-strokes in the past, and he was recently diagnosed with vascular dementia. He was 76.

Focus on the Conservation’s Future—Groundbreaking Lessons in Arkansas

True outdoor curriculum is being offered to thousands of students in Arkansas, thanks to rededicated efforts under the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s (AGFC) outdoor education partnership with the Arkansas Governor’s Office and Arkansas Department of Education.

How To: So You Want to Shoot a Moose!

Looking to DIY a moose hunt? It's a rewarding experience, but there are quite a few things you should know before you go. Here is a primer from someone who's been there.

New for 2026: ScentLok Women's Alpha Elite Jacket and Bib

Female hunters looking for extra-warm, late-season whitetail protection no longer must settle for oversized men's cuts. The ScentLok Women's Alpha Elite Jacket and Bib are officially shipping and available at retail, delivering a specialized fit for the dedicated late-season outdoorswoman.

Head to Head: The 9.3x62 vs. 9.3x74R

A battle of 9.3mms. While this particular caliber never really caught on here in the states, it may be time for this old safari favorite to find its way into a few more gunrooms. Check out more about them here.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.