Striking Gould’s

by
posted on February 18, 2016
** 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. **
striking_goulds_f.jpg

Found and hunted mainly in northern Mexico, the Gould’s turkey subspecies is on any gobbler fanatic’s lifetime hit list. The Gould’s (named after British ornithologist and artist John Gould, who identified the subspecies during his travels through Mexico in 1856) is a big bird, with gobblers commonly weighing 22 pounds or more. Many Gould’s gobblers have somewhat spindly beards and nubby spurs—products of the high-desert environment they call home—but their tail fans, ringed by brilliant white feather tips, are the largest of all the subspecies.

I hunted the Gould’s on Rancho Mababi, a 6,250-acre working cattle and sheep ranch owned by Roberto and Alice Valenzuela, in the rugged hills the Sonoran Desert. The south-of-the-border setting with ties to the Mexican Revolution, the hospitality of the Valenzuelas and the expertise of Ted Jaycox of Tall Tine Outfitters made it a memorable experience—but of course the highlight of the trip was hearing a Gould’s gobbles roll through the desolate landscape of Sonora, while I looked down the barrel of my Mossberg and wondered if this bird would put the cap on my royal slam.

Latest

Pennsylvania Game Commissionlede
Pennsylvania Game Commissionlede

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

First Look: Premium and Premium Deluxe Die Sets From Redding Reloading Equipment

Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its Premium Die Set and Premium Deluxe Die Set product lines, including over seventy of the most popular cartridges in the industry today.

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.