Will Nelson

In Will’s words…

For me, nights are spent dreaming, planning, and arranging this and next year’s hunts. My bedside table is stacked high with outdoor magazines and articles-most of which should have been tossed away ions ago. I cannot bring myself to do it. There’s way too much information there to waste! My prize magazine is a copy of the June 2009 Safari Club International Awards Issue. What makes this magazine so special you ask? The answer is simple. This magazine and its annual predecessors have been all over the globe with me. I’ve taken them to the Dark Continent, South America, New Zealand, Europe, Canada, and many states within the United States. I have used these magazines as a reference while hunting. Within their pages, you’ll find SCI’s Grand Slams and Inner Circles…the stuff that presently fuels my hunting experiences. The slams and inner circles categorically list animal species necessary for a hunter to harvest. Moreover, they establish the requirements for completing the slams and inner circles (the program began in 1984 to recognize the achievements of successful hunters. The awards honor hunters with broad ranges of hunting experiences). As a goal orientated individual, this magazine has given me a huge shopping list. I would love to be one of the few hunters whom have successfully completed all the slams and inner circles! I think I’m well on my way…101 different big games species to my credit (74 taken with archery gear-most qualify for SCI's record book, 12 ranks among the top ten).

Back in 1977, as a young but hardcore hunter (I could not get enough hunting), I set out to kill all five members of the North American deer family (mule deer, whitetail deer, elk, moose and caribou). I completed the task in 1990. Then in 1992, Chuck Adams completed his infamous archery Super Slam. At the time, I had no hunting aspirations of my own. I read an article from an Outdoor Life magazine detailing Mr. Adam's accomplishment (I still have the article in the top drawer of my desk. At least once a year I re-visit it). Although barely an archer at that time, I set out to copy this amazing feat. To date, I’m 17 animal species into it. This will be a mission I take to my grave. I may or may not collect all 27 members of North American big game, but I would like to at least say I was there for the hunt. For that matter, I would be happy with just a quality photograph of all species within their natural habitat. In 2003, I had a reality check while investigating a stone sheep hunt. Wow, who can afford $25,000 when he has two children, both of which need college educations (certainly not me)? My dream of collecting all 27 North American big game animals will have to wait, or at least take second priority to my children. I had to come up with a new plan, establish a new goal. It would have to be something challenging and more realistic for my income. I traveled here and there, but nothing seemed to formulate. I searched for direction… It finally hit me! I was actively gathering deer from state to state. Was it possible to collect a nice buck from ever state in North America? After some investigation, I felt this goal was very attainable…not too expensive…I could drive to many of the states. I said to myself “go for it”! Thus, a new hunting goal was born! I’m 15 of 20 states (I did kill a desert mule deer in New Mexico. Unfortunately feral hogs consumed the deer before I found it) into this goal. I plan 2-5 hunts outside Colorado every year. To be successful obtaining this goal, I need to harvest deer from two different states each year…hopefully more (Looking down the road twenty years from now). Jim Zumbo is the only man in history to attempt this feat.

I love working and playing outdoors. Soccer is a love I can no longer enjoy at a competitive level. After 34 years of playing, I was forced to give this wonderful game up. Hunting, hiking, and amateur rock collecting have replaced soccer.

I love wildlife photography! Visit my gallery; I take a lot of pride in being able to get close. Hunting with a camera enhances my abilities to hunt with a bow.

I am currently a member of PSE's field staff. I love Enigma camouflage! I will promote these two products until I die. I instruct bow hunter/hunter education classes in Colorado whenever I can.

If I have it to spare, it's yours!