Featured Image: Larry with his record book Caribou.
We are extremely excited to announce our fourth and final installment in a year-long series of articles that spotlighted accomplished “outdoor” individuals. This new limited series of articles celebrated the stories, skills, and traditions of successful hunters from around Greene County.
These special articles explored the experiences of individuals who have mastered their craft through patience, knowledge, and respect for nature. Each feature highlighted not only remarkable achievements in the field, but also the dedication, preparation, and ethical practices that define responsible hunting.
Readers were treated to in-depth profiles, vivid storytelling, and practical insights drawn from real-life pursuits. From tracking elusive game in rugged wilderness to understanding animal behavior, the series presented a well-rounded perspective on local hunting legends. By focusing on personal journeys and lessons learned, these articles hopefully inspired appreciation for the outdoors.
These diverse stories allowed us to engage deeply with one person’s lifelong outdoor journey…and hopefully built anticipation for future features.
This quarter’s outdoor icon highlights the achievements of Larry Goehring. Larry is a retired executive of Wells Fargo and operates a 226-acre farm in Spraggs. Visiting Larry’s farm was an absolute pleasure for me. He has one of the most impressive trophy rooms I have ever seen, displaying over a hundred different mounts from all over the world.
Larry and his American Bison.
Traveling the world in search of giant antlers and Boone and Crockett animals is an adventure driven by passion, patience, and respect for the outdoors. From the rugged mountains of North America to the vast wilderness of Alaska and the remote plains of Africa, every destination offers the chance to pursue extraordinary big-game animals and experience some of the most beautiful landscapes on Earth.
However, Larry’s search for trophy animals is about much more than a place in the record books. It is about early mornings, long hikes, unpredictable weather, and the excitement of exploring unfamiliar country. Whether glassing distant mountain ridges for massive elk, tracking giant whitetail deer through thick timber, or searching for world-class moose in the northern wilderness, every hunt creates memories that last a lifetime.
Boone and Crockett animals, of which Larry has two (Barren Ground Caribou and Alaska-Yukon Moose), represents the remarkable quality of wildlife and the importance of conservation. He has also recorded the “Grand Slam” of North American caribou. The legacy of the B&C club reminds hunters that protecting habitat, practicing ethical hunting, and managing wildlife responsibly are essential to preserving these incredible animals for future generations.
For those willing to travel far, work hard, and embrace the challenges of the hunt, the journey becomes a lifelong pursuit. The ultimate reward is not always a record-book trophy, but the friendships, experiences, and unforgettable moments along the way. The world is full of wild places waiting to be explored, and the search for giant antlers is an adventure without an end.
Larry has hunted in Texas, Alaska (3), Montana, Washington (9), Wyoming, South Dakota, New York, British Columbia, Alberta, the NW Territories, Quebec, New Zealand, and Mozambique. He is also an avid angler, having fished all over the world, including all the Great Lakes, landing many impressive trophies along the way.
Larry shared several adventures with me with an incredible remembrance of detail. One of his most memorable experiences was a hunt in Alaska for moose, bear, and caribou. After flying into base camp and setting up they spent the afternoon glassing nearby mountains and valleys for a moose…in Alaska you can not hunt the same day you fly.
The next morning after climbing to a high point, the guide began calling hoping to get a response. This scenario played out over-and-over as the day progressed, and they passed up several legal bulls along the way looking for something bigger.
Finally, they were able to spot an enormous moose in the distance. The guide began calling and the moose responded. They maneuvered to a spot where they could see, and the guide said “he is coming in.” They could hear him approaching long before they could see him…snapping trees and busting brush. A large moose can exceed two thousand pounds, and when he finally stepped out at 35 yards it was truly an incredible sight.
Two well placed shots had the moose on the ground, and they were amazed at the size of his body and antlers. They were a mile away from camp and the bush plane forcing them to pack-out the meat and antlers on their backs…the antlers alone weighed over one hundred pounds. They eventually succeeded in their task but soon found out the meat and antlers far exceeded the weight the plane could carry. A couple of trips were necessary to get the moose out. The massive moose easily qualified for the record books with a B&C club score of 224.
The next task was filling the caribou tag. There was a migration of caribou taking place and the hardest part was trying to pick out the biggest trophy amongst the thousands of animals passing in front of them. After agreeing on a particular bull, a well-placed shot ended the hunt and another entry into the B&C club was accomplished with a score of 390-2/8.
The final piece of the adventure was looking for a giant grizzly. They left the carcass of the caribou in the hopes that a grizzly would come and feed on it…no luck. They travelled 35-40 miles up steam on a boat looking for a bear but were unsuccessful in their attempt to find a bear that fit Larry’s standards. Two years later, he would eventually find the bear he wanted and was successful in harvesting him.
Larry explained, having the ability and means to hunt big game around the world is a privilege that should not be taken for granted. The world offers incredible opportunities, but opportunity means little if we wait too long to pursue it. Hunting requires strength, endurance, determination, and the physical ability to meet its challenges. Time is never guaranteed, and age eventually catches up with everyone. If you have the health, resources, and passion go now, the memories, challenges, and experiences will last a lifetime.
Larry and his guide with record book Moose.
