Hunt Journals 2024

Calven Goza’s Story:

Calven Goza is an accomplished young man who was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado. While attending Montana Technological University in Butte, Montana, Calven and his friends were involved in a car accident. He sustained injuries to the T2 thru T10 vertebrae leaving him paralyzed. Calven was selected to participate in experimental therapy at the University of Louisville, Chrisopher Reeves’ program which utilizes Epidural Stimulation. He received treatments for three years through the program which provided him with some movement. More importantly, he met his now best friend, Cole Truebenbach, and the two will both be joining the 2024 NOW Hunt.

During his time in treatment, Calven continued his studies in Petroleum Engineering and has since taken over the family oil and gas business, Performance Fluids. He is also active in real estate and water rights. Dedicated to giving back to his community, Calven serves on various boards including the Central Colorado Water Conservation District, Ducks Unlimited, Western Hills Fire Protection District, Delta Irrigation Company (President) and more.

Calven and Lindsey, his girlfriend of three years, share a farm in Greeley. They enjoy spending time working on the farm, going to concerts, and traveling together.

An avid hunter, Calven archery and rifle hunts deer, elk, and moose. He has never been to Nevada and is looking forward to the adventure that the 2024 NOW Hunt provides, seeing college friend Travis Byrnes from Elko, and meeting new people.

Notable Traits: Driven and Giving
Passions: Giving Back to the Community
Favorite Activities: Working and Hunting
Favorite Music: Country

Marvin Kauffman’s Story:

Marvin Kauffman is from the small town of Middlefield, Ohio. The community is home to the 4th largest settlement of Amish families in the country including the Kauffman’s. Marvin was only 14 when a tree fell on him and injured both his T7 and T8 vertebrae.

Currently, Marvin is busy as a sales manager at a local saw mill, but never misses an opportunity to hunt or fish. He enjoys both bow and rifle hunting white tail deer on private property nearby, as well as fishing Walleye on Lake Eerie, June thru September.

Marvin and his lovely wife, Emma, will be celebrating their 30th Wedding Anniversary in November. Together, they love traveling, particularly to the western United States. The two have been on Nevada’s infamous “Loneliest Highway” on several trips, and can’t wait to visit the Silver State again this Summer. One of their favorite spots has been, of course, beautiful Lake Tahoe.

Marvin is super excited to participate in the 2024 NOW Hunt. Hunting antelope is an absolutely dream come true for him, something new and exciting. He couldn’t be more thrilled for the opportunity and support that NOW provides to make this dream become a reality.

Favorite Past Times: Hunting and Fishing
Favorite Music: Gospel and Old Country
Passions: Mowing the Lawn, Working Around the House
Notable Traits: Always Looking for Adventure, Trying New Things

Marcelo “Cello” Ramirez Lopez’s Story:

Not only local to Nevada, but born and raised in Reno, Marcelo Ramirez Lopez couldn’t be more excited to join Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs for the 2024 hunt. Dubbed “Cello” by friends, this inspirational young man has been working at Scheel’s for the last year and a half, where he started as a cashier, and has already moved up to salesman.

Marcelo sustained injuries during a drive by shooting at a Super Bowl party six years ago. Natalie Lozano, the love of his life, was waiting for him when he woke up at the hospital, and has been there for him throughout his recovery. The two have been together since high school, and were engaged last year. They plan to marry in September of 2025
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Marcelo’s achievements include graduating as a junior with honors from the Washoe Innovations High School. Recently, he has taken up sled hockey at the Reno Ice Rink, and he has extensive experience with firearms. In his free time, he enjoys watching and participating in sports, and playing video games.

He started hunting as a child at his grandparents’ ranch in Fallon where he hunted small game like rabbit and squirrels. He even has some experience hunting waterfowl. Marcelo enjoys fishing at Pyramid Lake, and is a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe.

Marcelo heard about the NOW Hunt at the Reno Sheep Show, and was encouraged to apply. He didn’t believe that he would be able to hunt large game, but thinks that the NOW program is opening a door for him. The opportunity will enable him to experience large game hunting at its finest and encourage him to keep the experience going into the future. It will keep pushing him into the outdoors, keep him active, and encourage him to achieve his personal goals.

Passions: Sled hockey, Firearms
Favorite Teams: LA Dodgers, LV Raiders
Special Spot: Pyramid Lake
Notable Traits: Light hearted, Great Sense of Humor

Joseph “Joe” Miller’s Story:

Joe was in the logging business when, five years ago, a tree fell on him landing across his shoulders. That incident changed his life. At 26, he was forced to explore other career options. One appeared locally in his hometown of Burton, Ohio with the Geauga Amish Loan fund. Here, Joe is not only a bookkeeper, but assists applicants with the loan process for land and real estate improvements as well.

In his spare time, Joe enjoys hunting whitetail deer with either bow or rifle, and fishing for Walleye at Lake Eerie. He also likes going to the softball field and watching the local team in action. At home, Joe is a gardener and king of the grill. This Grill Master makes his own marinades and rubs, and is always eager to try new recipes.

Joe and Rose, his wife, have been married for 5 ½ years. Together they share daughter, Emma Rose. The whole family is excited for the 2024 NOW Hunt, and will be traveling to Nevada. Joe is looking forward to the unique experience that the hunt will bring. He absolutely loves hunting and doesn’t get out as much as he would like to. The adventure out West is truly a chance of a lifetime that will create magnificent memories for himself and family.

Favorite Music: Gospel
Favorite Past Times: Hunting, Fishing and Spending Time with Family
Passion: Grilling and Smoking Meats
Notable Traits: Reserved – but not shy about striking up a conversation with anyone.

Robert Paylor’s Story:

Robert Paylor, from California’s Sacramento Valley, grew up with a passion for athletics and the outdoors. In high school, he found the sport of rugby and immediately fell in love with the game’s physicality and camaraderie. His talent brought him to start for the UC Berkeley Men’s Rugby Team — the #1 ranked rugby program in the nation.

As Robert was competing for Cal’s 31st national championship in 2017, an opposing player made an illegal move that broke his neck, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. This began an inspiring rehabilitation journey where he has regained a significant amount of mobility, he graduated from UC Berkeley in 2020, and married his loving wife, Karsen Paylor, in November 2023. He is now an inspirational speaker, sharing his story of hope and determination with organizations around the country.

Hunting has given Robert a way to pursue his passion in the outdoors and athletics, replacing what was lost when his rugby-playing days ended. He is an avid waterfowl hunter, hunting the Butte Basin and Sacramento Valley Wetlands, and was afforded the opportunity to have a successful deer hunt in 2022, courtesy of the California Deer Association.

He is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the 2024 NOW Hunt and greatly looks forward to meeting the other inspiring participants. Robert consider’s this opportunity to be an answer to his prayers and is confident this experience will be a lifelong, cherished memory.

Uriyah Raven’s Story:

Meet born and raised in Nevada Uriyah Raven. Hailing from Las Vegas, this witty 13 year old was born premature, weighing only 3 lbs. Diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Uriyah utilizes a walker, but that doesn’t slow him down a bit.

Uriyah currently attends former governor of Nevada, Mike O’Callaghan’s MS I3 Learning Academy where he is studying Video Game Design. The school is an award winning STEM Magnet Academy providing accelerated programming to students.

In his free time, Uriyah enjoys playing video games, and watching horror movies. Uriyah has been hunting with his family since birth and drew his first mule deer tag last year. While unsuccessful, he isn’t discouraged, but rather more determined to start another hunting adventure. He is looking forward to having a great experience on the 2024 NOW Hunt this year, and believes it will positively impact his self-esteem.

NOW’s adaptive equipment will provide him with the tools needed to achieve his goal of a successful hunt.

We can’t wait to see Uriyah Raven in action!

Favorite Horror Movie: Scream
Favorite Place to Hunt: Eureka, NV
Notable Traits: Sarcastic and Funny

Cole Truebenbach’s Story:

Born and Raised in Fredrick, South Dakota, Cole Truebenbach comes from a legacy of hard work and agriculture.

In 2012, Cole was riding his dirt bike when he rode over a hill without realizing there was a dry run embankment on the other side. The abrupt landing caused him to hit his chest on the handle bars resulting in injuries to this T4 and T6 vertebrae, sternum and ribs.

Cole doesn’t stop for much. A short time later, he returned to college at the Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, South Dakota, and received his degree in Agri-Business. He kept working on countless projects, and launched his own custom application business. Cole was able to adapt, and did the work largely himself.

Cole has continued to be an integral component in the family businesses as well. At AgriSwine Alliance, he manages various hog sites in the area. Along with his three sisters, he purchased Dakota Plains Feed and Grain, which he currently manages. The company mixes hog, cattle and horse feed. Cole also helps out at the farm with crop and cattle work.

Cole participated in a research trial program for spinal cord injuries in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, he met Calven Goza, and the two have become best friends. Calven was also selected as a 2024 NOW hunter. Cole learned a lot about adapting to his new life through the program, and is grateful for the experiences.

Cole is passionate about hunting and fishing. He has experience hunting waterfowl, antelope, elk and deer. He even builds his own deer blinds. The 2024 NOW Hunt will be a unique opportunity for Cole to hunt outside of South Dakota and see the beautiful Nevada landscape. He is excited about meeting new people, and hearing their stories.

Notable Traits: Driven, Charismatic, and Outgoing
Passion: Deer Hunting, Spending Time with Family and Friends
Favorite Music: Country
Favorite Whisky/Whiskey: Pendleton