Hunt Journals 2026

Analiese Gaffey ‘s Story:

Analiese Gaffey is an exceptionally spunky and personable 24-year-old who was born and raised in Louisiana. She has lived in the same house in Leesville her entire life. Although her family is originally from Massachusetts, she is the first generation to grow up in the South—a result of her grandmother’s 20-year Army career.

An honor roll undergraduate, Analiese currently attends McNeese State University, where she is studying Animal Science. She plans to pursue a master’s degree after graduating next year.

Born with Spina Bifida and a bisected spinal cord, Analiese has endured numerous surgeries throughout her life. Despite these challenges, she has never slowed down. She began riding horses at the age of five and hasn’t stopped since. She credits horseback riding with helping strengthen her muscles and contributing to her ability to walk. Needless to say, horses are everything to her.

Her passion for horses extends far beyond riding. In addition to studying them academically, she enjoys collecting and cleaning bones and has even created a fully articulated horse leg.

In her not-so-spare spare time, Analiese manages a horse boarding facility and volunteers with the Lions Club as a summer camp arts and crafts teacher.

At 19, she took up hunting and was instantly hooked. Excited to share her new passion, she told her grandfather, who surprised her with a .308 rifle that Christmas. He always looked forward to hearing about her hunting adventures. Now, Analiese enjoys pursuing any game. While white-tailed deer are her usual quarry, she has been fortunate to hunt a variety of species including her first pronghorn in Wyoming. She enjoys spending time outdoors, taking advantage of public lands to hunt, fish, and camp, and absolutely fell in love with the West on that trip.

Analiese looks forward to returning for the NOW 2026 Hunt, where she can experience new places, meet new people, and take on new adventures. Her resilience, adventurous spirit, and passion for the outdoors make her an outstanding participant for this year’s Hunt.

“I like helping others and making them smile—it makes me smile,” she said.

Notable Traits: Determined, Driven, Lifelong Learner
Passion: HORSES, HORSES, HORSES
Activities: Collecting Bones, Painting, Traveling

Matt Sather’s Story:

Born and raised in the small community of Bigfork, Montana, Matt Sather has never allowed Spina Bifida to define what he can accomplish. While he faced mobility challenges and spent a fair amount of time as a child traveling to Seattle for medical care, his determination, independence, and passion for the outdoors have shaped a life filled with adventure and giving back to others.

Growing up in Montana, hunting and fishing were a way of life. Matt began fly fishing at 10 and was captivated by his father’s experiences on mule deer hunts. At 12, his dad took him on his first hunt, sparking a lifelong passion that continues today. He enjoys both rifle and bow hunting and has pursued game not only in Montana but also in Wyoming and Colorado.

Matt fishes independently and takes pride in his ability to launch and load his boat. His love for the outdoors extends into bird dog training, one of his greatest passions. He works with his Pudelpointer, Maverick, a rare breed with only a few thousand in the United States. While family and friends helped wrangle Maverick as a pup, Matt is deeply involved in the process.

After graduating high school, Matt attended taxidermy school before his career took a different path. Since 2005, he has worked at a friend’s company, Custom Sharpening by Hand, where he has built a successful career.

An avid adaptive athlete, Matt also participates in sled hockey with Moving Forward Adaptive Sports, skiing with Dream Adaptive Recreation, wheelchair basketball, archery, and fly fishing. Additionally, he gives back to the community by volunteering with Moving Forward Adaptive Sports and Track2Wing, an organization that provides Trackchairs to people that train and hunt with bird dogs.

Family remains at the center of Matt’s life. He is especially close to his parents and siblings and treasures time spent with family and friends. Known for being loyal and honest to a fault, Matt is excited to be part of the NOW 2026 Hunt, viewing the opportunity to hunt in another state as a true trip of a lifetime.

Passion: Bird dog training
Favorite Activities: Adaptive sports, hunting, and fishing
Notable Traits: Loyal, honest to a fault
Favorite Team: Seattle Seahawks

Jason Newby’s Story:

For Jason Newby, the outdoors has never been about limitations, it has always been about finding a way forward. Born in San Luis Obispo and raised in Atascadero, Jason’s determination was shaped early in life after a tractor accident at just two years old left him with limited use of his legs and dependent on a wheelchair. Despite the challenges, his family never treated him differently. He had chores just like his brother and sister, even mowing the lawn by tying his wheelchair to a self-propelled mower, helping instill the work ethic and resilience that continue to define him today.

After graduating from high school, Jason embarked on a career in the construction industry. He spent 13 years operating heavy equipment and has spent the last 13 years as a project manager and estimator. In 2008, he married his wife, Cortney, and together they share a passion for the outdoors, community involvement and their local Bible Church.

An avid shooter from a young age, Jason spends much of his free time at the local range shooting varmint rifle & black powder matches, trap and mentoring new shooters when possible. He serves as Vice President of the Santa Lucia Sportsmen’s Association while Cortney serves as the treasurer. The couple enjoys working together to promote safe shooting sports and outdoor recreation.

When he is not working or volunteering, Jason enjoys welding, mechanics, ATV riding, and helping others with projects. Although scoliosis has made ATV riding increasingly difficult, his passion for the outdoors remains as strong as ever. Hunting opportunities have been limited, particularly with California’s challenging requirements and terrain.

Selected for the Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs 2026 Hunt, Jason is excited for an experience unlike anything available close to home. He looks forward to sharing the adventure with family and friends while inspiring others to face challenges of their own.

His philosophy is simple: “If there is a will, there is a way. Find a way to make it happen.”

Notable Traits: Hardworking, Always Willing to Help Others
Passions: Shooting Sports, Four-Wheeling/Off-Roading, the Great Outdoors, and Faith in Christ
Hobbies: Welding, Mechanics, and Building Projects for Friends and Family

James Olesen’s Story:

Meet James Olesen from the coastal town of Eureka, California, in Redwood country, and only two hours from Oregon. James was born in Bozeman, Montana, and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy from a birth condition. He has found tasks becoming more difficult as he ages, but keeps a positive attitude, always striving to do his best. He works hard to keep his strength up and muscles limber through physical therapy. James attended Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, Montana where he focused on general studies.

James is a huge movie buff and enjoys 70’s and 80’s era movies with his favorite being the 1986 classic, Top Gun. His favorite film genres are action and science fiction. He is very knowledgeable about football, and has a knack for statistics. When he isn’t watching sports or movies, James likes to spend time at the Sequoia Park Zoo and people watching at the local mall.

He loves to fish off the coast, but finding accessible charters is challenging. Generally, he has the chance to fish for Pacific Halibut once a year. James also enjoys hunting and has the opportunity to hunt deer, elk, and even antelope.

The 2024 NOW Hunt will be James’ first trip to Nevada. Checking a box on his “bucket list,” he is very enthusiastic about the once in a lifetime experience, seeing new places and embarking on a new adventure.

Favorite Teams: Denver Broncos
Favorite Movie: Top Gun – the original
Favorite Past Times: Fishing, Watching Sports and Movies
Passions: Sports and Movies
Notable Traits: Positivity, Upbeat, Strives to do his Best

Bob Pollara’s Story:

Robert “Bob” Pollara was born and raised in New Jersey, where he built an exceptional career as a periodontist, practicing for many years in Morristown. Later in his career, Bob discovered a new passion for teaching and joined the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine as an Assistant Professor of Periodontics. Before long, he found himself spending more time teaching than practicing—a role he truly loved until retiring five years ago.

An avid outdoorsman, Bob has spent much of his life hunting and fishing. His very first big game hunt was an unforgettable pronghorn antelope hunt near Cody, Wyoming, which sparked a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Over the years, he made it a tradition to take a big game hunt each year, pursuing elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion, and other species. His adventures have taken him across North and South America, including memorable hunting trips to Bolivia, Argentina, and Uruguay.

A few years ago, Bob suffered a stroke that affected the use of his right arm and leg. While it has made getting around and hunting much more challenging, it has not diminished his love for the outdoors or his adventurous spirit.

Two years ago, Bob relocated to Reno to be closer to his son, Kyle, and his three grandchildren—two grandsons and a granddaughter. Family is now at the center of his life, and he treasures every opportunity to spend time with them.

The 2026 Now Hunt represents something truly special for Bob. For the first time since his stroke, he will have the opportunity to hunt again with the assistance and support of the organization—and, even more importantly, he will be able to share the experience with his son, Kyle. It is an opportunity he considers the hunt of a lifetime, and one for which he is deeply grateful.

If you spend a few minutes with Bob, you will quickly discover his favorite pastime: teasing just about everyone he meets. His quick wit and playful sense of humor are contagious, and he enjoys keeping family and friends laughing.

We are honored to welcome Bob to the NOW 2026 Hunt and cannot wait to see him back in the field, creating unforgettable memories.

Notable Traits: Likes to tease ANYONE and EVERYONE WHOLE LOT
Dream Hunt: Sharing the NOW 2026 Hunt with his son, Kyle
Favorite Activities: Spending time with the family

Maylie Harris’s Story:

Maylie is the daughter of Karlie and Ryan and a proud sister in a family of five children. Born in Provo, Utah, and raised in nearby Mapleton, she is a happy, energetic little girl who loves spending time with family and friends.

When Maylie was five years old, her parents began noticing some balance issues. While taking dance classes, her mom realized Maylie couldn’t stand on her toes like the other children and often struggled with coordination. After numerous medical appointments and testing, Maylie was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA), a rare and progressive disease that affects the nervous system, heart, and other parts of the body.

Despite the challenges that come with FA, Maylie’s spirit remains strong. Through dietary restrictions, and the daily obstacles of living with a rare disease, she has never lost her positive attitude. In fact, after her diagnosis, it was Maylie who comforted her parents.

“She is a special spirit,” says her mom, Karlie.

Maylie loves swimming, crafting, playing the piano, collecting squishy toys, and spending time with her friends and little brother. She also has a passion for the outdoors. She’s joined her family on mule rides on hunting trips and has already harvested two bucks of her own. When she’s not hunting, she enjoys practicing her marksmanship with an air gun.

The Nevada Outdoorsmen in Wheelchairs 2026 Hunt will be a special experience for Maylie. This time, she’ll have her very own tag and the opportunity to pursue her hunt just like everyone else—a dream she’s excited to make a reality.

Notable Traits: Trooper, Positive Attitude, Special Spirit
Passion: Swimming
Favorite Activities: Crafting, Playing Piano, Hunting, and Spending Time with Family and Friends