HAVA Hosts Native
American Marine On
His First Bison Hunt
Smiles all around as Tray Ardese (left) stands with HAVA’s Heath Gunns (center) and John Howell,
who hosted Ardese on his first buffalo hunt at the Dismal River Club in Mullen, Neb.
Honored American Veterans Afield (HAVA) was proud to host Native American and retired/disabled Marine veteran Tray Ardese on a bison hunt at the Dismal River Club in Mullen, Neb.
Tray Ardese, a Native American from the Choctaw tribe, served in the USMC for 25 years and is an avid hunter.
“This was my first opportunity, but I always knew God would provide a way for me to hunt buffalo. It just never materialized until this hunt and I’m so grateful to HAVA,” he said.
In the Sandhills area of Nebraska, along the Dismal River, retired NFL player and Nebraska native, John Howell, hosted the hunt with Dismal River Outfitters at the Dismal River Club. A restored and now self-sustaining herd of bison make these rolling prairie-land hills their home. Each year only a few Bison are harvested for herd management. Ardese’s hunt and experience in Nebraska was a success and he expressed extreme gratitude to all who contributed.
“I always knew God would provide a way for me to hunt buffalo. It just never materialized until this hunt and I’m so grateful to HAVA.”
— Tray Ardese
HAVA Outreach Manager Heath Gunns, who was there to support the hunt, expressed his gratitude for HAVA’s involvement in this unique opportunity.
“HAVA is extremely grateful to John and the Dismal River team for the work they do to help preserve the American bison; and for this amazing and very select opportunity for a veteran to pursue such an iconic animal. We’re so pleased to be a part of bringing Tray on this hunt.”
HAVA continues to adapt operations in order to continue serving our Nation’s veterans, despite the limitations imposed by COVID-19. In 2021 smaller training and hunting events will be held to conform with safety standards.
“We look forward to a day in the very near future when we can hold our Family Day events, and other larger gatherings again, to reach as many veterans as possible,” said Tom Taylor, HAVA chairman. “Until then, we’ll continue to honor those we serve with smaller range events and hunts, such as this.”
To learn more about HAVA, visit honoredveterans.org.
HAVA is a 501(c)3 organization formed by companies in the shooting and outdoor industry with the purpose of raising awareness and further assisting disabled veterans with their healing process through guided hunts, shooting events and other outdoor sports activities. FMG Publications, parent company of Shooting Industry, is a proud sustaining sponsor. Other sustaining sponsor companies include: Smith & Wesson, NSSF, SIG SAUER, ACADEMI, Arnold Defense, Crimson Trace, E3 Training, GLOCK, Hornady, Leapers/UTG, Leupold & Stevens, Mossberg, National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), Operation Hat Trick, Ruger, Savage, SureFire, Taurus, Vista Outdoor/Federal, XS Sights and Yamaha Outdoors among numerous contributing companies.
