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Don G. is the General Manager of the Maughan Ranches. Born in Portland Oregon in 1967, after moving to Arizona, he helped out on his days off at the Diamond 2 and Cross S Ranches. Don Left his job as assistant manager at U-Haul and hired on with the Maughan Ranches in 1991. His job encompasses the management of a dozen ranches totaling almost 400,000 acres ranging from the upper Sonoran Desert areas northwest of Phoenix, to the majestic Mogollon Rim Country featuring Ponderosa Pine Forests and scenic rolling hills.
Don doesn’t get to ride his horse “Shiner” much these days. His Dodge Pick Up and Cell Phone are his main tools used to keep things runnin smooth and keep connected to the 40 men in the field, taking care of the operation. 20 of these guys are the Workin Cowboys he depends on most and I must say, everyone of them I was fortunate enough to meet were easy going, down to earth, personable fellas with a quick smile and very open to share their “Story” with me.
Don resides at the T K Bar Ranch with his family. The Ranch was a Registered Old Mining Claim in the early 1900s, when Gold was King in the Bradshaw and other mountain areas around Walnut Grove, Crown King, and Yarnell. !n 1947 it was a Guest Ranch. Today the T K Bar is a working Cattle Ranch, raising registered Brangus Cows
In our discussion Don told me “He wouldn’t trade this job for anything “and added “Cows are easy, Cowboys are another story, but that is just part of my job and I love it.” He also told me that his hats last longer cause he doesn’t get “Down & dirty chasin cows anymore. The day I stopped by for a Photo Shoot, Don said this was the first time he had ridden his horse “Shiner” in a month and yes, he misses that part of the job quite a bit.
