One of a father’s greatest joys is seeing his kid do something extraordinary. For Jesse Guajardo, that moment came in the depths of the Yucatán Peninsula where his 7-year-old son, Knox, wrapped up his Turkey World Slam. Their final bird? The stunning ocellated turkey, found only in southern Mexico’s dense jungles.
This wasn’t just a hunt. This was the finale of a year-long adventure that created a deep bond between the two. It all started when Knox was just 4 years old and took a Rio Grande turkey in Texas. Little did they know that Knox’s first hunt would ignite a passion that would lead them across the continent, chasing each subspecies of wild turkey in pursuit of the ultimate goal: a World Slam.
Completing the World Slam is no small feat. Not many people have done it, especially at such a young age and especially when the final leg requires traveling deep into the remote jungles of Campeche, Mexico. Jesse and Knox needed help planning such a complicated adventure and they reached out to Worldwide Trophy Adventures (WTA) for help. The WTA team matched them with Kurt, their trip host, who brought extensive experience in leading successful hunts in similar environments.
The journey to camp was an adventure from start to finish. After a series of flight delays, the father-son duo finally touched down in Mérida, where they met Kurt and the rest of the hunting party. The adventure continued with a scenic yet bumpy Jeep ride through the jungle, leading them to basecamp. There, they found a surprising touch of comfort amidst the dense vegetation—raised platforms that offered cozy accommodations in the heart of the wild.
Each day started well before dawn, with the hunters setting out in the pitch dark to navigate the jungle toward areas where the guides had located roosted turkeys. The ocellated turkey is unlike any other in the world. Its iridescent feathers and peculiar vocalizations—more a song than a gobble—make it truly unique. Hunting them requires a different approach than typical turkey hunts in the U.S. The thick jungle and the bird’s behavior mean that success often hinges on taking a shot while the turkey is still on the roost, just as the first light begins to filter through the trees.
Knox was up to the challenge. After an early mishap where a turkey flew off before they could get a shot, the days wore on with a mixture of anticipation and frustration. But as is usually the case, persistence paid off. On the fourth day, after several unsuccessful outings, the group spotted a turkey roosted in a tree late in the evening. Knox, with his father and guide by his side, took the shot. The shot was true and their amazing quest was complete!
As they walked up to the bird, the weight of the moment sank in. This wasn’t just a turkey. This was the final piece to a puzzle they had been working on for years. Knox, now unofficially the youngest hunter to complete the Turkey World Slam, was ecstatic. The smile on his face said it all. It was a moment neither of them will ever forget.
The hunt wasn’t all about turkeys either. Early in the hunt, Knox had the chance to take a coati, a unique raccoon-like animal that lives in the Yucatan. The trip was full of new experiences. They watched a jaguar lap water from a remote pond, got to know the local guides, and soaked up the area’s culture.
Looking back, Jesse couldn’t say enough about the WTA team and the local guides. “Taking my boy into the middle of nowhere had me a little nervous,” he admitted. “But they ran things so smoothly, I could just focus on the hunt with Knox. We felt safe the whole time.”
Thinking about doing an adventure hunt with WTA? Jesse’s advice is simple: do it! “It’s more than a hunt. It’s a chance to create memories with the people you care about most. Watching Knox check off the last turkey to complete his World Slam was incredible. Neither of us will ever forget it.”
As for Knox, when asked if he thought other kids should try to complete their own turkey slam, his answer was clear: “Yes!” Knox’s epic trip is an inspiration for anyone, no matter their age.
If you’re looking to go on one of these once-in-a-lifetime hunts, Worldwide Trophy Adventures is here to make it happen. We have a great team and we have access to some of the best hunting destinations in the world. Contact us and let’s plan your next hunt.
