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The Journey Within, A Bird Hunter’s Diary – Half Way Home

Mark Peterson
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  • Mark Peterson

It is hard to comprehend that Dad, Grant and I are at the half-way point of this journey.  We’ve traveled some miles. Especially the dogs. In one day alone, Shooter put on 23.41 miles, Arrow put on 19.36 miles, Tiny put on 16.42 miles and Missy put on 7.85 miles for a total of 67.04 “dog miles” according to the Garmin Alpha. The energy and will of our little Brittany’s are impressive.

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After a month of being on the go, we needed to return to home base to see our families, regroup and perform a gear shake down.  This adventure covers so many different terrains and environments that one must be prepared for anything and everything.

The Benelli’s continue the trip in gauges of 20 and 12.  As you would expect from Benelli, the 828U, Ethos, Ultra Light and Super Black Eagle III are all performing up to standards of excellence alongside my time-tested and sentimental favorite Franchi over-under.

Again, we are matching the gun/gauge with Kent shotshells to specific situations.  Smaller birds and close shot opportunities (quail coveys) are suited for 20 gauges while 12 gauges were best matched with some of our grouse hunts involving longer shots, bigger birds and covering ground in excess of 10 miles.

Mental and Physical fatigue can set in when walking great distances without seeing birds, so it is even more important to have a comfortable shotgun and a great patterning load when opportunities present themselves.  

Kent Cartridge is often thought of as a premium waterfowl ammunition choice (New for 2019, Fasteel 2.0 waterfowl loads are the talk of hunters as the season is now underway in many regions).  However, Kent upland products are equally as good which I found out on our first hunt for the Himalayan Snowcock. As the outfitter was giving us our pre-hunt overview, I felt a lump in my stomach when he talked about the need for 3” Magnum shells due to the skittish nature of birds.  Shot opportunities are rare and usually come at a distance. Luckily, I had Kent and was able to connect with a 2-3/4”, 4 shot in Ultimate Fastlead.

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Alaska was a unique destination for upland hunting and given that we were hunting ptarmigan, there was a feeling of “ABP” – Always Be Prepared.  The Ruger Super Redhawk chambered .44 Magnum along with the Diamond D Custom Leather holsters provided the security we needed for bears. If you’ve ever hunted Alaska or Canada, you’ve probably noticed this combination is often a pilot and guide favorite when carrying a rifle isn’t practical.  I practiced drawing and shooting prior to departing. Thankfully, we had no encounters but were properly equipped with a relatively low weight, high mobility, highly lethal solution.

Next on the list of important gear is clothing.  Dad, Grant and I have been wearing Cabela’s Instinct products for years.  We deployed the standard mountain hunter gear for Nevada, with the traditional blaze Prairie Runner series for the rest of the hunts as the most extreme conditions are behind us.  As the weather gets colder more layering will become important and the system designs for performance and mobility will become necessary. The Prairie Runner coat will be valuable for wind and water resistance.

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Meindl has also been a top footwear choice for quite some time.  This adventure has taken us from mountain tops to alpine, high desert and rolling grasslands. Unlike most trips, this is not a “one style fits all situation” so we’ve had to rely on several styles to make sure our feet are taken care of.  A blister or sore feet can be crippling. When putting on so many miles, we cannot afford to be sitting in camp. For the top of the mountain, the Comfort Extreme style was great while the Vakuum has been the best all-around choice. As the weather changes, Comfort Fit Hunter’s can add to the length of seasonal use with insulation qualities.

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We have been travelling by horseback, planes and the Toyota. Few upland hunts have this type of associated difficulty. Having the best equipment to keep everyone (especially the dogs) safe, healthy and comfortable while protecting gear is invaluable.  

When outfitting the Toyota for the journey, we started with the vehicle’s interior Ruff Tuff seat covers and WeatherTech floor liners.  Combining these product lines was essential for protecting the Toyota and not having to worry about the wear and tear over thousands of miles.  The Ruff Tuff seat covers, with their tactical package, also offered additional storage options for guns and gear.

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We then asked ourselves, “how do we maximize space”?  The team at ARE Truck Toppers sent us a CX truck topper equipped with everything an outdoorsman would need.  The window options for accessing gear come in very handy as well as the roof rack which allows for extra Pelican cases to be stored during transit.  We used the interior light option frequently at night checking the dogs over and preparing for the next day’s hunt. To increase gear organization, we are adding a Mobilestrong truck bed storage system for the back half of our trip.

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You will notice that we’ve been pulling our standard dog trailer which has been good for multiple dogs on a long haul with limited space. Three hunters and four dogs require cubic inches.  However, there are circumstances (as with bush planes) that the trailer isn’t applicable. We have been relying on Gunner Kennels for transport situations when we cannot pull the trailer. Gunner Kennels are extremely durable, and the pups seem to enjoy the orthopedic beds.

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Dad and I managed to sneak in a Columbia white-tailed deer hunt while we were in Oregon.  It gave us the opportunity to rest the dogs while in the area and change up the routine. During our stop, our friend, Josh Warren from Worksharp, came by to see us as their offices were not far from our camp.  The science behind blade sharpening and technique is truly amazing. Worksharp has been a leader in electric sharpeners for years with expansion into the manual segment (Guided Field Sharpener). Josh filled us in on some innovative new products coming soon.  Although, I’m not a liberty to mention all of them, what I will say, is keep your eye out for some great Christmas gifts.

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With 13 of 27 species left to pursue, we look forward to setting out again.  I’m always grateful to the partners and people supporting us. We’ll be travelling from Canada to Mexico with a few stops in between.  If the second half of this adventure is even close to what we’ve experienced to date, it will be epic!

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Gould’s Turkey Hunting in Mexico’s Sierra Madres with Muy Grande Outfitters

Gould’s Turkey Hunting in Mexico’s Sierra Madres with Muy Grande Outfitters

Few places compare to Muy Grande’s ranch in Mexico’s Sierra Madres for chasing Gould’s turkey, the biggest of all wild turkeys, marked by the striking white tips on its tail fan. As a WTA consultant, I’ve seen their guides deliver consistently, making it a top destination for hunters working toward the World Turkey Slam. Add in rugged country and a proven outfitter, and it becomes an experience every turkey hunter should have.

Turkey season runs from early April through early May. You’ll typically fly into Phoenix, then catch a morning hop to Hermosillo, Mexico, arriving around 11:30 a.m. After customs, Sergio or Pedro will greet you with a cold drink and a van stocked with sandwiches for the scenic ride ahead. From Hermosillo’s 700 feet, you’ll climb through 5 hours of winding Sierra Madre roads to the ranch at 3,000 feet. The journey is half the fun—curves, vistas, and glimpses of the country you’ll be hunting. By about 7 p.m., you’ll be unpacking in your room. Open your window to the cool mountain air and let it lull you into one of the best nights of sleep you’ll ever experience.

The food is reason enough to make the trip. Muy Grande’s French chef has 20 years of experience with serving up everything from ribs to authentic Mexican dishes, hearty breakfasts, and appetizers. You’ll need the delicious calories for the long days in the open country chasing Toms. Mornings start early and you may spend up to two hours on ranch roads before reaching your spot. Dry mountains, steep valleys, and big country define the day. Want to call birds from a pop-up blind? They’ve got you covered. Prefer run-and-gun? This is prime terrain for it. With one-on-one guides, the hunt is tailored to your style.

The Gould’s turkey is the largest subspecies in North America, and in the field, they stand out as they strut down dusty trails, flashing their tall frames and bright white fan tips. They’re plentiful here. On my last trip, the group of five tagged six birds by the end of day one—some from blinds, others by stalking ridges. Gobbles echo through the canyons all morning, and the guides know every fold of the landscape and the flocks that roam it. The hunt package includes in-field transport, trophy care, lodging, meals, guide service, and a license waiting for you at camp—everything dialed in so you can focus solely on finding your big ol’ Tom.

Getting your bird back home is simple. The outfitter freezes it—whole or just the fan—and handles the paperwork. Flying back through Phoenix is smooth—customs deals with turkeys regularly. Just bring the address of a USDA-certified taxidermist and a sturdy suitcase big enough for your trophy.

The gear list for this trip is straightforward: good hiking boots, lightweight shirts, face mask, hat, gloves, and a jacket for the cool mornings. Days can hit 90° F in April, but the temp drops quickly at night, so pack for variety. After tagging out, you’ll head back to Hermosillo for a final night at the Fiesta Americana, a top-notch hotel, before flying home—though early successes can open the door to earlier flights.

Muy Grande is a place of raw beauty, from stone-fenced corrals to mountain views stretching for miles. Hermosillo itself might surprise you—not a rough frontier town, but a safe, vibrant city where families are out and about. If you’re looking for an authentic Gould’s turkey adventure in a spectacular setting with unmatched hospitality, this hunt should be on your wish list. Book through WTA and come chase the turkey that towers above the rest.

Learn about this Hunt Watch Hunt Video
Building a Quail Hunter’s Paradise: Habitat Improvements and Day Hunts at Stonewall Plantation Outfitters

Building a Quail Hunter’s Paradise: Habitat Improvements and Day Hunts at Stonewall Plantation Outfitters

Expanding into quail hunting was a natural fit to complement Salt River Outfitters’ already thriving deer hunting operation. With a clear vision and a commitment to quality, we set out to create a quail program that could stand among the best in the region. Drawing on the expertise of skilled dog handlers, seasoned habitat specialists, and our experienced guides and habitat managers, we’ve built something special.

Over the last few years, we’ve been steadily transforming Stonewall Plantation’s land from cattle pasture to high-quality bobwhite quail habitat. We aimed to create hunts that feel as close to wild as possible, and unlike confined shooting preserves, our hunting grounds span diverse terrain including ridges, hollows, and rolling hills. That transformation hasn’t been easy, but it has been worth it. A huge part of that effort has focused on the removal of invasive fescue which had taken over much of the pasture. Fescue chokes out native grasses and eliminates the natural cover and food sources that the quail depend on. Through persistent spraying and management, we’ve brought back the native species and laid the groundwork for wildlife to thrive.

In addition to native grasses, we’ve planted food plots throughout the property—carefully selected mixes of grain sorghum, millet, sunflowers, corn, and Korean lespedeza. These plots not only support healthy quail populations, but they’ve also created a boom in other wildlife. Watching our dogs lock up on a big covey of birds is a rewarding moment, and those moments are coming more frequently each year.

Our last season proved that the work is paying off. Hunters enjoyed productive days in the field, with strong bird numbers and multiple coveys flushed during most outings. Many visitors left with full game bags, big smiles, and stories they’ll tell for years. Based on the success of a limited trial last year, we’re also excited to expand access with guided day hunts this upcoming season. In October and December, we’ll offer morning and afternoon hunts for up to three hunters at a time. Each hunter will have the opportunity to harvest up to 30 birds, with lunch included in the hunt package. It’s a new way to experience Salt River, whether you’re a first-time guest or a returning visitor.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard: “My dad and I hunted quail when I was younger, but with quail numbers down, we haven’t hunted them in years.” Last season, a gentleman booked a hunt for his father, his son, and himself—three generations in the field. The stories they shared around the dinner table that night were moving and unforgettable. The joy in their eyes and the bond they rekindled through the hunt reminded me why we do this.

Being part of such an experience—where a grandfather and father can introduce a young man to something they’ve cherished for decades—is priceless. Our goal at Stonewall Plantation Outfitters is to continue creating new memories for many seasons to come.

The habitat is stronger. The lodge is more comfortable. The birds are flying better. And our program now has a proven track record of delivering exceptional hunts. Whether you’re coming for a full three-day experience or joining us for a day hunt, we can’t wait to share this quail hunting heaven with you.

Single Day Hunt Muli-Day Hunt with Lodging Watch…
Chasing the Wild Turkey – 35 Years to a World Slam

Chasing the Wild Turkey – 35 Years to a World Slam

The Grand Slam of Wild Turkey is the successful harvest of an Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, and Osceola. Then there’s the Royal Slam, which is a Grand Slam plus the Gould. Add an Ocellated, and you have the World Slam. After 35 years of chasing turkeys, I completed my World Slam!

Dick Kirby

It started when I was 17 years old. I shot an Eastern with my Remington 870, a birthday present from my dad the year prior. I harvested this beautiful bird in the woods behind my childhood home in Orchard Park, New York, home to Quaker Boy Game Calls and founder/turkey hunting legend, Dick Kirby.

On that same birthday, my high school girlfriend’s mother bought me video on VHS tape from this fantastic homegrown company. One segment included in the video was a how-to about roosting a wild turkey. My birthday falls in October, but the New York spring turkey season wouldn’t open until May. During this agonizing six-month stretch, I watched that video at least a hundred times and practiced my owl hoot thousands of times. I drove my family up the wall, but when May finally arrived, I was ready to roll.   

My mother always did a fantastic job with dinner, and my father made damn sure we were all at the kitchen table for her wonderful creations. I remember wolfing down my supper, absolutely dying to hit the woods behind the house to try roosting an elusive gobbler at sunset. When I say elusive, I mean elusive. Back then, the turkey numbers were nothing like they are today, which is a testament to hunter dollars and the great work of the National Wild Turkey Foundation (NWTF)

My dad could tell that I had something important on my mind. He finally gave in. He looked at me, half annoyed, half proud, and just said, “Go!”

I was excused just in the nick of time. I grabbed my black-plastic, can-style Quaker Boy owl hooter, laced up my K-Mart hunting boots, and hit the ground running. We had an enormous block of beautiful hardwoods behind the house that went on for miles, with railroad tracks bisecting the big tract of forest. The year before, a buddy and I tried to work a bird just off the tracks to no avail. That was the first time I ever heard a turkey gobble. We didn’t end up killing that bird. We bumped him off the limb—just being young and dumb.

Anyway, I finally reached the exact location from the year before and pulled out my owl call. Per Dick Kirby’s instruction, right at sunset, I let out a “Who cooks for you, who cooks for you all!” My hoot rang out across the big hardwood bottom, and I’ll be damned if a bird didn’t immediately answer the call with a deep, hard, Eastern turkey gobble not 100 yards away. I went into a mild state of shock.

I darted home to dial my best friend, Jeff Bevevino (aka Bev), who lived just down the way. Remember when you had everybody’s phone number memorized? This was 1989.  

(Bev’s father, Jim Bevevino, to whom I am forever grateful for introducing me to hunting two years earlier).

Jeff and Jim Bevevino

The phone conversation went something like this:

  • Bev: “Hello?”
  • Me: “Hey, it’s Pawlak. Man, you’re not going to believe this…I just roosted a gobbler behind the house.”
  • Bev: “No way!”
  • Me: “Yep, he’s on the other side of the tracks, off Middlebury Road, by the pond.”
  • Bev: “I guess we’re not going to hit that party tonight. I’ll be at your house at 4:45 a.m. sharp!”

If it was the weekend in Orchard Park, New York back in the late ’80s or early ’90s, there was a high school party going on somewhere, and Bev and I were typically in attendance. Not this time. Bev came rolling up in his cherry red 1970 Ford pick-up at 4:45 a.m. on the dot. I set my shotgun behind the seat and jumped in. We discussed how neither of us had slept a wink and devised a plan of attack.

We decided to drive down Knob Hill Road, hit Middlebury, and park at the dead end. This would save us a long walk through the spooky, pitch black, haunted forest. Instead, we would take the long way and walk the tracks to the dominant tom’s roost.

We finally arrived. It was still pretty dark when I hit the owl call. We were rookie turkey hunters, but again, that ol’ tom let out a thunderous gobble high from his perch. Bev’s eyes opened wide. “Wow, he’s right there!” he whispered.

It was an extremely steep bank off the railroad rock apron leading down into the hardwood bottom where the bird was perched. We were whispering back and forth, trying to figure out how to descend from the tracks to the forest floor without making a racket. Just then, way off in the distance, we heard the whistle of the morning train.

It was decided. We would wait. When the train came rumbling by, we would use the noise as cover and slip into position. The massive smoke-breathing locomotive was finally on us, and we dropped in. We found comfortable ambush sets at the bases of two big silver maples, about 10 yards apart. This way, we figured we could cover a larger area should the gobbler commit.

As the train rolled on, it became quiet again. I don’t remember the Spring woods coming alive as the sun began to rise. There was dead silence. And then, when it was just light enough, I hit the plunger on a Quaker Boy Easy Yelper four times: yelp, yelp, yelp, yelp. Way too loud—I had no idea how effective a light tree call could be back then. But, unbelievably, the bird answered me with another thunderous gobble. He was still on the limb, not 80 yards from our turkey-hunting setup. At least I had the sense not to call again. Two minutes later, we heard him hit the ground. I called again. He hammered back and it shook us to our core. I didn’t dare touch the call again until he gobbled on his own. I then answered back with my way-too-loud series of four yelps.

Unbeknownst to me, Bev was able to watch the entire show, the flydown, the tom in and out of strut, and his methodical approach. Where I was positioned, I could only hear him. I later learned that Bev could have killed him on two different occasions, but the bird was still closing the distance, so he let him come. What an unselfish young hunter! The old tom then swung around to the direction of my call and I smoked him at 10 yards. We ran up to the flopping longbeard. We were in utter disbelief. Speechless and still shaking, we just looked from the dead tom to each other.

That was it. I was hooked. In 35 years, I’ve never missed a Spring turkey season.

My Best Hunt

If you ever get the chance, head to the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula and hunt for the Ocellated. This place is impossible to describe. The best outdoor writers on the planet cannot adequately put this Indiana Jones-type adventure into perspective. All I can say is, call WTA, ask for Mike Mason, and book with WTA-owned outfitter Balam. This adventure deep in the jungle is something you will never forget.

My Biggest Bird

In 2004, I took a 26-pound Rio in Stafford, Kansas with a 12″ beard and enormous hooks. However, the best part of this hunt wasn’t the size of this bird. It was meeting Dr. Fritz and Judy Farmer and their two pet wolves, Cubby and Bear. Judy has since passed on. She was a wonderful, sweet, generous woman…the very best. Fritz became a friend for life.

My…

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