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The Journey Within
Upland Slam
of North American Gamebirds
27 Species
The Journey Within – A Bird Hunter’s Diary Mark Peterson’s successful quest to hunt and harvest the 27 different species of upland birds.
Mark's Progress - Completed
27 of 27 Upland Gamebirds
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Upland Slam Recap Episode
Mark Peterson, in 2019, decided he would take his childhood passion of hunting upland birds with this Dad in Michigan, to the ultimate level. Mark decided to take the journey to complete The North American Upland Slam. This is The Journey Within- A Bird Hunters Diary. The North American Upland Slam takes Mark across 3 countries in the quest to harvest 27 different upland species. This is a recap of the ups and downs of Mark quest and why he decided to take on the challenge.
Partridge
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Partridge
Himalayan Snowcock
Shot Size:
4 lead
Gauge:
12
Location:
Ruby Mountains, Nevada
In Part 1, Mark Peterson embarks on his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species in the series The Journey Within – A Bird Hunter’s Diary. Mark is heading into the Ruby mountains of Nevada in search of the extremely elusive Himalayan snowcock. Himalayan snowcock live at elevations up to 11,000 feet making this more of a sheep hunt than a bird hunt.
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Partridge
Hungarian Partridge
Gray Partridge
Shot Size:
6
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Wyoming
Mark Peterson wraps up his time in Wyoming upland hunting with an epic Hungarian partridge hunt. Does he run into some chukars along the way? Take a look inside this episode to find out!
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Partridge
Chukar Partrige
Shot Size:
6 and 7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Oregon
Mark and Earl set out to check species number 21, the chukar, off their Upland Slam list. Typically chukars live at higher elevations making it an earned feat to harvest one. Can Mark and Earl battle steep rocky terrain at over 4000 feet in elevation?
Pheasant
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Pheasant
Ring-Necked Pheasant
Shot Size:
4, 5 and 6
Gauge:
12
Location:
Western Nebraska
Mark and Earl set out to check species number 22, the Ring-necked pheasant, off their Upland Slam list. Pheasant is the number one hunted upland species on the slam. Pheasants can be found in the majority of the US and can be found from sea level all the way up to 11,000 feet above sea level. Two days of hunting produce lots of pheasants, lots of misses and lots of memories. The breasts of these birds are served great wrapped in bacon and grilled or smoked.
Ptarmagin
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Ptarmigan
Willow Ptarmigan
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
12
Location:
Alaska
In Part 2, Mark Peterson continues his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species. Mark is in Alaska hunting the three species of ptarmigan; Willow ptarmigan, White-tailed ptarmigan and Rock ptarmigan. This is a two part episode where Mark is hunting, with his father Earl, as they cover miles of rocky terrain in search of these elusive birds in the high elevations of Alaska.
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Ptarmigan
Rock Ptarmigan
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
12
Location:
Alaska
In Part 2, Day 2, Mark Peterson continues his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species. Mark is in Alaska hunting the three species of ptarmigan; Willow ptarmigan, White-tailed ptarmigan and Rock ptarmigan. This is a two part episode where Mark is hunting, with his father Earl, as they cover miles of rocky terrain in search of these elusive birds in the high elevations of Alaska.
Play Video
Ptarmigan
White-Tailed Ptarmigan
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
12
Location:
Alaska
In Part 2, Day 2, Mark Peterson continues his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species. Mark is in Alaska hunting the three species of ptarmigan; Willow ptarmigan, White-tailed ptarmigan and Rock ptarmigan. This is a two part episode where Mark is hunting, with his father Earl, as they cover miles of rocky terrain in search of these elusive birds in the high elevations of Alaska.
Quail
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Quail
Northern Bobwhite Quail
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Kansas
Mark and Earl travel down to the great state of Kansas in hopes of knocking another quail species off their list, the Northern Bobwhite quail. These quail hold very tight and fly erratically from their covey. River bottoms and thick grasslands are the favorite habitats of choice for these fast fliers. A river crossing and a broken-up covey allow Mark to check the Bobwhite quail off his list.
Play Video
Quail
Gambel's Quail
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Arizona
Today Mark sets out to harvest the Gambel’s and Scaled quail, but doesn’t know what the entire day will have in store. It turns out that Mark not only completes the Arizona Upland Slam but Mark ends up harvesting all three Arizona species of quail (the Mearns, the Gambel’s, and the Scaled ) in a single day. Not that many people can say they have even completed the Arizona Quail slam let alone do the slam in one day. Congrats Mark!
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Quail
Mearns Quail
Montezuma Quail
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Arizona
Today Mark sets out to harvest the Gambel’s and Scaled quail, but doesn’t know what the entire day will have in store. It turns out that Mark not only completes the Arizona Upland Slam but Mark ends up harvesting all three Arizona species of quail (the Mearns, the Gambel’s, and the Scaled ) in a single day. Not that many people can say they have even completed the Arizona Quail slam let alone do the slam in one day. Congrats Mark!
Play Video
Quail
Scaled Quail
Blue Quail
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Arizona
Today Mark sets out to harvest the Gambel’s and Scaled quail, but doesn’t know what the entire day will have in store. It turns out that Mark not only completes the Arizona Upland Slam but Mark ends up harvesting all three Arizona species of quail (the Mearns, the Gambel’s, and the Scaled ) in a single day. Not that many people can say they have even completed the Arizona Quail slam let alone do the slam in one day. Congrats Mark!
Play Video
Quail
Valley Quail
California Quail
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Southern Oregon
Mark and his Father Earl are in southern Oregon hunting Valley quail, a unique species found in heavy concentration in southern Oregon and northern California. With the help of good hunting dogs, sunny conditions, and rocks (to get the quail out of the briar-patches) Mark and his father Earl are able to go home with two beautiful birds.
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Quail
Mountain Quail
Shot Size:
7 - Steel
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Northern California
Mark and his Father Earl are in northern California hunting Mountain quail, a unique species found in heavy concentration in southern Oregon and northern California. They have their dogs along for this fast and furious hunt. Mark bags a quail right out of the gate, but check out this episode to see if his father Earl is able to do the same.
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Quail
Elegant Quail
Shot Size:
6 or 7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Sonora, Mexico
26 different upland birds across 10 states and 3 countries have all come down to this; the Elegant quail. The final upland bird to complete the North American Upland Slam in a single season; 27 upland species. Mark and Earl travel to Sonora Mexico where the Elegant quail population is thriving. After spending over 100 days in the field and walking over 400 miles, Mark completes the North American Upland Slam! COMPLETED!!!
Grouse
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Grouse
Spruce Grouse
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Saskatchewan, Canada
Mark and Earl travel to Safari River Outfitter in Saskatchewan, Canada to chase a couple different upland species. First up on day one is the Snipe, in cold wet snowy weather. Day two has Mark and Earl stomping through the pine and aspen covers to find a Spruce grouse or Ruffed grouse. Hunting grouse in Saskatchewan is similar to the way it “used to be” in Michigan. Mark and Earl get into a bunch of Ruffed grouse.
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Grouse
Blue Grouse
Sooty Grouse
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Wyoming
Mark Peterson continues his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species in a single season and is headed to Wyoming in search of Blue grouse. Once again, faced with the upcoming winter season, Mark must connect on a Blue grouse or his chances of completing the Upland Slam may have to wait another year.
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Grouse
Blue Grouse
Dusky Grouse
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Wyoming
Mark Peterson continues his quest to complete the Upland Slam of 27 bird species in a single season and is headed to Wyoming in search of Blue grouse. Once again, faced with the upcoming winter season, Mark must connect on a Blue grouse or his chances of completing the Upland Slam may have to wait another year.
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Grouse
Sage Grouse
Shot Size:
5 and 6
Gauge:
12
Location:
Wyoming
Mark Peterson is still in Wyoming and will be hunting opening day of Sage grouse with his dad, Earl. Join them and their dogs on this high elevation hunt in some of the best Sage grouse habitat in the country.
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Grouse
Greater Prairie Chicken
Pinnated Grouse
Shot Size:
5 and 6
Gauge:
12
Location:
South Dakota
Mark Peterson ventures to South Dakota for Prairie chicken and Sharp-tailed grouse. South Dakota is well known as the “Pheasant Hunting Capital of the World”, but with its rolling prairie lands, also holds great habitat and numbers of Prairie chicken and Sharp-tail grouse. Take a look as Mark chases both and find out if he connects.
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Grouse
Sharp-Tailed Grouse
Shot Size:
6
Gauge:
12
Location:
South Dakota
Mark Peterson ventures to South Dakota for Prairie chicken and Sharp-tailed grouse. South Dakota is well known as the “Pheasant Hunting Capital of the World”, but with its rolling prairie lands, also holds great habitat and numbers of Prairie chicken and Sharp-tail grouse. Take a look as Mark chases both and find out if he connects.
Play Video
Grouse
Ruffed Grouse
Shot Size:
6 and 7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Saskatchewan, Canada
Mark and Earl travel to Safari River Outfitter in Saskatchewan, Canada to chase a couple different upland species. First up on day one is the Snipe, in cold wet snowy weather. Day two has Mark and Earl stomping through the pine and aspen covers to find a Spruce grouse or Ruffed grouse. Hunting grouse in Saskatchewan is similar to the way it “used to be” in Michigan. Mark and Earl get into a bunch of Ruffed grouse.
Dove
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Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Ringnecked Dove
Shot Size:
7 1/2, 8, or 9
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Sonora, Mexico
This journey takes Mark and Earl to Sonora Mexico in the hopes of harvesting 3 dove species; the Eurasian Collared dove, The White Winged dove, and the Inca dove. This is unlike any upland species yet, where Mark and Earl line up in rows and test their shoulder strength, putting hundreds and hundreds of Kent cartridges through their Benelli shotguns, each day.
Play Video
Dove
Inca Dove
Shot Size:
7 1/2, 8, or 9
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Sonora, Mexico
This journey takes Mark and Earl to Sonora Mexico in the hopes of harvesting 3 dove species; the Eurasian Collared dove, The White Winged dove, and the Inca dove. This is unlike any upland species yet, where Mark and Earl line up in rows and test their shoulder strength, putting hundreds and hundreds of Kent cartridges through their Benelli shotguns, each day.
Play Video
Dove
White Winged Dove
Shot Size:
7 1/2, 8, or 9
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Sonora, Mexico
This journey takes Mark and Earl to Sonora Mexico in the hopes of harvesting 3 dove species; the Eurasian Collared dove, The White Winged dove, and the Inca dove. This is unlike any upland species yet, where Mark and Earl line up in rows and test their shoulder strength, putting hundreds and hundreds of Kent cartridges through their Benelli shotguns, each day.
Play Video
Dove
Mourning Dove
Shot Size:
7 1/2, 8, or 9
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Wyoming, and Sonora, Mexico
This journey takes Mark and Earl to Sonora Mexico in the hopes of harvesting 3 dove species; the Eurasian Collared dove, The White Winged dove, and the Inca dove. This is unlike any upland species yet, where Mark and Earl line up in rows and test their shoulder strength, putting hundreds and hundreds of Kent cartridges through their Benelli shotguns, each day.
Snipe
Play Video
Snipe
Snipe
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Saskatchewan, Canada
Mark and Earl travel to Safari River Outfitter in Saskatchewan, Canada to chase a couple different upland species. First up on day one is the Snipe, in cold wet snowy weather. Day two has Mark and Earl stomping through the pine and aspen covers to find a Spruce grouse or Ruffed grouse. Hunting grouse in Saskatchewan is similar to the way it “used to be” in Michigan. Mark and Earl get into a bunch of Ruffed grouse.
Woodcock
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Woodcock
Woodcock
Shot Size:
7 1/2
Gauge:
20 or 12
Location:
Michigan
Mark and Earl stay in their home state of Michigan in an attempt to hit it just right for the Woodcock flight. The Woodcock, also known as a timberdoodle, is a bird that is extremely hard to harvest as it lives in dense woodlots and has an erratic flight path. In two days of hunting Woodcock, Mark and Earl are able to harvest a handful but they definitely fire more rounds than they bag. “The woodcock is a humbling upland bird to hunt,” Mark said.
The Dogs
Mark's Dog
Shooter
Breed:
Brittany spaniel
Mark's Dog
Arrow
Breed:
Brittany spaniel
Mark's Dog
Missy
Breed:
Brittany spaniel
Earl's Dog
Tiny
Breed:
Brittany spaniel
Guns, Ammo & Gear
Shotguns & Shells
Himalayan snowcock – Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 12 gauge Modified with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 4
Ptarmagin – Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 12 gauge with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 7 1/2
Sharp-tailed & Prairie chicken – Benelli 828U 12 gauge Improved/Modified with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 5
Sage grouse – Benelli 828U 12 gauge Improved/Modified with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 6 (early season) 5 (late season)
Blue grouse, Woodcock, Gambel’s quail & Scaled quail, Valley quail – Benelli Ethos 20 gauge Improved with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 7 1/2
Mountain quail – Benelli Ethos 20 gauge Improved with Kent Upland Fasteel 7 (CA)
Mearns quail, Ruffed & Spruce grouse, Partridge & Chukar – Benelli Ethos 20 gauge Improved with Kent Ultimate Fast Lead 6
Gear
Cabela’s Upland Pro Strap Vest
Cabela’s Instinct Prairie Runner:
Button-Down | Upland Jacket | Performance T
Resources:
- State Upland Slams – Arizona | Nebraska | Utah
- While there is no definitive list of Upland game birds, here are a few lists.
Upland Gamebird Lists – SCI NA Game Birds | SCI Games Birds of the World | Wikipedia | Orvis | James Swan/ESPN | Ultimate Upland - Conservation Efforts – South Dakota Grasslands Conservation