My First Overseas Hunt: A SCI Record-Book Breaking South Pacific Wild Turkey & Red Stag

Back in 2008, I embarked on my first overseas hunting adventure to New Zealand’s stunning South Island. My wife and young daughter joined me, making it a true family adventure we’d cherish forever. I had booked with Wilderness Quest Safaris, chasing a dream list: red stag, Arapawa ram, and turkey.

Arapawa Ram 338 WM

The red stag hunt was unforgettable. I watched him climb over a rain-soaked ridge, and with my .338 Win Mag loaded with a 225-grain Remington Core-Lokt, I took the shot. One clean hit — he dropped instantly. A magnificent animal taken in classic New Zealand weather. The Red Stag also scored in the Top 10 Free Range SCI South Pacific Book.

My First Red Stag 338 WM 225 Grain

Number 1 SCI South Pacific Record Book Turkey

I also hunted an impressive Arapawa ram, adding a special, unusual trophy to the experience. But the true highlight of this adventure — the moment that defined the entire trip — was my South Pacific wild turkey.

Hunting turkey in New Zealand is not something every hunter gets to experience. I took on the challenge with a Browning semi-auto shotgun. After carefully stalking a flock, a big tom finally stepped clear of the group. I took the shot and dropped him clean.

As I approached, I realised immediately this was no ordinary bird. He had five beards and impressive spurs — a true giant. Later, I learned that he didn’t just make the SCI (Safari Club) South Pacific International record book; he smashed it.

My bird became the new number one SCI Record Book entry in the South Pacific (feral) non-typical category. Previous record score with a shot gun was 48, mine was 71

South Pacific Wild Turkey (Feral) (Non-Typical)

Description: Turkeys throughout the South Pacific display a variety of characteristics, depending on their location. In New Zealand, most birds are believed to have descended from Mexican domestics. Males are considerably larger than females, often exceeding 20 pounds, and carry distinctive beards and spurs. Hens are smaller and generally lack beards and spurs, except on rare occasions. Both sexes have few feathers on the head and neck, with pinkish-red legs and feet. Males are more brightly coloured, making them truly striking trophies.

Turkey Distribution: Feral turkeys have become locally abundant throughout both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, having spread inland since the late 1800s in the absence of significant predators.

To say I felt blessed would be an understatement. Taking a new SCI number one turkey on my first overseas hunt was beyond my wildest dreams. It turned an already fantastic family adventure into an unforgettable milestone — a story I still tell around the campfire today.

New Zealand had given me not just a hunt, but a piece of hunting history, and a trophy that will forever stand as one of my proudest achievements.