Sidney Company Quietly Expands With Global Impact

A smallish white building east of the hospital implies an industrial project with its own clientele. Some of the impression may be linked to its history. The present and future are more about the hunt and less about miles on the road.

The enterprise is about service, about providing clients the opportunity to see and hunt in areas many people do not have the opportunity.

Worldwide Trophy Adventures (WTA) is a company that provides an organized hunting experience. WTA works with the client in planning the trip from airlines to what type of hunt, where and what difficulty of terrain.

"You get hundreds of years (of experience), working with us," said Ryan Watchorn, CEO of Worldwide Trophy Adventures.

WTA will even plan processing of your kill. WTA can book a adventure in nearly any part of the world with the help of the company's network of outfitters.

"We book in any nook and cranny across the world," said Mark Peterson.

Peterson and Watchorn said the most sought-after trips are for elk, moose, mule deer and white tail. Elk and moose are the top interest, Watchorn and Peterson said. They can also schedule bird hunting or fishing.

Peterson said WTA also has the advantage of owning four hunting locations and reviewing three more.

"We will own seven very shortly," said Watchorn.

Most of the hunts occur in North American Watchorn and Peterson said.

"It's a very interesting business concept," Watchorn said.

While the Sidney office has a staff of about 30, the overall impact is more than three times that, according to Watchorn.

"We're pushing 100 employees," he said.

In addition to hunting expeditions, WTA is also connected with a health food company. Redy is New Zealand whey protein energy food product designed for the gym or the trail.

With a global network, former operation in Utah and family in Michigan, some might ask why Sidney. The answer is simple, according to Watchorn: the people.

"We have the talent that exists right here," he said.

He said it is the company's depth of skills that helps reach future goals.

"As a company, we continue to grow in the lanes we see now," he said.

Quality of customer service is the ultimate goal of the company. Watchorn and Peterson say of the thousands of trips the company plans, they only receive about five complaints each year. In addition to hunting, WTA is a proponent of conservation programs. Watchorn noted that big game parks frequently provide habitat for fowl as well.

Some of the future projects include big game television shows, and Peterson completing the Super Slam of North American Big Game with a bow, muzzleloader and a rifle.

Passion Leads to Global Footprint

When you do enjoy, you do it with passion. When your passion includes a long history of how to do it well, you get known in the industry.

That is how Mark Peterson moved from working in his family's business in Michigan to planning hunting trips globally.

Peterson grew up in a home of two parents who were also teachers. They also grew fruit trees. Peterson grew up in the fifth generation of fruit tree farmers. In the early 1980s, his dad started processing their fruit. He soon was processing his neighbors, and the enterprise grew to what is now the largest fruit processing businesses in the state. The started processing fresh-cut apples about the same time McDonald's began offering them as a menu option. As part of a family farm, business, Peterson grew up experiencing and learning every stage of the process, to the point of becoming vice-president of operations.

By the time he was 30, he had nearly 22 years experience in the family business. It might be a conflict of numbers in many industries, but when it started as a family farm, it makes sense

The conflict as it were, is the business plan wasn't his plan. His vision of enjoying life was the great outdoors, and the wildlife that came with it. His love is of hunting and everything outdoors.

In 2013, he left the family business, allowing his passion to be his full-time job. Leaving the company allowed him to follow his passion the hunt.

"When I'm not in the field, I'm building my businesses," Peterson says.

He is co-owner of Rusted Rooster Media & Hatch Marketing Group, co-owner of Salt River Outfitters, co-owner of Goose Haven Canada, co-owner of Safari River Outfitters, owner of Yukon Peak Outfitters and part-owner of The Wildlife Gallery.

"I'm also the host of Mark Peterson's Expedition Series and Mark Peterson's Triple Threat on Pursuit Channel," he added.

In December 2016, he closed on the purchase of Worldwide Trophy Adventures.

While he doesn't work in the family business, he and his father are still close. They continue to hunt together and his dad has appeared on his television shows. Peterson expects the public will soon see three generations hunting and enjoying the outdoors.