Slam or not


TuffnufOutdoors

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My goal is to take them all, don't really care about doing it in one year though. No way I could fit in that much travel and hunting.

I totally agree. If you do it all in one year, to me its more of a statement that you are fortunate enough to have enough funds to travel the country and shoot some turkeys all at once, lol.

It's more about the experience of going different places, meeting different ppl, different terrains, and mostly hunting the different species. If you can afford it, go for it! But i dont see the need to rush.

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Completing a slam is not high on my list of turkey hunting goals at all. The only birds I lack to complete slams is Osceola birds. I haven't been to Florida to hunt them yet.

Given the choice of hunting Osceola birds or Merriams, I'd still take off for the mountains. While hunting Merriam turkeys in the mountains you can enjoy some breathtaking scenery.

Also Osceola birds are known for being reluctant to gobble when compared to the other 3 subspecies. That's another reason I've taken out of state turkey hunts for the others.

One of these days I'll make it to Florida, not so much with a goal to complete slams but Osceola birds grow some great hooks. ;)

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Completing a slam is pretty high on the list for me.. I have shot 4 Easterns while hunting here in NY, last year I went out to Texas in March for the Rio Grande sub species. We saw turkeys, but no gobblers. At one point we had 25 hens at the feeder and not a single tom or even a jake. But this April I'm headed down to Florida for the Osceola sub species. Then back to NY for more Easterns in May. :D Completing the grand slam is important to me, but my overall dream hunt would have to be for Oscellated turkeys in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. But I would have to travel to Mexico for the Goulds too.

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Last year I just set some hunts up. I am able to afford the hunts so I am lucky like that. We went to Texas for the Rio's, hunted easterns at home in Indiana and Kentucky then got to go to Wyoming in May. I figured we only had to add Florida to the mix so why not. I agree it is about the people you meet. The travel is so fun also. I just would assume hunt turkeys due to the reasonable cost compared to a whitetail hunt.

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Each subspecies offers something the others cant, thats the reason we are all intrigued by the grand slam. I've done it as of last year and wouldnt trade my experiences for any amount of money. I plan to do it again many more times, god willing. There is public land opportunities for every bird and gas $$ are down now compared to the past, so if you're wanting the slam I say load the truck. Success or not, you'll remember the ride i gaurantee.

And some of you guys are sellin' short by not headin' south for the Osceola. That environment will pull you back stronger with each passing day after you leave it behind. There is not another place like in it in the world. They are not "suppose" to gobble and often will be tough to tango with but that makes that bird you smash gobblin' to the gun barrel that much sweeter. Nothing like the black muck, palmetto flats, cabbage palms, sandy roads, and not to mention the huge array of wildlife besides turkeys you'll encounter. Truly the experience of a lifetime. :D

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Guest TennesseeTurkey

Id like to do both....Kill the slam in one year and do it again spread out...Man it's be cool to start down in Florida then kill on in Alabama then maybe Texas or Oklahoma and end up in Wyoming or Colorado.....talk about sweet!

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I would love to do the slam in one year but $$$$$ is the only limiting factor. I think the slam is still valid if taken over a period of time.

I hope to do it someday, i have a trip to Nebraska this april to complete my Merriams and then i will need my Florida bird to complete. I already have a jake Merriams from SD but want adult birds to make my slam. Have two big Rios from my Kansas hunt as well.

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Yes it is good if done over more then one year. I already have my eastern and Merriam. Tried getting the RIO last March but was in Texas too early. The outfitter invited us back free of charge this year since we did not get one last year. So this is the year I hope.

Good deal, sounds like a legit operation. Good Luck.

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Yea the two I hunted with Last year were top notch people. Comfortable lodging but no where near over the top. In Texas B&B outfitters were the one that invited us back. Old homestead in the middle of a huge ranch. No TV just good food. It was like a Primos tape, all the hunters just sitting on the fronch porch after a good day hunt and good dinner. The Wyoedge outfitters in Wyoming was great. Tons of merriams. Both semi guided leave you to hunt but shows you the hot spots. Good times. Going to try two new ones this year with IMB outfitters in MO and Timberland outfitters out of IL but have FL Osceola hunts. We will see.

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