Planning for a "grand slam"

[The Woodsman]

I am wanting to pursue a grand slam, start to plan for one anyhow.

I doubt it will all happen within the same year but I would like to try to kill all the sub species in the U.S. before I die.

I would like to do a Merriams/Rio on the same trip if possible. Eastern's here in Pa or NY. The Osceola is Fl but for now on the back burner.

What all do I need to know to make part of this happen? Can it be done on public hunting? Any recommendations or places to start/try?

Thanks for any help!

Denny

[GR8CALLS]

 My wife and I have had several GS. We have found that the Rio and Merriam leg is best done w/ someone who knows the area you plan on hunting, although I know of folks who have done the hunts on their own. Finding an area w/ a good population of turkeys is the key. The Osceola is also a difficult one, unless you know where you are hunting, ie, public land. Unless you are familiar w/ the area, you will likely run into a lot of competition from other hunters......which can cause a ton of issues. For a better success ratio, I would honestly check on an outfitter in all three case. It may cost you a bit more, but I think you will find it a more successful mode.

Bill

[boxcaller]

I agree with Bill,.....if you have to put it off a year to save some more money,..do it.   Do your homework, go through reputable outfitters and make some memories that will last a lifetime,....   The difference won't be much when you add everything up,.....and it will be nothing if you have to go back and try it a second year.   Luckily there are alot of great people on this board who can point you in the right direction for each species.

pat

[TRKYHTR]

I've killed 3 GS. 2 were all in the same year but different years. I never paid for a guided hunt because I like a challenge of finding my own turkeys and killing them. If you have never hunted out of state in an area you have never been it is not easy. If you are not a glutent for punishment, like I am, I would recommend a reputable outfitter, Especially for the Osceola. You could probably kill a Merriam without a guide if you did a little homework, SD, NM, CO or some Indian Reservations in those states. Rio's are a little more difficult especially if you want to go to TX. Almost no public land in TX. There are some possibilities in OK and CA. CA almost has no public land access. There are a few and I could help you out with CA public land. It would be a little easier if you hunt with a guide. There are some good guides for FL but also some bad ones. Make sure you check with past hunters. I think Pat is a guide in FL. Give him a shout. Good luck and if I can help shoot me a message.

TRKYHTR

[The Woodsman]

Thanks for the advice.

I have family in Oklahoma so that might be a viable option for the Rio but I do not want to make the trip twice. I know they hunt but how in depth I will have to find out.

Denny

[The Woodsman]

How much time should be allotted for each sub specie?

Do you start south and head north?

[TRKYHTR]

Always start in the south and head North. FL opens the earliest, then Bama, MS etc... The North and west usually start in late April and May.

TRKYHTR

[GSLAM95]

How much time should be allotted for each sub specie?

Do you start south and head north?

When I plan an out of state hunt I allocate as much time as possible for each leg of the hunt.  Being said if I am done early at one spot then I try and move on to the next with a little more breathing room for days in the field.  I also use those extra days for driving, scouting knocking on doors etc..  I have never used a paid guide service for any of the 4 species here in the . 
Only used outfitters for the Gould's and Ocellated and that was only because it was required by Mexico law.
To me, it is much more rewarding to do the homework yourself...  The extra days I burn up on a hunt knocking on doors has led me to some great long distance relationships and built lifelong friendships.  I will try to answer your PM soon and give you a little more info...

[Hookspur]

I think at last count I've taken 32 Grand Slams, and just about every bird I've ever shot has been on public land, so YES...you most definitely can get it done that way! It's far cheaper to go that route, and you're not limited on time, or beholding to anyone else. Just plan your trip online, stick a few bucks in the wallet, and head on out. I camp wherever I hunt, and that in itself saves you tons of money. But, as has been mentioned, it can get mighty tough down there in the Sunshine State, when you're going for that Osceola. Their public lands get hammered pretty hard. Not saying it can't be done (I hunt there every year, and have killed 42 public land Osceolas), but you WILL have plenty of competition and/or hunter interference. If you're interested in a guided private land hunt, feel free to contact me, as I guide approximately a half-dozen folks annually, and we pretty-much always get our birds.

As for the Rio and Merriam's; public land access for both is MUCH easier. I've had great pubic land hunts for Rio's in OK, KS, CA, UT, NV, OR, and HI. If I had to recommend any over the others, it would be HI, followed by OK, KS, and UT. Merriam's opportunities are the easiest of all, with absolutely great chances in AZ, NM, CO, WY, SD, NE, MT, ID, and WA. I wouldn't be afraid to just pick any of these states and go.

If you just wanna pick my brain for additional info or hints, drop me a private message and and I'll see what I can do for ya. Good luck....there's nothing like getting your first slam, and especially so when you've earned every bird by doing it yourself on public land.       

[boxcaller]

remember,...don't get to hooked on the "kill" of the grand slam,...obviously you want to be successful and some ways are better than others in doing that,...but remember to enjoy the journey,....every sub species is different and you hunt them different,...the "journey" is also a big part of a grand slam.


pat