World Slam

[Scott33]

I am starting a quest for my Grand Slam. I'm 33 now and want to have it and the world slam complete by 40. I was curious as to how many of you had one of the Slams either Grand, World, Royal, Canadian or Mexican or all.

Any tips you can give someone starting this journey?  I have Easterns here in the great state of Alabama so I will travel for others. Any particular outfitters you found enjoyable?

Thanks for any help you can give.

Happy New Year!

Scott

[West Augusta]

You may want to PM GSLAM95. He may be able to offer some advice.

And good luck on your quest for your Grand Slam.

[jmck]

Scott----I can flat out hook ya up with a great Merriam hunt......Bullock went ,ya can ask him.
Lots of birds and NO pressure -----in S.Dakota. A super family that are cattle farmers that have lots of great ground

[wiltznucs]

I've completed 2 World Slams...

It's a fun journey, hit me up by pm...

[MKW]

Slams are easy. All you need is time and money. I got 2 Grand Slams(8 birds) in one spring. Called all my own birds, but payed to hunt prime land. It actually only took 9 hunting days.  Of course, it took longer than that because of travel time. I did not register, or mount, any of my birds. I don't care to ever do it again, but I wanted to do it once. Well, maybe one day I'll try a public land slam, but I doubt it. As long as I'm killing turkeys, I don't care what species they are! 
Good luck in your quest.

Mike

[TRKYHTR]

I've killed 3 GS and 1 Royal Slam. Like MKW said if you want to pay alot of money you can do it. Most of the time in 1 year. If you want to do it on public land thats a different story. I only paid for 1 hunt and that was my Goulds. The rest were either public or trade hunts with friends. I think the biggest difference is the terrain in which each species lives. From the FL swamps to the Mountain top Merriams and everything inbetween. Good luck with your GS.
I haven't hunted them peacock turkeys yet but it is on my bucket list. I've never hunted in a jungle before although a few places I've hunted resemble a jungle.

TRKYHTR

[wiltznucs]

I'd agree with most here, the Grand Slam isn't too tough.  I'd say the Osceola is the biggest obstacle there.  The rest can be pulled together fairly inexpensively through swap hunts or networking.  Taking the Grand Slam not only allows you to harvest the separate subspecies, but also takes you to some of America's most beautiful places.  You also get to meet the people and experience the local culture/cuisine which is a plus too.  Be sure to take in the scenery when you hunt.  If hunting SD for Merriams, be sure to check out the badlands and Mt Rushmore, etc..

Once you get into the Goulds and Ocellated things get expensive.  Youre not only paying for the hunt, but also the expertise to get you in and out of Mexico safely and with your trophy.  The Ocellated is a protected species so having the appropriate paperwork is a must.  This is where a good outfitter really pays off.  The Ocellated is worth the trip for the experience alone.

I too chose not to register my birds with the Federation, it just seems a bit pointless to me.  I did mount the Mexican birds...

[GSLAM95]

Scott the Grand Slam can be accomplished without spending a large sum of money if you do your homework and have some luck. 
I have taken 5 Grand Slams without ever using an outfitter (even in Florida). 
The 3 World slams I completed with a Bow did cost however as you must go through an outfitter to hunt in Mexico.  I saved and sacrificed a lot of other things for those hunts but it was all worth it in the end.
At age 30 I did my first single season grand slam in 95 on less than $1800.  Although I am sure it would cost much more than that for the same trip today because of many factors, fuel alone would most likely run you more and the permit prices have gone up in most places as well along with other factors.
Time is the largest factor in my opinion, both in planning correctly and availability to take off work.  Although I don't know if I will ever get that much time compiled at once again I feel blessed to have experienced such in the past.
Shoot me a PM sometime and or give me a call and I will be glad to offer some info that will help you cut a few corners on the planning stage of things.
Happy New Year and good luck hunting to all.... GSLAM95 

[C W]

My son did his first single season Grand Slam two years ago at the age of 6. We had a great time and spent a few extra days while traveling the country doing sightseeing. The biggest advantage we had living in the Upper Midwest was that we can be into Merriams and Rios within a 6-8 hr drive, and the Easterns are right in the yard. We had planed on finishing our Worlds the next year but because of his age we passed on Mexico. Way too many safety concerns to be bringing my little guy into that area. He's now set his sights on all 49 with a bow and shotgun.

The only state I would consider paying to hunt is Florida. That's mainly because of the time and money it cost for us to travel down there. All the other states we hunt now are mostly on public land, and a few spots where we have access to private. It's a fun adventure, and if you get a chance take a kid with you. It was cool to finally get mine done, but was much more rewarding sharing the time and memories with my son. 

CW

[Hookspur]

Hey Scott;

I have a bunch of Grand Slams (both Single, and Double) under my belt, and am nearing the completion of my third US Slam (49 states, excluding Alaska), but I've never been to Mexico or Central America for Gould's and Ocellated turkeys. Nearly all my birds are taken on public land. With as many high-quality places to turkey hunt as there are across this country, it's really not that difficult or expensive to earn your Grand Slam...especially so if you choose to camp out, and cook your own meals. Licenses (while too-damned high) are fairly affordable, so the biggest obstacles are time off from work, and time allowed away by the family. I travel in a Sprinter van, so my lodging is right where I park each night, and it gets good mileage, too. The most important part of any such endeavor is pre-trip planning and scouting. There is a wealth of information out there online that can save you lots of legwork, so don't be afraid to ask questions of the local wild turkey biologists in the places you intend to hunt. Also, feel free to ask me (by pm, please) questions about particular places. I am always happy to help out a fellow traveling hunter. I can also supply you with a guaranteed pay-hunt for Osceolas (no shot, no pay; simple as that).

Good luck!

Doc   

[neal]

I have one GS and am just about to #2 and then RS in a few years. I agree it's all about time and money you have it getting the RS is no problem. If you don't have time and money it'll take longer and maybe a lot longer!