Ask any hunter, and they’ll tell you that hunting is about so much more than record books and awards. There’s the passion, the love for nature, travel to wild places, physical challenges, and the list goes on and on. At the end of the day, though, hunters are often up for measurable challenges, too. For turkey hunters, there are none greater than the slams. What is a turkey slam? How many different types are there?
What is a Turkey Slam?
For those who are not yet fully engulfed in the madness of gobbling wild turkeys come spring and fall, allow us to explain. First of all, it is important to learn a bit about turkey biology and etymology. There are multiple subspecies of turkey in the United States, several in Canada, as well as others found only in Mexico and Central America. Every state except Alaska has huntable populations.
According to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), “a slam is considered one of the biggest feats in turkey hunting. A hunter must harvest each species or subspecies of wild turkey listed under one of the six recognized slams.”
While the NWTF is the face of turkey hunting and conservation, many other fine hunting organizations also track turkey slams, including Safari Club International (SCI) and Trophy Game Records of the World (TGR). No matter the outfit, the definitions remain largely unchanged.
The World’s Turkey Slams
Grand Slam: Harvest all four of the U.S. subspecies (Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande, and Merriam)
Royal Slam: Achieve the Grand Slam plus the Gould’s turkey, which is found in limited areas of the Southwest as well as Mexico.
World Slam: Achieve the Royal Slam with the addition of the Ocellated wild turkey, found in Mexico and Central America.
Canadian Slam: Harvest both the Eastern and Merriam in any Canadian province.
Mexican Slam: Harvest Rio Grande, Gould’s, and Ocellated wild turkey specifically in Mexico.
U.S. Super Slam: Harvest one wild turkey subspecies in every U.S. state, except Alaska. As of this writing, only 13 hunters have recorded this milestone.
So You Want a Slam? Where to Begin?
Whether you are an avid gobbler chaser or a first-timer, the answer to where to begin is simple. Start with what you know – your local area – and expand from there. Network with other hunters, attend seminars and outdoor shows, study out-of-state options, and ask questions of those with more experience. Most hunters are more than willing to help others succeed, which keeps our beloved way of life keeps growing. While chasing a slam is an incredible personal challenge, it’s important to never lose sight of the reasons we hunt.
Linda Powell, Mossberg’s marketing director, is an avid hunter who has completed four World Slams and is currently working on her fifth. Her entry into the world of collecting Grand Slams is an interesting one, and she keeps that vision in order.
“Initially, I never thought about a slam. I was just enjoying the journey and each hunt. Then it became a personal challenge. I attempted to complete the World Slam in one season many years ago, and I failed. Because I pushed so hard for that goal, I wasn’t enjoying the hunting. When I realized that I was no longer having fun, I simply stopped hunting that season. A couple of years later, my World Slam in one season was completed. The difference between the two attempts is that I simply enjoyed each hunt, never focusing on the goal.”
Why Pursue Turkey Slams?
To complete a slam takes not only a great deal of perseverance in the field, proficiency with a firearm, and turkey-calling prowess but a dedication to travel the country – or the world – in search of wild turkey. The reason each hunter chooses to pursue such accolades is different, yet certain threads remain constant. Like Steve Hickoff, Linda Powell shares the passion that goes beyond the hunt.
“Each subspecies has their own characteristics, so it makes every hunt a unique experience. Add in the varied terrain, the people you encounter, and the cultural experiences, and pursuit of a slam over the three or four months of spring is an incredible adventure,” she said with a chuckle, “maybe a bit sleep deprived.”
Ask any of the folks who have either completed – or are in process of completing a slam – and they’ll echo many of the same sentiments. They’ve done it for the challenge. They’ve met some of their best lifelong friends along the way. They’ve seen amazing sunrises from coast to coast, and they pushed themselves physically. They also put good amounts of money into hunting areas and conservation.
Powell was quick to share her reasons for pursuing slam after slam, and it’s not about the record book, but rather, the challenge and experience. “I don’t think there is anything more exciting than listening to nature awaken on a spring morning and hearing that first gobble. Then, the pursuit is on. Turkey hunting is like a game of chess, figuring out your opponent and their next move. Sometimes you make the right decision to wait patiently, other times calling, or maybe the decision is to move on your bird. Either way, it’s exhilarating when it all comes together.
While the hunt itself is always a thrill, whether successful or not, there’s more to days afield, says Hickoff, who has hunted across the U.S. and Mexico, “I love seeing the land where wild turkeys live across the country and meeting the people. In fact, the travel, places, people, and, yes, regional food and sights along the way are equal to the satisfaction of having taken a turkey in these locations.”
The Best Part?
Perusing the NWTF slam lists shows men and women who have traveled extensively in pursuit of wild turkeys.
Many have reached their goal with different types of firearms, and others did so with the added challenge of archery equipment. A surprising number of hunters, like Powell, have achieved multiple major slams. Not every hunter is into record books like slam tracking. However, such things are celebrated accomplishments that are not merely about the numbers. Rather, it’s about documenting the travel, adventures, pursuits, and celebrations along the way. Anything that gets more hunters in the woods and drives the passion for wildlife and the outdoors is a win.
“The best part of traveling to hunt turkeys is the people you meet along the way, the varied terrain, and the cultural experiences,” says Powell. “I enjoy experiencing how other hunters and guides call, whether they use decoys or not. Do they run and gun, or do they wait patiently while working a bird? It’s a learning experience in so many ways.”
Whether hunting solo or sharing a camp with friends old and new, hunting keeps folks coming back for more, and records are only a small part of that equation. Having had the honor to share hunts with both Powell and Hickoff, this author can vouch as well for the experience reaching far beyond the harvest.
Even after the slams are complete, when asked what keeps him going back for gobblers, Hickoff, who has accomplished multiple single-season Grand Slams, is quick to point to love of the hunt, the quarry, and conservation. “I’ve hunted wild turkeys for 50 years. Forget about Slams, that number alone amazes me sometimes. This season will make it 51. I love everything to do with wild turkeys and only hope America’s greatest game bird will continue to thrive.”
