Most bow hunters who have pursued various species of big game will agree that the turkey is the most difficult to bag consistently.  But have you ever wondered what might be the Most difficult challenge?  Which sub-species of turkey is the wariest?  Under what conditions?  In other words, what is the ultimate turkey challenge?

A bow hunter who completes a "grand slam" on wild turkeys has probably accomplished the most difficult endeavor in bow hunting.  Generally, a grand slam is described as taking, all in a single year, one each of all four races of wild turkeys (Eastern, Merriam's, Rio Grande, Florida).  Some say it must be done in a single spring season to count.  Others contend a slam can be done over any length of time.  There is the fall slam.   There are both archery and gun slams.  If a hunter is fortunate enough to bag an Ocellated and a Gould's turkey, in addition to the four United States races, he has completed a world slam.

I believe anyone who takes time, effort, and lots of money to bag a grand slam with bow can call himself a slammer, no matter what time it took.  Only a few bow hunters in America have completed a grand slam on turkeys.

Can you complete a grand slam with bow?  Sure you can.  Today, many serious bow hunters are able to bag a grand slam without financial ruin, divorce or ten years of hunting.  If you decide to try for a slam, several out-of-state hunts will generally be required.  Of course, this depends on the state you live in.  Unless you have a lot of time all at once, you may want to try for no more than two races per year.  The Merriam's and Rio Grande can easily be combined on a single two-week trip.  The Eastern bird is the most common.  If you are located in a state not containing the Eastern, a short trip should put you in a state with good populations.

The Florida bird will require a trip to southern Florida, so you may want to keep this one for last. It can easily be the most difficult.   On the other hand, spring hunting starts earliest in Florida, so this is the state where you will get the first crack at a gobbler each year.  A good guide will be helpful in the Florida swamps.

Discover the challenge, thrill, and great accomplishment of bagging your Grand Slam.  Start planning for it now.