Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk ALTurkey Talk -- Beards and Spurs Grand slam?

So full disclosure I have only been turkey hunting seriously for about 4 years really 3. Last year I killed my first 2 birds. One in Alabama on public land and went to Oklahoma with a buddy and killed a Rio on public land. The Oklahoma trip was the the most fun I’ve ever had on a hunting trip. This same buddy has killed all 4 subspecies of turkeys on public land and now he is wanting to try a single season grand slam on Public land. So the plan is Florida 3/15-3/22

Alabama public land April 1-15 not going to take any time off for this one I’m fortunate enough to only work 3 nights a week. Then take off April 17-May 2nd and hunt Oklahoma and Colorado. IF we tag out in both states quickly maybe hit up Wyoming or other western states if we have time.

We plan on doing this as cheaply as possible last year in Oklahoma we hunted 2 different WMAs and slept in tents we took 10 days off but were both tagged out in 4.

We’re planning on sleeping out of the back of our trucks/tents again this year and staying a few nights at Hotels if needed.

I’m curious if anyone on here has tried it. Also am I crazy for wanting to do it and has anyone successfully completed it in a season?

Sounds like a great plan, good luck and have some fun!

I would say you are tackling your toughest state first. I hunted FL for the first time this past spring. We won a quota hunt through a lottery, and the woods were still covered up with hunters, making the hunting tough. I killed on the last morning in the most unlikely of places. I've heard nightmares of hunting public at the big places like Big Cypress, etc. Hopefully you guys have some good intel.

I respect you guys trying to do it in a single season. Wish I had the time to do that.

Dang that’s legit. Don’t have the time to do it. Especially with family and kids etc. y’all kill em up

I wish you the best of luck! But good luck in FL…..

I have a friend that did that a couple years back. He may not give me details, since it's not me asking for myself. If he will I'll pass it along. Might be a pm though. I'll reply on here to check your pm, if he does. He's a dam turkey murderer! We started and learned as we we went. He spends way more money and time with it now than I will.

I had a friend that did it a few years back. He started with an Osceola on public land in Florida. (That took him the longest of any of his birds). He ended with an outfitter in Texas which lasted one day.

Very cool! I've killed 3 of the 4 a few times, but never able to pull off the slam in one season. Good luck!

I've done it a few times, its not crazy and not extremely difficult once you become an experienced traveler. Whats made it tougher these days is the huge increase in popularity of it all and the ever increasing non-resident restrictions.

FL will be the hardest, moreso now than ever before with the new non-resident restrictions. Be sure to check FL WMA regs, there are now 5 WMAs where non-residents can't hunt the first 9 days of the season starting next spring. That will just put additional pressure on the other areas. Get there early and SCOUT, SCOUT, SCOUT. Have plans A, B, C, and D. One of the toughest things about FL open public is the other hunters. Never had a problem finding birds, but have had tons of problems with inconsiderate hunters. I've traveled all over for turkey and some of my craziest stories are from my FL hunts. My 78 year old dad and I actually got ran off from a spot opening day this past spring after two separate trucks of "kids" (aged 18ish to early 20s) told us they were hunting the spot no matter what even though we beat them to it. So we just let them have it then I killed a couple hours later at plan C. Typical Florida stuff.

I did it back in 2018 but it wasn't public land hunting. I prefer to enjoy my game against the turkey, not worry about other folks in camouflage. If ya'll are successful in FL, the rest of the dominoes should fall for you, good luck.

Lots of people have done a single season slam on public. As mentioned above, check the new Florida wma regs.

there are no easy and hard states. Some of the “easy” states proved to be extremely difficult and some of the “hard” states I killed one right off the bat. What kind of weather I catch, normally has a lot more to do with how fast I kill one, than the actual state or subspecies. Next biggest factor is how far into the season it is. Pressure from the traveling dipshits has made it where you better be there opening day. Especially if there was a YouTube video made in that state recently.

"Also am I crazy for wanting to do it"

Absolutely not! If that is a target goal for you............do it and don't wait. You never know what tomorrow brings.

If you get Florida squared away, you’re downhill from there. I’ve only hunted Osceolas once and was fortunate to do a double grand slam that year.

I’d be happy just to finish my slam. Need an Oceola. Good luck. Sounds fun as heck but I’m way past sleeping in a truck!

I’ve done it 4 times, actually back to back years double slams. One thing to consider in that camping business is Colorado/Wyoming could be in the high 20s-low 30s at night and 70s in the daytime. Be prepared for all weather extremes.

I will tell you from experience, if you go to public in WY, better be under them at 4:00. They start that early and you’ll have to beat all the YouTube pricks hauling 50 calls and 4 different cameras!!