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Book Your Adventure 1-800-346-8747

Turkey Slams

WTA Team
|  
Species: Turkey

Here at WTA, we book a pile of hunting and fishing trips each year, and it never fails that turkey hunts are one of our most popular offerings.

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There is a myriad of reasons for the popularity of turkey hunting. Its another species to chase when the elk and deer have their spring/summer reprieve. The waterfowl boats, blinds and decoys are put away and the fishing rods just are not quite ready to come out yet. It is a very interactive hunt, great for beginners and great for kids, as they get to hear birds gobble, yelp, purr and cluck. Additionally, these hunts are attainable for the ‘everyday guy’ from an access and affordability standpoint. What I mean by that is there are turkey seemingly everywhere and even the highest priced outfitted turkey hunt is affordable by today’s hunt cost standards. Oh, and did I mention, it is just flat-out a bunch of fun to chase these dudes around!  All of these things make turkey hunting very attractive, but probably the thing I hear the most is the fact that it is a “Slam” that is achievable for most. We assist many clients, with completing their Slam, whether it is the last leg of their journey or they need everything start-to-finish.

The three different Turkey Slams are as follows below:

  1. The Grand Slam –  Which is the harvesting of the Eastern, Merriams, Osceola and Rio Grande sub species.

(I joke with guys a lot and tell them they are not finished until they come the Nebraska and harvest a hybrid, which depending on what part of the state you are in, could be a (Merriam/Rio) cross or (Eastern/Rio) cross. When you do that then you have the “Grander Slam”)

  1. Royal Slam –  Which is the harvesting of your Grand Slam plus a Goulds turkey
  1. World Slam – Which is the harvesting of your Royal Slam plus an Ocellated turkey.

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Here at WTA we have everything you need to get in the turkey woods and complete that Slam. Our turkey outfitters have probably been professionally vetted. There is an unbelievable amount of turkey knowledge sitting in this office, and no matter which Consultant you speak with, you will be very well taken care of. We cover everything from Easterns in the states of Kansas, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky to Rios in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. We offer hunts for true Merriams in New Mexico, South Dakota, northwest Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah. Goulds in Sonora, Mexico, and through the draw in Arizona – and last but not least – the Ocellated turkey in the jungles of Campeche, Mexico.

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Whether you are trying to do the full turkey hunt World Slam, or just want to book high-quality, single species over a long weekend – WTA can help. This is the time of year to start locking-in prime dates for 2020 and to look at last minute offers for the 2019 season. Give us a call today at 1-800-346-8747 and we will be glad to assist you.

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Popular Turkey Hunts

Merriams Turkey   ·
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Merriams Turkey   ·
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We went in a day and a half before the season opened and spotted a band of 14 rams, including one heavy-horned giant that immediately caught our attention. Then Alaska did what Alaska does best. Weather rolled in, the rams vanished, and we spent the three days scouring valleys and ridges to find them again.

When we finally relocated them, we had to break camp and make a major move. After a full day’s work, we spotted six rams bedding down as evening fell. The next morning, we made our play.

The wind that day was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It sounded like a freight train roaring up the mountain; gusting, dying, gusting again. At 320 yards, I had to time my shot during the lulls. My first shot went wide in the wind. The second shot dropped him—a beautiful 39″ ram. Honestly, I didn’t care about the number. That’s not why I hunt. I’m in it for the experience and a good animal. This ram was both.

The pack-out was its own adventure. We crossed the glacier-fed Tok River multiple times before Matt showed up with a Korean War-era military vehicle that could go just about anywhere. After nine days in the mountains, that slow, bumpy ride was a step up from travelling another 10 miles on foot. This was a trip I’ll never forget.

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I flew into Homer at the end of August, expecting to start hunting on Tuesday. By Monday evening, my outfitter, Paul, was warning me about the incoming weather. “We might not get you in until Friday,” he said. He wasn’t kidding. We sat through three days of howling wind, driving rain, and zero visibility before finally getting our chance.

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It was only 1,500 vertical feet, but every step came wrapped in devil’s club thorns, soaking brush, deadfall, and rain-slicked cliff bands. We hiked for what seemed like an eternity before stopping for the night to set up camp.

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The trip down gave us one more show. A black bear, fat from gorging on berries, army-crawled through the blueberry patches, entertained us from 400 yards away. I had a bear tag, but watching him was worth more than any trophy. Crossing salmon-choked streams on the way out completed the full Alaskan experience.

Both hunts worked because of solid preparation and connections with the right team. Jordan, my WTA consultant, had been helping me strategically build points and select units for years. When the draw results came through, WTA’s network meant proven outfitters were ready and handled every detail. They provided thorough gear lists, arranged logistics, and coordinated air charters. Everything was dialed in.

Some guys chase record books. Others chase hunting milestones. I finished my slam in 2019 with a desert ram, but what excites me most these days is the experience—the hunts that test you, humble you, and stay with you long after the pack is unloaded. When you work with the right people and put in the preparation, amazing things can happen. Jordan’s already working on my applications for 2026, so we’ll see what adventure comes through next.

Contact WTA TAGS to learn more about drawing the tags of your dreams: 1-800-755-8247

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