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Dahlke: 'Grand Slam Pursuit' Begins

By: Josh Dahlke
7 comments Mixed Bag with Josh Dahlke

Mar 02

Grand Slam Pursuit Updates:
Florida Osceola: hunt complete
Texas Rio Grande: hunt complete
Nebraska Merriam's: hunt complete
Wisconsin Eastern: hunt complete
Minnesota Eastern: hunt complete
GRAND SLAM COMPLETE

 


This is it. This is the year I've been awaiting since I took my first Eastern wild turkey (a jake) 10 years ago in southeast Minnesota. This is the season I hope to complete my gobbler Grand Slam.

I've killed several mature Easterns in the Midwest, a Merriam's in Nebraska and a Rio Grande in Texas. This has taken place over a decade. As I said in the above video, Monday I'll arrive in Florida to hunt the final leg of my Grand Slam: the Osceola. As the least prevalent and most concentrated subspecies of wild turkey in the Grand Slam, the Osceola stands for many turkey hunters as the most coveted bird to tag in the United States.

But I'm taking my Grand Slam goal to the next level. I will attempt to kill all four subspecies in one year—this spring.

Throughout the season I'll update the "Slam Tracker" map below, which pinpoints the areas of the country I'll be hunting and the subspecies associated with each area. After hunting for an Osceola next week, my pursuit will shift to Texas Rio Grandes in early April. In mid-April, Nebraska welcomes me back for a Merriam's hunt. In late April, I'll return to the Midwest with the goal of tagging an Eastern longbeard in southwest Wisconsin.

I invite you to follow along as I share my cross-country experience with photos, videos and stories from the field. Hopefully you'll cheer me on; I need all the support I can get after completely striking out last year.

Finally, with each of my blog updates, be sure to share personal turkey-hunting tips or stories from your own hunts as comments in my blog or on my Facebook page as the strutter season unfolds. I'll choose my favorite tidbit after my final hunt this spring and award the winner with a special turkey-hunter's prize pack.

 

7 comments

# RAbear51
Saturday, March 03, 2012 7:36 AM
Josh, I am looking forward to "participating" in this venture w/ you and I'm optimistic about your success. What a blast. The type of venture that dreams are made of. I love my turkey hunting experiences each year as much (maybe more) as I do my deer hunts each fall. There is something magical and serene about matching wits with these birds at this time of the year !! The spring woods are a special place to be and then to hear that big tom vibrating the woods with his challenging and searching gobble.... Ahh I love hunting !!! Good luck man and I'll "be there" to share each magic moment. Thanks for the invite !!
# Web Editor Josh
Sunday, March 04, 2012 9:02 PM
@RAbear51: Thanks for the positive vibe. Turkey hunting is like none other. Only if I could wake up to a gobble every morning ...

Thanks for taking time out of your spring to check in.
# SSchafer
Sunday, March 18, 2012 8:36 AM
Josh, your living my dream. I was headed to S.D. this spring to complete my 3rd leg with a Merriam, but, I ruptured my right quadriceps, and now must rehab. hard just to get out by May here at home.
I'm planning, to attempt, to take all 4 subspecies next spring with 2 good friends, so, I plan on following your quest with great interest.
Best of luck with the remaining birds !!!
Steve
# Spottedcrow
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:11 PM
Good Luck Josh. Just recieved the Calendar, thanks for that! Waiting for the end of April to head for some Easterns here in CT!
# cfonner1
Tuesday, April 10, 2012 4:50 PM
Good luck on your quest Josh...not an easy task.But I am sure with your determination you will bust heads this year...and congrats on the osceola!

chris fonner lm
# W.E.T.S.U. Hunt Club
Thursday, April 12, 2012 9:26 AM
Josh, Best of luck to you. I was able to complete a successful youth hunt last Saturday with my hunting partner Stephen. We took my 14 yr. old son and a 14 yr. old cousin of mine on a drawn permit hunt in the Bladen Lakes State Gameland, N.C. My cousin took his first turkey, a jake at about 8:30 a.m., with a little help from a coyote. We stuck it out in the same area and my son took his first gobbler, 9" beard, 1" spurs, approx. 18 lbs., before 11:00 a.m. The hunt was a thrill for my partner and me. We actually tried our luck last year for Merriam's and/or Rio's in Nebraska. He was successful, but I wasn't. We still had the hunt of a lifetme, even though I didn't fill my tag. Again, good luck!!!
# Web Editor Josh
Saturday, April 21, 2012 1:48 PM
@SSchafer: I hope you have a speedy recovery. The birds aren't going anywhere, so don't get too down about not making it happen this year ... as difficult as that may be!

@Spottedcrow: I hope you have an unforgettable season in Connecticut. Enjoy the calendar.

@Cfonner: Thanks, man. It takes a stubborn dude to kill stubborn longbeards ... and I like to think I'm stubborn!

@W.E.T.S.U. Hunt Club: I'm super happy to hear the kids had a great hunt -- that's awesome! Hopefully you get another chance to get back to Nebraska. Check out http://www.OneLazyJ.com for a fantastic outfitter.

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