Stallard's Slam

by David Stallard
Zink Calls Pro Staff
1 June 2009

First of all, I'd like to thank my good friends who allowed me to travel with them and be a part of this incredible journey. A special THANKS to Jerry and Mr. Abrams, Curtis Kenyon, and Jerry Cheesborough -

Florida
The Slam began in Florida, where I'd be pursuing my first Osceola. Upon arrival, we were met with gorgeous weather and temperatures in the mid-70s. The first morning in the field - nothing! Nothing off the roost, and throughout the day, we ran into more turkey hunters than we did turkeys. Most of the action during the week consisted of birds walking by, or of gobblers hanging just out of range.

Finally, it came down to the last day; fortunately, the Power Hen Slate delivered, and my first Osceola longbeard marched right in. My first shot connected with a branch I hadn't notice, blowing the pattern. The follow-up, however, was on the money - my first Osceola!

Colorado
The following week we were to be in Denver and hunt near Colorado Springs, but Mother Nature had other plans regarding our schedule. Chicago from Rochester, New York, was no problem; however, we couldn't get out of the Windy City due to weather, and I ended up sleeping on the terminal floor with a lady running a vacuum cleaner around my head all night! As it was, we missed the entire first day of hunting, but were able to get out that first evening.

Almost immediately, we spotted a flock of birds at a distance, and moved into position. Much to our surprise, the entire group walked right into us, and Curtis was able to take his first Merriams. After his gobbler dropped, a second tom returned and began attacking the fallen longbeard - his mistake! And I had my second of the Slam birds down.

Oklahoma
From Colorado, it was off to Oklahoma, and we certainly weren't disappointed in the number of birds on the property. The very first morning, I had the privilege of filming Curtis taking his gobbler. Then it was time for me to try my hand at these hard-gobbling Rio Grandes.

The first evening out, the Zink "Wicked Lady" did the trick, attracting the attention of not one, but two big longbeards. In Oklahoma, hunters are permitted to take two birds on the same day, and this fact was definitely running through my head as I watched the toms approach from right to left in front of me. BAM...one shot, and two longbeards down. I was three-quarters of the way there.

Pennsylvania
Now it was back to my home state of Pennsylvania to finish the Slam. The evening before I hunted, I put a big gobbler to roost; that next morning, I slipped in to within 150 yards and waited for him to open up. Just as soon as he gobbled, I hit him with a fly-down cackle and some soft yelps, and he responded immediately. Once he saw my surprise - a full strut decoy! - it was Game Over. Nineteen pounds of Keystone State gobbler, with an eight and one-half inch beard and one and one-quarter inch spurs. An awesome bird, and an incredible way to finish out my first Grand Slam.