Contributors to this thread:
So to answer the obvious first question many may have “what is a Royal Slam”. It is basically all 5 Sub-Species of wild turkeys found in N/A. They are the Eastern, Rio Grande, Merriams, Goulds, and Osceola.
I really didn’t have it in mind as an immediate goal, and have killed several Ríos and Easterns over the years. Killed a merriams a few years ago as an add-on after I killed an elk in NM. A good friend invited me on a Goulds hunt in MX last year (for this year) and of course you don’t need to twist my arm to go hunting. So I started thinking “hell, I might as well go to FL too” so I did!
So I ended up finishing it out this week in Mexico. All archery of course. I like pics, so I’ll include all the 5 species and a bunch of misc photos of turkeys, blinds, friends, etc.
—Jim
I really grew up hunting Ríos in north centeral OK with shotguns. I killed a few, and some good ones, but have gone to just archery.
This one is from Osage County, OK.
—Jim
A nice Eastern From Mo a few years ago with my good friend Bake.
—Jim
Merriams from NM. It’s a Jake, so might have upgrading this one on the mind in the next couple years. I know a guy…
—Jim
The Osceola from the Florida South Zone this spring.
—jim
And the Goulds from the East side or Sonora Mexico almost to the Chihuahua border.
—Jim
So those are my 5. Not sure if I’ll officially register with NWTF or not. More just for me I guess more than anything.
Spring turkey hunting is fun, so I’ll share a few pics to spice up the thread a bit. Ace likes it when I bring them home, but he can’t keep it together if I reach for a bow or blow a turkey call, so he doesn’t get to sit in the blind much.
—Jim
Nice job Jim !!! Great pics too
Awesome Jim! You need to add the oscillated next. By the way, I have a better mullet. ;)
Seems like an annual discussion. So I’ll weight in. I personally am a body shooter with BIG expandable heads. Middle of the middle and close range.
—Jim
This one was through the wing butt and out the thigh. Dead in 25 yards.
—Jim
Not a lot of Penetration, but dead in 5’ and blood everywhere.
—Jim
When you shoot them good the reward is turkey nuggets.
—Jim
Turkey hunting is great as a friend type hunt. Often times good action, low pressure, don’t have to be super sneaky in the blind, just good times.
This one is Mr Muche and myself in KS in our younger days! His had a few more tail feathers before the rodeo ensued! LOL
—Jim
Florida, with my outfitter and now friend Daniel.
—Jim
My SD pack mule and all round great friend Brotsky.
—Jim
The man the myth the legend; Bake. Fun few days on public land in NE a few years ago.
—Jim
And on his home turf of MO showing me how real hunters do it…
—Jim
Texas Rio Jake several years back. I don’t remember exactly, but one of my early archery birds.
—Jim
Sometimes you don’t hit them quite where you want. This one just lost a few tail feathers.
—Jim
I believe the best spurred bird I’ve ever killed.
—Jim
My one and only bearded hen.
—Jim
Some blind/set-up pics.
I like my decoys 7-10 yards. Rarely ever shoot more than 10-12.
Don’t think I’ve ever killed one past 25 or so with the bow.
—Jim
Jake doing what Jake’s do…
—Jim
Goulds set-up. If you look above the Jake decoy you can see me.
—Jim
My view from the Goulds blind. Pretty open, tough drawing scenario
—Jim
Easy guess which species this was!
—Jim
Great pics and congrats on the RS! Well done and I enjoyed the write up.
I’ll wrap it up with another Oklahoma bird.
I’m not sure o would be crazy about turkey hunting if it was a fall season and cut into other stuff, but I certainly enjoy it as a spring season when there isn’t a ton of other stuff to hunt anyway.
Generally good weather, less pressure to “score”, good times with friends, what’s not to like!
—Jim
Congrats on the archery Royal Slam Jim! You da man!!!
Dang, I just completed an archery bucket list driven by one of your Bowsite threads...and here you go posting another...LOL!
Great stuff Jim! Keep April open next year, we’ll upgrade that Jake!
Congrats!! I always like a thread with a lot of pics.
I feel, in at least some small way, that I had a hand you completing your Royal Slam. I’m sure my encouraging texts (and Bob’s) kept you grinding, when things got a little tough in your pursuit.
Congrats again, buddy!
I can only imagine the FUN you had accomplishing this goal. Nicely done. My best, Paul
Agree, Jim. I wouldn't walk across the street for a turkey in the fall. But come spring...I'm all in!
My hero does it again!!! Hammertime
Congrats again Jim. Proud to have been on a few of these hunts. Missed this year but hopefully next year we’ll make up for it
My hero. Congrats bud! Need to get out chasing those thunder chickens with you soon!
That’s pretty cool stuff. Big time Congrats Jim
Jim, that's awesome! Adding to the Legend of the Mullet!! Congrats!.
A regular turkey bow master ! ;) congrats man!
Well done! As previously mentioned, any desire to chase an oscellated bird further south in Mexico? They don't have a beard, sing more than gobble, but can have 2+" spurs and the corals in their fans almost look like they are peacock hybrid......lol
Very kool Jim------>
Congrats man,
Robb
Congrats Jim!!! When are we going for an ocellated?
Putting the Royal in Royal Slam. Congratulations on a great accomplishment.
Awesome! I’ve been working on my first leg of the RS. So far, no luck but I’ll be out Monday. Congrats.
PS: Lots of Turkey targets at TAC this year.
Charlie- I got this one at TAC OK at like 82 yards steep uphill. Not sure the species, maybe Foamilated?
MadTrapper- we can talk about it in a couple weeks.
—Jim
Awesome man congratulations
Congratulations. I like the photos too.
Congrats! They aren't archery kills, but I've got 3 of the 5. Can I ask which Osceola outfitter you used?
All turkeys are pretty birds, but that Goulds is special ! Congrats on your slam JT !
Congrats on a great accomplishment and thanks for sharing your journey Lewis
Btw which blind is that you’re using inquiring minds would like to know lol Lewis
I agree drycreek. That Goulds is spectacular.
Congrats and the RS Jim. Thanks for sharing the cool pics.
Congrats brother. You earned it!!!!
I friggin’ love it!!!!!
Thanks for sharing
Looks like lots of fun and good memories made!
Excellent, congrats. Nice bunch of pics.
Great thread and pics Jim.
Congrats on the beautiful birds and thanks for sharing with us!
Finally got to have me some Jimmy time. Congrats on your bird and finishing the royal!!
But he stirred up some damn bees
Wow Jim… all I can say is wow
Very nice thread, thanks for sharing. scentman
Congrats again bud, another great accomplishment. Now get to work!!!
I wanna be like you when I grow up Jim. Congratulations man that's amazing.
Congratulations!!! Lots of great times in the making of this thread I’m sure!
Nice work, Jim...Great photos!
Congratulations!!! Lots of great times in the making of this thread I’m sure!
Good stuff Jim!
I did have a chuckle about the "Royal Slam" ;)
Smells like great memories!!! Congrats!!! Great pics.
Once again, I want to be Treeman. Except with even more hair!
Thanks guys. Appreciate all the replies. Lots of fun on that list. Hopefully a few more archery turkeys in the future for me.
—Jim
This is great man, nice work!!! That picture of us was 4-5 hairstyles ago for you :)
