Washington Slam

[MerriamMagician]

Theres nothing in the turkey hunting world quite like getting to a gated logging road at 3:00 in the morning, biking in for miles in the dark to some isolated basin, getting set up, and then getting to hear several Eastern gobblers go ballistic all around you in Southwest Washington. I got to experience this again last Saturday as I attempted to kill another Washington Eastern. From several previous scouting trips I had a good plan for the birds and had what I thought was a bulletproof set up on a big lone gobbler. HA.  300 gobbles later, instead of pitching down right to the opening in front of him, he crashed his way through about 150 yards of mature timber and dumped into some 8 foot reprod.  He continued gobbling at an outstanding rate, but worked his way straight up towards a ridge going away from me. Luckily I knew which road he was heading for and I looped all the way around him to where several old skid roads intersected. I dumped out of the big timber just in time to spook a flock of 8 other birds that where cruising up the road. With no time to lose I disregarded them and dashed up to the corner and plopped down. Seconds later he gobbled and he was close!! 60 yards or less. I gave one small series of yelps, then trained my gun barrel to the intersection. Time stood still as he kept getting closer. He was gobbling about every 8 seconds and it was thundering through the still air! Off goes the safety... Deep steady breaths as my heart attempts to burst. Suddenly his head appears, a lone periscope surveying the scene. He takes 3 more steps into full view and goes into full strut. Just as quickly as he puffs up, he comes back out of strut and periscopes his neck again. Does he see me!? Too late. The gun roars and he goes down without a single flop.
What an amazing moment it is when you have killed one of these birds. I've heard a lot of people say these birds are the hardest turkeys to kill anywhere. I already can't wait to duel with another Eastern in the rainforest next year. 

Meanwhile I made quick work of both the Merriam and the Rio on opening weekend. I'm very happy to have got the state slam again. The merriams and rios are great fun, buts it the black ghosts from the southwest corner that occupy my dreams during those long winter months that promise the triumphant return of another spring turkey season.

[Big game archer]

  That's awesome!!

[bearpaw]

nicely done, congrats 

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

  nice!

[Tree Killer]

Nicely done...congratulations!   

[Shooting Stix]

that's awesome now you need an oceiola in florida and a Gould in mexico

[270Shooter]

Very nice. I envy you, I love to turkey hunt but I'm still a novice and though I've killed several I still have a tough enough time killing a Merriam lol.

[bobcat]

Good job, great story!

[h2ofowlr]

Congrats! 

[Jester052]

Congrats! Nice write up.

[Grizman]

Good job and nice write up.  Lots of fun to see the different places birds live!!

[Wacenturion]

Congratulations.....certainly not an easy feat especially when you throw in the Eastern.  No matter which subspecies, it's still turkey hunting.  As I had said numerous times in the past, the Eastern Wild Turkey in western Washington is the hardest turkey you'll ever hunt, but they can also be the easiest.  If you have done your homework and had the experience of harvesting a couple of them, you'll understand what I mean.  Nice birds.......

[WoolyRunner]

Congrats!

[Spurdaddy]

Congratulations on the Slam .......and more importantly taking a "Ghost". Every year I have chased him...never able to close the deal. I will continue until I get her done. Well Done Sir....Well Done!

[jasnt]

Sounds like a blast!!