Search the Community

After a great trip to Missouri and a last minute trip to Colorado I was able to complete my single season Grand Slam and my 15 year old daughter, Jaycie, was able to complete her Royal Slam. To say we have had an incredible spring is definitely an understatement. We both know we are beyond blessed. In Missouri we hunted with Honey Creek Outfitters owned by Kevin Harris out of Trenton. We had an uneventful flight and drive to get to our camp. We met our guide Lonnie Flowers and got settled in. He said he had some birds on lock down and laid out the game plan. We had some close calls the next morning but just didn't get a shot. Around 10 we were able to draw in a couple of Toms and made good on a double. Not only that but we found a lucky shed and one of the birds had a double beard and the other had some great spurs. Shortly after we met up with Kevin and took a trip to Hazel Creek Taxidermy. Later that day we met up with three time world champion caller Don Shipp and Media Productions Supervisor at Duck Commander Lyle Sinkey. We had a great fish and turkey fry with some very cool stories. It was decided then that we would split up in the morning with Jaycie hunting with Lonnie and I'd go with Don. To make a long story a little shorter Don and I worked two birds for over three hours and after multiple set ups and finally me sneaking around a ridge we were able to close the deal. This by far was one of the best turkey hunts I've ever been a part of. Amazing to hunt with Don and witness his skills in the turkey woods. Jaycie and Lonnie unfortunately had a slow morning. On the last day Lonnie, Jaycie and myself worked a huge gobbler for almost four hours without having him come into range. After which we checked one last farm and Lonnie called this Tom in all the way across a big open field. Was quite the show and one we will remember forever. Here is a video I put together of our hunt. This hunt allowed Jaycie to complete her Royal Slam. I am super proud of her and hope to catch up to her someday. After a quick week at work I hustled up to Colorado to try for my Merriam's. I got into Trinidad and got set up in my motel. Early the next morning I met up with David Fox, owner of Hitlist Outfitters. He said he'd been scouting a field for the last few weeks and had a good idea where to set up. Not long after the sun came up we had a number of hens and jakes all over us. I caught some movement off to my right and saw a gobbler sneaking in to see what all of the commotion was about. I had to let him walk on by as I was pinned down. A short while later we were able to call the Tom back in and I made good on my shot. Hunt the North was there filming the whole thing and I hope to get a copy soon. This completed my Single Season Grand Slam. Most definitely time for a little rest and a lot of work but I sure am going to miss hearing those gobbles echoing through the woods.