A turkey grand slam is one of the most coveted achievements for avid turkey hunters. Completing a grand slam requires harvesting all four of the major wild turkey subspecies found in the United States – Eastern, Rio Grande Merriam’s and Osceola. Registering your grand slam with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) provides lasting recognition of your turkey hunting accomplishments. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to register a grand slam.
What is a Turkey Grand Slam?
A grand slam represents a turkey hunter killing one of each of the four main wild turkey subspecies found across the United States. These include:
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Eastern wild turkey – The most populous and widely distributed subspecies. Found mainly in the eastern half of the U.S.
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Rio Grande wild turkey – Named after the Rio Grande river valley where they live. Found in Oklahoma, Texas, and a few other southwestern states.
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Merriam’s wild turkey – Lives in the Rocky Mountains and northwest Known for their white-tipped tails,
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Osceola wild turkey – A smaller Florida subspecies named after the famous Seminole chief
Completing a grand slam means harvesting one turkey from each of these four subspecies during your lifetime. It demonstrates your skill, persistence, and dedication as a turkey hunter.
Why Register Your Grand Slam?
Registering your grand slam with the NWTF provides lasting recognition of your significant accomplishment as a turkey hunter. Here are some of the benefits of registering your grand slam:
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Receive an official grand slam certificate from the NWTF suitable for framing.
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Get your name listed on the NWTF website and Turkey Call magazine as a grand slam achiever.
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Preserve a record of your achievement for posterity and for future generations of hunters.
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Gain a sense of fulfillment in earning one of turkey hunting’s highest awards.
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Opportunity to purchase a grand slam pin to display your achievement.
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Join a fraternity of leading turkey hunters who have registered grand slams.
How to Register a Grand Slam
Follow these steps to register your grand slam achievement with the NWTF:
1. Document Your Harvests
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Gather documentation of your four turkey harvests. This includes the date and location of each harvest.
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Have a witness sign to validate each turkey. The witness can be your hunting partner or whoever was present when you tagged out.
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Take clear, close-up photos of each harvested turkey that identifies the species. This provides visual proof.
2. Acquire Registration Forms
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Contact the NWTF to acquire Turkey Registration Forms. Or download and print from their website.
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You will need one form for each of your four grand slam turkeys.
3. Complete the Forms
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Fill out each Turkey Registration Form completely and legibly.
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Make sure you and your witness sign and date each form.
4. Submit to NWTF with Payment
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Submit your registration forms together in one envelope to:
National Wild Turkey Federation
ATTN: Grand Slam Club
P.O. Box 530
Edgefield, SC 29824
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Include a check or money order for $40 made payable to NWTF.
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They accept multiple registration forms in one envelope but require $10 for each form.
5. Receive Your Grand Slam Recognition
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In 6-8 weeks you will receive a personalized Grand Slam certificate in the mail.
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Soon after, your name will be added to the NWTF Grand Slam registry on their website for all to see.
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You can also order a Grand Slam pin if desired.
Registering your Grand Slam is a rewarding experience and the culmination of your accomplishments as an elite turkey hunter. Follow these steps and you will preserve your achievement for a lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to complete a grand slam?
There is no time limit to complete a grand slam. It can take as little as one season or your entire turkey hunting career. The important requirement is harvesting one of each subspecies.
Can I register turkeys I harvested in the past?
Yes, you can register any grand slam turkeys you have harvested in previous seasons by following the registration process. There is no time limit.
Do I have to register them all at once?
No, you can register them one at a time if needed. But you must register each turkey within one year of harvesting it.
Can I use the same witness for multiple turkeys?
Yes, one witness can validate multiple turkeys in your slam as long as they were present at the time of harvest. Having different witnesses is not required.
How old do I have to be to register a slam?
There are no age requirements. Junior hunters can register their slams just like adult hunters.
Achieving a Grand Slam is the pinnacle of turkey hunting success. Don’t let your achievement go unrecognized. Register your Grand Slam with the NWTF and enjoy lasting acknowledgment as a member of turkey hunting’s elite fraternity.
