We just got back late last night from our weekend hunt in NM. My 14 year old is working toward a Turkey Grand Slam and we needed to check a Merriam off his list. We hunted with James (Sitkahunter) with Luna Canyon Outdoor Adventure. We got there late Friday afternoon and James took us right to where he thought a group might be getting ready to roost. We found the birds and put them to bed and early the next morning we were back at it. We had turkeys gobbling all around us and my son had several opportunties right outside of "Dads convert zone" of within 45 yards. He just moved up from his 20 guage to a 12 guage, shooting 3 1/2" shells and a turkey choke. He listened to me and passed on several nice Toms throughout the day that were outside that distance I gave him. He gave me an ear full that evening about having to pass up on those birds. After talking to James we adjusted the kill zone a bit and Sunday morning he took us to another spot and had turkeys gobbling right away. After 30 minutes or so of working the birds they came in to where James had ranged the new kill zone of 60 yards. My son took his 60 yard shot and got his Merriam turkey.

I can't say enough on how hard James worked to get my son his bird. My 8 year tagged along on this hunt and James let him do some Prairie Dog shooting during some down time. A pic of his trophy is below too. The boys saw TONS of Elk and Turkey, did a little shed hunting and really didn't want to leave the area. We will definitely be doing another hunt with James.... either Elk or bear. This was probably one of their favorite hunts and we hunt A LOT.

Sounds like y'all had a really good time, thanks for postin, good luck on your slam

Mr. Elk......that there is GOOD STUFF !! Congrats on the hunt and the memories that your two young 'uns, and their proud papa, will never forget !!

Congrats! We saw a bunch of those in Colorado and a few on Raton Pass over spring break. Never seen them before until this year. Is he doing the slam in one year?

No. The NWTF says the completion of a slam doesn't have to take place in a calendar year. That sure would be fun to try all four in one year though. He has an Eastern and a Merriam now. We tried for a Rio at a buddies deer lease and didn't have any luck. I am looking around and trying to find a low cost Rio hunt. We have been to Louisiana, Kansas and New Mexico in the last few weeks turkey hunting. My wifes patience is definitely runing out. We are goning for the Osceola next year. That gives us a year to collect cans, sell blood, plasma and other organs to pay for that hunt. Just kidding, of course, both those dang Osceola hunts are expensive.

The main thing is we are having a BLAST!!! I can't wait to start over with my 8 year old in a few years.

Very cool. I'm knocking on 40 years old, and my dad started hauling me around turkey hunting as soon as I could walk. It's a passion he taught me, and I still love to this day. I killed my first Osceola this year, and did no good on the Eastern on the way back to TX. I missed my Rio opening morning. However, I hope to get my Rio and Eastern in the next two weeks. If so, I'm going after the Merriam to complete my slam in one year. I've currently killed everything but a Merriam. Just not in the same year.

If I get a free weekend open, I can put your kid on a Rio and if I can't I have a buddy who can. That is if the wife still has some patience.

Wow that is really nice!

BarneyWho,
I really appreciate that. I will take you up on that whenever you or your buddy have the time. You are welcome to come out to my place in Canton sometime and pop some pigs... whether the turkey hunt works out or not. I can keep the wife at bay a few more weeks.

X2

X3 I am glad you are teaching your young hunters!!

X's4!

Awesome. Grew up in and love hunting New Mexico.