Summer 2006

Successful Quest For NWTF World Slam

By ED NOONAN

FINALLY IT IS OFFICIAL!
My quest to complete the requirements for the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) highest level of achievement, the World Slam, is now a reality.
It began with the Grand Slam in the early 2000s with the Grand Slam and harvesting of the four U.S. species(Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande and Merriam) followed by last year's harvest of Northern Mexico's Gould's turkey high in the Sierra Madre Mountains outside of Chihuahua and the Royal Slam and ending last Wednesday with the Ocellated turkey and my World Slam in Southern Mexico's Yucatan Jungle.

The successful end of my National Wild Turkey Federation World Slam.

This final chapter actually took place at Alfredo LaMadrid Cossio's BALAM Hunting Expeditions (www.balammexico.com). This choice for my hunt was based on personal recommendations from others who had hunted with Balam and the FTW Outfitters (www.ftwoutfitters.com), I expected a great Ocellated hunt; but what I got was the most exciting and memorable wild turkey hunting experience of my life. In fact it was more than a hunt, it was an adventure.
The story began when the Balam driver Manuel picked us at the Ocean View Hotel located right on the Gulf of Mexico in the city of Campeche. Here is where Ron Kolodiej, another New Yorker, overnighted after our late afternoon arrival the day before. The two hour drive along the coast allowed us to enjoy much of Mexico's historical Gulf fishing village culture but the adventure really began in the Village of Livertad. Here we loaded into two topless jeeps and headed for our camp deep in the Yucatan jungle.
As we entered the jungle both the air temperature and humidity levels were in the mid 1990s and it was very obvious why we were in jeeps. Jungle roads, cut decades ago, require travel by four-wheel drive vehicles. But it was the scenery and sounds of the jungle that impressed me the most. I saw countless numbers of tropical plants, birds, etc. all of which belonged on the front of a post card. And for the first time I had an up-close look at the antics of both the spider and the noisy Howler monkeys. These little long tailed vine-swinging primates and I would have several more encounters before my jungle stay would end.
Two and a half hours and 35 miles after leaving the paved road we arrived at our camp; one of two within the 70,000 acres of Balam. I was also told that we were approximately 30 miles from Guatemala.
Camp consisted of five thatch-roofed structures. Three were net-enclosed sleeping quarters each with two queen-sized beds, there was a kitchen/cooking area and a dining area. Lighting was supplied by a large 7500 watt generator. As for the facilities there was the typical outdoor toilet and a beautiful moving river in which to bathe and cool off in. Twice each day I would sit neck-deep in the river for at least a half hour to cool down.

THE HUNT
By 5 p.m. the day of our arrival I was in a jeep headed for my first Ocellated turkey hunt. My gun, which was supplied by Balam, was a Beretta semi-auto 12 gauge and we were using 3-inch BB shot ammunition..
Each hunters was assigned a personal guide and I was very fortunate to be assigned to Marco. He spoke very little English but we never had any real trouble communicating with each other.
Our approach this afternoon would be to try and locate the Macho Pavo, which is Mexican for the male turkey, in their roosting area. If we could get a shot then we would take it and if not, then we would go back before daylight the next morning.
There are three ways Ocellated turkeys are hunted. The most common is to take them in their roost, set up near their roast and try to anticipate the route they will follow when they leave their roost and the least used and most difficult, call them in once they are on the ground.
That afternoon despite hearing and stalking several turkey we were unable to catch up with them before it got dark and had to pick it up where we last heard the birds the next morning.
Shortly after 6 a.m. the second morning we heard a shot in the distance and later found out that Ron had taken his Ocellated and now was only the sixth New Yorker to have successfully complete the NWTF World Slam. His trophy tipped the scales at 10 pounds and carried 1 1/2-inch spurs. The Ocellated turkey does not have a beard like all the other species.
As for Marco and I, we heard and saw an Ocellated but were not able to get close enough for a clear shot. And for the next two days we covered quite a few miles checking out scratching, roosting areas and sneaking and peeking whenever we heard their mating calls.
On two occasions when getting close we were interrupted by a group of spider monkey who considered this their territory and they began to screech, shake the branches violently and try to drop broken branches on us. It was quite comical but it was enough to send the turkeys off and running.
Later that afternoon just before dark we had a similar incidence with the Howler monkeys. These are the loudest land animals and can be heard up to 3 miles away. So you can imagine having one howl right over your head when it is dark. I know the first time it happened to me it sent chills up and down my spine while I was reaching for the safety on the Beretta.
Time went by quickly and finally on Thursday afternoon Marco decided to try something very much out of the ordinary. When I climbed into the jeep he pointed to an electronic Johnny Stewart Wildlife caller. All he said was ''We try.''
I knew that of all the proven methods of bagging an Ocellated turkey call was suppose to be the very least effective and hardest way to get them. But having spent the week with Marco I had complete faith in his abilities in the jungle so why not give it a try.
About 8 miles from camp we left the jeep and started to make our way along a tree-lined ridge trail. Once on top Marco marked a tree with his machete and we left the trail to make our own. It was fairly dense and when we reached the top of a knoll there was a flat area, he pointed to a downed tree truck where he wanted me to sit. He set up the caller next to me where he was going to sit and placed the speaker on an extension cord out about 30 feet from us.
It is ironic how quickly thing can happen when hunting. On the third repetition of calls Marco whispered, ''Macho Pavo,'' smiled and pointed. Slowly I raised the Beretta and in less than a minute set the sight bead on the light blue with orange red knobs head moving parallel to us at about 35 yards. There was one small opening in the heavy brush and when he stepped into it I lowered the sight bead to the base of the turkey's neck and completed my NWTF World Slam. Now there were seven New Yorker's with this achievement.
Back at camp I found out my Ocellated also weighed 10 pounds and carried 1 inch spurs.
It was a long time coming, but worth the estimated 50,000 air miles I had logged to accomplish it. And knowing that Ron and I were only the sixth and seventh New Yorkers to accomplish it was also a very good feeling.