I need 2 more birds for my slam, an Eastern and a Osceola (sp?). I'm looking to get the Eastern this year I know some states like Mo have a limited hunt drawing that applications are due in Dec. I want to do this DIY but it makes it hard not being able to scout or know pressure in areas . What states would everyone recommend? Can trade hunting info in Nevada or fishing info on Pyramid Lake for info on where to go.

Thanks

I would suggest Missouri for your eastern. When I get home next week pm me and I’ll get back to you with the info I have.

Thanks

I am a Missourian and have shot a fair amount of turkeys. Our out of state tags are over the counter. I would not suggest NW MO. We used to have a ton of birds but they are few and far between any more(a debate for another thread). You would be driving right through Kansas which has areas with a ton of birds, lighter pressure, walk in private ground and easier to get permission at. Hopefully a resident Kansan will chime in.

T time I was thinking about applying for one of the limited entry areas to avoid the pressure.

Michigan has OTC tags for the "234" hunt. The tag is good anyplace open to turkey EXCEPT state land in zone 3. Northern Michigan has some great gobbler hunting on public ground in the northern 2/3 of the state.
Your Osceola will be a cinch too......if you spend the $$$ on a guided private ranch hunt. Public land in southern Florida....... is horribly pressured. If you can draw a limited tag on some of the public areas, you may have the hunt of a lifetime, but do your research as to which place to apply. Be prepared to be disgusted by the actions of others if you hunt the WMA's open to anyone, it will be bad.

J.Morse

I actually had a tag in the Alpena area when I lived there but only hunted 1 day and no luck back in 2002. Pretty sure I had to draw tho.

The 234 hunt is OTC, and unlimited. You can even buy it throughout the season.

NVwrangler, I wouldn't worry about the managed hunts. there's tons of good public land for turkey hunting in Missouri. I agree with Turkey Time that north east Mo is better than north west MO. lots of good areas down south too.And He's also correct lots of good walk in ground in eastern Ks and south east Nebraska, killed quit a few both places.Good thing about KS and NE is you can hunt all day versus a 1 o'clock stopping time in MO. Also you can kill both birds the same day in KS or all 3 the same day in NE. in MO its 1 the first week and 1 per day weeks 2 and 3 with season limit of 2. I got lucky on my oseola, my girlfriends now deceased grandfather owned 125 acres right on the St. Johns river and was land locked by 4000 acres. it was awesome, tons of turkeys and hogs. do your research and youll be good. good luck!

If you come to kansas check out the population where you are going. Like parts of missouri our population has crashed over the last 10 years in part of the state. Here in southeast kansas we have very few birds anymore.

If you want a true Osceola, head South below Orlando. That made up line put out by the NWTF is for money making purposes only. Those birds in North Florida are no different than what you’ll kill in Missouri, other than some magical line designates them as Osceola’s.
We put in for Quota hunts every year and generally get drawn every 2-3 years...this should be our year (#3). Already a Royal Slam and need one more Merriam for Royal #2. This year “if” we are drawn for an Osceola, I’m going to try for a single season slam. Already got TX and Nebraska lined up for the Rio and Merriam’s.

I'm going to Montana for a Merriams next spring. Thinking about trying for a Kansas Rio on the way Back. What's the best area in
Kansas for Rios?

the southern u p of Michigan ,lots of open land ,an lots of birds ,an not many people ,

Hunted Merriams in the Black Hills a few years back. Camped and hunted in the back country. Hunting the big timber there was very spiritual for me, enjoyed it very much.
My buddy and I are talking about heading back out this next spring.
Regarding Eastern birds, WI has a lot of birds, everywhere. We have a Dec 10th application deadline for Spring, 2020.

MN also has a lot of birds to many in my opinion, I think the deadline to apply is Jan 25th

The area I live its nothing to see 50 or more birds a day and that's not even counting the 20 or 30 that make my road there favorite scratching spot

Lots of good state ground to