The turkey Grand Slam is harvesting all four North American wild turkey subspecies: the Eastern, the Osceola, the Rio Grande, and the Merriam. The Merriam is the one most hunters save for last because it requires traveling to the Great Plains or mountain West. Double D Trophy Outfitters offers the fastest path to completing your Grand Slam with a 5-day, two-state Merriam turkey hunt across Nebraska and South Dakota that gives you four birds in five days.
The turkey Grand Slam is the achievement of harvesting all four recognized wild turkey subspecies in the United States. The National Wild Turkey Federation defines the slam as taking the Eastern wild turkey, the Osceola (Florida), the Rio Grande, and the Merriam. Most hunters complete the Eastern and Rio Grande legs first because those birds are widely distributed across the eastern half of the country and Texas. The Osceola requires a trip to Florida. The Merriam requires traveling to Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, or Montana, where Merriam turkeys live in pine ridges, river bottoms, and open prairie.
The Merriam is the mountain bird of the Grand Slam. Adult toms weigh 18 to 25 pounds and sport white-tipped tail feathers that distinguish them from other subspecies. Their habitat centers on ponderosa pine slopes, open meadows, and creek bottoms in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain foothills. Nebraska holds one of the strongest Merriam populations in the country, and the state sells nonresident spring turkey permits over the counter with no draw required.
Nebraska and South Dakota offer the best combination of Merriam turkey population density, tag availability, and outfitter access for Grand Slam hunters. Here is why:
Nebraska sells nonresident spring turkey tags over the counter. No draw, no lottery, no deadline. Permits go on sale January 13 through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission at outdoornebraska.gov. You can buy up to three spring permits at approximately $130 each plus a $25 habitat stamp. For full details, see our Nebraska Turkey Hunting License and Tag Guide.
South Dakota Black Hills tags cover the native Merriam range. The Black Hills of South Dakota are the heart of Merriam turkey country. Nonresident spring turkey tags cost approximately $125 and cover the Black Hills fire units where Double D hunts. The combination of Nebraska and South Dakota tags gives you access to two distinct Merriam populations on a single trip.
No other outfitter offers a two-state Merriam hunt. Most Nebraska turkey outfitters run single-state hunts on one piece of ground. Double D’s 5-day two-state package covers private ranches in both Nebraska and South Dakota, giving you four birds across two states and two completely different terrain types. This is the fastest way to complete the Merriam leg of your Grand Slam.
For a full breakdown of what the hunt looks like day by day, see our What to Expect on a Nebraska Merriam Turkey Hunt guide.
The South Dakota half of this hunt runs on the Black Hills tag draw, which has different rules and dates than Nebraska. Read our South Dakota turkey hunting guide for season dates, license costs, and unit details.
The Double D 5-day two-state Merriam turkey hunt costs $3,499 and includes four birds across Nebraska and South Dakota. You hunt Nebraska ranches for the first portion of your trip, then move to the South Dakota Black Hills for the second portion. Lodging, meals, and on-ranch transportation are included in both locations.
Here is how the two-state hunt maps to Grand Slam completion:
You already have your Eastern, Osceola, and Rio Grande. Most Grand Slam hunters arrive at Double D with three birds on their resume. The Merriam is the final piece.
Nebraska gives you your first Merriam. Double D’s Nebraska ranches sit in the Sandhills and Pine Ridge region, where Merriam turkeys are plentiful and hunting pressure is low. The nonresident statewide spring permit covers one bird, and you can buy up to three.
South Dakota gives you the Black Hills Merriam. The Black Hills are the native range of the Merriam subspecies. The terrain changes from Nebraska river bottoms to ponderosa pine slopes and ridge-top strutting zones. Your South Dakota Black Hills tag covers one bird in the fire units where Double D hunts.
Four birds in five days. The two-state package includes four birds total. If you are also working on a Royal Slam (Grand Slam plus the Gould turkey found in Mexico), the Merriam harvest from this hunt counts toward both achievements.
See full pricing, dates, and package details on our Merriam turkey hunts page. For a broader overview of turkey hunting in Nebraska, see our Nebraska Turkey Hunting Guide.
A true Merriam turkey has specific physical characteristics that distinguish it from Eastern, Rio Grande, and Osceola subspecies. The NWTF requires photographic proof for Grand Slam registration, so knowing what to look for matters.
White-tipped tail feathers. The lower 13 to 15 tail feathers on a mature Merriam tom are edged in white, giving the fan a distinct white border. Eastern turkeys have copper-tipped feathers, and Rio Grande turkeys have tan-tipped feathers. The white tip is the single most reliable field identifier.
Body weight. Adult Merriam toms average 18 to 25 pounds. They are slightly lighter than Eastern toms (which can reach 30 pounds) but comparable to Rio Grande toms. Hens average 10 to 12 pounds.
Beard length. Merriam beards tend to be slightly shorter than Eastern beards on average, typically 8 to 11 inches on mature toms. The beard is a good secondary indicator but should not be used alone for subspecies identification.
Leg color. Merriam turkeys often have lighter leg coloration than Eastern turkeys, ranging from pink to pale gray. This is a subtle marker and not as reliable as tail feather coloration.
Double D’s guides can help you confirm subspecies identification in the field. If you are registering your bird with the NWTF, photograph the tail fan spread, the beard, and the spurs for your records.
Spring is the only season for a Merriam Grand Slam hunt. Nebraska spring turkey season runs from late March through May, with archery opening March 25 and shotgun season opening April 17. South Dakota Black Hills spring turkey season typically opens in mid-April and runs through May.
The best hunting window depends on what kind of experience you want:
Early season (late March through April 25): Birds are still flocked up in large winter groups. Blind hunting is the primary strategy. You set up on known roosts before first light and wait for birds to fly down. Predictable and effective.
Mid season (April 25 through May 10): Hens start nesting and gobblers get lonely. Run-and-gun calling shines. Late morning through early afternoon produces the best action because hens have left to sit on nests.
Late season (May 10 through May 31): Hens are nesting full time and gobblers are desperate. The best calling window of the spring. Lonely toms respond hard to locator calls and decoy setups. Heat can slow gobbling earlier in the day as May progresses.
Double D posts current season dates on their Nebraska Season Dates page. Spring dates fill fast because the two-state hunt books out on word of mouth. Most Grand Slam hunters book by late summer or early fall for the following spring.
The two-state hunt covers two different terrain types, so your gear needs to handle both Nebraska river bottoms and South Dakota pine ridges. Here is what Double D recommends:
Blaze orange is not required for spring turkey season in either state. Double D provides blinds, on-ranch transportation, game recovery, lodging, and meals. For a full gear breakdown, see our What to Expect guide.
License and tag costs are separate from your hunt package price. For the 5-day two-state hunt, you need:
Total tag cost runs approximately $280 to $520 depending on how many birds you pursue. For step-by-step instructions for buying both tags, see our Nebraska Turkey Hunting License and Tag Guide. Double D walks every hunter through both tag application processes.
The National Wild Turkey Federation maintains the official Grand Slam registry. To register your Merriam harvest, you need:
You can register online at the NWTF website. There is no fee for registering your Grand Slam. Once all four subspecies are registered, you receive a Grand Slam certificate and your name is added to the official registry. Double D’s guides will help you photograph your bird properly for NWTF registration.
What is the turkey Grand Slam?
The turkey Grand Slam is harvesting all four North American wild turkey subspecies: the Eastern, the Osceola, the Rio Grande, and the Merriam. The National Wild Turkey Federation maintains the official registry. Once all four birds are registered, you receive a Grand Slam certificate and your name is added to the official list.
How long does it take to complete a turkey Grand Slam?
Most hunters complete the Grand Slam over several years. The Eastern and Rio Grande are the easiest legs because those subspecies are widely distributed. The Osceola requires a trip to Florida. The Merriam requires traveling to Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, or Montana. Double D’s two-state hunt lets you harvest multiple Merriam birds in a single 5-day trip.
How do I register my Merriam turkey with the NWTF?
Take photos of the tail fan spread, the beard, and the spurs. Record the date and location of harvest. Keep your hunting license and tag number. Register online at the NWTF website. There is no fee. Double D’s guides will help you photograph your bird properly for registration.
How much does the two-state Grand Slam hunt cost?
The 5-day two-state Merriam turkey hunt costs $3,499 and includes four birds, lodging, meals, and on-ranch transportation in both Nebraska and South Dakota. Tag costs are separate: approximately $280 to $520 depending on how many birds you pursue. See our Merriam turkey hunts page for full pricing.
When should I book my Merriam Grand Slam hunt?
Book by late summer or early fall for the following spring. Spring dates fill fast because the two-state hunt books out on word of mouth. Nebraska spring turkey season runs from late March through May, and South Dakota Black Hills season runs from mid-April through May.
The Merriam is the final bird for most Grand Slam hunters, and Double D’s two-state hunt is the fastest way to get it done. Four birds in five days across Nebraska and South Dakota, with lodging, meals, and guide access included. Call (605) 877-2550, email doubledoutfitters@yahoo.com, or register and pay online to lock in your spring dates.
See a decade of Merriam turkey harvests in the photo gallery and talk to past hunters on the references page.
