WEST VIRGINIA (WVDN) — Justin and Kristen Patterson have accomplished what few hunters ever will, completing a world slam in turkey hunting. It’s a feat that requires harvesting six distinct turkey subspecies across the United States and Mexico. The husband and wife team from West Virginia have become the first couple from their state to achieve this prestigious milestone, with Kristen also becoming the first woman from West Virginia or
Virginia to complete the world slam.
Their three-year journey spanned roughly 15,540 miles, taking them from the mountains of West Virginia to the sweltering jungles of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The world slam requires hunters to harvest four U.S. wild turkey subspecies — Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande, and Merriam’s — along with the Gould’s Turkey and ocellated turkey found in Mexico.
“We started with the goal of completing the Grand Slam, and then we just couldn’t stop,” Kristen Patterson said. “Each challenge made the victories that much sweeter.”
The couple’s path to this achievement was anything but straightforward. High school sweethearts who married in 2003 faced significant personal challenges, including struggles with infertility and the loss of both their mothers, of whom they were extraordinarily close. These experiences fundamentally changed their approach to life.
“We realized how fragile life is,” Justin Patterson explained. “We stopped waiting for someday and started chasing our dreams.”
Their turkey hunting journey began simply, with Justin introducing Kristen to the sport after they started dating. Initially, Kristen found turkey hunting challenging, requiring complete stillness and silence, which did not come naturally to her. The hunt for each subspecies presented unique challenges.
For Kristen, the Gould’s turkey in Chihuahua, Mexico, proved particularly difficult. Her first attempt ended with a missed shot and a serious illness that forced her to return home empty-handed. Undeterred, she returned the following year and successfully harvested the bird.
Justin struggled most with the Merriam’s turkey in Nebraska, hunting on a fifth-generation family ranch where the birds seemed particularly elusive. “I was down to the wire, unsure if I’d seal the deal,” he recalled.
The ocellated turkey in the Yucatan Peninsula presented perhaps the most extreme hunting environment. With temperatures reaching 100 degrees and dense jungle terrain, the hunt tested the couple’s resolve. Unlike other turkey subspecies that gobble, the ocellated turkey makes a unique sound or “key” that adds to the hunting challenge.
Their equipment evolved throughout the journey. Kristen completed the slams with a Mossberg 535 12-gauge shotgun and has since upgraded to a left-handed Charles Daly 600 20-gauge automatic. Justin preferred and continues to hunt with a Stoeger 3000 12-gauge, with both using hand-loaded tungsten super shot shells for improved precision. The National Wild Turkey Federation formally recognizes such achievements, providing a certificate and pin to hunters who complete the various slam levels. The Pattersons’ names will be published on the organization’s website, commemorating their accomplishment.
The next challenge the Pattersons are tackling is the attempt for a single-season Grand Slam, which they’ve already begun by harvesting Osceola turkeys in Florida. They plan to hunt across multiple states, including North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Oregon. The couple documents their adventures on social media under the handle @JKOutdoors.WV, inviting outdoor enthusiasts to follow their journey.
For those inspired by their story, the Pattersons emphasize that the world slam is an achievable goal for dedicated hunters. It requires patience, skill, and a willingness to travel and embrace challenges. “Every setback made the victories sweeter,” Kristen said. “We wouldn’t trade a single moment of this incredible journey.” Their story is more than a hunting achievement. It’s a testament to resilience, partnership, and the power of pursuing one’s passions, regardless of life’s obstacles.
