Pattersons win World Slam in turkey hunting
By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV
Kristen and Justin Patterson grew up in Greenbrier County, WV. They were high school sweethearts who started hunting together in 1997, and they’ve been together ever since.
Now, they’ve achieved a significant milestone in turkey-hunting together. They’ve become the first couple from West Virginia and Virginia (where they now live) to ever complete the World Slam–harvesting turkeys from specific geographic locations across the globe within a set time period. In addition, Kristen become the first woman from West Virginia to achieve the feat.
Below is a Q&A we had with Kristen to learn all about the adventure, where it took them, and what it means to accomplish it.
REALWV: What is the World Slam? How does it work?
KRISTEN: To accomplish a World Slam, a hunter must successfully harvest all four U.S. wild turkey subspecies: the Eastern, Osceola (or Florida), Rio Grande, and Merriam’s turkeys. This collection of four is known as the Grand Slam. Adding the Gould’s turkey from Mexico completes the Royal Slam. Finally, by harvesting the Ocellated wild turkey, also native to Mexico, the hunter achieves the World Slam. To achieve this prestigious goal, hunters must travel to each region and harvest a wild turkey from each of the distinct subspecies.
REALWV: How do you compete and qualify?
KRISTEN: The great thing about completing a Grand Slam, Royal Slam, or World Slam is that it’s an achievement anyone can pursue. Once you’ve harvested all the required turkeys, you submit your form to the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) in Edgefield, SC. After reviewing and approving your application, they will send you a slam certificate and a wild turkey record slam pin, and your name will be published on the NWTF website for all to see. It’s a rewarding experience that celebrates your dedication and success in turkey hunting.
REALWV: How many countries did you visit and what must you accomplish at each one?
KRISTEN: We embarked on an unforgettable journey across both the United States and Mexico in pursuit of our turkey-hunting goals. Our adventure began in Fayette County, WV, where we harvested our Eastern birds. From there, we traveled across the country to Spokane County, WA, to hunt the Rio Grande. In Boyd County, NE, we were hosted by the Carson family on their fifth-generation ranch, where we successfully harvested the Merriam’s turkey. Our next stop took us to Putnam County, FL, for the Osceola hunt.
After completing our hunts in the U.S., we crossed the border into Mexico. Our first stop was in Chihuahua, where we ventured into the Sierra Madre Mountains to pursue the Gould’s turkey. Finally, we made our way to the Yucatán Peninsula, enduring 120-degree heat in our quest to harvest the stunning Ocellated turkey. Each step of the journey was filled with adventure, hard work, and the thrill of the hunt.
REALWV: Do you find your travel or do you have sponsors?
KRISTEN: Justin and I covered all the expenses for these incredible trips, traveling a total of over 15,540 miles to harvest the six different subspecies of wild turkey. It was a journey of a lifetime, filled with unforgettable experiences and a true test of our dedication to the hunt.
REALWV: What led you to do this competition?
KRISTEN: We started this entire journey with the goal of harvesting our Grand Slam, and once we completed that, I told JT, “We can’t stop now. We have to go for the Royal Slam.” After achieving that, we set our sights on the World Slam—and now that we’ve reached that milestone, the cycle continues. Our next challenge is to complete a Single Season Grand Slam this spring.
We’ll kick off our adventure in Florida next weekend, then we will hunt in West Virginia and Virginia. After that, we’ll make our way out West, hunting in South Dakota, Wyoming, and wrapping up in Oregon. The pursuit never ends, and we’re excited to see where this journey takes us next!
REALWV: What do you love about turkey hunting
KRISTEN: Turkey hunting is a world apart from deer hunting. Unlike deer hunting, where hunters typically wait in a stand, turkey hunters position themselves on the ground, fully camouflaged from head to toe. Instead of waiting silently, hunters use hen calls to mimic female turkeys, coaxing the toms (males) to come closer.
Turkeys have incredible senses. Their vision is estimated to be three times sharper than a human’s 20/20 vision, with a field of view around 270 degrees. They can also hear exceptionally well. If turkeys could smell, hunting them would be near impossible.
There’s no way to truly describe the sense of accomplishment you feel after successfully hunting and harvesting a turkey. It’s an experience that requires skill, patience, and a deep understanding of the birds’ behavior, making the achievement all the more rewarding.
REALWV: How long have y’all been hunting together?
KRISTEN: Justin and I started dating in 1997 when we were both juniors at Greenbrier East High School. It didn’t take long for us to begin deer hunting together, something that became a part of our bond. After high school, we both attended Glenville State College, where Justin introduced me to turkey hunting for the first time. To say I was hooked would be a stretch—it was hot, buggy, and we had to sit still and silent. If you know me, you know that I never stop talking or moving, so it was a challenge. Looking back, I sometimes think maybe Justin took me along for the peace and quiet because I couldn’t talk. Over the years, I continued to hunt with Justin, but it wasn’t until we lost his mom, Tammy—my best friend—that our lives truly began to shift. It was that loss that changed our outlook, and we started living in the moment.
Justin and I were high school sweethearts. Like most couples, we went through the motions—finishing high school, attending college, graduating, getting married, and starting our life together. After a couple of years, we began trying to conceive, but the journey was filled with heartache, including six rounds of failed in vitro fertilization. Ultimately, it wasn’t meant to be for us to have two-legged children. So, we proudly embraced our title as dog parents. But the struggles didn’t stop there. After that, I lost my mother to suicide at the age of 54. Then, in 2014, we lost Justin’s mother, Tammy, to breast cancer—also at the age of 54. These losses altered the course of our lives completely. We realized how fragile life is, and we decided to stop waiting for some ideal future to chase our dreams. We now live for the day, fully embracing the adventure it may bring. We used to think we’d do things “someday,” like when we retired. But who knows if that day will even come? So, instead of waiting, we are chasing our dreams and hunting turkeys—everywhere.
REALWV: What does it mean to complete this?
KRISTEN: Becoming the first woman in both West Virginia and Virginia to complete my World Slam is an incredible honor. The cherry on top is that Justin and I are now the first couple to achieve this together. As Justin and I took part in these hunts, there were moments when I questioned myself and my drive to complete the quest. We’ve traveled almost coast to coast and to Mexico three times, but these weren’t glamorous, picture-perfect trips.
Our first journey to Chihuahua, Mexico, to the Sierra Madre Mountains was a humbling experience. I missed my bird and then fell seriously ill in a remote camp, deep in the middle of nowhere. The birds didn’t cooperate, and I returned home empty-handed. It was a tough, expensive lesson learned. But we weren’t about to give up. We had to pay for another trip back to Mexico so I could hunt the Gould’s turkey again. The second time, I was successful.
The road to completing the World Slam was far from easy, but every setback made the victories that much sweeter. It was all part of the journey, and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it.
REALWV: What lessons did you learn growing up in WV that helped you achieve success?
KRISTEN: Growing up in eastern Greenbrier County, WV, hunting and spending time in the outdoors are part of the fabric of life. From a young age, you’re taught the importance of nature and its cycles. You come to understand the circle of life and are honored to take part in harvesting the food that sustains your family. Along the way, you also learn to deeply respect wildlife and the land that provides for you.
But the most meaningful compliment we’ve ever received came unexpectedly in an airport terminal. JT and I were at the gate, waiting for our return flight home. Every seat was occupied, and people were standing everywhere. When JT got up, an elderly lady approached and asked if anyone was using his seat. I told her that my husband had been sitting there, but it was hers now. She asked where we were from, and with pride, we always said, “West Virginia.” She then told us two things gave it away: our kindness and thoughtfulness and, of course, our accents! I laughed and told her that it was the best compliment we’d ever received. It reminded us that, beyond our love for the outdoors, it’s the values of kindness and respect that truly define us.
REALWV: How can folks stay up to date with you?
KRISTEN: We invite you to follow along with our outdoor journeys on social media. Stay connected with us for exciting updates, stunning views, and behind-the-scenes moments from our adventures. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube at @Jkoutdoorswv.
