MONTICELLO — Damond Ready knows he is blessed.

In one season, Ready was able to accomplish what most turkeyhunters spend a lifetime pursuing; the Turkey Grand Slam. Hismilestone wasn’t easy. Ready’s final trophy came on the last day ofthe 2006 season in Nebraska.

“I was fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity,” saidReady, a 35-year-old attorney who is married and the father of fourchildren. His wife, Kristinia, is a patient, understandingwoman.

Ready’s quest took him to five states in search of the Osceola(Florida), Eastern (Mississippi), Rio Grande (Texas) and Merriam(New Mexico and Nebraska). His historic safari began on March 18and concluded on May 21, just over three months.

On each occasion, Ready relied on his trusty 12-gauge Winchesterpump shotgun and Federal Premier No. 6 shells. The gobblers werecoaxed within shooting range, using slate and box calls.

Taking the Eastern variety proved to be a difficult test, almostin Ready’s backyard. Hunting property along the Pearl River ownedby his family, Ready spent three weeks coaxing the elusive birdwithin range.

“Local turkey hunting was tough this season,” said Ready, whohas been hunting gobblers since he was 14. “I think HurricaneKatrina had a lot to do with that. A lot of trees fell and itmessed up their habitat.”

According to Ready, his father and uncle are serious turkeyhunters, giving him a family tradition to follow. “We always had abig opening day celebration with other hunters.”

Reviewing his lifetime goal, Ready said the best procedure is tohire a guide. “You need an outfitter, because they know the landand the habitat.”

Ready saw some fascinating places during his saga and met someexceptional people along the way. From the Mississippi swamps andhardwood, to the rolling hills of Nebraska, to the snow-cappedmountains in New Mexico, to the cypress swamps in Florida and theplains of west Texas, Ready relished the nation’s naturalresources.

His uncle, Dr. Tom Smith, accompanied Ready on two of the trips.His high school buddy, Tyson Nelson, joined him on the trip toFlorida when Smith’s grandson became ill. Nelson’s kill in Floridagave him a lifetime grand slam.

Ready had to make two long journeys to collect the Merriamtrophy, after encountering bad luck in New Mexico. “My wife wasmore than understanding, until I had to make that extra trip toNebraska. I made a fingers-crossed promise to her not to goanywhere next year.”

Osceola in Okeechobee

It was March 18 when Ready bagged the Oscelola. The bird hadruddy tail feathers to blend with the palmetto bushes that aboundin that area. Taken near Okeechobee, the tom weighed 18 pounds,sporting an 8 3/4-inch beard and 1 1/8-inch spurs.

Eastern in Lawrence County

Killed near Sontag, the wise gobbler had eluded a hunter orpredator earlier in the season, because he was missing some tailfeathers. Taken April 7, the Eastern is the most wary of thequartet. Turkeys have excellent hearing and vision.

The Eastern weighed 16 pounds. It had a 9 1/2-inch beard and 11/4-inch spurs.

Strikeout in New Mexico

Rising early in the morning at a cabin located nearly 12,000feet above sea level, Ready was greeted with an icy blast of21-degree weather. On three occasions, his Merriam trophy wasspooked, first by an elk, then a coyote and finally a brownbear.

“I heard a sound behind me and I thought it was a turkey,” saidReady. “It was a huge brown bear and all I had to defend myselfwith was a 12-gauge.”

There was more bad luck ahead. His guide’s house burned to theground on the final morning of the hunt.

Ready’s uncle was able to take a Merriam during the New Mexicohunt.

Rio Grande Harvested

From New Mexico, Ready and his uncle drove east to Texas insearch of the Rio Grande. They wound up taking two apiece, nearMiami, Texas. Ready’s largest was 18 pounds, with an 8 3/4-inchbeard and 1 1/16-inch spurs. Mission accomplished April 29.

Merriam in Nebraska

After three layovers in airports, from Utah to South Dakota,Ready was racing against time in his last attempt to bag a Merriam.Success was found in Sparks, Neb., on the last weekend of theseason, May 21.

This gobbler tipped the scales at 21 pounds. It had a 101/2-inch beard and a 1-inch spurs. Tips of the tail feathers werewhite, enabling the turkey to blend in better with the snow-coveredbackground.

Happy to be home

Borrowing a baseball expression to describe his success againstdifficult odds, Ready said, “I hunted with the fat lady all season,but she never quite got that final note out. She was hummingit.”

Ready has three daughters, Summer, age 15; Abby, 10; Molly, 7;and one son, John Clyde, 5.

“My son asks me, ‘Dad, when can I go to Texas and huntturkeys?'”

In his spare time, Ready coaches his son’s T-Ball team, PaceLocal. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoys the great outdoorsand shares the experience with his family.