In just six days this October, Gerry Bassett of Warren completed a rare big game grand slam, harvesting a moose, bear, turkey and deer.
Bassett’s hunt began Oct. 13, the first day of the October moose season. He had been applying for a permit for more than a decade before finally drawing one this year. After days of scouting and preparation, his group spotted a moose by midday. A single shot brought down the animal, which had a 39-inch spread and was estimated at 700 pounds.
The next day, Bassett was traveling to the tagging station in Millinocket. Nine miles from the gate, he spotted a truck with a bear on the tailgate and a hound box labeled “Carey’s Guide Service.” Bassett asked, “So are you busy tomorrow?” JR of Carey’s Guide Service agreed to take him hunting, and a meeting time was set for the following morning.
On Oct. 15, Bassett joined JR and his son for the hunt. “Once hounds were released, we stood in awe as the hounds and houndsmen worked their magic,” he said. The hunt ended with a 172-pound boar.
Bassett turned his attention to turkey on Oct. 16. “Seemingly this would be a gimme as I live near the coast. But once again Mother Nature was going to make me work for it,” he said. After a 60-yard belly crawl along a rock wall, he harvested a 15.9-pound tom.
Deer hunting on Oct. 17 proved challenging, with no animals taken that day. On Oct. 18, Bassett completed his self-imposed mission to finish the grand slam within a week by shooting a 144-pound doe.
The bull moose harvested on the first day of the October season marked the start of the six-day grand slam. The animal had a 39-inch spread and was estimated to weigh 700 pounds. Credit: Courtesy of Gerry Bassett
A 172-pound boar taken on a hound hunt with Carey’s Guide Service became the second animal in the six-day grand slam. Credit: Courtesy of Gerry Bassett
The 15.9-pound tom turkey Gerry harvested after a 60-yard belly crawl during his six-day grand slam. Credit: Courtesy of Gerry Bassett
A 144-pound doe shot with a bow on the sixth day a grand slam at 5:46 p.m. Credit: Courtesy of Gerry Bassett
Reflecting on the experience, Bassett said the weeklong hunt was a reminder that the outdoors are about more than just the game — it’s about connecting with others and sharing memories.
“Although proud to have accomplished this feat in such a short period of time, I know deep down it’s not the grand slam I’ll remember in years to come. What I will hold dear to my heart is the people and memories I made during a week in October,” he said.
Bassett expressed his gratitude to those who made the week unforgettable: his wife Melinda for her steady support, his mentor Scott, hunting partners Joe and Stefan, the Kelly and Laite families for their kindness and JR of Carey’s Guide Service, who took him out on his day off and showed a rare passion for his craft.