VIDEO: Turkey Tragedy – .410 Misfire

In the heart of the Texas woods, Michael Lee and Big Mike were geared up and ready to chase down some Rio Grande gobblers, a prized wild turkey subspecies. The excitement crackled in the crisp morning air as they meticulously set up their gear, but little did they know that the day would take an unexpected and frustrating turn. “Hey, I’m Morgan, Backwoods Life’s YouTube host,” Morgan said, kicking off the adventure with his usual enthusiasm. “Michael and Big Mike are deep into their turkey hunting in Texas, and as any seasoned hunter knows, sometimes things just don’t go as planned.”

As they settled into their spot, Morgan couldn’t resist poking fun at his dad’s choice of weapon, a classic example of the banter that makes their hunts so entertaining. “The older my dad gets, I think the more crazy he gets because he’s now trying to shoot all his turkeys with a .410,” he chuckled. “We’re going from the 12-gauge of maximum exposure of deadliness to the .410 of let’s throw a straw at him!” But hey, if it made him happy and added a challenge, who was Morgan to judge? This is what makes wild turkey hunting strategies so interesting – every hunter has their preferred method.

With the lightweight .410 shotgun in hand, Mike knew he had to get incredibly close to the birds for any chance of a successful and ethical shot. “With a .410, you’ve got to get him on the front porch to get a shot at them,” Morgan advised, emphasizing the limitations of the smaller firearm. “Might as well carry your bow; you could probably shoot one further with your bow, to be honest with you.”

For more hunting insights, check out Kansas Turkey Hunting at It’s.

They began their calling sequence, using their best game calls to lure the gobblers in. “Call right here; we’ll get these birds fired up,” Morgan instructed, his voice a low whisper. The property they were on was a large fenced-off area, but as any experienced hunter knows, turkeys don’t care about fences—they can fly over them with ease. “Before anybody starts sending in Facebook messages about shooting a turkey in a big old high fence, turkeys have wings and they can fly!”

Suddenly, they spotted some movement in the brush. “Right there! See him?” Morgan whispered excitedly, his heart pounding. They watched with bated breath as the gobblers approached, their iridescent feathers shimmering in the sunlight. The anticipation in their chests was almost unbearable. But just as Mike was about to take his shot, disaster struck. “I got Mickey Mouse over here with his .410,” Morgan joked, trying to lighten the mood. “Mr. Mickey Mouse with his .410 had a misfire!”

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Mike had the turkey at just ten feet away when his gun failed him. “What are the odds?” Morgan exclaimed as he inspected the faulty shell. “Look at that primer right there! That is the shell that almost killed that turkey, but the only problem is it retained its contents. That’s a bad thing; it’s not a team player!”

Despite the mishap, Michael was ready to step in and clean up the mess, showcasing the teamwork that defines their hunting trips. “You’re a very good turkey caller,” he said to Mike, “but you’re a very poor shot!” The good-natured banter continued as they laughed off the misfire. “I mean, don’t argue with me! Let’s go shoot that bird!”

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Mike was determined to redeem himself. “I had him set up for you—a nine-inch beard and three-quarter-inch spurs,” he said proudly, describing the mature gobbler. “It’s probably a two-year-old bird, but I don’t care! Dude, I’m turkey hunting!”

After some more playful jabs and laughter, they decided to hang the turkey on the fence as a makeshift decoy, a clever tactic to lure in other birds. “I’m going to put him over here out of the way because I don’t want him getting all emotional on me again since his little old gun won’t shoot,” Morgan joked.

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“Well, Big Mike,” Morgan concluded with a grin, “maybe next time you should try buying some shells that actually have lead in them!” With Michael stepping up to take charge and get things done, the day wasn’t over yet, a testament to their perseverance.

This hunting trip was filled with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing the unpredictability of turkey hunting. It reminded everyone that while success is sweet, the laughter, camaraderie, and shared experiences are what truly make these adventures memorable.

For more hunting insights, check out Only One First Turkey.