Sticking with Tradition: Turkeys and Flintlocks
For many avid hunters, the idea of taking on the challenge of hunting with traditional gear seems like a daunting task — especially for a youth hunter. But for 14-year-old Russell Harriman of Missouri, the challenge was part of the reward. After two tough seasons with a flintlock smoothbore 20 gauge and no filled tags, his persistence paid off in a big way during the opening day of Missouri’s 2025 youth turkey season.
The early morning sun cut through the cool Missouri air as birds were gobbling from every direction. Fourteen-year-old Russell, accompanied by his dad, Brad, and twin brother, Peyton, waited in a pop-up blind they had set weeks earlier. The morning air was filled with anticipation.
Roughly 45 minutes after first light, a group of turkeys made their first appearance in the field ahead. Russell slowly positioned his firearm as his dad made some light calls, bringing in four jakes towards the decoys. After coming into 30 yards, Russell was ready for his moment.
“I set my sights on the bird that was on the far right, lined up my sights and slowly pulled the trigger,” he said. “With the big puff of white smoke, we couldn’t see anything that happened for a couple of seconds! But when the smoke cleared, we could see my bird flopping! At that point I turned and looked at my dad and told him I'm not going to use a modern shotgun again.”
Russell’s journey to that moment wasn’t easy. After coming up empty in previous seasons — despite several close encounters — many would have hung up the powder horn. But not Russell. Determined to meet his goal using traditional gear, he stuck to his plan, learning valuable lessons along the way.
“Never give up,” he said. “Practice pays off when you're shooting with iron sights. Just know it’ll eventually happen if you keep trying to get a bird in range.”
Russell harvested his first gobbler at ten years old in the spring of 2021, the same year he became a JAKES member of the NWTF. Inspired by his father’s passion for black-powder firearms, Russell set his sights on mastering a flintlock shotgun.
“Watching my dad hunt turkeys with a flintlock since 2015 and having shot muzzleloading in 4-H Shooting Sports made it was an easy choice to give the smoothbore a try,” Russell said.
Russell’s father, Brad, a historian and lifelong fan of black-powder firearms, was deeply moved by his son’s success, as watching his son succeed with traditional gear was a full-circle moment.
“As a lover of old thing's, I'm glad that Russell seems to want to follow in my footsteps,” Brad said. “My parents and grandparents instilled a love of history which led to my love of black-powder firearms. So, it runs in the family. There are not many grown men that take on the challenge of traditional black-powder firearms much less 14-year-old kids.”
As for the future, Russell’s all in on traditional gear. In fact, he and his family have ordered a barrel to build a custom left-handed flintlock smoothbore, and he has his eye on another classic pursuit.
“I’ve been shooting traditional archery since I was big enough to pick up a bow,” Russell said. “So that’s something I’d love to try in a hunt.”
Russell also hopes to inspire other youth and JAKES members to explore the path less traveled.
“Never give up,” Russell said. “If you interested in muzzleloaders, find someone near where you live, and get good advice and direction on how to load and shoot a muzzleloading shotgun. There is a lot of information on how to load and shoot them on the internet as well.”
For Russell’s father, the moment was not just about the harvest — it was about watching a passion passed down flourish in his son.
“It was a huge relief, and I was thrilled for Russell,” he said. “I likely put too much pressure on myself trying to get birds in range for both boys. I knew it would happen eventually and I'm thankful that both boys kept tagging along and trying.”
Russell’s success is more than just a well-earned harvest — it’s a testament to the grit, patience and passion that define the hunting tradition. By embracing the challenge of traditional gear, he not only honored his family’s legacy but also carved out his own path, proving that determination and a love for the outdoors can lead to unforgettable milestones. As he looks to the future with a handcrafted flintlock and a traditional bow in hand, Harriman serves as an inspiration to fellow youth hunters, reminding them that the old ways still have a place in today’s woods, and that sometimes the most rewarding journeys are the ones that take a little longer.