How far do you lead your ducks?

[Michael Brigman]

I need some help, guys. This is my first duck season and I'm not killing as many birds as the other hunters. I'm seeing plenty of ducks, but I'm missing most of them. I can hit them fine if they're coming straight in, or going straight out. But it's the ones that fly by broadside that I can't seem to hit. I know I need to aim in front of the bird, but how far?
If it will help - I'm shooting Winchester 3" #2s High Velocity (1550 FPS)

Thanks

[Dave H20 Fowl]

Michael,
    There is no hard and fast rule to determine the amount of lead to use while shooting ducks.  (besides a complex mathematical formula) The issue lies in the fact that there are too many variables in each shooting situation.  Let me explain further, if a duck is crossing 30 yds in front of you travelling 35mph, assuming the velocity of your shot is a constant and you are swinging through the bird, and you are pointing 2ft ahead of the bird when you squeeze the trigger and you hit it, everything will change when the next bird is flying slower, faster, or in slightly different direction.  never mind if you change loads.
    The first step to determine lead is and understanding that your buddies are hitting more birds because their brains have enough experience to know where to to shoot where the bird is going to be, not where it is.  This is an almost uniquely human ability by the way.  Next do these three things.  1)everyday practice mounting your shotgun in the same way pointing at imaginary birds stepping towards your target with your left foot and swinging through 2) always swing through your target 3) practice practice practice  In this way your brain will learn what to do.
    Remember, quarterbacks use the same skill when throwing to receivers, we all have ability, some are just better than others

[Michael Brigman]

Thanks guys. I start my holiday vacation on tuesday and I'll be off for eight days, and hunting every morning - weather permiting. I'll try what you guys advised and let you know how it works out.

[Michael Brigman]

Froze up? Does that mean you ducks have all left? What state are you in?

I got another Wood Duck on tuesday morning, he spooked and was leaving the water. My morning hunt was over and I was walking out, without a bird, and I jumped him up from a small creek near the trail I was on. An easy shot, even for a rookie.... LOL

[Graybeard]

There is really more "art" than "science" to shotgunning. You learn it by doing it. Hit the skeet range and/or sporting clays range and practice. Only by shooting and seeing what works and what don't for you will you learn to wingshoot well. If there is a professional available to give a few lessons it might be money well spent. Otherwise maybe you can get an experienced shooter to work with you and tell you what you're doing wrong to help you improve.

But as they said, there is no set number to give as to how far to lead any game bird. Only many many thousands of shots on flying targets will hone the brain/eye/hand coordination needed to become a good wing shot.

I think somewhere along about the second or third 100,000 shotshells I fired I began to get to be a pretty fair wingshot. Now I've shot so little for so long I may have to relearn it all again.  :eek:

[Markus]

If you're shooting ducks I'd switch to no 4 hevi-shot. And say to you self as your swinging through the bird butt-body-beak-BOOM!!! It seems silly but try those two things and tell if your count doesn't improve.

[mallarddrake85]

i personally like BB's for ducks and the BUTT-BELLY-BEAK-BANG method works for me. now my bro uses the sustained lead and that works for him, i miss every time w/ that...[/b]

[pintaildrake]

yeppers my bro is right. i never got into that butt belly beak bang method...i point and shoot... i can consistantly kill large ducks at 50-65yds, and geese at 75-80yds. But i still like em in my face blowing dust in my eyes!!

[NONYA]

I use thew swing,but,BOOM,BOOM,BOOM,floating feathers meathod,itseems to work for me! :lol: