Author Topic: questions from a waterfowling idiot (Read 1399 times)

DIVR6347 · « **on:** December 01, 2004, 04:41:07 PM »

hey guys
i am a complete waterfowling idiot i have never hunted any bird bigger than a pheasant i have some questions for you duck hunters
i got invited to some place 4 hrs north of my home called grizzly island
wildlife area in fairfield ca. suppodedly the hunting is superb but i
would not have a clue
anyway what size shot (steel) should i get for ducks? i was thinking 3in #2 might do the trick some kent fasteel or remington also i have a semi auto cz 712 with 26 in barrel and a remington 870 express with 28 in barrel any preference on which one to use?? how about chokes i was thinking about light mod or improved mod what do you guys think??
thanks for any info guys
divr6347

Doc T · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2004, 10:10:48 AM »

I prefer #1s when I can find them but usually shoot 2s when I can't. I would use either an I.C. or Light Modified choke, a Modified at most and stay away from the Improved Modified. When choosing a load I would sacrafice a little shot in exchange for more speed. With steel shot, speed is definitely the major factor.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2004, 11:04:43 AM »

I believe 3" 2s is the most deadly steel load you can shoot out of a 12 ga. I shoot a modified but would recommend an IC for a newer shooter. I'd take an 870 any day. I am not a fan of autos for hunting and for waterfowl hunting especially. I also am not a fan of short barrels in the blind (because you can very easily blow your blind-mates' ear drums) and i consider 26" to be the minimum length.

Michael Brigman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2004, 08:18:56 AM »

I use my Remington 870 with a modified choke, while shooting 3" #2s.

Specklebelly · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2004, 01:09:24 PM »

3" 2's are my suggestion.

I also agree with the longer barrel suggestion.

Let us know how you do.

wipartimer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2004, 04:50:17 PM »

what do y'all think about 3-1/2" VS 3" LOADS? I'm thinkin its time to get an 870, and figured bigger is better.

dukkillr · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2004, 07:26:19 AM »

i'm not a 3 1/2" fan... i own an 870 that shoots them but i only use it during spring turkey season. for ducks i shoot a BPS that only shoots 3" or a model 12 that only shoots 2 3/4". imho the 12 ga 3 1/2" crowd try to make up for poor shooting, calling, and duck working by shooting their, "roman candle guns".

Late in the season when there's a chance geese will be around I take my BPS 10ga.

IntrepidWizard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 04, 2004, 07:43:13 AM »

I have shot Grixxley Island many times years ago using #5 lead then, and #2 lead for geese,I would take bothe #3 and #2's and use modified,if you are clear of people you can call the Geese in.We did not have Geese decoys then so we used Kleenex and Butcher paper.

DIVR6347 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2004, 01:48:38 PM »

hey
C130
well we might not eat that good if i shoot first after my first waterfowling trip yesterday i would have starved to death lol

my very first trip waterfowling SUCKED!!! IT WAS THE WORST DAY HUNTING I HAVE EVER HAD
i drove 660 miles round trip and spent almost $200 i shot at three ducks
and i missed them all that was all we saw all day but it was a lesson learned and next time i will know what to expect hopefully there will be more ducks next trip we will see guess i need to find a spot close to home so if its the (censored word) i can be home in an hour
could be worse i guess my hunting buddy who drove with me dropped his 870 in the marsh and filled it full of water so i considered myself lucky
have a dry gun
divr6347

dukkillr · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2004, 02:04:34 PM »

a small piece of duck hunting advice... never calculate your dollars per duck... it'll just make you cry...

C130 i'd like our odds too... where do you hunt?

Doc T · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2004, 05:24:50 AM »

Of those of us who shoot 3.5" shells, not all of us use it to "make up for poor shooting". I have started shooting them more this year because I don't have a dog this year. The load I shoot has no more shot than a 3" shell (1 3/8 oz) but it has about 300fps more speed. It hits them harder and the birds usually stay where they fall. That being said, I don't always shoot those long shells. Sometimes I shoot 3 inchers, sometimes I take my dad's old Remington 58 and shoot 2 3/4s. Heck, sometimes I carry a 3" 20ga. It all depends on what mood I am in, weather conditiions, etc. If my wife can have all those shoes, I can have more than 1 or 2 shotguns to shoot!!!!

Specklebelly · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2004, 01:17:53 PM »

I usually use a 3.5" 10 gauge for goose and duck hunting. I shoot it because I love it and no other reason.

Its heavy, a pain to clean and hard to find decent shells. But with all that said:
You can't go wrong with the Remington SP-10!!!!!

DIVR6347- Sorry about the hunt. Just remember, it sure beats working.