i am new a hunting geese and ducks....i bought a mosberg 835 12 g ,it has a modifide chock on it am useing 3and a half shot ,i got a duck the first time i shot the gun i guess beginers luck ae ,,but i missed some geese and some ducks last time i went out ,some of you experts on the subject please give me some info 3 and a half shells are pricey is there an alternative,i probably need the practice on clay pidgens,so give me all you got my good friends...
help with hitting geese and ducks
- Thread starter mjr39
- Start date
I'm guessing you mean 3.5" shells, not 3 1/2 shot, right? So, what size shot are you using? What is it made of - steel, tungsten iron, a polymer matrix? We need more information. I use 3" shells with steel BB or BBB for geese/ducks together and steel #2 for ducks only. Watch your lead real close with steel, it's pretty fast and doesn't require lead like lead used to (don't know if you've been hunting long enough to have used lead). I find that on geese at respectable ranges you can put the bead on the head or where the neck joins the body and count on a dead goose. Ducks may take a little more, but don't get carried away. Other than that, all I know to tell you is to practice. Get out and pattern that gun, then spend some time practicing to get the feel for what each load does. Good luck.
Mjr39,
IMHO,
I have learned (The hard way)that the reason for most misses on wing shots is the hunter not swinging with and thru the shot. Some may debate this but even with a rifle shot if you don't keep swinging and follow thru as you fire, chances are very good for a miss. A goose is a big bird and appears to be flying slow because of it's size but don't be fooled they are moving as fast as most other smaller fowl. a good sustained lead will usually take all. Check you pattern with different chokes and shot to help out as well.
Hope I helped. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Vinny
IMHO,
I have learned (The hard way)that the reason for most misses on wing shots is the hunter not swinging with and thru the shot. Some may debate this but even with a rifle shot if you don't keep swinging and follow thru as you fire, chances are very good for a miss. A goose is a big bird and appears to be flying slow because of it's size but don't be fooled they are moving as fast as most other smaller fowl. a good sustained lead will usually take all. Check you pattern with different chokes and shot to help out as well.
Hope I helped. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Vinny
scattergunner
New member
I've hunted ducks and geese for some years now, even back when there was no such thing as steel shot. Ahhh...the good old days! But none the less, we've gotta go with what we got.
Which leads me to a question for you, as one of the previous posters also asked, what type of ammo are you shooting? Steel? Tungsten-matrix? Hevi-shot? Assuming you're using steel, part of your problem may the range at which you're taking shots. I wouldn't take a shot much further than 30 yards out, preferably closer. It can be tough to discipline yourself to do this, especially when there's a flock of honkers just 50 yards out. Then again, maybe it was only a big deal for me, being used to using lead and a tight choked gun.
I would also suspect that your swing and follow through needs a little work. Swing onto a bird and swing past the feet, tail, body, neck, head, bill, and BOOM! You can practice this by picking an object hanging on a wall as your "target," then practice mounting your unloaded gun and swing onto your "target." If you have a snap cap, (I don't, so I just say "BANG".) you can dry fire at the point you would normally shoot, and swing beyond your shot. Keep your cheek against the comb of your stock and keep swingin'!
Which leads me to a question for you, as one of the previous posters also asked, what type of ammo are you shooting? Steel? Tungsten-matrix? Hevi-shot? Assuming you're using steel, part of your problem may the range at which you're taking shots. I wouldn't take a shot much further than 30 yards out, preferably closer. It can be tough to discipline yourself to do this, especially when there's a flock of honkers just 50 yards out. Then again, maybe it was only a big deal for me, being used to using lead and a tight choked gun.
I would also suspect that your swing and follow through needs a little work. Swing onto a bird and swing past the feet, tail, body, neck, head, bill, and BOOM! You can practice this by picking an object hanging on a wall as your "target," then practice mounting your unloaded gun and swing onto your "target." If you have a snap cap, (I don't, so I just say "BANG".) you can dry fire at the point you would normally shoot, and swing beyond your shot. Keep your cheek against the comb of your stock and keep swingin'!
I'll second the use of BBB shot for geese. Just be sure to get the high velocity (more penetration). Steel has its disadvantages, but you do get more pellets per ounce. That means a 1.25 ounce load of steel has as many pellets as 1.5 ounces of lead (approximately). With the higher velocity loads lead is less important as well.
AKA Yuppiehunter
New member
mjr,
dont worry about strugglin at first, we all do. But then you get days like this and it makes you feel real good. This was a blast of a day, unfortunately, we lost about four other birds and the dogs couldn't find them, but we tried for over an hour.
Thats me on the left side of the photo with hat on backwards. The other two guys are good buddies of mine. We all had a blast that day!
Good luck hunting!
Yupp
dont worry about strugglin at first, we all do. But then you get days like this and it makes you feel real good. This was a blast of a day, unfortunately, we lost about four other birds and the dogs couldn't find them, but we tried for over an hour.
Thats me on the left side of the photo with hat on backwards. The other two guys are good buddies of mine. We all had a blast that day!
Good luck hunting!
Yupp
mjr39,
The 4 P's are what will get you more waterfowl. (Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice)
As you work on the 4 P's, take a little time to learn the 4 B's. The 4 B's are what evolved me from a horrible shot, to 2 out of 3 kill ratio.
The 4 B's are (Butt, Belly, Beak, Bang) Swing the gun on the duck from behind. As the bead goes over each part of the duck say aloud, BUTT.... BELLY.........BEAK.......BANG as you say the word BANG squeeze the trigger. I have found that 20 to 30 yard range works the best for this.
Also give the Improved Cylinder choke a try, it might help you build confidence.
Ryan
The 4 P's are what will get you more waterfowl. (Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice)
As you work on the 4 P's, take a little time to learn the 4 B's. The 4 B's are what evolved me from a horrible shot, to 2 out of 3 kill ratio.
The 4 B's are (Butt, Belly, Beak, Bang) Swing the gun on the duck from behind. As the bead goes over each part of the duck say aloud, BUTT.... BELLY.........BEAK.......BANG as you say the word BANG squeeze the trigger. I have found that 20 to 30 yard range works the best for this.
Also give the Improved Cylinder choke a try, it might help you build confidence.
Ryan
Brett Neffendorf
New member
Get yourself 3 inch shells. 3 1/2 are to big for ducks unless its late season and they are not commiting very well.
Also, just make sure your leading the bird and following as you shoot, stay on its bill and keep with it.
Find 3 inch shells on sale and buy a ton of them, sales are the best for shells.
Also, just make sure your leading the bird and following as you shoot, stay on its bill and keep with it.
Find 3 inch shells on sale and buy a ton of them, sales are the best for shells.