Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Lesser Snow Goose Hunting - shotgun question

I guess I understand the high bag limit if there is one, but what the heck do you do with that many geese? As long as they are edible I would still probably only want to take only about 4 or 5 home at a time.

heavy shot high velocity BBs

Steel sucks, use Bizmuth and call it done.

Buy a freezer....

I have killed a bunch of waterfowl including geese some have certainly killed more. I hunt and hunt alot. I hate being limited for any reason. They might not be hitting the dekes and you may have to make 50 yd shots or more even weather and bird mood depending.

If this is a one time thing certainly don't limit yourself to a pump nor 2-3/4". Borrow a 3" semi auto or better a 3-1/2" semi auto. Get some #2 or BBs and rollem their butts.. Your going to wind up wishing you had if you don't , promise.

Your gun is perfect.

Mmmm sky carp.

Rogers Sporting goods will ship you a case of 3" Federal BBs for $119.99. Borrow a gas auto. Averaging 50 rounds might mean 15 one day and 85 the next. Have fun.

Your 2 3/4" gun will be OK not ideal but OK. If you like goose hunting then start shopping for a different gun. The most Snows that I've ever seen knocked down with 3 shots was with a 2 3/4" 1100.

First year I hunted Geese I used my 2 3/4" Win 1200 with a modified choke with steel shot, I am going to say BBB size, and it worked fine. My second time I purchased a 3" 870 Express and I am not sure my kill percentage was much greater.

If you are calling the Geese into decoys a 2 3/4" gun will work fine. If you are "Pass Shooting" a 3" or 3 1/2" gun has an advantage.

If you can borrow a 3" or 3 1/2" gun, like others have suggested, do so. I would not purchase a gun just for this one hunt though until you know if you want to do this often.

3 inch BB steel is my go to snow goose load, when I'm a "middle guy" in the blind I shoot a kicks modified, and 3 inch BB

But if I'm shooting clean up I switch to 3.5 inch and a pattern master as I'm doing the shooting on the edges


Find out what the average range of birds you'll be shooting.

While 2.75 inch wouldn't be my first choice I'd find some BbB and have fun....or borrow a gun

To anyone,

Will the food pantries or homeless shelters take excess geese ?

I hate to shoot anything (except varmints) if no one wants to use it, and I sure wouldn't want a bunch of excess geese.

Myron

Snow geese have reproduced to the point they essentially are varmints.

We go every few years and are headed to South Dakota in a few weeks.

I started with an extended tube and 3" BB's from my Benelli SBE a Briley IMod or Patternmaster.


This year i have a loaner X-rail for my Extrema 2 to try out. $750 is a big hit but 22rds of bb's at a time should be fun. I have several chokes for it but am guessing it will mostly be the Patternmaster.

I also usually buy all of my shells from Rogers but got 2 cases of HeviSteel 3" BB"s for a song locally.

Couple notes - If your pre-steel shotgun is important to you than don't risk shooting steel through it. It might very well be just fine but I have seen a couple barrels bulge towards the muzzle. IIRC one was a fixed full choke and the other was a modified. I would suggest borrowing one proofed for steel.

Try to borrow a shotgun that can shoot 3.5" shells. You DO NOT have to shoot 3.5" shells on your hunt but having the option is good. If you have some furious shooting, ammo will be passed between hunters and you do want to miss the chance because the guys on you left and right are shooting 3.5" shells or one gets mixed and you feed a 3.5" into you gun rated for a 3". It happens. By all means don't worry about only shooting 3" shells. They are perfectly adequate but borrowing a 3.5" gun just gives you a little more flexibility.

Snow geese are still good table fare. Just because they are overpopulated does not mean that they are suddenly trash birds to be left to the coyotes. They roast well, make good chili, jerky or sausage.

Ask they guys you will be hunting with what size shot they prefer. Something between a #2 and a BBB will work but they will have a preference based on their experience in that area.

Personally I shoot 3.5" BBB but I hunt the outside and follow the cripples. They also pattern the best out of my firearm.

If you don't know what else to do, I would run 3" BB steel. It is the most versatile.

Basically, re-read the three responses directly above this one, and follow their advice. They have obviously been there.

If you want to be invited back again, don't show up with inferior gear for the job at hand. It's not "OK" on these hunts to have gear that necessitates you get the front middle position each time because you can't smack geese far enough or fast enough.

Get it in your head that this is varmint hunting, not waterfowl hunting.

Every goose I shot this year was a Canada goose. While we have a season on Snows, we don't have a huge migration right where I hunt. I often wondered how they taste. I've heard a few opinions but haven't had the chance to try one.

50 yard geese take more. Thats a given.

How many folks going on a one time hunt, can hit a goose at 50?

Hence run what you got..... if you can't borrow....

FWIW the most geese I've seen killed with 3 shots was out of a 10 ga.... and a situation that a short 12 would have likely done just about the same...