Home Forums Birds & Dogs Upland Game shotgun shells

I returned to the same spot I went to for the dove opener last weekend and couldn't spit on the ground without hitting an empty hull doesn't any one else pick up their empty's?

I do.

Leaving empties in the field has closed a couple fine hunting spots.. Although I shoot a pump, I usually pick up all my empties.. That plastic crap lasts for years.. In some states I have hunted leaving empties on the ground is littering..

Speaking of shotgun shells, I am a fan of old loads.. I have a bunch of left over shells from my grandfather.. the variety and makes of shells is interesting to me.. Do any of you know if they still load a 12 ga. shell with either 3 1/4 or 3 dr, of 1 1/8oz of 4's??? I would like a modern box of these to try.. I can hand load it, but would like factories.. Looked for a long time til I found 1oz of 5's in a 12 ga...

I remember when shotgun shells were made out of cardboard hulls! Plastic does last forever.

I pick up my shells but do lose some in the brush ect or in the heat of the moment when shooting at game, I will lose 1 here and there.

I do pick up empties I find while walking as well as litter so it balances out?

Always do, and the floaters in sloughs too. Well, will admit not so much in corn fields where they get plowed under and nobody cares.

Still have some of those paper shells, was frustrating if they got a little wet and swelled. Lots of good kid memories erupt when I happen across them.

Pick mine up as often as I can for two reasons: 1.) I reload them and 2.) leaving shells behind is a sign that someone had some "action" there, and since I hunt state land, I don't want to give away my good spots. I've actually found a few good spots by finding a bunch of hulls floating in the water, or a few shell casings in what appeared to be "marginal" grouse cover.

Only load like that I am aware of is from Winchester; here's a link to them at Midway, but they're out of stock. Might search some up someplace else.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...mmunition-12-gauge-2-3-4-1-1-8-oz-4-shot

Yep if they got wet they usually didn't fit in the chamber to well or a little forcing to get them in. I remember learning to reload with them with my Grandfather and remember smelling the gunpowder after they were fired, even days after! Great memories!

+10 and I never gut a bird where others can see the results of my success. Littering for sure but no need to tip off others of your success and hard work.Lot of places to hunt if the see your proof they will hunt it why tell them let them work for the answers same as you. Magnum man

Paper shells are still available in several makes.. I bought a case of Federal 3 1/4- 1 1/4 6's. A few years ago in Az. Still have quite afew of those.. RST still makes papers in certain loads, bought heavy field loads in 7 1/2's in paper this summer..

Phillip, thanks for the link..I will check these out..