Home Forums Birds & Dogs Waterfowl Duck hunting, need advice.

My advice.... Pattern your gun. I have always done this with Buckshot but had not done it with Duck loads. Put up some paper and shoot from 30-35 yards (more if you think necessary). Last year a friend and I gathered up as many different loads as we could find. Mine shot some weel and his shot soem well. I wa surprised at how different a load like Winchester Drylok vs. Expert shot. I had a great uniform pattern with the Drylok but not with the cheap stuff. Think it is all about price?? NOPE! my buddy was shooting his gun and the cheap stuff was really good in his and the expensive stuff not as good. My 12ga has expensive taste.
Anyways, every gun likes differnt brands and different shot sizes.

If you don't have the time, #2 steel is a good all around load and #4 will do the job too, especially when you are in timber or will be shooting close range.
The Tungsten, Hevi-shot, Bismuth, etc. is great but it sure hurts the pocketbook. Save those for when you really need them.

Good Luck!

I'll go ahead and say it. steel #4's suck ass for anything other than practice. Even close in, they are pathetic.

I have 9 boxes of Kent Fasteel 3", 1.25oz #4's that you can have for free. Just pick up the shipping.

I had just planned on shooting them up on clay birds, but if you want them, they are all yours.

Hevishot 6s are the best thing out there and worth every penny. I can use them in my 2 3/4 12 ga A-5 and kill more ducks than the guys with 3 1/2 in 12s and 10s shooting steel in the same blind. It's not even close. And when you only have to shoot them once, not two or three times and then again on the water, it doesn' really cost any more. Trying to save money on shells, with a 6 duck limit and all the money you spend on other stuff to duck hunt doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. One hunt will make you a believer. And BTW I miss hunting ducks with my 20s too. @#$%^^&* steel shot.

Am scheduled to go this next Sunday.

The guys I am going with are telling me they use 3 inch steel in 4 or 6 size. But I've seen them shoot doves......so I ain't convinced their advice is sound. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I've decided to use the 870 Express. I shoot the Red Label best, but the 870 is not so shinny.

I've got my Neoprene waders, polypro underwear, thinslate gloves, facemask, and camo field jacket. Planning to put a Thermos of hot coffee and my handwarmers in the bag too.

I've got everything but my Federal stamp and my shells. Will pick those up latter this week.

Hopefully, will have some photos and a field report up here after the hunt.

I dragged out my 20 gauge Red Label for a "skeet lunch" at the Coast Guard base. We might toss a few clays tomorrow.

You know, I have spent some pretty cold winter days in north Texas and north Louisiana. The handwarmers and coffee sound like a great idea.

Have a great hunt! My brother lives in FW, he is a lurker here called mrbman.

Dude............ Back away from the #4 or #6 steel. Trust me now and thank me later. It is akin to #7 or #8 lead, and those aren't exactly duck slayers.

If you are going to run steel, get #2's or maybe #3s. I have the better part of a case of #4's free for the taking, but no one will take my offer. They really are that bad.

If this is just to be a one time thing, get yourself a couple boxes of Kent Fasteel in 3" 1 1/4oz #2s. It'll run you less than $10 a box in most shops, and it will work great.

If you do run #4 or #6 steel, pray to God you have a fantastic dog, because the few you do knock down will be ducking and diving all over the place while you try and catch them.

I agree with cas, if you are shooting steel, go with 2's or 3's. Good luck and have fun (and don't forget to share the hunt with us).

Yes, I usually go with steel 2 or 3s. Trying to use up my 4s on little butterballs that are pretty easy to kill. Of course, if we had spoonies here a single shot in the air with #4 steel would yield at least 2 or 3 dead ones. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

You can do well with 2 3/4" steel 4's for duck. Hunted Lake Ontario with some buddies, all they shot was 2 3/4" steel 4's, Federal or Kents, and they dropped a lot of birds. The hevishot are an excellent choice but not always required.

A good recommendation was to pattern you gun / choke.

That's what I did today. Got my Federal stamp, packed up my face masks, insulated gloves, insulated cammo cap, waders, hand warmers, Thermos bottle, AA-flashlight, pocket knife, cammo field jacket, Polar fleece jacket, insulated underware, Poly-pro socks,camera, and shotgun. Should be ready to head out Saturday afternoon. Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll let you know how it goes.

PDS

I head out this afternoon for my duck hunt. We should be in the blind before daylight in the morning. Hope the ducks are flying.

Going over my pile of gear and this is what I have:

870 Express
Kent fasteel, 2 boxes of 2's (and a box of 4's to give to my buddy who set up the hunt and likes em'.)

Waders
thermal underwear
Poly-pro socks
warm-ups
wool shirt
Polar fleece sweater
field jacket
Thinslate gloves
insulatd face mask
mesh turkey hunting face mask
insulated cammo cap

hand warmers

Thermos
camera
Case pocket knife
Mini-mag light

Igloo with food and drinks
2 gallon zip lock bags

Sleeping bag and pillow

Will let you guys know how it goes....

Hope you get a bunch. I might get to go tomorrow afternoon for a little, tide flats near home. You huntin' a peanut field, or on Texoma?

Well the hunt was a bust. We killed a few Gadwalls, some spoonies, and some ring necks. That was it.

Now the skeet shooting, cooking, and BS'ing the night before were first class all the way. The duck hunting was a let down.

well, I did not even get to go today. Sounds like you had a good time despite the lack of ducks. Maybe better luck next time. at least you had all your stuff!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

So, it sounds like you're NOT going to go duck hunting again?

Yes, the only thing I had to buy that I didn't already have was the Federal stamp and the steel shells.

I might try it again next time I'm invited.

Two gaddies, and two smilin' mallards! Nice lookin' swimmin' dog too.

Mercy sakes alive. Just bought my hevishot and bismuth for my once a year duck hunt and for 80 rounds paid over $2 per round is that normal? You duck hunters stay away from my deer lease as it is already way to expensive! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's about the going rate. But you don't have to waste them on repeat shots and cripple busting, so it kind of evens out.