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

I have been invited to go duck hunting and I have not shot a duck since lead shot was outlawed. I used a 20 gauge and # 7&1/2 lead shot back then.

I'll be hunting over decoys. I have an 870 Express and a Ruger Red Label. Both guns are 12 gauge with 3 inch chambers. The Ruger is IC/Mod and the 870 has tubes.

What type and size shot would you recommend and which gun would you use? I am at a loss in selecting shells. Would you use steel, heavy shot, or what? I also wonder if I really need 3 inch shells?

I have a good pair of waders and cammo. What else should I take?

In my opinion.........hevishot #4s is the ultimate duck load.Pretty expensive though.But if you only hunt ducks once in awhile,the cost of shells shouldnt be a big deal.In a 12.....2 3/4" is all ya need.Never used a 20 on ducks,so cant say which load is best.Im talking about midsized and large ducks.

One question: what type of terrain will you be hunting? Flooded timber, small pond, or open water? What type of birds are you most likely to see, teal, divers or puddle ducks? I agree with #4's, although I like "Bismouth" personally, remrug's right on with the cost comment, if you're only going once this year spend the money and you'll see the difference. As for shell size I always use 3" shells even when goose hunting, the extra punch is worth the extra recoil. 3" no. 4's is a hard combo to beat for duck, goose you'll want larger shot size. As for which gun, take the one you're most comfortable with, the rest will fall into place. I also wear a head lamp. The handsfree light is invaluable especially when setting out dek's. Ask your hunting partners what they need you to bring along in your blind bag (food/coffee?) and enjoy. Let us know how your day on the water went!

Use the gun you shoot the best. You don't need three inch shells, especially with the newer tungsten or bismuth loads. Tungsten-based hevi shot works real well in #6 for ducks. #4's are a better choice if you're using bismuth. I like steel #2's for ducks, just make sure steel is going fast - over 1400 fps. IC and Mod choke is not a handicap if you want to take your Ruger. I do nearly all my shooting now with 12ga. Kent Faststeel 2-3/4" 1-1/16 oz loads of # 1's, and use that for all ducks and geese out of modified barrels. I don't skybust - 40 yds is a reasonable limit. Works for teal to honkers. Of course you can specialize if you don't hunt for a mixed bag like we do. Some sort of face camo is a good addition to your basic outfit ( I use a headnet with eyeholes) - ducks most often spook because somebody moved or a face is shining up at them.

#1 and #2 shot with an IC choke.

prairie dog,

Duck hunting is so much fun... where do I start? My gun is an 870 express, and I shoot 3" Hevi-Steel #2. The Hevi-Steel is much cheaper than Hevi-Shot, but still hits like Bismuth. The #2s I shoot are also travelling at 1550fps...smokin. This would probably take down a goose if one presented itself. This load, Hevi-Shot 4,5,6.. or Steel 1 or 2s will work. I use 3" shells, but 2.75" should work fine if you put em where they need to be. Also, the third shot in the 870 has been a blessing on some days... the Ruger might be a disadvantage there, but shoot what you feel comfortable with.

As for chokes... I shoot a modified, but my brother in the same blind shoots an IC. We both have success, just be aware what distances you're shooting. If the ducks are relatively close, an IC should be solid. The mod is tighter, but versatile if they're a bit further out. I dropped a pintail at about 15 yards this past weekend with a mod, so they do work in tight as well.

Bottom line, talk to your hunting buddies... see what they use. See what you need to bring. Most of all, be confident in your shot, sit still, and have fun!

I'm a pheasant hunter so I can't help much, except with waterfowl nomenclature:

Duck = Sky Carp

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wow JOG, that was cold! LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

1 hunt both, a lot, and i eat both, a lot, and i have to tell ya. the only reason ya say that is because no one ever showed ya how or cooked a good duck for ya.

now some eat better than others but most meats are like that, wild or not.

i shoot either #5 or #6 hevi shot, either 2 3/4 out of an 1100 or 3in out of a 835 or a stoeger, depending on the weather and the place. the 1100 is not good in a downpour but on a clear cold day, hard to beat.

if it will be cold keep some good gloves and some heat paks. thermos of coffee or other hot drink(soup) and some granola bars. a good seat and a good attitude and have fun!

I tried the Hevi-steel for the first time this year on an early goose hunt.The #2s really smoked em.I used an 870 with IC choke.Sots were taken about 30 yds or so.I was impressed with the knockdown power they have.

#3 with a Mod or IC choke. Personally, I shoot 3 1/2 #3s in the marshes of South Louisiana with a modified choke.

When hunting over dekes I use 2 3/4" #3 or #4 steel with an I/C choke. I can't see why anyone would use #4 Hevi-shot over dekes,talk about overkill.

I share Mossy's preference. If they're coming down into the decoys, a 12 ga. grouse gun is all you need.

Unless of course these are ducks that simply fly towards your spread 20 yards up, and then skirt the fringes and never come in.

AA, 3" #3 steel with I/O choke.

Steel shoots tighter than lead, so keep that in mind. I assume your shotguns are able to shoot steel thru the barrels. Some older ones arent. I've tried a lot of the more expensive metals, but, I cant hit the ducks with em. I like the 1500fps #3's from cabelas, they are also one of the cheapest. For geese, I like #1. The faster steel hits harder and I dont have to lead the ducks as much.

Duck hunting is a lot of work, but a hell of a lot of fun.

maestro

Forget everything that I said.

Just came back from duck hunting, and I couldnt hit anything. I would shoot at the first duck in the flock and knock down the last. A couple of mallards came no farther than 30 yards, and since the male was behind the female I missed all three shots. I should have aimed at the female, then I would have hit the male.
You think I wasnt leading enough???

Even with the frustrations, nothing like duck hunting. I will try it again this weekend. And, give the AA #3's another chance.

Good hunting.

maestro

I'm going out this morning, actually mid-morning. We have a high tide near noon, we hunt tidal flats at river mouths.

Hey PDS, did you get to make your hunt?

I use nothing but 2 3/4" for everything. I reload Bismuth #4's, 1 1/8 or 1 1/4oz., if only after ducks. Bismuth #2"s, 1 1/4oz. for geese. Loads are modest- 1250fps/7500psi, per Hodgdon. I have started using a 1924 vintage L.C.Smith Long Range model, hence the "light" loads. Even though the 32" heavy barrels are factory chambered for 3" shells, the 3"er's of today generate way more pressure than those of that era and as such are not suitable.

Guess what- the geese tumble just as readily. Dropped a right and a left right off the bat. Ditto the next day. I've been a proponent of factory 2 3/4" Mag Bismuth for geese, now I'm thinking that stuff is a little hotter than necessary. I can see the value of 3" for steel due to the abysmal killing properties of the stuff- you just have to throw a pile of it at the target in order to kill it.

Remember, the market hunters of a century ago decimated the Mississippi and Atlantic flyways with 1- 1 1/8oz. of lead. I doubt wildfowl have grown tougher in the last hundred years.

Dang, way late to this party.

For ducks, IMO, 3" shells are only required if you are going to be shooting steel at distance.

Of course, once my steel is all shot up, I won't be using any more of it. The newer stuff kills so well, that I can't justify using steel any longer. Over the last two years, my average # of shots per dead duck has gone from 3-ish to 1.1. That closes the price gap considerably. Coupled with the fact that I hate losing cripples, and it is a no-brainer for me.

As someone else said, Hevi-Shot #4s are about ideal. Problem is that Environmetal (or whatever the name fo the manufacturer) is great at producing the shot, and sucks ass at producing the shells. Remington loaded stuff is the only way to fly, but it is all last year or older vintage, as Remington isn't loading Hevi-Shot any more. I don't have enough experience with Remington's new non-toxic to say if it's any good.

Coupled with an IC choke, Hevi-Shot 4's are death on anything that flies.

Another favorite of mine is Kent Tungsten Matrix. I tried some because I had an old double that I wanted to shoot, and steel or HS was a non-starter. The TM worked so well, that I had to get a bunch more to try in my Xtrema. The 5's flat hammer stuff, and the 3's will bring down a big mallard at farther than I have any business shooting.

Just to see what would happen, last year I took at pot shot at a Spoony at what we later ranged at something over 60 yards. By some stroke of pure luck, I hit the damn thing, and dropped him stone dead with the 3s.

TM acts a lot like lead, so generally a tighter choke is prudent. I run a Mod at least, and an IM most of the time when shooting it. Full wouldn't scare me on windless days when the birds are high and spooky.

Either of your guns will be just fine, pick the one you shoot best.

CAS,

Spoonies fall for any reason, whether you hit them or not. They are one of the weekest ducks out there. Try that with a RedHead, and let me know. Then I'll be convinced. I agree with all about the lack of power from the steel shot and often you see the duck fold after flying for 100+ yards after being hit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Im able to use lead for ducks in Mexico, and its soooo much better. #5s or 6s drop them quick. I sure do miss shooting like that here.

maestro

maestro,

Our running joke is that if you clap loudly, Spoonies will fold. Heck, the best way to get them in is to stand on top of the blind, and wave your arms while yelling. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Last year, on the first weekend that you could use moto-duck decoys, I actually had a pair of spoonies fly directly into the darn thing. And I don't mean close, they literally flew into the thing and knocked it over. It was priceless.

BTW, you don't use lead here??????? Why not???? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />