Can Ducks and Geese Be hunted with 2&3/4 shells?

[TrapperReady]

I've shot a LOT of Hevishot the past few seasons... at everything from ducks and geese to pheasants. IMO, there is little better than #6 Hevishot in a MOD barrel. I've had more dead-in-the-air kills with #6 than any other size, and I've shot a bunch of #4, some #2 and some B.

I wouldn't hesitate to use #6 out to 40 yards on anything through rooster-pheasant/mallard sized birds. Truth be told, I've taken a couple geese with them at under 30 yards... although they were both coming into decoys and I had good looks at their heads and necks.

Of the #4 and #6, I've probably split them evenly between 3" and 2 3/4"... and don't think there's a lick of difference between the two in terms of how they kill birds.

On geese, especially when pass-shooting (NOT sky-busting), the B and #2 both work well and can do a great job at penetrating and breaking wings'n'stuff.

Just due to the price, I keep a handful of #6 or #7 steel in a pocket, so that I can anchor a bird that falls in the water, but isn't immedately dead. However, I won't hesitate to follow up with another Hevishot if the bird is quickly diving or swimming rapidly away. I'd rather lose a dollar or two than a bird.

 

[MCgunner]

I can justify the use of hevishot on geese, don't hunt that often, don't fire more'n 10 or 15 rounds on the BEST day and usually under 10. But, I do way too much duck hunting to afford to use hevishot on ducks. And, besides, you don't need it! Ducks over decoys are well within 35 yards, usually 30. Late season, you might take a few 40 yard passers, but the idea is to get 'em settin' in the deeks. I've never had a problem with 3 or 4 steel and the new fasteel stuff is even better out at 40 plus, but I've taken ducks at over 40 with steel. They're not as tough as geese to knock down. I go through some ammo in a duck season, couldn't afford to burn that much hevishot. Like I say, steel works FINE on ducks, no need for hevishot.

I can knock geese down just fine 35 yards and in with BB steel, but it's those 40-50 yarders, wise snows that just sit there and hover for a minute and won't come any closer, that irritate me. If they're decoying fine, no problem with steel BBs in a 3". But, outside 35, the hevi shot is much appreciated. Now, I'd not even consider steel in a 2 3/4", not enough shot in the pattern. Inside 35, though, it'd likely work, just I'd rather be shootin' number 2 hevishot at 'em. BB hevi shot is pretty awesome in a 3", but 2s will give you a more complete pattern in a 2 3/4" load and reach out there as far as you're going to need to be shooting.

 

[Kimber1911_06238]

+1 for hevi-shot. 2 3/4" hevi shot will do the trick without any problems

 

[Ash]

What is sky busting?

Ash

 

[MCgunner]

What is sky busting?

Shooting at geese or ducks that are out of range. It is generally disdained by good duck and goose hunters who know that they can get 'em closer with another pass. Newbs tend to get anxious and start blasting away at 80 yards. I had a guide calling shots like that once and chastising everyone for being bad shots. I about got into it with this kid. I was goose hunting before he was born. He couldn't get 'em any closer and he knew it. It wasn't a good day, not saying it was his fault, but they just weren't committing. It happens, but shooting at 80 yards is a waste of ammo even with hevishot. Might as well TRY to get 'em back around. Often times they'll hover out of range first couple of passes just testing the waters before committing. A good caller will work 'em, not stand up like an idiot and shoot 80 yards out.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

I was wondering if ducks and geese can be hunted with 2 3/4 12 gauge shells. The reason I am asking is because I am really eyeing a Franchi 48-al But it only takes 2 3/4 inch shells. IS this going to work well or do I really need 3 inch shells. I have killed turkey with 2 3/4 inch shells but never ducks or geese.

You bet. Everyone I know hunts with 2 3/4 shells with no problems. Just use the correct shot and you'll be fine.

 

[uk roe hunter]

are you guys allowed to use lead on duck?

 

[Regolith]

Nope. Lead was banned nation wide in 1991 for hunting waterfowl.

 

[Ash]

Good grief. I would never take a long-distance shot. If they aren't within, say 40 yards I just don't waste the shot or noise.

Ash

 

[MCgunner]

Nope. Lead was banned nation wide in 1991 for hunting waterfowl.

Was banned in Texas about 1980 or 81. First came steel, then Bismuth. Now there are a variety of types of "hevi shot" that are better'n steel. Steel is still the most affordable of the non-toxic, though.

Good grief. I would never take a long-distance shot. If they aren't within, say 40 yards I just don't waste the shot or noise.

With 3" BB hevi shot or Federal Tungsten/Iron, I've stretched it to 50 yards, but any more and you're pretty much just makin' noise. If you have the pellet energy, you won't have the pattern density. Goose hunting is about calling and decoying the birds more than just the shooting. Think of it as making the stalk to get within range before taking the shot.

 

[Jeff F]

In the past 30 years that I have hunted waterfowl I can count on one hand the times that 3 inch shells were a must. Even with steel shot today the short shells get it done.