my brother and i have been out duck hunting alot this year but we have only got 5 duck between use, we are both green to hunting ducks but is there any tips for would be duck killers--what size shells, barrel length that kind of stuff anything will help. thanks all that reply
Ducks
- Thread starter caster456
- Start date
Are you doing lots of shooting, seeing lots, or seeing lots and not getting them close enough? Im not sure where to start. Lets assume you are shooting lots and not getting a whole lot. What I use for starters, (and alot of other people will vary, you have to find out what patterns best and works best for you, and yes sometimes the hard way.) I will use for ducks, either 1 1/4 ounce or 1 1/8 ounce number 2's in steel. 3 inch, or 3 1/2 inch, whatever you have. I usually stick with the fastest stuff you can get. Try the Winchester expert hi velocity, or the Kent fast steel stuff, but again stick with the fast stuff, better cuz less lead is needed. Use either modified or improved cylinder choke, I prefer the imp. cyl. I like to keep my shot open. And as for barrel length, shouldnt really much matter, I suppose the typical 26, 28, or even the 30 inch barrel is fine. I have a 26 incher on mine. Any other questions, as lots of people are glad to help!!
well i see lots of ducks and i shot a lot of rounds at them but i guess there to high. i have a 28 barrel and i use 2 3/4 right now but i guess ill start to use the 3''. Now what about camo is it that important when duck hunting, i wear it but its not the best stuff.
thanks for the reply
thanks for the reply
Ducks around my area are spooky as hell this year... they get up if they see me from 150 yards away!
If you know where the ponds are, you might have a shooter creep in close near one end, and one guy walk in from the other end to scare em up towards the shooter.
If you know where the ponds are, you might have a shooter creep in close near one end, and one guy walk in from the other end to scare em up towards the shooter.
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
Gotta blend in to the backround, and movement is easy for ducks to see, also any glare from the barrel of the gun will send them flocking off the other way.
- Location
- calgary, AB
Don't feel bad Castor456, I'm in the same boat . Switched to 3" shells and faster ammo, but they seem 10yds past my range. Tried a full choke
, that didn't work. Practice,pattern,practice. Got 2 ducks and a goose so far! The most important thing to do though is HAVE FUN
. Switched to 3" shells and faster ammo, but they seem 10yds past my range. Tried a full choke , that didn't work. Practice,pattern,practice. Got 2 ducks and a goose so far! The most important thing to do though is HAVE FUN
Camo. Facemask a must. I flared birds all the time until I got one. Now I can look right at them and can move my head without scaring them. Camo gun is optional but does help too.
Decent Decoys
A dog helps. Not necessary but makes life more fun and easier
Above all be where the birds want to be
Then have fun. Concentrate on getting them closer rather than trying to shoot farther 95% of the nearly 200 ducks I shoot each year are shot with 2 3/4 # 6 Steel inside of 30 yards. I keep hevishot for geese and cripples
Decent Decoys
A dog helps. Not necessary but makes life more fun and easier
Above all be where the birds want to be
Then have fun. Concentrate on getting them closer rather than trying to shoot farther 95% of the nearly 200 ducks I shoot each year are shot with 2 3/4 # 6 Steel inside of 30 yards. I keep hevishot for geese and cripples
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- Location
- Saskatchewan
Caster, your brother and you got some good advice here, I'll only add that you should go where the ducks want to be, and wait for a close shot! A few decoys, waders, drab clothing and a face mask are basic equipment. Calls, "roboducks', fancy camo clothes etc. are unneccessary extras for beginners. Practise on clays helps, and if you're closer than 40 yards you don't need a 3" shell. You'll shoot better if you're not getting pounded by magnums. Pace off the 40 yd. distance to a decoy and memorize how big it looks at that distance. If the duck you're shooting at looks smaller than that, it's out of range! I shoot several dozen geese and ducks each year with 2-3/4" shells, mostly Fasteel. I like steel 2's for our mixed bag hunts.
