Shot size for geese
- Thread starter happydude
- Start date
Steel it is then. That other stuff is too $$$ for me.
Basically, a co-worker brought in some goose jerky last fall and I like it enough to want to make my own. The geese fly right over my house so I thought I might as well try to bag a few. I have no idea how to make the jerky (was told to use a dehydrator and special goose jerky mix) or even how to get the breast out of the birds. Any websites dedicated to cleaning geese?
Basically, a co-worker brought in some goose jerky last fall and I like it enough to want to make my own. The geese fly right over my house so I thought I might as well try to bag a few. I have no idea how to make the jerky (was told to use a dehydrator and special goose jerky mix) or even how to get the breast out of the birds. Any websites dedicated to cleaning geese?
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Happydude, take the time to pattern your gun at various ranges. Chances are it will pattern better with less choke when you are shooting steel shot. Modified often gives the best results.
I'm not sure the advice of choosing a large shot is the best with respect to steel, unless you are shooting a 10 gauge or 31/2" 12 gauge. Steel is lighter than lead, so the patterns are not a dense. It you dropped to #2 or #4 you would be putting more pellets into the air, and would also put more pellets onto the birds. Steel has an advantage of not deforming the way lead does, so when the steel shot hits the bird, penetration is often better despite the lower weight of each pellet.
Watch the range when you shoot, especially if you are using light shot loads. A good rule of thumb is if you can't see their feet they are out of range.
I'm not sure the advice of choosing a large shot is the best with respect to steel, unless you are shooting a 10 gauge or 31/2" 12 gauge. Steel is lighter than lead, so the patterns are not a dense. It you dropped to #2 or #4 you would be putting more pellets into the air, and would also put more pellets onto the birds. Steel has an advantage of not deforming the way lead does, so when the steel shot hits the bird, penetration is often better despite the lower weight of each pellet.
Watch the range when you shoot, especially if you are using light shot loads. A good rule of thumb is if you can't see their feet they are out of range.
You can't use lead for migratory birds - period. Doesn't matter if you shoot over a wheat field.
Let me repeat: I'll come out and give you a demonstration first-hand . . .
I'll even show you how to breast out a goose.
Yuri Orlov
Regular
I used 2 3/4" Fasteel BBs and some cheap HV Win #2s...I prefer the Kent stuff, but both worked fine.
As for the jerky, you can use a dehydrator or a smoker, but you can also use a regular oven at extremely low temps...around 140 or so. You don't need special goose jerky mix...just find a recipe you like and give it a try. Google will give you 1000s of ideas and recipes.
As for the jerky, you can use a dehydrator or a smoker, but you can also use a regular oven at extremely low temps...around 140 or so. You don't need special goose jerky mix...just find a recipe you like and give it a try. Google will give you 1000s of ideas and recipes.
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
In steel, BB is the best way to go. I never get very close shots as I pass shoot mostly so larger shot is the way to go. I carry #2 in my other pocket for ducks.
well gth , if you got a box of 25 for $10.00 at epps, you pay $17.00 for a box of 10 tungsten matrix, 25 tungsten matrix would cost you $42.50. &16.95 for kent tungsten at a little village hardware store, $29.95 from bass pro!!! you say 3 boxes a year,3 x $10.00 = $30.00 , 3 x $42.50= $127.50 over 4 x the price.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Cardguy, if you buy a box of F or T steel, shoot some paper patterns with it. I'm almost sure you'll be very dissapointed. You shold also know that large steel tends to pattern best with open chokes, you may want to try IC instead of Modified.
