Waterfowl newbie

156821

156821

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Terrace bc
So I have done a fair share of big game hunting and lots of experience with rifles. But I am as green as they come when it comes to waterfowl and shotgunning.

The area I live has a couple mid size lakes and lots of marshy areas. I have a canoe with a motor and I can access all kinds of area you can’t get to by vehicle.

I have a Winchester 1200 with 2 3/4 chamber and some steel shot #3. The gun has 3 chokes but I’m unsure about which one to use? Also what am I looking for when I pattern? The most shot inside a certain size circle at various yardages? Will that have the power to take down a goose or is it too light? It seems like there is a good mix of birds in this area.

Also do you think it would be more productive to set out decoys or try jump shooting them? Maybe it will have to be a trial and error thing. I’m planning on hunting early mornings

Any insight is much appreciated.
 
Jump shooting and pass shooting are the least expensive to start with.
You will have to pattern the flight pattern of your quarry though.
You can find magnum shells in 2-3/4 inch , but might be hard to come by.
Modified choke will do well for the two types of shooting I mentioned. (imo and mine only).
No.4's for everything ...A buddy who has since passed shot Canada's near the Pit River mouth would use lead No.6's back in the day and they dropped .
Eventually experience will determine your path to success .
Good Hunting .
Rob
 
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I would go with a mod choke or even slightly more open with steel.

Typically for me with steel shot I go with #2 or BB in the 12 gauge. I have some #4 coming, but haven’t tried it yet. Keep in mind I mostly hunt geese not ducks.
 
Those shells and gun will be just fine. Pass shooting is straight forward to start. Shooting opportunities can be limited though. If the site allows, a proper decoy set up with good calling and cover will help a lot. Not hard to get started. Lots of good info on decoy set ups and calling on you tube. Medium choke is good for passers. I don't go higher than that. I usually stick to improved cylinder or light modified, but most of my hunting is closer in over decoys.
 
Patterning your gun at various distances with all your chokes is a good way of determining which choke to use. I pretty much stick with 3 inch #2s for everything but during goose hunts BB shots are the way to go
 
Thank you for the all the replies. I think I’ll invest in some decoys and calls just to be more well rounded. I’m kind of excited about this new avenue of hunting to delve into. I have 2 boys, 3 and 5 and we will go scouting on Sunday.
 
156821 said:
Thank you for the all the replies. I think I’ll invest in some decoys and calls just to be more well rounded. I’m kind of excited about this new avenue of hunting to delve into. I have 2 boys, 3 and 5 and we will go scouting on Sunday.
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Invest in acrylic calls not poly carb. They are a bit more expensive but sound SO much better and are easier to blow than poly. Just my two cents.
 
I use 1&3/8's oz of #2 steel in a 3.5" shell for everything waterfowl... And an IC choke...

No reason a 2&3/4" shell loaded with #2 or #3 steel doing a decent speed over decoys, shouldn't work well... Shooter dependent of course ;)
 
156821 said:
Thank you for the all the replies. I think I’ll invest in some decoys and calls just to be more well rounded. I’m kind of excited about this new avenue of hunting to delve into. I have 2 boys, 3 and 5 and we will go scouting on Sunday.
Click to expand...
I think this is the best idea. You are probably going to get hooked on waterfowl hunting so might as well start getting a few decoys and a call or two and start practicing. You can always try jumping them if they decide to land somewhere else but nothing beats drawing birds into your spread! It's a great type of hunting to involve youngsters in too because you don't have to remain motionless and silent all morning. Good luck.
 
Nice, OP. Great family tradition to start.

Agreed with Runningfool. It is nice to test your shooting and take a distant passer, but attracting and calling them is very satisfying. Careful it is a slippery slope on set-ups with decoys, flutterers, ripplers etc. Next is convincing your wife to get a dog...
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use the mod choke no 2 shot size will work for most goose shooting and 4 for ducks
don't get all over the top about patterns
many things come in to play when shooting a shotgun when you pattern your gun you are shooting at a target face on
when you shoot at a moving bird it will be flying cross ways or strait over head shot string comes into play all the shot does not arrive at the same time
2 dozen canada goose decoys is all you need for canada geese a dozen duck decoys in the mix will help
you do not need 3" of 3.5 " to kill birds good solid hits will do the job
 
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