Waterfowl

I do most of my duck hunting in the month of oct, sometimes into November. I have a Stoeger 3500 that I’ve been using for geese and probably will continue for that.

I have sloppy mechanics when I shoot a lot of consecutive rounds... that gun ends up doing a number on shoulder bicep area which normally then takes 10 days or so to heal. Hunting multiple times a week sometimes... you guys get the idea. I was thinking about buying a Winchester sx4 20ga and shooting number 4’s in like heavy metal or heavy steal. With the anticipation of making it my duck hunting gun. Seems like most ducks we end up going after are wood ducks. With an occasional mallard mixed in. I think I’d have to get better are decoying them in though with that gun... that’s not a bad thing though and probably something I need to focus on anyway.

Have you considered backing down to 2 3/4" shells to help with the recoil? There are still plenty of options on shot size in 2 3/4".

I have been looking at the newer MC312 that is designed about exactly like the Benelli SBE line, for a back up type shotgun or one I can leave up at the duck camp. The reviews I have read on it are all pretty positive and the price looks good at a little over $400. It looks like it disassembles just like an SBE just a way better price, I might get one just to try it out.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2019/1/30/shot-show-2019-girsan-mc312-shotgun/
 
Are you shooting 3.5"? Never had an issue with 3" or 2.75". Seems like the fix would be slow down and keep the gun where it belongs.
 
I only use 2.75" shells.
 
Are you shooting 3.5"? Never had an issue with 3" or 2.75". Seems like the fix would be slow down and keep the gun where it belongs.
3 inch. And yes slowing down might be the best option.
 
3 inch. And yes slowing down might be the best option.

Ha, Ha, I know, it's easier said than done when there are birds in your face!
 
Never liked 3 inch much, tried them for a few years and went back to 2 3/4.

Want to slow down... use a single shot for a few hunts. 1 shot 1 duck. I guarantee you will slow down and pick your shots better. You'll also become more patient with circling flocks. I do this every time I start getting careless with shots or start missing. I particularly like to go back to 1 shot during dove season.
 
Ha, Ha, I know, it's easier said than done when there are birds in your face!

Especially when those woodies let out a scream and from behind you and the next thing you know. They’re already past you.
 
Once you have done it awhile and get a feel for it its a blast. Its routine for me to kill 2 or 3 out of a flock. Its not uncommon if its a nice bunch for there to be 4 ducks down out of a group if its my brother and myself. About once a year though I have thay day that I just cant hit shit.
 
I agree, shooting wildly fast and missing everything, and shooting slightly slower with purpose makes a big difference. The time difference is usually negligible.
 
Saturday is looking to be a good snow goose migration day. My brother is going to put 13 doz snow goose decoys around my pond and see what happens.
 
I saw thousands of snows wed morning over in SC part of Kansas
 
Its slow. Had one bunch work but not close enough
20200229_104759.jpg
 
Wheres the after photo
 
Poor pooches! They look like great water dogs though.
 
Our opener was today, lots of teal going through... a few bluewings and plenty of greenwings. Still some woodies around with the cold it does seem we are getting a little migration. Going to try some geese in the next few days.
I've got the next three weeks off and am going to spend some relaxing time watching decoys, up in the deer stand and in the grouse woods.

6R4GVWo.jpg
 
Our opener was today, lots of teal going through... a few bluewings and plenty of greenwings. Still some woodies around with the cold it does seem we are getting a little migration. Going to try some geese in the next few days.
I've got the next three weeks off and am going to spend some relaxing time watching decoys, up in the deer stand and in the grouse woods.

6R4GVWo.jpg
 
I'm always jealous of your waterfowl hunts. Is that a hen can up top?
 
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