Shot size for sandhill crane

[wyote]

I drew a permit to hunt sandhill cranes here in WY. Any suggestions on what size of shot to use?

Also what type of shot.........steel, heavy shot, bismuth, etc?

[mrjbigfoot]

Never had the opportunity to hunt cranes but I always say shot size & type should be associated with what kinds of distances you'll be shooting. If the cranes come in to decoys & you can get them inside of 30 yards, or even within 20, you shouldn't have any problem killing them with standard steel shot & I prefer 2's for big birds like geese. I've used BB & BBB's before but I think 2's work best. I use 2's & 4's for ducks.

[Hunt4Ever]

i think u shoudl use heavy BBB shot my uncle went down to texas and hunted sandhill crane and i think he used BBB shot

[mtman]

I'm glad you asked Wyote, I drew a special sandhill permit here in Montana. I was wondering if my 3" 870 with heavy #2's would down one.

[mrjbigfoot]

It's all about wacken them in the head! I think 2's are great & I like shooting them in the head!

Wack-em & Stack-em

[wyote]

I'm thinking 2's might be the shot I'm looking for. I will be hunting at a lake that the sandhills will be comeing to roost. I will be pass shooting and hopefully the birds will be low and right over the top of me. If I need to hit them in the head I should be better off with the 2's than BB's or BBB's

[mrjbigfoot]

Honestly, I normally have 2's in the gun but I've got a box of BB's handy, just in case the shooting is a little further out. I definitely think you get a better pattern of shot with the 2's & I only shoot my modified choke tube. You actually get a better pattern with a modified tube when your shooting steel shot.

[tphunter]

I've had great luck shooting geese with Remington Hevi-Shot #2s...It looks like they ran into a wall when that shot hits them and they just drop...No fluttering, nothin...I would think it would work wonders on Sandhill Cranes

[cnwd]

Use BB or BBB that is what I use here in Sask. Depends on the conditions real windy days I like to go with BBB

[jdickey]

Haven't hunted sand hills in a couple of years, but used BB with my 12 gage Browning!