How about a little up-date

[Rich]

Okay, I haven't duck or goose hunted since around 1984. Yep, I know too darned long.

A friend of mine has asked me to join him on a duck and goose hunt this year and of course I said, "Yes." However, I am so out of touch with the waterfowl sport I don't even know where to start. The last time I hunted I was using 4's 5's or 6's for ducks and 2's and 4's for geese. But, now there is steel, bismuth, hevy-shot and who knows what else is out there.

Also, I now own three shotguns with removable choke tubes. Two 12's and a 20. My friend will be borrowing one of the 12's and I'm thinking about using the 20.

So, my questions are:

1. What type of shot should I use?

2. What type of choke should I use?

3. Will the choke tubes I have now work with steel, bismuth or hevy-shot?

4. What kind of chest waders do you recommend or should I just go with hip boots? I'll be hunting in southern Arkansas in flooded timber.

5. Will the 20 work okay on geese?

Any, and all help with this stuff will be greatly appreciated.

Rich

[Win Mag]

Kokvik

I help as best as i can.Please use the 12 ga. first off.You are more apt to wound more game than kill.

As far as shot size i like the 4's ,hits them hard.Geese i like the 2's and 3's bismuth or heavy shot ,Chokes i use depending on the distance you will be shooting.If your shooting the heavier shot i would go with the Mod and Imp. otherwise full if using the steel.Neo chest waders will work good down south.

[Win Mag]

Rich
Depends on your wallet the better shot you may know is more exspensive to buy then steel.And out preforms steel shot.It's a personal preference.My thinking is heavier shot less likely cripples.
You mentioned hunting flooded forests,You shot are most likely going to be close wing shooting then.They do make choke tubes for steel. but i have been told and do use my stock chokes in my 870.With no problems.

Just a suggestion, take your gun and shoot paper or plywood to visually see your pattern.It will give you an idea of what your chokes patterns are.You will have a better idea which to use with your shot sizes

[mrjbigfoot]

Ok, I'll speak up & give ya my 2 cents. I use an 870, 12 gauge with a modified choke only & standard steel shot. I find that the modified choke patterns much better than the full. I normally shoot 3" mag 2's for geese & 3' mag 2's or 4's for ducks. If I'm expecting ducks only, I'll shoot 4's. Most all modern choke tubes are good for steel shot, if you have an older gun with older tubes, I would definitely avoid using the full choke tube. I have split/cracked a Remington full choke tube that was for steel shot, shooting steel BBB shot at geese. I've since learned that the modified tube actually patterns better & that there's really no need to even shoot BB's if you've got them coming into your spread of decoys. We whack-em & stack-em most every day we go!

[tphunter]

I love hevi-shot for geese...it's expensive but they look like they ran into a wall when they run into that string of hevi-shot...I shoot Remington 12 ga. High Velocity Hevi-Shot 3" #2's through a Kick's High Flier choke tube...I'm also shooting Winchester Steel shot BB's with a velocity of around 1450 FPS...Speed Kills!!!

With Hevi-Shot I wouldn't hesitate to shoot geese with the 20 ga...Keep'em in close and lead them enough to make a good head shot on'em they'll fold like an accordion...

[Rich]

Thanks for all the info guys. I pattern my guns for turkey's and have found that each one likes a different shot size. Of course all I've ever used is an extended full choke tube and I have never even had the modified or improved tubes in them. So, I guess I'll try a little of each and see how they pattern. I just wasn't sure about what to use, bismuth, hevi-shot or steel and still not too sure about my choke tubes.

The A500 is an older gun and I think the tubes are Invector but not Invector +. The 11-87 was a used gun and I'm not sure how old it is. I don't think it is too old because it is the fully camo'd job. I really like shooting the 20. It is a Charles Daly semi. Points well and shoots well. I've used it for pheasants and chukar and even took a turkey with it a couple years ago. But, I guess for this little jaunt in the watery woods I'll stick with the 12's. It doesn't really matter much anyway cause it'll be a miracle if I even hit one.

I was talking to the guy who invited me on the hunt tonight and was telling him about what kind of ammo, guns and chokes I was thinking about. Him and I used to duck hunt a lot. He asked me how many birds I wanted to bring home and I told him just one. He told me I had better buy a case of whatever I decided to use. Yep, he knows me pretty well.

Rich