rml127

I'm new to duck and goose hunting but have hunting deer and other animals my whole life. I will be trying my luck at hunting over fields and a pond without decoys, mostly pass shooting or waiting for them to come into the fields to feed. I have a 12 gauge with either a modified or super full choke barrel. I also already own a large varity of steel shot. I plan to shoot a few combinations and see how things go. What do you strive for as far as patterns and yardage in order to make clean kills on ducks and geese? What size steel shot is the best for each bird? I've had people tell me they don't shoot over 30 yards ever and others have told me they shoot geese well over 60 yards away.

Rangerlab

Geese can be killed at 60 yards but that is a pretty tall order. There is a much greater chance of only crippling the bird and loosing it. I like to keep my shots under 40 yards (less is even better). It sounds like you will just be pass shooting, so chances are the shots you're presented with will be fairly long. I would go with the mod. choke and #2s for ducks and BB for geese. You might want to think about getting a few decoys to bring the birds in closer. If you shop around you should be able to find a dozen duck decoys for under $50. It's well worth the investment. And I think shooting birds at 15 yards with thier landing gear down is alot more fun than throwing shots at passing birds going 50 mph. Good luck!

sponge031

Pass shooting is my favorite way to hunt, ducks can be frustrating sometimes but as far as geese go i think its the only way to do it. Scout them, not anything near what you would do for deer but figure where they feed where they sit and when they fly. get between them where you think they will be the lowest, the worse the weather the lower they will be. sitting between two feeding flocks of mallards in a blizzard is the best thing in the world. those are the most important things i think, theres a million other little things youll figure out though.

Buck_Slayer

I got 12 mallard decoys (6hens,6drakes) at Wal-Mart for $20

whiskeysnoot

People who claim to shoot geese well over 60 yards tend to greatly exaggerate about concealed parts of their body also. The biggest problem at this distance I feel is shot pattern. Pattern BBs at even 40 yards and it is easy to see how dispersed the pattern will be at 60. There are lots of holes for a goose's vitals to go untouched. Not to say it can't be done, just that your percentage will go way down.

We try to keep our opening shots less than 30 yards. Then your second and third shots will probably be at 35 and 40. I shoot steel only and realize its limitations as far as energy goes. Let them get closer and your success will go way up.

Do not shoot steel through your super full choke tube.

I agree with getting a dozen dekes and bringing them closer. The best part of duck hunting is seeing decoying ducks in your face (other than good dog work). I would rather set one group of birds than watch ten fly by.