I'm not into duck hunting but my son will be going duck hunting this season. ?????

dreher

Uri will be using a 12 gauge with interchangeable choke tubes.  He will be hunting over decoys from a blind.  I am of no help to him as I have never shot a duck, never even sat in a duck blind so I cannot give him any advice.   Those of you who have hunted ducks, what shot size and choke seem to work best??   Your advice will be appreciated!! 

Grasshopper

Hopefully Duckhunter will be along. 

Sam06

It depends.

What kind of ducks are they hunting and what conditions, flooded woods big water?

For all around Duck hunting I would go with steel 3" #4 or #2 shot and a IMP CYL or Mod choke.

diver-rig

Modified steel choke. 6 shot for teal, woodies, and the like.

3-6 shot for bigger ducks.

Duck and goose. We breast them out, and then grind the boned out legs and thighs for sausage or what not.

Treat duck and goose breasts like a good steak. Rare, to rare so a good vet can bring it back to life, tastes like filet mignon. Cook it paste medium rare, tastes like liver.

shovlers, coot, mergansers, taste nasty.

Woodies, teal, mallards, pintails, and the like are amazingly.

Diver ducks are hit and miss.

canada geese, snow geese in the spring, and white-fronts are amazing.

Snow geese in the fall, um, flying carp.

diver-rig

To add, modified choke for steel is a improved cylinder choke for lead

SCOUT5

For ducks I use #2 or #3 steel.   The #3 would be my choice if I was only going to get one.   Generally what ever size lead shot you would use drop down two numbers for steel.  So #3 steel would be roughly the equivalent of #5 lead.    

If you can get out and pattern the shotgun that is best.   Improved modified is the tightest choke you want to shoot steal shot through.  For duck over decoys I generally use a modified choke for steel shot but if the shots are 35 yards or less IC works fine.  Steel shoots tighter than lead and as a general rule the pattern will be one step up tighter with steel.  So an IC for lead will shoot a modified pattern with steel a modified will shoot full choke.  Again patterning the gun is best.

DO NOT shoot steel through a full choke lead tube.   If the gun is an after market added thin wall system you should get some extended choke tubes placing the actual choke beyond the barrel, that keeps the steel shot from deforming the barrel or deforming the threads.   If the gun has a  factory installed system you should be okay but checking manufacturer's recommendations would be wise to make sure.

For geese I use BB or BBB with either a modified or an improved modified tube.  There are tubes made and marketed as steel shot tubes that will be marked full or even extra full but those are steel shot specific tubes.  You can shoot lead through then but the patterns will open up compared to the steel.  That's fine you just need to know it.

Edit:  I assume the gun will chamber 3" shells and if it will that is what you want to use.  Steel shot doesn't weight much but takes up a lot or room as you are using larger shot so the extra capacity will add volume to the shot count which will give you better patterns.

SCOUT5

I will also add #2 steel works fine, I've shot a lot of ducks with it and if that is what you can find don't worry about finding #3.

Edit:  I see some of this was already answered while my ten thumbs were typing.

SCOUT5

Game wardens love to check duck hunters.  There are so many rules and regs it can be hard to keep up with them all.   Have him read up on the laws in your area, get a federal ducks stamp, if applicable a HIP (harvest information program) number and what ever migratory bird or duck stamps the state requires.  Plug the gun so it can't hold more than three  2 3/4" length shells.  even though he may be using 3".   No lead shot at all in his hunting coat or anywhere else in the blind.    

toad67

Depends on what type of shot you're using. The non-toxic lead stuff is great, bismuth, hevi-shot, prarie strom ,etc, and works well with normal velocities. If you're using steel, you need speed to make up the energy for the lighter pellets. I always shoot the Winchester 3"-2's at 1500fps. Either type will work fine. Rogers sporting goods in Minnesota is generally the place to purchase them by the case. I have had some lifelong memories that were made in a duck blind...

BobJudy

Scouts pretty much nailed it. I am not a fan of anything tighter than a modified but he probably has more experience using an improved modified with larger shot than I am. I have seen a few choke tubes literally peened into place from to tight a choke with a steady diet of steel. That can be an expensive repair so try to avoid it. Bob

SCOUT5

BobJudy said:

Scouts pretty much nailed it. I am not a fan of anything tighter than a modified but he probably has more experience using an improved modified with larger shot than I am. I have seen a few choke tubes literally peened into place from to tight a choke with a steady diet of steel. That can be an expensive repair so try to avoid it. Bob

Bob when I use an IM choke it is an extended choke tube to get the choke out past the threads to avoid the damage you mentioned.

BobJudy

SCOUT5 said:

BobJudy said:

Scouts pretty much nailed it. I am not a fan of anything tighter than a modified but he probably has more experience using an improved modified with larger shot than I am. I have seen a few choke tubes literally peened into place from to tight a choke with a steady diet of steel. That can be an expensive repair so try to avoid it. Bob

Bob when I use an IM choke it is an extended choke tube to get the choke out past the threads to avoid the damage you mentioned.

Got it.👍 Bob

toad67

 A picture, of a picture, from one of the more memorable days.......35 ducks and 4 geese....

Tcatt

Hunted and guided in the Mid-South

# 2 or # 3 STEEL shot is fine, IC or Mod choke. I have Carlson extended chokes, but any for steel shot is fine.

Full Chokes are for lead shoot - DO NOT bring lead, not even loose in your coat or bag - it will cost you if checked by Game Warden.

No need for 3-1/2 shells. I shoot 2-3/4" and 3" whichever I can get the best deal.

Avoid the ultra velocity shells, no need and they are hard on your gun, anything around 1400 fps will do the job.

Guided hunt, close quarters, don't know the other hunters.

1) I never liked someone to show up  with a short barrel shotgun, like a turkey gun, especially if they had 3-1/2 shells

2) Bring your own duck/game carry strap labeled with your name and license number. Never carry someone else's ducks out of the field unless they are present and the ducks are on a strap with  their name  and license number.

3) Don't load gun until shooting time.

4) Muzzles skyward, open bolt/empty breech if you move.

Its not rocket science, Be Safe and Have Fun.

bustedknee

us55840 said:

Duck or goose ..,,even those raised 'tame' always taste like slough water smells is my experience so don't have any interest in eating them. 

If I had a duck I would trade it to diver-rig for a Kit-Kat bar...and we both would be happy.

randomnut

Best part of duck hunting? Hell, any hunting? One badass dog

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Mr. Perfect

I came here to say what @SCOUT5 said. He's right on the money. I don't like steel shot much but it's required. Tungsten, if you can get it, is my choice. The rumors about it hurting bbls is bunk, it can leave marks on your choke tube tho, which isn't a problem if you have removable ones. They're cheap.

duckhunter

Any thing that goes BANG over decoys works. From $35.00 shingle shots to many $$$$$ 0/U's.  Get the shot on the bird.

NeoBlackdog

Not really related to the gun, but an ol' fella once told me to hold fire until you could see the duck's eye.   That advice has worked pretty well for me over the years. 

discusdad

absolutely... Never...Ever...under no circumstances...throw the birds into a pile for a group pic  unless your birds are indentifiable.  Mr Greenjeans will not be envious of the groups shooting prowess.  tickets are expensive, and rarely do you escape them.  do not travel by boat to the blind without your guns being fully cased and unloaded.  pattern your shotshell/choke tube to achieve best results...over decoys for puddle ducks  i usually ran a 3inch #4s high velocity steel with Inproved tube.  geese over decoys and layout blinds i chose a 3-1/2 Fasteel #1s with a Light Modified tube.  pass shooting geese brings out the 10 guage 3-1/2 magnum Winchester high velocity BB thru a Improved cylinder tube

diver-rig

This morning, spent time with a Good dog, great friends, and birds flying on opening morning into a field chopped for silage, and an added bonus for me, another band.

You might want to warn your son that waterfowl hunting is highly addictive, fun, and a great way to spend time with buddies

danielgage

I have had good results using Remington 870 with modified screw in choke and Winchester Drylok #2 steel shot shells 

asop

Great advice here.  I have 10 bands on thy old duck call lanyard!  Lot of fun.  Don't over call and try to remember not to show your face upward.  They are wily and see that "white" reflection!  Have fun.  Used to use a mod. 12, 3" until the steel shot was law.  Went to a Rem 870 then.