Shotgun Choice for Migratory Birds

[E.T.]

My Rem. 870-3” Magnum actually is used for turkeys and migratory birds with a separate barrel for each function. For the migratory bird barrel I have a Pattern Master Choke installed. This choke tube actually has 4 small cleats inside the tube to slow down the wad once it reaches this point causing faster separation from shot and producing more uniform patterns.

Just thought I’d share one of those memorable moments of an outing with some friends and bird hunting buddy (Shadow) that was instrumental in retrieving the ducks from a pond situated in a shallow wooded gulley between 2 corn fields. Many a morning was spent hiking 3/8 of a mile along muddy fields and through wooded sections along a stream in the dark to get situated for a morning shoot. This location also has produced a lot of Wood Ducks but today was devoted to drake mallards and later on a black duck as well. At one time chest waders had to be dragged along but a good dog eliminated this chore.



Second picture is of a cleaner dog that enjoys a romp in water on a hot summer day. Thought it was only fair to show his cleaner and playful side.



Ed T

[Rifleman]

Nice golden

[E.T.]

Rifleman

Shadow is often considered a golden but actually is a Male, Yellow Lab and White Shepard mix with webbed feet. But what really counts is he has the heart of hunter who does his part without commands. Only requires a command on a blind retrieve. It will be a sad day when he is gone and bird hunting will never be the same.

Ed T

[Rifleman]

That is pretty cool, hard to find good mixed dogs for hunting, but sounds like you have dandy.

[Redclub]

Sure looks like a swamp collie to me ;D ;D
I know what you mean by having a good dog. I have 7 labs living in the house with me. Including "Checkers" the DU midwest dog of the year in 2001.
AS far as shotguns for ducks are concerned their is only one and that is a win. model 12 Oh I know a lot of others do the job, maybe better But sometimes things are just right. Win.model 70 (never owned one) Fine english doubles, Great dogs,quarter horses, Colt peacemaker.
RedClub

[RAF]

That brings back memories. Been a long time since I went for migratory game birds. Duck and geese. When younger me and my friends were out every weekend. I used a Remington 870 Wingmaster and still own it. Took my dad out goose shooting once. He never did it before and fared pretty well but missed more that he hit. Different story for him if you put a center fire rifle in his hands and a deer or moose in front. Never missed. Thought I'd throw in a picture of results of our goose. Had to do a lot of cleaning after that.

[Redclub]

Man that is quite a pile
Ken

[E.T.]

RAF

Looks like you had a great day of goose hunting. Glad you did.
Yeah the cleaning chore always takes its toll in numerous ways. For me there was always additional time to save the giblets for my dog. For my partner a toll count of 8 beers was tallied when we did 18 geese one time from a party hunt harvest. ;D
For some reason he got quicker at cleaning as the beer count increased. Have never figured out that equation.

Ed T

[Predator II]

I have a 3.5 inch Browning Gold that I use for goose hunting and 3 inch 20 ga. Gold that I use for duck hunting. Both are very effective. I use Hevi-shot #2s for geese and steel for the ducks, #2 and 4.