Duck Ammo and Goose Ammo

[300winmag]

What type of ammo,what type of Oz.shot size and what type of shot size would you guys recommend using for both Goose and Duck Hunting? Also what type of Goose and Duck call would you recommend for no more than 60 dollars?

[vandeman17]

I shoot 3" #4 for ducks and 3" bb for geese. I used to shoot the heavy metal which is spendy and also 3 1/2" which beat me up and found that I kill the same amount of birds shooting plain old Kent Steel.

Call I would recommend the Primos wench. It is an easy call and not pricey. As for geese, I am not a very good caller yet so can't help you much there.

[Huskerwannabe]

I have personally found that if I am in close quarters like a back water area or a small pond I will shoot 4 shot. If geese begin to fly in unexpectedly I will switch to BB. If I'm shooting over open water where I can a bit of a long shot I will switch to 2 shot and use that for both geese and duck. The smaller the bird like teal or bufflehead I will try and used 4 shot. Typically I shoot 3 inch shells for everything. More shot to spread. 

[mburrows]

Duck sort of depends but 90% of the time i shoot 3inch 3's. Early season if i know teal will be the primary target ill go a fast shell with some 6 shot.  For goose its always 3 1/2 BB.

Im not too loyal to a brand when it comes to shells.

[constructeur]

I'm a fan of Kent steel in the same sizes as Vandeman. With your location I'd focus on goose I.D. more than anything, the ODFW videos are much better help than anything from WDFW.

I can't suggest any cheap calls, but I will say don't overlook a wigeon whistle. If all I had was a few bucks I'd rather have that than a cheap mallard call.

...on that note check other forums for used calls( they just rarely pop up here is all). Listen to sound clips on youtube or whatevs and find an older used Bill Saunders something or other. They're often 1/3-1/2 price and completely serviceable.

Migratory birds + beers and oyster sliders afterwords, sign me the hell up 

[h2ofowlr]

If you don't want to change out loads just shoot BB's or 1's on everything.  For years I just shot BB's for everything and they worked fine.  Harvested many birds, leads didn't change and everything stayed constant.  Those that shoot various loads all the time will have varying results.  If your just shooting Ducks #2 is a good option as easier to locate than 4's.  No broken or cracked teeth.

[Netminder01]

I shoot 3 1/2 for everything unless I move to upland.

I keep BBB for honkers and usually 4's for ducks unless I'm missing a lot then it's the loads fault and I use BBB for everything. 

[h2ofowlr]

Patterning the ammo you purchase is another crucial piece of the puzzle.  Various guns and chokes have different restrictions and pattern densities will change.  #1, #2, #3 could be an ideal load based on choke and restriction.  Changing the cant on the stock and aim point can help determine patter above plane.  80/20, 70/30 etc.

[wadu1]

I like Kent Fast Steel the best. I found using Federal (standard velocity cheaper stuff)  #4's on decoying and mid range shots works well for me. For geese I use BB in 3 or 3 1/2 but mostly 3". I will use Blind Side when I can get it cheap < $20 a box, and no Black Cloud I've seen to many issues with it, even wads staying in the barrel.  As noted by others check your guns pattern it helps as for calls a widgeon whistle is good for most ducks. Goose flute get a cheap one with a CD and practice with the CD. 

[300winmag]

ok so what does everyone use for a choke tube

[270Shooter]

I like federal or kent 3 inch 2's at 1550 fps with a modified choke out of my benelli m2

[mburrows]

Modified for me.  For duck calls i have used ones that cost $100+ and ones that ive paid $15 for and honestly they both work just fine. Just gotta find the one you like in the style you like whether it be single or double reed.


I garbage behind a goose call so ill blow a flute from time to time but best case scenario i dont have to touch the thing.

[AWS]

It doesn't take a lot to kill ducks and geese if you let them get in close.  I load 7/8 oz of ITX 6's for my old 12ga guns and have great results on ducks and geese.  7/8 oz of steel 4's in my 20ga works well also.

My duck loads in shortened Rio hulls.


Proof is in the pictures.

[syoungs]

Yeah, getting em in close is crucial, I see so many people trying to lob 3.5" bbs at ducks 80-90 yds out, then blaming the choke cause they aren't dropping.
I shoot 3" 2s fir everything after the northern start showing up, 4s if I'm shooting alot of widget or teal.

[BigGoonTuna]

i shoot mostly #2s out of an I/C for ducks.  carry a few BB shells in case a passing goose flies by.

if i'm actually after geese i bring the 10 gauge with BB or BBB shot.