Gettin started

[soccerftw123]

I've always hunted big game but this year I was to get into duck hunting, I dont have a shot gun I can put steel through, what are every ones thoughts on the Beneli Nova? and are there any other essential pieces of gear I should look into? thanks for reading.

[Bigluke1981]

I have had a nova for years and have pit many cases of shells through it and it has never let me down.

[lokidog]

I've got a nova as well.  A few things, the trigger on mine started sticking after the first shot (about ten years of use), a little sanding fixed it.  But even more, if you go 3 1/2" chamber, realize it is a very long stroke to cycle a round (wish I had saved a little more for a semi-auto).  Also, mine (and others I have read) is quite rattley.  Not an issue in a duck blind/boat but I use mine for turkey as well.  I am sure the turkeys can't hear it, but it bugged me enough to put moleskin on the inside of the slide to help quiet it.

Good luck with your waterfowling.

[Duckslayer0513]

I've always liked a good old fashioned 870! My dad has had his for 15+ years and still works awesome. I just got a 870 12 Guage a couple years ago. I have no complaints, can shoot up to 3 1/2, it's camo and have had no problems with jams. The only downside is it is a pump shotgun if you are looking for a semi

[syoungs]

I've always hunted big game but this year I was to get into duck hunting, I dont have a shot gun I can put steel through, what are every ones thoughts on the Beneli Nova? and are there any other essential pieces of gear I should look into? thanks for reading.

don't skimp on waders, wader liners, and other cold weather gear, can make a day miserable, or enjoyable, and isn't a huge outlay of cash to set yourself up good.
A decent blind bag is very helpful. dont buy to big, as youll fill it with crap you dont need and have to lug it everywhere, but buy big enough to fit what you need.
face mask or makeup, firm believer in it.
twine, a knife and a small saw for brush and twigs, makes blind building fun, instead of frustrating.

im sure I could think of more, but these are my basics some people dont think about!

[EWUeagles]

I've always hunted big game but this year I was to get into duck hunting, I dont have a shot gun I can put steel through, what are every ones thoughts on the Beneli Nova? and are there any other essential pieces of gear I should look into? thanks for reading.

don't skimp on waders, wader liners, and other cold weather gear, can make a day miserable, or enjoyable, and isn't a huge outlay of cash to set yourself up good.
A decent blind bag is very helpful. dont buy to big, as youll fill it with crap you dont need and have to lug it everywhere, but buy big enough to fit what you need.
face mask or makeup, firm believer in it.
twine, a knife and a small saw for brush and twigs, makes blind building fun, instead of frustrating.

im sure I could think of more, but these are my basics some people dont think about!

This is some good advice. Spend your money on some decent waders and cold weather gear (You probably have enough cold weather stuff though). Don't worry about a blind bag, a back pack works just a good. Where your money will end up going is in scouting. That's the biggest part of waterfowling. Most guys think hey I can grab a dozen decoys and find some water and shoot duck but that isn't the case. Also make sure you can identify birds in flight and also be courteous to other hunters around you. Since you haven't duck hunted before make sure you know what a 40 yard shot actually looks like. Most guys think they are shooting at 40 when really it's closer to 80 or 90. Last thing make sure you have a plan to retrieve every duck you shoot. That means having access to a boat, pond shallow enough to wade in, a dog or even sometimes a fishing pole works. Have fun and be safe duck hunting is a blast!

[JJD]

I've always hunted big game but this year I was to get into duck hunting, I dont have a shot gun I can put steel through, what are every ones thoughts on the Beneli Nova? and are there any other essential pieces of gear I should look into? thanks for reading.

don't skimp on waders, wader liners, and other cold weather gear, can make a day miserable, or enjoyable, and isn't a huge outlay of cash to set yourself up good.
A decent blind bag is very helpful. dont buy to big, as youll fill it with crap you dont need and have to lug it everywhere, but buy big enough to fit what you need.
face mask or makeup, firm believer in it.
twine, a knife and a small saw for brush and twigs, makes blind building fun, instead of frustrating.

im sure I could think of more, but these are my basics some people dont think about!

Nova; is a good machine, not that I would recommend it's abuse, but know of some that rarely get any maintainence and continue to function well.

[vandeman17]

I've got a nova as well.  A few things, the trigger on mine started sticking after the first shot (about ten years of use), a little sanding fixed it.  But even more, if you go 3 1/2" chamber, realize it is a very long stroke to cycle a round (wish I had saved a little more for a semi-auto).  Also, mine (and others I have read) is quite rattley.  Not an issue in a duck blind/boat but I use mine for turkey as well.  I am sure the turkeys can't hear it, but it bugged me enough to put moleskin on the inside of the slide to help quiet it.

Good luck with your waterfowling.

Spot on. I have used a Nova for years and completely agree with this review. I have an issue sometimes short pulling on steep overhead shots so it doesn't cycle the next shell. I will eventually upgrade to a nice autoloader but the Nova does the trick and kills birds.

[NW-GSP]

I have a nova and have put around 15,000 shells through it and have only had to replace the hammer spring due to me leaving it cocked while stored.

Buy good cold weather and rain proof gear just like others have recommended.
Be respectful to other hunters by not crowding the area they are hunting or by calling non stop all day.

[huntingfool7]

I've always hunted big game but this year I was to get into duck hunting, I dont have a shot gun I can put steel through, what are every ones thoughts on the Beneli Nova? and are there any other essential pieces of gear I should look into? thanks for reading.

don't skimp on waders, wader liners, and other cold weather gear, can make a day miserable, or enjoyable, and isn't a huge outlay of cash to set yourself up good.
A decent blind bag is very helpful. dont buy to big, as youll fill it with crap you dont need and have to lug it everywhere, but buy big enough to fit what you need.
face mask or makeup, firm believer in it.
twine, a knife and a small saw for brush and twigs, makes blind building fun, instead of frustrating.

im sure I could think of more, but these are my basics some people dont think about!

  A warm, WATERPROOF coat! 

[Johnb317]

Warm, water proof coat!
Good warm shooting gloves.
If going pump, don't overlook 870 Wingmaster. 

[mburrows]

Another bump for the nova, had the same one for 13 seasons now.

[AWS]

Pick up and mount a few different guns.  My BinL brought a Nova on one of our trips, it felt like I was trying to shoulder a 2x4, he ended up borrowing an 870 from me to finish the hunt as it didn't fit him in the field either.  He could kill clays with it but it just didn't work on real birds for him.

Don't overlook a Stoeger 3000 (inertia gun) or Weatherbey SA-08 (gas gun), both are close to the price of a Nova. Browning BPS and 870's are very nice also.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I would recommend the supernova if you ever plan on shooting 3 1/2 inch shells.  The recoil suppression is worth the extra $50.  Otherwise I think it's a great waterfowl gun.  I'm also partial to the Rem 870.  You can't go wrong with either in my opinion. 

[NW-GSP]

I would recommend the supernova if you ever plan on shooting 3 1/2 inch shells.  The recoil suppression is worth the extra $50.  Otherwise I think it's a great waterfowl gun.  I'm also partial to the Rem 870.  You can't go wrong with either in my opinion.

The new 870's rust really easy

[gaddy]

When you look for a shotgun, make sure it fits. I went out and bought a Nova that felt really good, and it is a good gun. The problem is that when i have on all my gear, waders. coats etc.. the trigger length is an inch to long and throws off my aim a bit. Lay-ed it out next to my old shot gun, sure enough 1" to long. I guess what i am saying is that what ever your choice is, make sure it fits you. The best gun in the world is worthless if it doesn't fit you and you cant you use it effectively.

[vandeman17]

All this shotgun talk makes me want to upgrade my shotgun.  Like others have said, don't just buy a gun that you have never held or hopefully shot. Everyone is different and guns fit us all differently. Bad habits and frustration can follow a purchase of a gun that doesn't fit you

[Jekemi]

Benelli Nova is a great gun, reliable and easy to shoot. There is a lot of discussion regarding 3" and 3 1/2" shells for waterfowl. I have a surgically repaired shoulder so 3" shells is probably the maximum for me. I have found that 3" is more than sufficient for ducks and geese. I like steel shot OK but if I am feeling extravagant I buy HeviShot. All the advantages of steel but dense as lead. Expensive though. All the other guys are right, spend your extra gun money on waders, good waterproof clothing, etc. A dog is nice but you can spend a ton of money buying and training a dog and it takes a lot of time. Find someone to go with that knows what they are doing and leverage their dog if they have one. Another nice amenity is a wide flat plastic duck boat. You can put it in your truck, launch it easily, carry your decoys, attach a Minnkota electric trolling motor and deep cell battery. Some come already camo painted but you can add all kinds to make the boat invisible. A duck boat allows you to get places that you can't walk to easily wade to. You can lie down in the boat, call the birds in, and then pop up to take them. If a couple fall you simply use the trolling motor to go pick them up. There are used ones out there. Buy a decent duck call and learn to use it. YouTube video's are great but the best way is to find a fellow duck hunter that has been calling ducks for years and have him teach you.