Keep losing ducks

[WSU]

Shoot them in the face.

This sounds smart ass but is spot on. Shoot a tight choke and learn to center them in the pattern

[Bill W]

My guess would be the ones you lost were buffleheads.  Those were the hardest ducks for me to kill outright.  Most had to be swatted.

[Ajj828]

Yes they were I chased a crippled one across the pond in a kayak and wasted 4 shells

[lokidog]

My guess would be the ones you lost were buffleheads.  Those were the hardest ducks for me to kill outright.  Most had to be swatted.

They are tough little buggers.

Yes they were I chased a crippled one across the pond in a kayak and wasted 4 shells

Try that 6 shot, you'll be surprised, unless you are trying to swat at 70 yards....

[JJB11B]

Mallards use to dive to get away from my old dog, couldn't shoot them when they surfaced cuz the dog was way too close

[lokidog]

Mallards use to dive to get away from my old dog, couldn't shoot them when they surfaced cuz the dog was way too close

I depth charged one once. It was about two feet down and heading into the river current.  I think I disoriented her a bit with a shot straight down at her.   

[JJB11B]

Mallards use to dive to get away from my old dog, couldn't shoot them when they surfaced cuz the dog was way too close

I depth charged one once. It was about two feet down and heading into the river current.  I think I disoriented her a bit with a shot straight down at her.   

that had to have made one heck of a splash

[NW-GSP]

Go with a tighter choke that way if you miss it will be a clean miss, when you hit them you will hit them hard

[sakoshooter]

I their head comes up after they hit the water, shoot them till their head is down and they're dead. 6's are good for swatting them. I've got great dogs and they're no guarantee  on a cripple that dives.

[Brad Harshman]

Go with a tighter choke that way if you miss it will be a clean miss, when you hit them you will hit them hard

Do this until you pattern your gun.  And be patient.  Wait for them to get within 30 yds. 

[Henrydog]

All of the above and the fact that no matter what the eviro liberals say.....steel does not kill like lead. 

[addicted2hunting]

Try to focus on the bill of the duck, doing so will cause your mind to do a better lead and not be shooting most of your pattern behind the bird.

And if you have a swimmer when they hit the water I swat them one more time.

[Bill W]

All sorts of suggestions for this guy.  Tighter choke, closer in, aim at the bill....   Kent Fasteel shout pattern pretty tight out of a modified choke.  Most mfgrs say to not use their factory full choke with steel.  He's already using Modified. 

I have a dozen #6 shot that may get tested out tomorrow morning.  Where we will be is mostly puddle ducks and they are easier to kill than divers.   I may be able to pass on the results if we have to swat anything.

[Bullkllr]

We used to use #8 target loads in lead for close range swatters. You can get cheaper steel in 7/7.5 and those work well too. High pellet count for head/neck hits is what you're looking for. Only problem with swatter loads is getting one loaded before the divers dive.

[Ajj828]

All sorts of suggestions for this guy.  Tighter choke, closer in, aim at the bill....   Kent Fasteel shout pattern pretty tight out of a modified choke.  Most mfgrs say to not use their factory full choke with steel.  He's already using Modified. 

I have a dozen #6 shot that may get tested out tomorrow morning.  Where we will be is mostly puddle ducks and they are easier to kill than divers.   I may be able to pass on the results if we have to swat anything.

Let me know how it goes