South Dakota Snows

[ASHQUACK]

A group of 6 of us are going to SODAK in April for a conservation snow goose shoot. I'm looking for recommendations on shot size for shells. 2's 1's or BB's. I figure 3" should be fine and also looming for a decent sale on them. Since I'll be buying a fairly large (for me) mount of shells.

[metlhead]

Is it a guided hunt? If so, contact the guide and ask realistic average range of shots. If they are feet down, duck loads work fine. Many of the videos I've watched look like panic shooting into flocks that are very high up. That would require skybuster loads which steel doesn't do well, regardless of shot size.

[C-Money]

I like 1s and BBs in a 1 1/4 or 1 3/8oz 3" load. 2s are probably just as good for snows. I've always been fond of Remington ammo, but we've been using Heavishot steel in 1s and they have been great this season.

[WSU]

Rogers has cases on sale now.

[wadu1]

I would breakout your SP10 and load up some #2 Bismuth. 

[ASHQUACK]

I would breakout your SP10 and load up some #2 Bismuth. 

That has crossed my mind. I have a couple cases of hevi-metal 2 and bb loads.

[follow maggie]

Look at their website or call them & find out if you have to draw a license. I don’t know about the spring snow goose, but in fall the waterfowl licenses are through a lottery drawing.

[shootem]

How about the best choke? Is it closer shooting distance where a modified choke works or do you need an aftermarket tighter choke?

[ASHQUACK]

How about the best choke? Is it closer shooting distance where a modified choke works or do you need an aftermarket tighter choke?

I have hevi-shot choke tubes in extended range and medium range. I'll take them both  just in case.
I ordered 6 cases of Federal snow goose #2's. According to the website we should be fine.

[ducks4days]

Ive done the North Dakota light goose conservation hunt a few times. BIG spreads and unpredictable shooting directions. Timing the migration is always a gamble, hopefully your hunt dates pay off!  I had the best luck running cheaper 3.5" BB loads, I think Federal.

[ASHQUACK]

Thanks Ducks.
I ordered 3" 2's...hopefully they work, well.

[ducks4days]

Thanks Ducks.
I ordered 3" 2's...hopefully they work, well.

They should work fine, Rio 3" #2 is what I (used to) prefer for for snow geese when I still targeted them on the wet side. The real trick is keeping your cool and picking out birds in big flocks. Good luck, bring plenty of coolers, and be thinking of pepperoni recipes on the drive out.

[ASHQUACK]

Thanks Ducks.
I ordered 3" 2's...hopefully they work, well.

They should work fine, Rio 3" #2 is what I (used to) prefer for for snow geese when I still targeted them on the wet side. The real trick is keeping your cool and picking out birds in big flocks. Good luck, bring plenty of coolers, and be thinking of pepperoni recipes on the drive out.

I got a deal from federal on their snow goose loads. I plan on taking them all to uncle Jim's smokehouse in Adna to be made into beer stix.

[Crunchy]

I did a ton of goose hunting in N Dakota and usually used bb. 

[KodiakMike]

I've had a chance to hunt spring snows in Arkansas, Iowa and South Dakota every year the past 10.  In my opinion, all of the shot suggestions so far will get you in the ballpark.  I started bringing a few boxes of 3.5 inch BBBs for those days the geese just keep getting hung up at 60-70 yards and guide starts yelling "kill 'em boys". The flip side is you hate to waste that shell on Ross goose the size of a mallard with wings cupped at 20 yards.   A couple other things to consider is how much things change with the weather, particularly in South Dakota.  One year I went in spring conditions with birds dumping in close all day.  The same dates the following year the weather was bone-chilling frigid and the sky's were nearly empty.  I would wait as long as possible to nail down SD dates or make sure your operator has the flexibility to react to wildly different conditions.  My final comment is that it sure is fun to have a full barrel magazine extender for those days the geese are landing in the decoys. When whole flocks drop in close, a 3-shot magazine gets empty pretty quick.  It's a blast to reach way out and drop one last bird climbing for the sky with your 8th shot.

[ASHQUACK]

Unfortunately we were very limited with the dates we got to choose from. We are hunting with NEU outdoors and they book up very fast. I agree with the want for more shots with birds landing in the decoys, unfortunately again I am hunting with a maxus and I can't modify the magazine to add more shells. I can pull the plug but it only adds a fourth shell. I'm thinking/hoping that I can be selective on my shots. There are 6 of us going and i believe that we are all first timers. Snow goose virgins so to speak.

[HaydenHunter]

I realize your trip has come and gone and I hope it went well.  This was our third yearly trip to SD for the conservation hunt, freelancing.  This year I bought some Kent 3" shells that have a mix of BBs and 2s.  The 2s are loaded first, then the BBs (the two shot sizes are not mixed) so that the BBs come out first, followed by the 2s.  The patterns are tight because the 2s draft behind the BBs on the way out.  I like the concept of putting out more pellets than just a straight BB shell.  They worked very well on both full-sized snows and Rossies.  We shot a lot of Rossies this year.  I would say our max shots are 40 yards, with many closer.  No 70 yard spray and prays. 

I also bought a case of Kent 2s / 4s mixed in the same way.  Can't wait to use them next year on ducks and honkers.  I shoot many honkers with 2s because I am loaded for ducks (I don't like fumbling with / switching out shells when birds are heading in) and because we mostly shoot honkers back-winging into the spread as opposed to lower percentage pass shots.