New to waterfowl.

[champboat]

Hey guys, I am going to start hunting waterfowl this year. I can't wait for Sept. 1! Anyway, what does a beginning waterfowler need to get a good start. I have a mossberg 20ga that will shoot 3" shells or should I go with a 12ga. that'll shoot 3" shells? What choke should I use? I don't have a dog so will a good boat and waders do the trick? Any help would be appreciated.

[Thunderflight]

20 ga will work, but a 12 is much better.

I use a modified choke, but know some folks who prefer full too.

I also use a boat and waders too.

TF

[Darron]

20 ga with hevishot will do fine. If shooting steel I would get a 12ga. Where will you be hunting at?

[DLC]

Best bet would be 12ga with 3" #2 shot for ducks or #4 for teal season, and BB or BBB for geese. If your shooting over decoys; 20-30 yrds go with improved cylinder for your choke. If your shooting 30-40 yrds go with modified choke. It's best to pattern your gun with the shells you'll be shooting with different chokes and various yardage to see exaclty what your gun patterns best at. Don't shoot at ducks or geese past 40 yrds, you'll only end up crippling them and educating them more than anything. Let them work the decoys and put their feet in your face. Wear a face mask and most of all have fun enjoying all that God created.

[The_Duck_Hunter]

I first hunted Ducks with a single shot 20 ga. That was back before nontoxic shot was required so it did the job just fine when I managed to be on target.
Now, I use a pump 12 ga. Winchester. I always use 3", and I agree with the #2 for ducks. I am gonna make the sacrifice this year and do without an extra beer or 2 so I can give the new heavier nontoxic shot that has become available.
I use improved cylinder as most of my hunting is over a handful of deac's down the canal or sneaking up on them on creeks and rivers. When I do hunt the big water I still use the improved cylinder and decoy. No your choke..........no your gun.........and dont expect it to do more than it was designed for. I see a lot of wounded ducks and geese make it back to our fish hatchery or the goose preserve where they die slow because they cant be dispatched
Good Luck!

[Darron]

The_duck_hunter, you hunt around St. Mary's? Just a wild guess. Yes #2's in steel is great for ducks and geese if the geese are decoying, but an all around goose load is BB. If you're going to shoot hevishot(pricey but kills dead) I would load up with 4's and have at both ducks and geese. I have used 23/4" #4's in HS out of my M-1 Benelli now for two years and it is a goose and ducks nighmare out to 50 yards. IMO, when hunting with HS there is no need for 3" or 3.5" shells. 2-3/4" will kill them just as dead.

[The_Duck_Hunter]

Yes Darron I do hunt St. Marys..........good guess.
And by the way folks I do know how to spell know...........I just reread my post and did a double take on my syntax. Geesh it dont pay to get in a hurry.

[Darron]

I don't hunt St. Mary's too much, only during the teal season. The lakes I hunt include Ceasars Creek, CJ Brown, ad Rocky Fork from time to time. I hunt a lot of private fields here around the Dayton area. I would much rather shoot birds in the corn than over water, but sometimes the water is the place to be, so you have to be versatile. Have a 16' polarkraft jon and blind, will travel.