Wes Littlefield 01.10.25
I just lately wrote an article about how a lot I just like the pump-action shotgun for waterfowl searching. Whereas I perceive the intercourse attraction of a semi-auto, in my expertise, it’s simply not dependable sufficient for harsh waterfowl searching situations. For this reason I take advantage of a pump-action shotgun for many of my hunts—properly, I used to. I began duck searching this season with an over-under shotgun, and I’ve actually loved it, but it surely’s positively not for everybody.
Advantages of an Over-Below Duck Looking Shotgun
I’ve obtained to be trustworthy: a number of years in the past, when a buddy instructed me he primarily duck hunted with an over-under, I practically laughed in his face. I didn’t perceive the advantages, as I believed upland hunters and rich clay shooters had been the one ones who used this sort of shotgun.
Nevertheless, after my buddy satisfied me to make use of an over-under on a number of hunts, I began to see the advantages. After greater than a season of duck searching with one, I’ve turn into a full believer in all the next upsides:
- Use much less ammo
- It forces you to take higher pictures
- Dependable & sturdy
- It’s a brand new problem
- It’s light-weight
I’m not one to make use of a field of shells each single hunt for a number of causes. First, we simply don’t have as many birds the place I’m from; the flyway tends to separate us, as we’ve much less farmland and habitat for waterfowl than a number of hours straight east or west. The second is that I’ve by no means been the one who needed to shoot (apart from once I noticed a Speck for the primary time). Numerous occasions, I’ve sat within the blind, watching a flock work to perfection, and never shouldered my shotgun. Lastly, now that I primarily use an over-under, I can’t fireplace the identical variety of rounds as others within the blind, so I can’t use as a lot on a hunt. It positive helps with the ammo funds!
Having fewer pictures accessible additionally forces me to take higher pictures. I’m not a Skybuster and am naturally choosy when calling the shot (I would like them in tight), however utilizing an over-under has solely amplified my need to take one of the best pictures. Whereas this typically means I come dwelling with fewer birds, so be it.
I’ve solely had one hunt when my over-under didn’t carry out, and it was my fault (I by chance dunked it whereas organising the decoys in freezing temps). Moreover that single hunt, my over-under has been extremely dependable in harsh situations. I’m additionally powerful on my gear; I may positively take higher care of it in the course of the season, so I would like one thing that’s going to face as much as the abuse, and to this point, the over-under has accomplished simply that. I consider that is because of the fewer shifting elements than a semi-auto or pump-action, however irrespective of how a lot abuse it could take all through duck season, it’s been spectacular.
Perhaps it’s as a result of I’ve duck hunted most of my life, however I’m at all times searching for a brand new problem whereas waterfowl searching, whether or not searching a brand new species or utilizing a brand new methodology, like an over-under. It offers a brand new pleasure and jogs my memory why I began searching within the first place.
Lastly, my over-under reduces the quantity of drugs I’ve to hold to the blind. It’s lighter than practically all semi-autos and lots of pumps I’ve used. I’m an enormous fan of decreasing the overall quantity of weight and kit I’ve to deliver on every hunt.
Whereas I like searching with my over-under, it has downsides, and it’s not for everybody.
Drawbacks of an Over-Below Duck Looking Shotgun
I used to be extremely reluctant to start utilizing an over-under shotgun. I’d fallen for the lure that semi-autos and pump actions had been the one technique to go when buying a brand new shotgun for waterfowl searching due to the next drawbacks:
- Poor alternative for goose searching
- Bringing dwelling fewer birds
- No third shell
One of the crucial vital downsides is that an over-under is a poor alternative for goose searching due to the two-shot restrict. I nonetheless refuse to make use of an over-under if I do know there can be a excessive chance of geese decoying. Geese are powerful birds and sometimes require a follow-up shot, and over-under shotguns are inferior to pumps or semi-autos for follow-up pictures. The conservation snow goose hunt is one other time I refuse to make use of my over-under as a result of I would like as many shells loaded in my gun as potential.
I’ve come to simply accept that I’ll possible deliver dwelling fewer birds until we simply have a ridiculous hunt. It is because I’ve fewer makes an attempt per flock, making it much less possible I’ll shoot as many birds as I might had I introduced a special kind of shotgun.
Without having a 3rd shell saves on ammo, it severely limits your alternatives when large flocks decoy. So long as you’re decoying singles and pairs, you in all probability gained’t miss that third shell a lot, however as quickly as 10+ birds are available directly and also you shortly squeeze off two rounds, you’ll be wishing for that third shell. Many guys will say the third shot is usually a waste anyway, however I’ve had it come in useful on a couple of event.
Parting Photographs
I don’t consider the over-under is the best duck searching shotgun, however I believe extra hunters ought to attempt utilizing it, particularly these struggling to seek out the enjoyment searching as soon as delivered to their lives. There are a number of advantages to utilizing an over-under, and whereas loading solely two shells into your pump or semi-auto can present a few of them, it’s simply not the identical expertise.
Be at liberty to get out to the blind and attempt to show me fallacious!
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