What is the Best Shot Size for Waterfowl Hunting?

My waterfowl looking buddies typically argued about the most effective shot measurement for waterfowl. All of us had our favorites, and naturally, there was at all times that one man who used T-shot and mentioned greater was higher. Whereas greater is healthier in some situations, it’s one of many worst selections in others. As you proceed studying, you’ll uncover what I’ve discovered to be the most effective shot sizes for the kind of waterfowl looking you’re doing.

If I had to decide on a single finest shot measurement for waterfowl, it will be #2s, merely for the flexibility you get whereas taking pictures them. That is typically an enormous argument as a result of waterfowl are available numerous sizes. Geese, geese, cranes, and swans all fluctuate in measurement, which means a special measurement of shot works higher for every. For this reason I’ve sectioned the article between the sorts of waterfowl, beginning with geese.

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Greatest Shot Measurement for Duck Searching

Geese even are available numerous sizes. Teal and divers are comparable in measurement, however I’ve discovered divers to be more durable and require a bigger shot measurement than teal. Whereas dabblers are usually about the identical measurement (Mallards, Pintails, Gadwalls, and Widgeon), I typically use the identical measurement shot when concentrating on these species.

Teal Searching

I’ve a love/hate relationship with teal looking. It may be quick and livid, proper at taking pictures mild, however you’re additionally swatting mosquitoes which might be the scale of teal and sweating your butt off as a result of it’s early season. 

I want to make use of #4s, and even #6s when teal looking. Utilizing a smaller pellet measurement will increase my possibilities of hitting a hen going Mach 1 throughout the unfold with out sacrificing stopping energy for these thin-skinned waterfowl. 

Dabbler Searching

Dabbler geese are a bit bigger, so I like to make use of #4s or #2s. These shot sizes are available in tungsten or metal and may harvest dabbler geese out to 40 to 50 yards. 

I’ve used BB to reap dabblers, however I’ve discovered the bigger shot measurement damages an excessive amount of meat, which is why #2s are as huge as I like to make use of.

Diver Searching

My experience just isn’t in looking diver geese. My buddies and I’ve had a couple of hunts during which they got here in whereas we had been concentrating on dabblers, and to our astonishment, our #4s and #2s didn’t instantly drop them. 

Divers are more durable than dabblers, and although they’re smaller, I want to make use of BB when diver looking. These small waterfowl are as quick as a jet however as powerful as a tank, so ideally, a mixture of BB and #2s can be excellent, however I need the additional knockdown energy that BB provides.

Greatest Shot Measurement for Goose Searching

Geese additionally are available numerous sizes. I’ve shot some that had been as small as mallards and others the scale of a Boeing 747 (they regarded that huge cupped over the decoys). This implies there isn’t a excellent shot measurement for geese; nevertheless, my go-to is BB. 

I’ve harvested geese with #2s, nevertheless it often means extra cripples than I want, whereas BB can punch by way of the thick down, fats, and muscle to shortly cease an enormous or small goose in its tracks.

When concentrating on snow geese, #2s are loads huge as a result of snows aren’t huge and aren’t as powerful as Canada geese. 

Greatest Shot Measurement for Crane Searching

I didn’t know there have been better and lesser Sandhill Cranes till a number of years in the past once I hunted with Redeye Outfitters in Lubbock, TX. The guides beneficial we use T-shot no matter whether or not it was Greaters or Lessers coming in. I believed it was a bit extreme till the primary flock decoyed, and I noticed firsthand simply how powerful these birds are. 

I wouldn’t hunt with something smaller than BB for Sandhill Cranes, and even BB doesn’t at all times instantly cease them, so loading up on some T isn’t a nasty thought.

Greatest Shot Measurement for Swan Searching

Swans are large birds, which implies an enormous shot measurement is finest. If I ever get the possibility to hunt a swan, I’m shopping for BB, BBB, or T. Swans have additionally been shot with #1, however most guides will suggest nothing smaller than BB. 

Parting Pictures

You now perceive why narrowing down the most effective shot measurement for waterfowl looking is sort of unattainable. There are just too many variables that issue into selecting the right shot measurement. 

I imagine #2s are the most effective all-around shot measurement for waterfowl looking as a result of they will deal with the widest number of species and are available. Let me know your favourite waterfowl shot measurement within the feedback. 

Wes Littlefield

Wes is an avid outdoorsman from Oklahoma at all times on the hunt for the following journey. When he is not writing, he is most likely in his kayak reeling in a fish or attempting to trick waterfowl into trying out his unfold.