Duck hunting shotgun question...

[roverandbrew]

Maybe you need a better place to hunt? Effective range doesn’t change just because it’s late season and birds are more difficult to decoy. With good shells you can kill birds efficiently out to 40 yards and beyond, not only in 12 gauge but 20 guage. I typically limit 28 gauge shots to 35 yards or less and birds die just as dead as when shot with a 12.

I will stand by what I said about for the average person using 2 3/4" shells on late season geese. While good shells help, I personally would recommend a client to not use 20 or 28 gauge unless we are bringing them in low over a lay out or pit. I have seen way too many birds absorb shot and keep flying.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

You have really good answers in this thread. The gun camo or wood or synthetic black won't matter. The minute you move any of them (or yourself) assume the ducks see it.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Most of the Left Handed shotguns off the shelf I saw have been Camo; including Beretta, Benelli, Winchester, Browning. Not to say you won’t find a Left Handed black Beretta A400 Extreme Plus or can’t order it.

To each their own…

 

[Altitude sickness]

Rover, I think a great shot using a 20 or 28 that limits shots to close head shots only will be ok. And pass on those exiting, going away tail shots.

Also there can be wounded birds that either dive or run. If everyone is carrying a 28gauge who is shooting those wounded birds at longer range?

Birds with the wings folded while swimming or running have a lot more armor than when the wings are extended.

How many would be using a 28 Ga without a 12 Ga backing them for the cripples? Dogs can get dangerously exhausted swimming bigger water for wounded diving birds.