What is the Best Shot Size for Waterfowl Hunting?

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

If I had to decide on a single greatest shot dimension 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 differ in dimension, that means a unique dimension of shot works higher for every. This is the reason I’ve sectioned the article between the sorts of waterfowl, beginning with geese.

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Finest Shot Measurement for Duck Searching

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

Teal Searching

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

I favor to make use of #4s, and even #6s when teal looking. Utilizing a smaller pellet dimension will increase my probabilities of hitting a fowl 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 might harvest dabbler geese out to 40 to 50 yards. 

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

Diver Searching

My experience is just not in looking diver geese. My buddies and I’ve had just a few hunts through which they got here in whereas we have been focusing on dabblers, and to our astonishment, our #4s and #2s didn’t instantly drop them. 

Divers are more durable than dabblers, and despite the fact that they’re smaller, I favor to make use of BB when diver looking. These small waterfowl are as quick as a jet however as robust as a tank, so ideally, a mixture of BB and #2s can be excellent, however I would like the additional knockdown energy that BB offers.

Finest Shot Measurement for Goose Searching

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

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

When focusing on snow geese, #2s are loads large as a result of snows aren’t large and usually are not as robust as Canada geese. 

Finest Shot Measurement for Crane Searching

I didn’t know there have been larger and lesser Sandhill Cranes till a number of years in the past after I hunted with Redeye Outfitters in Lubbock, TX. The guides really helpful we use T-shot no matter whether or not it was Greaters or Lessers coming in. I assumed it was a bit extreme till the primary flock decoyed, and I noticed firsthand simply how robust 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 foul concept.

Finest Shot Measurement for Swan Searching

Swans are big birds, which suggests an enormous shot dimension is greatest. 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 advocate nothing smaller than BB. 

Parting Pictures

You now perceive why narrowing down one of the best shot dimension for waterfowl looking is almost inconceivable. There are just too many variables that issue into selecting the proper shot dimension. 

I consider #2s are one of the best all-around shot dimension for waterfowl looking as a result of they’ll deal with the widest number of species and are available. Let me know your favourite waterfowl shot dimension within the feedback. 

Wes Littlefield

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