I started off cussing steel. Bought an 835 which patterns a lot better than my old 500, I even ended up going to an X-tra full choke as my all around waterfowling choke. Was still cussing steel though. I think they should change the saying from "water off a duck's back" to "steel bouncing off a duck's chest".
It took a blind of 4 (including one 10ga) all 12 shots to down a goose. Feathers were pummeled off the wing bones and there were few flight feathers left standing but no broken wings. I found one BB under the on side skin.
I got an invite to a private goose blind so I had nothing but 3.5" BBB in when some mallards came in. One shot, downed duck. My new all around load, which is good because it keeps me ready for any geese.
After a couple of weekends in some bad blinds with few/no shots we drew a good blind. I hit one but not good enough, although I did sink the decoy
The next one missed the first shot but the second was good and felt good. Dead duck on the water.
Yesterday we drew the same blind. Divers swam in. One shot downed bird. Divers flew in, one shot dead bird. Geese came in, one shot downed bird. We only had 2 in the blind so it was easier to feel when the shots were good.
I finally got my choke, load and lead figured out and there's only 2 weekends left
Hopefully after duck season is done I'll get some more invites to the goose blind.
I'll probably be back next year.
