Wes Littlefield 01.10.25
I not too long ago wrote an article about how a lot I just like the pump-action shotgun for waterfowl looking. Whereas I perceive the intercourse enchantment of a semi-auto, in my expertise, it’s simply not dependable sufficient for harsh waterfowl looking circumstances. That is why I take advantage of a pump-action shotgun for many of my hunts—nicely, I used to. I began duck looking this season with an over-under shotgun, and I’ve actually loved it, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly not for everybody.
Advantages of an Over-Beneath Duck Looking Shotgun
I’ve acquired 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 any such shotgun.
Nonetheless, after my buddy satisfied me to make use of an over-under on just a few hunts, I began to see the advantages. After greater than a season of duck looking with one, I’ve turn out to be 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 just a few causes. First, we simply don’t have as many birds the place I’m from; the flyway tends to separate us, as now we have much less farmland and habitat for waterfowl than just a few hours straight east or west. The second is that I’ve by no means been the one who needed to shoot (aside from after 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 hearth 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 out there 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 the most effective pictures. Whereas this usually 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 accident dunked it whereas establishing the decoys in freezing temps). Moreover that single hunt, my over-under has been extremely dependable in harsh circumstances. I’m additionally powerful on my gear; I might undoubtedly take higher care of it through the season, so I want one thing that’s going to face as much as the abuse, and to date, the over-under has executed simply that. I consider that is as a result of fewer shifting elements than a semi-auto or pump-action, however regardless of how a lot abuse it might 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 all the time on the lookout for a brand new problem whereas waterfowl looking, whether or not looking a brand new species or utilizing a brand new technique, like an over-under. It offers a brand new pleasure and jogs my memory why I began looking within the first place.
Lastly, my over-under reduces the quantity of substances I’ve to hold to the blind. It’s lighter than practically all semi-autos and plenty of pumps I’ve used. I’m a giant fan of decreasing the overall quantity of weight and equipment I’ve to deliver on every hunt.
Whereas I like looking with my over-under, it has downsides, and it’s not for everybody.
Drawbacks of an Over-Beneath Duck Looking Shotgun
I used to be extremely reluctant to start utilizing an over-under shotgun. I’d fallen for the entice that semi-autos and pump actions had been the one option to go when buying a brand new shotgun for waterfowl looking due to the next drawbacks:
- Poor alternative for goose looking
- Bringing dwelling fewer birds
- No third shell
One of the crucial vital downsides is that an over-under is a poor alternative for goose looking due to the two-shot restrict. I nonetheless refuse to make use of an over-under if I do know there will probably be a excessive chance of geese decoying. Geese are powerful birds and infrequently 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 doable.
I’ve come to just accept that I’ll probably 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 probably I’ll shoot as many birds as I’d had I introduced a special sort of shotgun.
Without having a 3rd shell saves on ammo, it severely limits your alternatives when huge flocks decoy. So long as you might be decoying singles and pairs, you in all probability gained’t miss that third shell a lot, however as quickly as 10+ birds are available without delay and also you rapidly squeeze off two rounds, you’ll be wishing for that third shell. Many guys will say the third shot is often a waste anyway, however I’ve had it turn out to be useful on multiple event.
Parting Photographs
I don’t consider the over-under is the best duck looking shotgun, however I believe extra hunters ought to attempt utilizing it, particularly these struggling to seek out the enjoyment looking as soon as dropped at 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 mistaken!
