Wes Littlefield 01.10.25
I just lately wrote an article about how a lot I just like the pump-action shotgun for waterfowl searching. Whereas I perceive the intercourse attraction of a semi-auto, in my expertise, it’s simply not dependable sufficient for harsh waterfowl searching circumstances. Because of this I take advantage of a pump-action shotgun for many of my hunts—properly, I used to. I began duck searching this season with an over-under shotgun, and I’ve actually loved it, nevertheless it’s positively not for everybody.
Advantages of an Over-Underneath Duck Looking Shotgun
I’ve bought to be trustworthy: a number of years in the past, when a buddy informed me he primarily duck hunted with an over-under, I practically laughed in his face. I didn’t perceive the advantages, as I assumed upland hunters and rich clay shooters have been the one ones who used any such shotgun.
Nonetheless, after my buddy satisfied me to make use of an over-under on a couple of hunts, I began to see the advantages. After greater than a season of duck searching with one, I’ve grow to be a full believer in all the next upsides:
- Use much less ammo
- It forces you to take higher photographs
- 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 a couple of causes. First, we simply don’t have as many birds the place I’m from; the flyway tends to separate us, as we’ve got much less farmland and habitat for waterfowl than a couple of hours straight east or west. The second is that I’ve by no means been the one who needed to shoot (apart 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 price range!
Having fewer photographs obtainable additionally forces me to take higher photographs. I’m not a Skybuster and am naturally choosy when calling the shot (I need them in tight), however utilizing an over-under has solely amplified my want to take the very best photographs. Whereas this typically means I come house 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 chance dunked it whereas establishing the decoys in freezing temps). Apart from that single hunt, my over-under has been extremely dependable in harsh circumstances. I’m additionally robust on my gear; I may positively 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 this point, the over-under has finished simply that. I imagine that is because of the fewer transferring elements than a semi-auto or pump-action, however irrespective of how a lot abuse it could actually 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 searching for a brand new problem whereas waterfowl searching, whether or not searching a brand new species or utilizing a brand new methodology, like an over-under. It supplies a brand new pleasure and jogs my memory why I began searching within the first place.
Lastly, my over-under reduces the quantity of drugs I’ve to hold to the blind. It’s lighter than practically all semi-autos and lots of pumps I’ve used. I’m an enormous fan of lowering the full quantity of weight and kit I’ve to deliver on every hunt.
Whereas I really like searching with my over-under, it has downsides, and it’s not for everybody.
Drawbacks of an Over-Underneath Duck Looking Shotgun
I used to be extremely reluctant to start utilizing an over-under shotgun. I’d fallen for the lure that semi-autos and pump actions have been the one solution to go when buying a brand new shotgun for waterfowl searching due to the next drawbacks:
- Poor selection for goose searching
- Bringing house fewer birds
- No third shell
One of the vital downsides is that an over-under is a poor selection for goose searching due to the two-shot restrict. I nonetheless refuse to make use of an over-under if I do know there shall be a excessive likelihood of geese decoying. Geese are robust birds and sometimes require a follow-up shot, and over-under shotguns are not so good as pumps or semi-autos for follow-up photographs. The conservation snow goose hunt is one other time I refuse to make use of my over-under as a result of I need as many shells loaded in my gun as attainable.
I’ve come to simply accept that I’ll probably deliver house fewer birds until we simply have a ridiculous hunt. It’s because I’ve fewer makes an attempt per flock, making it much less probably I’ll shoot as many birds as I might had I introduced a distinct 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 most likely gained’t miss that third shell a lot, however as quickly as 10+ birds are available directly and also you shortly 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 come in useful on a couple of event.
Parting Photographs
I don’t imagine the over-under is the best duck searching shotgun, however I feel extra hunters ought to attempt utilizing it, particularly these struggling to seek out the enjoyment searching as soon as delivered to 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 happy to get out to the blind and attempt to show me flawed!
