[harbinger_j]

I have never hunted before, and I would like to go out for the early goose season. Both of my shotguns only chamber 12ga. 2 3/4" shells.

Any suggestions as to what would be the best non-toxic shells to use?

[MCgunner]

I'd shoot hevi shot. 2 3/4 just has a few less pellets in the pattern than 3". not sure you'd even notice the difference inside 40 yards at least, maybe 50. Hevi shot on geese is expensive, but worth the price of admission. The stuff is really effective. The best steel can't compare. 3.5" came out when there was no alternative to steel and the F and T shot were the answer to the problem. The 3.5" put enough of the big shot into a pattern to help. However, when hevi shot came along for 3" and 2 3/4", it sorta made 3.5" moot IMHO. People still get infatuated with those long shells, but 3" is all I ever need now days and I could hunt if I just shot 2 3/4". 2 3/4" fast steel works well on decoyed ducks, too, all you'll need for ducks.

[41magsnub]

What kind of geese and what type of goose hunting? By that I mean is it passing shots at range or short shots over decoys?

[testar77]

When I used to hunt geese, I also had a 2 3/4" gun. I always used #2 birdshot and did just fine on Canadian Geese that we have here, of which most are pretty good sized.

Toby

[JohnBT]

For the average sized Canadas we get in Virginia I'd use #4 Hevi-Shot. I should say I do use them. Inside of 35 or 40 yards #6 Hevi-Shot will work.

John

[MCgunner]

Heck, I shoot BB hevi shot on snows....:D It brings 'em down even on those high passing shots within reason, but shots that I'd never attempt with BB steel. I'm shootin' 'em out of a 3", though. In a 2 3/4, I would probably go with ones or twos to get some more shot in the pattern.

[harbinger_j]

Right now I figure I will get some hevi shot #2 (and maybe some #4) and see how that goes.

I am guessing in the early season I'll see more big fat resident geese (Canadas) we have a million of those here.

But I am not sure what kind of shots I will get. It depends what spots seem the best, I am still looking. I am hoping to keep my shots inside 40 yards.

[quicktime]

Right now I figure I will get some hevi shot #2 (and maybe some #4) and see how that goes.

Check your regs I know in Colorado nothing bigger than a number 4 in Hevi.

[mbt2001]

2 and 3/4 will work fine.

I use 3" and 2 3/4 BB's or BBB and do just fine. The most important thing is to practice on skeet and get your footwork and swing down. If you shoot correctly, #8 will bring in the geese. Obviously it would be illegal and not as effective, but you get the idea. The work BEFORE the hunt is more important than whether you are shooting #2's or T shot.

[sm]

2 3/4 " inch are all I ever used for Geese.
Felling Geese with 2 3/4" is not a problem.

The problem with Goose hunting starts with getting out and into a pit blind on a cold frozen morning...and progresses to ...
Getting the damn Geese , the damn dawgs, and yourself out of thawed, muddy, gooey, sloppy messed up field later on.

I think mud wrestling is a cleaner sport. :D