MCgunner
Member
So, I'm out checking out a dove hunting area today near my home. Actually, I have been there before looking for and not finding dove. I walked all over it today and saw two. There's two tanks on the place. It slopes off into a marsh area where I've hunted teal and ducks before and there's a big snow goose roost and some decent goose hunting.
So, anyway, I talked to another fellow there at the information bulletin board the state has there and he says he's scouting for hog hunting. I didn't know that was allowed there, but I walked the perimeter of the dove hunting area and found some hog sign and I know the marsh is full of 'em. Other side of the river, there's HUGE concentrations of hogs, so I suspect this area has similar. I'm going to go back and scout the margin, the slope between the marsh and upland area for game trails and hog sign from 'em coming up out of the marsh to bed down. Ambushing 'em there, I'm thinking, is a best bet.
Okay, the catch. First, hunting is February and March only. No biggy, something different to do than sit in my stand and watch my feeder. Okay, second big catch, after badmouthing buck shot's effectiveness on this very board, shotguns with buckshot only must be used. :banghead: I will have to get VERY close and make head shots. I'm thinking I should pattern 00 in my old side by side. It's choked full/mod. I'm not sure how 00 will pattern out of full choke, might be too tight for it. So, in that case, I'll use one of my repeaters, I guess. But, if the old SxS can toss a decent pattern, this will be something I can use it for since it's retired from bird hunting. OF COURSE, my number one choice might be to use my new 10 gauge I have on order which should be here this week. I have a modified choke coming for it and the gun comes with an extra full turkey choke. That's all H&R makes for it in chokes. Not sure if there's any other brand choke available for an H&R 10 gauge, but I ain't gonna hold my breath on that one.
I've got time to spend at the range before February, though. So, what is your opinion on weapon and choke? I know it all depends on the patterns I can shoot. You think buck shot would pattern tight through a full choke or would it be too tight as I suspect???? I don't have any 3" buck shot, all 2 3/4. Perhaps I'll try some 3" 12 00 and find out what I can get in 10 gauge.
I never liked the idea of buckshot, but in this case, it's mandated by rules. If they would allow slugs, I'd bet me that 12 gauge rifled slug barrel for the H&R and play with some of those sabots. It's only 85 bucks. But, they don't. I ain't real worried if I cripple a hog. Won't bother me NEAR as much as losing a deer. But, I hate to make anything suffer, even a hog, so I need to get inside 30 yards with a good tight pattern and get a head shot, I'm thinkin'.
So, anyway, I talked to another fellow there at the information bulletin board the state has there and he says he's scouting for hog hunting. I didn't know that was allowed there, but I walked the perimeter of the dove hunting area and found some hog sign and I know the marsh is full of 'em. Other side of the river, there's HUGE concentrations of hogs, so I suspect this area has similar. I'm going to go back and scout the margin, the slope between the marsh and upland area for game trails and hog sign from 'em coming up out of the marsh to bed down. Ambushing 'em there, I'm thinking, is a best bet.
Okay, the catch. First, hunting is February and March only. No biggy, something different to do than sit in my stand and watch my feeder. Okay, second big catch, after badmouthing buck shot's effectiveness on this very board, shotguns with buckshot only must be used. :banghead: I will have to get VERY close and make head shots. I'm thinking I should pattern 00 in my old side by side. It's choked full/mod. I'm not sure how 00 will pattern out of full choke, might be too tight for it. So, in that case, I'll use one of my repeaters, I guess. But, if the old SxS can toss a decent pattern, this will be something I can use it for since it's retired from bird hunting. OF COURSE, my number one choice might be to use my new 10 gauge I have on order which should be here this week. I have a modified choke coming for it and the gun comes with an extra full turkey choke. That's all H&R makes for it in chokes. Not sure if there's any other brand choke available for an H&R 10 gauge, but I ain't gonna hold my breath on that one.
I've got time to spend at the range before February, though. So, what is your opinion on weapon and choke? I know it all depends on the patterns I can shoot. You think buck shot would pattern tight through a full choke or would it be too tight as I suspect???? I don't have any 3" buck shot, all 2 3/4. Perhaps I'll try some 3" 12 00 and find out what I can get in 10 gauge.
I never liked the idea of buckshot, but in this case, it's mandated by rules. If they would allow slugs, I'd bet me that 12 gauge rifled slug barrel for the H&R and play with some of those sabots. It's only 85 bucks. But, they don't. I ain't real worried if I cripple a hog. Won't bother me NEAR as much as losing a deer. But, I hate to make anything suffer, even a hog, so I need to get inside 30 yards with a good tight pattern and get a head shot, I'm thinkin'.