Skybusting....

[Uncle Judd]

I have never met a duckhunter who hasn't complained about skybusters. Which makes me wonder about these new choke tubes on the market that boast about how far they can kill a duck, who is buying them? I'm just waiting to see the one they name Skybuster Special. So maybe it can kill a duck at 70 yards, but who in the world can consistantly hit them at that range? I just dont get it, I prefer to pass shoot in a dovefield. Guess I just like em up close.

<Climbs down from the soap box>

[Greenhead22]

Long distance shooting was the main reason that Hevi-Shot was introduced. The knockdown power of hevi at longer distances is mindboggling. Hevi can kill upwards of 60-70 yds, but at the same time I've seen a 3.5" steel load do the same.

Don't get me wrong, I prefer birds in dekes, no more than 25 yds. But late in the season what birds start skirting the edges of the dekes, 45yds+, you have to start taking longer shots.

[GordonGekko]

I know I'm fixing to ruffle some feathers but....most folks need to worry about being a good wingshot at 20-25 yards before they even think about 40 yards. I've hunted with enough folks and guided a few, who wanted to be able to take birds a long way out there, but couldn't fold up a passing duck at 20 yards consistently.

I agree with GH22 at time field hunting you have birds that don't want to come in, I usually just watch 'em fly off...but that's just me. If most hunters would spend as much money practicing as they do on equipment, they just might extend their kill range....

[mottlet]

I know I'm fixing to ruffle some feathers but....most folks need to worry about being a good wingshot at 20-25 yards before they even think about 40 yards. I've hunted with enough folks and guided a few, who wanted to be able to take birds a long way out there, but couldn't fold up a passing duck at 20 yards consistently.

I agree with GH22 at time field hunting you have birds that don't want to come in, I usually just watch 'em fly off...but that's just me. If most hunters would spend as much money practicing as they do on equipment, they just might extend their kill range....

I've pissed a lotta folks off saying that exact thing. I pulled targets for a couple of summers at a VERY busy shooting facility near DC. Helped design two Virginia State clays championship courses and pulled at one of 'em. I've seen a LOT of people shoot and I've seen some absolute wizards shoot. My experience was that hunters, on average, were some of the worst shots that I pulled for. When I say hunters, I mean guys that just hunt. If a guy hunts and shoots semi-seriously, he gets classified as a shooter in my book.

The guys that take being good shots seriously are the guys who care more about being a good shot than a good hunter. They have tricked out O/U's or autos, fancy golfcarts, and like to be treated like they are better than everybody else. Because they are. But let a new guy get on their squad (they always shoot together) and slow 'em down on a Sat. morning. It makes em nuts. There are exceptions, that is, folks that are really good shots that aren't so anal about shooting. And there are probably more exceptions in Mississippi than Northern Virginia.

Then there are the hunters. You see these guys show up with hunting shotguns. A pump shotgun on a sporting clays course is a dead giveaway. They don't have fancy equipment and most carry their extra shells in a muddy blind bag. And they usually aren't very good shots. Just don't get enough trigger time. Had one guy tell me about how much he LOVED duck hunting because I was wearing a DU cap or some such. Then he proceeded to shoot a 9 on skeet. At the end of the round, he looks at me and says, "Man, these things are harder to hit than actual birds!" Naw dude, they're not.

Anyway, sorry to get off topic. Skybusting...I bet everybody on this board does it. At least with snow geese. As for ducks, yeah, I shoot a Briley extended tube, sometimes even in improved mod. But I don't shoot any further than thirty-five or forty yards, which I know isn't exactly close. But I shoot better than a nine on skeet too.

mottlet

[Bankermane]

It ain't skybusting if you are killing them.

[pntailhntr]

The bottom line is DO NOT SKYBUST!! The only time I have ever done it, is when you are sitting around with no ducks in the blind and there ARE NO hunters around you and you take a crazy shot to shoot at something. There is nothing I hate worse than to be hunting near another group of hunters and they start waylaying at ducks that are 50 or greater yards high just to be sure they get the first shot. Guess what has always fallen, NOTHING!! Wait them out and take your 20-25 yard KILL shot!!!

NOUGH SAID

[weimhunter]

It ain't skybusting if you are killing them.

[Triple Gobble]

Skyblasting.....................not a word used to discribe a duckhunter. I shoot a ten gauge w/ extra full and a seventy yard shot is still never a sure thing. I mean one out of six maybe. And I think im a fair shot. Shots like that are uncalled for............. And have no problem getting on someones @$$ for doing it....

[Anatidae]

Hey 'Judd'......what gets me is they promote these tight chokes, then show a clip of'em shooting ducks at 15 yds. Go figure!

If folks weren't so desparate to kill a lil'ole ducky, they wouldn't feel like they 'need' Hevi-shot, 10ga's, or super chokes.

The only time I have considered a custom choke is for shooting big shot through a wad-stripper, increasing your chances of a clean kill on geese over water (because they generally don't decoy as tight). Outside of that, we just try to be patient and 'pick' our shots.

[crow]

The real cost of "skybusting" is the ducks that fly off with shot in them and die somewhere else. I guess coons and possums got to eat, too, But, I sure hate to see those cripples fly off. That is a sure-nuff way to ruin a hunt for me.

We owe it to the resource to become the best shots and artists of the tradition that is waterfowling That is the true way to honor the ducks we hunt.

crow

[Anatidae]

Well-said, Crow!

[Dogzeye]

I agree with the last two fellas, just wait and take the shot. Unless you have a blown pattern at close range there is no reason for the average hunter to start reaching out to 75 or more yards. The net result of long shooting is wasted kills.

[Anatidae]

I agree with the last two fellas........

Ya hear that, 'Crow'?........that's cause we're old as dirt......AND experienced.

[GulfCoast]

I use HeviShot because of my lack of dog training skills, not 'cause I can't shoot or live to skybust! I am in it for pattern density, not "extended range patterns." My Skeet and LMod chokes are wore slap out.

[jar0023]

I am in it for pattern density, not "extended range patterns." My Skeet and LMod chokes are wore slap out.

I agree the tightest choke I use duck hunting is a light mod. Most of the time I'm shooting an Improved Cylinder.

JAR