Today's waterfowl hunter has a mind-boggling array of shotguns, loads and chokes that are specifically made for duck and goose hunting. It is like being a kid in a candy store. There are so many choices today that sorting through all of the options is not an easy task.

Waterfowl hunting changed drastically in the mid 1980s when steel shot was mandated for waterfowl hunting in many areas of the United States. Many hunters quit hunting ducks and geese rather than give up using with their trusted, vintage, full choked side by sides, Model 12s or Belgian Browning A5s that were incompatible with steel shot. These guns were almost like members of the family and it was hard to hunt without them. Still other hunters gave up pursuing waterfowl because they did not like steel shot for a variety of reasons. Early steel shot loads were not very good. The duck numbers declined in a series of dry years and so did the numbers of duck and goose hunters.

In the last 20 years, the duck populations have rebounded and the shotgun, choke and load options have greatly improved. Steel shot has gone through three generations of improvements and several new alternative non-toxic loads are available that pattern better than lead and can deliver a knockout punch at the traditional distances of lead shot.

To become a proficient and efficient waterfowler, you must have the right equipment. You also have to be able to judge distances and be a reasonably good shot. You have to know the shots you can make and the ones you should not take. A little practice shooting prior to the season is always advisable.

Shotguns-
Soon after the advent of steel shot, shotgun makers lengthened the chambers in their existing lines to 3" and brought out new 3" chambered waterfowling guns that would handle the needed shell capacity for steel shot loads. Not long after that the 3.5" chamber was developed. The 3.5" shell delighted waterfowl and turkey hunters who had always wanted more shot capacity in the 12-gauge.

Prior to the switch to steel, the use of 10-gauge shotguns was declining. As steel shot was phased in, goose hunters started clamoring for the big bore so they could continue to take geese at long range and the gun makers responded. Today you can find excellent gas operated 10 gauges like Remington's SP 10 and Browning's Gold. There are also pump 10 gauge guns made by Browning and Remington. Reaching out with more shot in the air can be important for goose hunting.

Loads-
Steel shot is harder and lighter than lead shot, and although it patterns tighter and has a shorter shot cloud, it does not have the pellet energy of lead out at the distances that many traditional waterfowlers liked to shoot. It soon became obvious that larger steel shot had to be used to keep the down range pellet energy. The earliest steel loads were light and slow, and hunters did not like how they performed in the field. New powders and wads were developed and heavier and faster loads made the shelves soon and were quickly followed by the first non-toxic alternative to steel, Bismuth. Bismuth loads could be used in the older guns and was more like lead. A full discussion of the loads that are currently available can be found in the non-toxic shot buyer's guide on this site. .

Chokes-
The general rule is that steel, and the hard non-toxic alternatives will produce patterns that are one choke tighter than the named choke. In other words, a modified choke of .0020" constriction produces light full to full-choke patterns and a full choke with a .0035" constriction will produce super full patterns or a blown or patchy pattern with steel shot.

Aftermarket choke tubes for waterfowl hunting are longer than the factory chokes that come with most shotguns, and these longer chokes provide a more gradual taper to the choke constriction and consistently produce more uniform patterns. It is best to have choke tubes of different constrictions, so you can take birds efficiently at various ranges.

Be sure that the choke tubes and barrel of your shotgun can be used with the loads you buy. Some choke tubes and barrels are not designed to be used with steel or the metal alloy pellets and some are not recommended for use with large steel shot.

The Bottom Line-
What are the best choices for would-be waterfowlers? That is difficult question.

With heavier loads and higher velocities, many duck hunters are turning to 12-gauge, gas operated, auto loaders like the Browning Gold Hunter and Beretta's 391 Extrema. These guns come in matte or camo finishes, can take 3" or 3.5" shells and are soft shooting. They are very reliable if you keep them clean.

There are still hunters who would not think of waterfowl hunting without their pump like a Remington 870, Browning BPS or an Ithaca Model 37. Many serious duck and goose hunters prefer a pump shotgun over an auto loading shotgun because pumps are less likely to jam in the marsh muck, snow and gunk in which we hunt. If recoil is not an issue, a pump is a viable choice.

Where there is little competition with other hunters, birds are decoying and the shots are likely to be 35 yards or less regular steel 3" loads are up to the task for both ducks and geese. When hunters choose to shoot past that almost magical 35 yards, the 3.5" loads, faster and heavier loads and the newer hard hitting, non-toxic loads, like Hevi-Shot, with more down range pellet energy will put more birds in the game bag. The keys to success are knowing how to judge what a 35-yard shot is and knowing the leads required for targets past that distance.

	Additional Information:  Read more articles:  - Shotgun Chokes  Gear information:  - Non-Toxic Shot  Get the Gear:  - Ammunition  - Chokes/Barrels

After years of steel shot ballistics research, Tom Roster determined that steel #3 shot had the best all around performance for taking ducks and that steel BBB was best for geese. He also found that an improved cylinder choke gave the best patterns of steel shot for ducks out to 35 yards and that more choke was needed for shots past that distance. On large geese over decoys, his data showed that modified chokes gave adequate steel shot patterns to 50 yards. For small ducks like teal at close range over decoys, smaller shot like steel #4 or #6 in a light modified or modified choke will give the best results.

Responsible waterfowl hunters will check their patterns at the ranges they plan to shoot, practice shooting on clay targets and work to keep crippling losses at a minimum. Just remember to stay warm and dry and shoot in front of them.