The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The Hide > The Hunt

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old July 9, 2013, 07:45 PM   #1
Mainah
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2007
Posts: 1,117
Shotgun Hunting Question

Several times over the years I've spotted a grouse in the branches above me while I'm sitting and waiting for a deer with a slug chambered in my 870. And I'm drawn to double barreled guns.

Would it make sense to invest in one and head out with a load of birdshot in one chamber and a slug (or buckshot) in the other? Of course only when the seasons overlap.
Mainah is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 07:57 PM   #2
Kimber84
Senior Member
 
Join Date: April 8, 2013
Location: US
Posts: 455
Shotgun Hunting Question

Our small game seasons are suspended during our deer gun season.
Kimber84 is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 08:01 PM   #3
Doyle
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 20, 2007
Location: Rainbow City, Alabama
Posts: 7,167
Good luck trying to find a double barrel that will shoot a slug to point of aim at even 25 yds - much less at 50.
Doyle is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 08:09 PM   #4
Mainah
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2007
Posts: 1,117
If I have the shotgun I'm almost always dealing with a scenario that involves ten yards or less due to heavy cover. But that's a good point. And to be honest I really want a coach gun for hd.

But I do wonder if Americans used this system in the past. It seems to make sense. I once stalked what turned out to be a flock of turkeys in pursuit of a deer. They weren't in season (although they always should be in my neck of the woods now), and I had slugs loaded in the 870.
Mainah is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 08:39 PM   #5
jmr40
Senior Member
 
Join Date: June 15, 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 10,792
If legal, a revolver loaded with shotshells.
jmr40 is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 08:56 PM   #6
Sure Shot Mc Gee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 2, 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,876
Get yourself a 22 pistol with adjustable sights. Sight it in with 22 shorts or CCI 22 CB long. 50 ft distance is plenty for targeting it too.
I use to keep a pistol in my stand with me for birds in 22 cal. Most of the time I'd see a couple birds at the very least walking around on the forest floor during deer season. Definitely a nice treat for supper they make.. Until I started seeing Gray Wolf. Now its something more suitable for the purpose.

S/S
Sure Shot Mc Gee is offline  
Old July 9, 2013, 09:05 PM   #7
Backwoodsboy
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 19, 2012
Location: Western, Ny
Posts: 190
Make sure its legal, I know here in NY it is illegal to have any round chambered that shoots more than a single projectile while big game hunting.
__________________
"Si vis pacem, para bellum". If you want peace, Prepare for war!!!!
Backwoodsboy is offline  
Old July 10, 2013, 10:02 AM   #8
shortwave
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 17, 2007
Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO
Posts: 5,970
Quote:
Make sure its legal
^^^This!^^^

In Ohio, during deer shotgun season(slug only), don't get caught with shot shells. Too, when small game hunting using shot shells, don't get caught with slugs in your possession.
shortwave is offline  
Old July 10, 2013, 03:25 PM   #9
Erno86
Senior Member
 
Join Date: September 22, 2012
Location: Marriottsville, Maryland
Posts: 1,738
I would forego the urge to shoot the grouse with birdshot, and keep waiting for that deer with slugs.
__________________
That rifle hanging on the wall of the working class flat or labourer's cottage is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there."

--- George Orwell
Erno86 is offline  
Old July 10, 2013, 04:05 PM   #10
AllenJ
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 11, 2009
Location: Northern California
Posts: 1,766
I don't think it makes a lot of sense to invest that kind of money when all you really need to do carry some birdshot (if it is legal in your area) in your pocket and change out shells when it is called for.
AllenJ is offline  
Old July 10, 2013, 06:00 PM   #11
Mainah
Senior Member
 
Join Date: July 9, 2007
Posts: 1,117
Great advice, thanks everyone. I'll make sure to check the laws via a phone call to a local warden- the website here is harder to figure out than Chinese Algebra. And I like the .22 idea, I'd still get a new gun out of the deal.
Mainah is offline  
Old July 10, 2013, 07:33 PM   #12
TMW89
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 3, 2013
Location: MI
Posts: 185
How bout a bow?
__________________
Springfield XDM9C
Savage Mark II F .22
H&R ultra slug hunter 20 ga
1942 Mosin Nagant "Natalia"
TMW89 is offline  
Old July 11, 2013, 08:34 PM   #13
BigD_in_FL
Junior member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2012
Location: The "Gunshine State"
Posts: 1,981
Most upland hunting for birds must be done with a shotgun shooting shot, not 22s, bows or similar - as stated, check your hunting regulations. How hard is it to fill your deer tag? If really easy then use your stand for grouse (again if legal) after you get your deer and go bird hunting
BigD_in_FL is offline  
Old July 13, 2013, 05:28 PM   #14
Sure Shot Mc Gee
Senior Member
 
Join Date: January 2, 2012
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 3,876
Here in this State. You can hunt birds rabbit squirrels with any type firearm other than a machine gun. Even during deer, bear, or duck season its legal. Hunting ducks does require a shotgun for that purpose. If the game I take is during its legal scheduled season. As long as I have a Small Game license and in this case a deer license also in my possession. I'm good.
The trick in taking a bird while in or on a deer stand is being quiet about it. Don't want to chase a nice deer back deep into the woods because of a loud crack in the quiet woods from a 22 LR or shotgun. Thus 22 shorts or a CCI 22 Long CB work pretty good for that purpose. Pick the bird up when your leaving your stand is how I do it.
Check with your states game dept first is indeed correct so many prior have said

S/S.
Sure Shot Mc Gee is offline  
Old July 15, 2013, 11:19 AM   #15
scottycoyote
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 19, 2005
Location: southwestern va
Posts: 830
you may want to look into some of the pcp style air rifles in 22cal. Im thinking of picking up a marauder pistol, it comes with a removeable stock that turns it into a small carbine. That would be just the ticket for small game quiet hunting during deer season.
__________________
"i got the most powerful gun in the world........an .88 magnum. It shoots thru schools......"
scottycoyote is offline  
Old July 15, 2013, 12:54 PM   #16
buck460XVR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 4,341
I'd be much more concerned with the legalities than about scaring a deer with the sound of gunfire. Deer quickly forget the sound of a gun and over the years I have had deer come out in the field by my range while I was shooting at targets or have had another deer come down the trail before I could get down from the tree after shooting one. The movement from taking the shot or retrieving the game would also for me, be more of a consideration than the shot itself. Same goes for Turkeys. Don't know how many times I have had a tom come in after shooting one that came in quicker.....or after shooting a coyote hunting the sounds of my hen calls. While I used to refrain years ago from takin' 'yotes that came in while working a bird in the distance, I know now that I just passed up a lot of legitimate opportunities for nuttin'. Besides, anymore, I generally have more opportunities to take a tom than yotes.
buck460XVR is offline  
Old July 16, 2013, 08:14 AM   #17
ChasingWhitetail91
Senior Member
 
Join Date: October 10, 2012
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 336
Not sure how high these branches are above you but i'd invest in a decent sling shot. I wouldn't shoot a grouse during deer season if the thing was attacking me with eight of its buddies. You never know when that big ol swamp donkey is gonna show itself.
__________________
Abraham Lincoln made all men free, Samuel Colt made them equal.
ChasingWhitetail91 is offline  
Old July 16, 2013, 12:10 PM   #18
buck460XVR
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 28, 2006
Posts: 4,341
Quote:
Originally posted by ChasingWhitetail91:


I wouldn't shoot a grouse during deer season if the thing was attacking me with eight of its buddies. You never know when that big ol swamp donkey is gonna show itself.

Around here the chances of fillin' up on grouse(5) is more of a challenge than shootin' a so called "swamp donkey". They're much easier to get outta the woods, less of a task preparing for the table and a better eat. Their season is generally shorter and their preferred habitat harder to find. Everyone has their priorities, but Iffin I had nine grouse attackin' me, I'd lie down and fight like a girl......
buck460XVR is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:28 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.08343 seconds with 10 queries