Too young for geese?

[HyperMOA]

So my nephew would like to come goose hunting with me in September. The problem is that he just turned 12 and he's kinda small for his age. My 20 gauge has a little too much oomph for him so he's limted to a 410 gauge. The regulations don't say that you can't use a 410 for geese; but that seems pretty light for geese to me. Have any of you successfully and humanely hunted geese with a 410? Or should he wait another year or two?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by HyperMOA

So my nephew would like to come goose hunting with me in September. The problem is that he just turned 12 and he's kinda small for his age. My 20 gauge has a little too much oomph for him so he's limted to a 410 gauge. The regulations don't say that you can't use a 410 for geese; but that seems pretty light for geese to me. Have any of you successfully and humanely hunted geese with a 410? Or should he wait another year or two?

I have never used a 410 but certainly have used a 28 and the 20 is my main gun.

I'm not too sure if the 410 would do it unless the shooter is competent.
I'm not too sure if i have even seen noon- toxic ammo for the 410.
Cat

[HyperMOA]

Never thought of that actually. Just checked Cabela's site and it looks like you are right. No steel 410 ammo.

[JohnB]

Geese can be tough to kill and not sure if a 410 would work.

Goose hunting to me is all about the expereince, getting up early and watching the sun rise and having the first flock of birds coming in. He will have a great time even if he doesn't pull the trigger.

I can't wait to take my boys out (6 and 9) with me on a few hunts this year.

Good luck.

[cmdalexander]

Originally Posted by HyperMOA

Never thought of that actually. Just checked Cabela's site and it looks like you are right. No steel 410 ammo.

Many jurisdictions require the use of a 20 gauge or larger for waterfowl hunting, I imgine this is why .410 is not available or very hard to find in Steel Shoot.

As an interesting note, some states also prohibit hunting waterfowl without decoys - this one is kinda strange.

[trapshooter]

You can buy steel shot for 410. at BPS but it is extreamly expensive.

[wwbirds]

Was picked by a 12 year old taxi driver in Moosonee Ontario many years ago when we landed at the airport. have watched 9-12 year old native shooters knock geese down with single shot 410 many times and they were the best callers to boot, no commercial calls just their hands and voices. I asked one of the kids his secret for knocking geese down and he said not trying to kill them in the air just break a wing and they come down. Mud flats with willow blinds and these kids were incredible but longest shot was probably 25 yards and they knew their quarry and their limitations with a 410.

[Tundra Monkey]

Sit right next to him with your 12 and shoot his birds for him......after each one folds scream:

"You da man.....nice shot!!!!!!!"

and give him a big ol' man hug

[shakeyleg02]

If he gets like most people get when ready to shoot something I'm sure he won't even feel the kick of a 20 gauge..i would just give it a try I'm sure he will be fine

[just_dave]

If he's too small for a 20ga mabey he'll need to wait another year. He can still go with you though. Lots of fun to be had without pulling a trigger.

[waterninja]

i'd bring him along just so he could enjoy the experiance and maybe he could get some mallards or even some partridges with his 410.

[brie21]

Originally Posted by just_dave

If he's too small for a 20ga mabey he'll need to wait another year. He can still go with you though. Lots of fun to be had without pulling a trigger.

yeah honestly as mush as i love hunting, its almost just as fun watching someone shoot. also, i learned a lot about hunting just by being there for the ride

[Dick284]

I had the same problem with my boy, he percivered with a 20ga youth model Winchester 1200, which left him so black and blue after a round of trap..he was almost ruined.

I finally threw out a thread looking for some a used wood stock for a Remington 870 Express 12 ga I have.
I cut it to his length of pull, fitted a slip on recoil pad(limbsaver) put a ported choke tube in er, and man he dang near beats my azz at trap now...and geese well he's hooked big time.

Don't rule out a 12ga. just make sure it fits the lad, and I tell you those ported choke tubes, heck his 12 kicks less than any 20ga I've ever shot.

[bigdeal]

Would a Hirams Bear Trap work in the 20 gauge to reduce recoil? I have one sitting here taking up space that I would be willing to send your way if you think it would work.

[FishingMOM]

Originally Posted by HyperMOA

So my nephew would like to come goose hunting with me in September. The problem is that he just turned 12 and he's kinda small for his age. My 20 gauge has a little too much oomph for him so he's limted to a 410 gauge. The regulations don't say that you can't use a 410 for geese; but that seems pretty light for geese to me. Have any of you successfully and humanely hunted geese with a 410? Or should he wait another year or two?

You should check out Cabela's fall sale. One of our old Mods Dan Mosier will be there.

Anyone that is in the Edmonton area on Saturday (Aug 18th) make sure to stop in at Cabelas Fall Great Outdoor Days Sale and say hi.
Rockymtx will be there with Final Approach to help anyone with any waterfowl gear or hunting questions they may have.

[HyperMOA]

Originally Posted by bigdeal

Would a Hirams Bear Trap work in the 20 gauge to reduce recoil? I have one sitting here taking up space that I would be willing to send your way if you think it would work.

This is a product I am completely unfamiliar with. How does it work and how is it mounted / installed?

[Tundra Monkey]

Never heard of it either.....looks like it might work tho

http://beartrap.bravesites.com/history

http://www.hobbygunsmith.com/Archive...Scattergun.htm

Seems to be a mercury type reducer.

[huntinstuff]

Small for his age?

Yeah, Ive got one of those too

I see you live in Edmonton.

I will give you a bunch of 12g steel shot for him to try. Let him pound away for an hour. I firmly believe, if you show him how to properly shoulder the shotgun, that he can do it.

I had my scrawny son shooting a 20" sxs coachgun a couple weeks ago. Your nephew can do it too.

Earplugs and earmuffs. I find that if you eliminate the noise, you eliminate a ton of "fear".

I can meet you in south Edmonton and give you the ammo. Let me know

[Tcon]

Originally Posted by Dick284

...fitted a slip on recoil pad(limbsaver) put a ported choke tube in er...

Thats exactly what I would recommend, recoil pad + ported choke tube!

[densa44]

I think he'll do just fine with a 20 if he has a chance to practice first.
My kid did.