Preseason '25-'26

[Rick]

Good fun for discussion. In meantime I'm packing my blindbag with some lil 20 gauge #6's I hope to burn through next Saturday, and maybe a couple on Sunday when its back to reality and we're not hunting teal-friendly ground.

I've found 20ga 6s through IC like tossing grenades at both teal and big ducks - but too apt to remain in either and too small for my metal detector for my table.

Chew carefully my friend.

[Darren]

I emailed DU about just that discrepancy, Dave. They produced the following podcast:

https://youtu.be/X22XQPZbHRI?si=OrIWVpKIL7O_vOc6

Start about the 55 minute mark.

Evidently info gets fed into the computer model each year and it gets reformulated based on habitat, predicted harvest, and surveyed harvest. Now whether or not you think the data is accurate, that’s a fair critique. Best they have currently though.

Without listening yet, but just going by the premise of structure that adapts.......I can get behind that. So many variables have changed, our management has to be adaptable. While it opens door for conspiracy talk regarding Big Duck interference, the idea that we adapt from what was initially started decades ago isn't problematic from my vantage point, at face value.

[Darren]

Good fun for discussion. In meantime I'm packing my blindbag with some lil 20 gauge #6's I hope to burn through next Saturday, and maybe a couple on Sunday when its back to reality and we're not hunting teal-friendly ground.

I've found 20ga 6s through IC like tossing grenades at both teal and big ducks - but too apt to remain in either and too small for my metal detector for my table.

Chew carefully my friend.

Good point! I'm seeing lots of guys tinkering with even 7's and smaller these days for teal and otherwise, chasing pattern density. I'm finding the new M2 20g's SKEET choke really nice for decoying birds but data points pretty limited so far since I only started with it late last season.

With bismuth likely phasing out at least temporarily due to global supply challenges, will be interesting to see where other non-steel options go. I know BOSS is now touting solid copper, vs. their legacy copper-coated bismuth, as well as the uber-expensive TSS.

re: TSS:

The enhanced long range ballistics of TSS shot make Wolfram the ideal choice for passing shots, late season decoy weary birds and cripple clean up. 7’s for geese. 9’s for ducks. Lightly buffered to prevent the small 7 and 9 shot pellets from embedding themselves in the BioTec-infused plastic wad, Wolfram is the most lethal and highly engineered waterfowling shotshell Boss has ever offered.

https://bossshotshells.com/products/20- ... 9-tungsten

[Duck Engr]

Good fun for discussion. In meantime I'm packing my blindbag with some lil 20 gauge #6's I hope to burn through next Saturday, and maybe a couple on Sunday when its back to reality and we're not hunting teal-friendly ground.

I've found 20ga 6s through IC like tossing grenades at both teal and big ducks - but too apt to remain in either and too small for my metal detector for my table.

Chew carefully my friend.

Good point! I'm seeing lots of guys tinkering with even 7's and smaller these days for teal and otherwise, chasing pattern density. I'm finding the new M2 20g's SKEET choke really nice for decoying birds but data points pretty limited so far since I only started with it late last season.

With bismuth likely phasing out at least temporarily due to global supply challenges, will be interesting to see where other non-steel options go. I know BOSS is now touting solid copper, vs. their legacy copper-coated bismuth, as well as the uber-expensive TSS.

re: TSS:

The enhanced long range ballistics of TSS shot make Wolfram the ideal choice for passing shots, late season decoy weary birds and cripple clean up. 7’s for geese. 9’s for ducks. Lightly buffered to prevent the small 7 and 9 shot pellets from embedding themselves in the BioTec-infused plastic wad, Wolfram is the most lethal and highly engineered waterfowling shotshell Boss has ever offered.

https://bossshotshells.com/products/20- ... 9-tungsten

I’ve been shooting 7s out of my 20 ga M2 with a skeet choke for over ten years and have been very happy with it. A scotch double machine.

[Darren]

I presume steel 7's, DE?

I'm not ready to commit to 6s or 7s or smaller in steel for regular season in the marsh just yet, and darn sure won't for rice field where longer shots or geese are in play. But I'm willing to tinker.....

I do have quite a bit of BOSS bismuth #6's on hand for the 20 gage, obtained prior to the price hikes last year, and I'll run that anywhere.

[Duck Engr]

Yep, 2 3/4” low brass steel number 7s. Marketed for doves but I use em for teal. Granted my teal shots are 25 yards and in.

[Darren]

Yep, 2 3/4” low brass steel number 7s. Marketed for doves but I use em for teal. Granted my teal shots are 25 yards and in.

Yea that's the best priced stuff going these days for teal season, non-toxic dove loads usually < $10/box.

[Darren]

Some recent BBWD banding at Miss River grain terminal:

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Credit: LDWF

[Darren]

Blind move/build project went well Sunday morning, and even put eyes on a couple of small teal bunches on the lease

Can see the prior location in the background, of course now with some decent roseau starting to take hold. I'd figure a year from now it'll be pretty substantial from what we've seen in the past. Platform is still there, we just took everything else from it to re-purpose at new blind, screws and all!

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[Duck Engr]

Very nice! Smart dad bringing the fishing pole to keep the young gun entertained while you worked.