ORIGINAL: SwampCollie
Its about the only thing I know of that makes marsh hen hunting challenging... but something tells me there is a serious shortage of marsh hens in Colorodo.
Its useful for missing doves as well. Does make a good squirrel/rabbit gun... but hell the shells cost $12 a box.
Its not overwhelmingly great for a kid to get started on either. They are good for shooting at a can or paper target to gain confidence, but by and large you'll be 10xs as successfull with a 20 gauge.
Swamp Collie is right about not buying one for a kid's first shotgun. They are best left in the hands of the more experienced hunter who knows and understands their useful range and capabilities. I was given one when I started to hunt and got frustrated a lot by it. Yes, I killed squirrels with it, but I also had a lot get away, probably to die in a nest or hole. Give a kid a 20 ga. single and he'll do a lot better
I DO have a 410 single that I keep out in the garage for snakes in the yard and garbage bag picking crows,but that's all I use it for. They have their place, but IMO it's not in the hands of a bright-eyed enthusiastic young hunter. Good pest gun.