My wife has a few shotguns, all fitted to her, all 20 gauge. Even though she has a very nice semi-automatic she always reaches for her 870 "Youth" shotgun when she goes to the duck blind. It is light and has a short barrel. She has never noticed any recoil yet while shooting at a duck. She does well with that little pump.
In the dove field she normally likes her semi-auto with it's longer barrel and soft recoil with light loads.