I have been reading about people shooting birds at 60-65 yards. I don't agree with this practice, as it is too easy to cripple a bird. I try to shoot geese at no more than 40-45 yards, and I use Hevi-Shot 3 inch #2 or #4 goose loads. I wouldn't try a 45 yard shot on a goose with steel, although I am sure it could be done but not consistently. The downrange energy with Hevi-Shot is indisputable, and even at 45 yards with good shot placement, cripples are few.

You are 100% right on with your post.
"Skybusters" are certainly out there though.
I often find geese (sometimes ducks) with pellets in them
from being shot before.

I use Hevi 3" for ducks and 3.5" for geese. All of my shots are 40 yards or less.



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I couldn't agree more. The "Art Of Waterfowling" is not to make a great long shot, it is to decoy the bird in as close as you can.

I don't shoot at geese or ducks further than 45 yards unless I have wounded one, in which case I will shoot way out there. I shoot Hevi-Metal and actually have few cripples. Hevi-Metal will drop the geese at 40 yards easily every time if my shot placement is good.

One of the biggest things about this, is range estimation and they think the birds are that far up. But I am am with the rest of you, skybusting is not the thing to do, wait until they are down in range. I use steel and geese fall regularly when they are in range.

Rule of thumb : If you can see the eyes of a goose, it's in range.



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