Yes, many people use shotguns to hunt birds. Shotguns are one of the most common firearms used for hunting birds because they are versatile, effective, and relatively easy to use compared to other guns. There are a few key reasons why shotguns are a popular choice for bird hunting:
Shotguns Are Effective for Hunting Birds
Shotguns are effective for bird hunting because they fire multiple pellets, increasing the likelihood of hitting a fast moving target like a bird in flight. The spray of pellets spreads out as it travels, covering a wider area than a single rifle bullet. This makes it easier to aim generally in the direction of a bird and still hit it. The majority of game birds like ducks, geese, pheasants, quail, and grouse are hunted with a shotgun.
Shotguns tailored for bird hunting typically have longer barrels (24 inches to 32 inches) than other shotguns. The longer barrel improves the accuracy and range of the spread shot. Longer barrels also allow more of the gunpowder to burn before exiting the barrel, resulting in higher muzzle velocities. This leads to more impact energy and less shot deformation when hitting a target. Many bird hunting shotguns are also designed with a tighter choke that makes the shot pattern denser for longer effective hunting ranges.
Lead Shot vs Non-Toxic Shot for Bird Hunting
Lead shot was historically the most common type of shotgun ammunition used for hunting all game including birds. However, studies showed that waterfowl and other wildlife ingested spent lead shot that accumulated in wetlands, causing poisoning and lead toxicity issues. As a result, federal regulations now prohibit the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl and any game birds in most wetland areas.
Most bird hunters now use steel or other non-toxic shot types for all their bird hunting. Popular options include:
- Steel shot – Made from soft iron
- Bismuth shot – Made from bismuth metal
- Tungsten-iron shot – A tungsten alloy/iron mix
- Tungsten-polymer shot – Tungsten powder in a plastic polymer matrix
Non-toxic shot has become much more popular and effective in recent decades. Manufacturers continue to improve performance by blending metals, buffering the pellets, and designing more spherical shot that flies better at longer ranges. This makes non-toxic loads very capable for taking birds, while protecting wetlands and wildlife.
Shotguns Are Versatile Hunting Guns
Shotguns are versatile bird hunting weapons that can be used to take a variety of game. A hunter may use the same shotgun with different ammunition types and chokes to successfully harvest small game like grouse and rabbits in the thick brush up close, hit fast flying ducks or doves at 40+ yards, and knock down large birds like turkey or pheasant at medium ranges. The various ammo choices and interchangeable chokes allow hunters to tailor their shotgun’s performance for the hunt.
Having one versatile shotgun, rather than several specialized rifles, reduces costs for hunters who pursue a variety of birds. Shotguns have less precision but more flexibility than a rifle with a single bullet. With the right ammo and patterning, a quality shotgun makes an excellent all-around choice for any bird hunter.
Common Shotgun Types Used for Hunting Birds
The most common shotgun types used for hunting birds include:
- Pump action – Repeatedly cycles shells when pumping the forend
- Semi-automatic – Automatically cycles shells using recoil or gas operation
- Break action – Hinged to break open for loading; common types are single shot and double barrel
- Bolt action – Manually cycled like a bolt-action rifle
- Lever action – Cycled using a lever like a lever-action rifle
Pump action and semi-automatic designs tend to be the most popular because of their higher capacities and faster cycling rate for multiple shots. However, break action and bolt action shotguns also work very effectively and some hunters prefer them for the simplicity. Reliable brands used by many bird hunters include Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Beretta, Browning, and Benelli.
Shotguns Are Relatively Simple to Use
Compared to rifles and other firearms, shotguns are fairly simple weapons to learn to use safely and effectively. The basic operation of a pump action or break action shotgun is quite intuitive. Shotguns do not require great precision aiming like a rifle, just good patterning skills and the ability to swing and lead targets. This allows beginner hunters to pick up shotgun hunting more easily.
Shotguns also recoil or “kick” considerably less than high powered rifles. The ability to spread out the shot energy makes the shooting experience more comfortable and manageable. Proper gun fit helps here too for managing recoil. Overall, the simple operation and low recoil of shotguns makes bird hunting more accessible to junior hunters, smaller framed shooters, and those new to hunting with firearms.
Important Skills for Using Shotguns for Birds
While shotguns are easy to use at a basic level, there are some key skills that allow hunters to use them most effectively for birds:
- Patterning – Testing shotgun ammo spreads at various ranges
- Leading – Aiming ahead of moving birds
- Swing through – Following through on the swing when firing
- Shooting stance – Proper footing and mount for swinging
- Safety – Strict gun safety protocol
Taking the time to practice these skills will lead to better success and enjoyment bird hunting with shotguns.
Challenges of Using Shotguns for Hunting Birds
While shotguns are a versatile and popular choice, there are some challenges to using them effectively:
- Range limitations – Shot spreads and loses energy quickly past 40 yards
- Precision – Shotguns lack the precision of rifles for longer shots
- Patterning – Takes testing and knowledge to pattern specific loads for consistent results
- Leading birds – Can be difficult to lead fast flying birds properly
- Recoil – Larger loads can still have heavy recoil for smaller framed hunters
Understanding the effective shotgun hunting ranges for different bird species and loads is important. Hunters have to get within 40 yards typically for clean ethical kills. Shotguns also require more patterning and shooting practice on moving targets than rifles to master hitting birds consistently. Overall, shotguns remain excellent bird hunting tools but still require skill and knowledge to use to their full potential.
Good Practices for Bird Hunting With Shotguns
Some good practices for getting the most out of shotguns when bird hunting include:
- Choose the right choke for your hunting conditions and ranges
- Pattern your shotgun with various ammo at expected ranges
- Use improved cylinders or looser chokes in thick cover
- Go for tighter chokes and heavier loads for long open shots
- Aim ahead of flying birds to hit them in motion
- Follow all safety laws and protocol for transport and use
- Keep your gun properly cleaned and maintained
- Practice on sporting clays to sharpen shooting instincts
Taking the time to understand your firearm and ammunition will go a long way towards consistent success. Safety is always the top priority as well when hunting with shotguns.
Conclusion
Shotguns are one of the most popular choices for hunting all types of birds from waterfowl to small game upland species. They are versatile tools that are effective and relatively simple to use. Shotguns allow hunters to pursue a wide variety of birds using different ammo and chokes to match conditions and ranges. While they require some specialized skills like patterning, leading targets, and shooting instinct, shotguns remain an excellent firearm choice for any hunter who pursues birds.
