Pros And Cons Of Using A Double-Barreled Shotgun For Hunting Waterfowl
When it comes time to choose a shotgun that you'll carry with you when hunting waterfowl, there are many different styles to think about. While some hunters use pump-action shotguns for the hunt, an alternative to consider is a double-barreled shotgun. There are a variety of double-barreled shotguns that are suitable for hunting waterfowl, but if you wish to go in this direction, you'll want to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses before you buy the right gun for you to use. Here are some points of consideration.
Pro: Ability To Take Two Quick Shots
The biggest reason to carry a double-barreled shotgun when you're hunting waterfowl is that you can take two shots in quick succession. Should you fail to hit your prey with the first shot, you can simply pull the trigger again to discharge the second round. This will allow you to get two shots on target quicker than having to shoot once, pump the gun, and then aim and shoot again, for example.
Con: It May Be Cumbersome In A Tight Blind
The blind that you use for hunting waterfowl may not be overly roomy. This can especially be the case if you're hunting by yourself or perhaps with one other hunter. In a tight blind, significant movement can be restricted, and this can mean that it's a challenge to break the barrels of your double-barreled shotgun open to reload it.
Pro: It May Feel More Ethical
If you're a waterfowl hunter who endeavors to take an ethical approach to the hunt, you may feel better about using a double-barreled shotgun. This type of firearm is more traditional in many ways than a pump-action model. With the latter, you can rapidly pump the gun and get multiple shots on target, essentially filling the air with pellets. With a double-barreled model, however, you basically have two shots to get the kill.
Con: The Prey May Get Away
Although experienced waterfowl hunters can typically bring down their prey with one or two shots, this might not be the case if you're a novice. While target practice at a shooting range is always a good idea to improve your accuracy, you may feel that the two-shell capacity of a double-barreled shotgun is limiting. For example, if you can't hit anything with either of your shots, you'll then need to reload both barrels of the shotgun while the prey makes an easy getaway.
For more information, contact your local waterfowl hunting experts.
