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Feb 12th, 2024
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 What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
#7252611
08/11/18 10:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,016
pertnear
OP
"Demolition Man"
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OP
"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,016 |
I hunted sandhill's for the first time last year & had a great time & I'm ready to go back again this year. The way we hunted was setting up a straw blind in an open field & placed out decoys. When they birds got in range the guide said now & we stood up & started shooting. No sky busting going on, the birds were in good range.
On that hunt, the friend that invited me provided the shotgun & the shells. The gun was chambered 3-1/2" & we were shooting steel BB's that he had bought for geese. This year I need to take my own gun & ammo.
My shotgun is a Rem 1100 12ga with 2-3/4" chamber - my dove buster! I have a full choke tube for it. My buddy says that it is not enough gun for sandhill's. Wouldn't 1-1/4oz HiVel shells be enough? What size shot would be best? Isn't it legal to shoot lead shot at SH's in Texas?
Your comments & recommendations are most appreciated.
"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.ā€¯ - George Orwell
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 Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7252658
08/12/18 12:08 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478 |
Well I would still shoot BB's if you can find that in 2 3/4 which is dicey. From there man I guess it's 2 3/4 2's. Watch your range and it's still cheaper then a new gun but I have seen some 3.5" Mossbergs on Gunbroker going under 500 or look at a Stoeger.
It is a federally protected migrating bird, lead is not an option.
Last edited by 4Weight; 08/12/18 12:09 AM.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7252711
08/12/18 01:05 AM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 474
ken starling
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 474 |
It is actually legal to use Lead shot for Cranes. Just cannot shoot geese if they happen to appear. I have never had the opportunity to shoot Geese the same time while Crane hunting so I wouldn’t be too concerned. If you are shooting decoying Cranes I would think 2-3/4” BB would be fine.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: ken starling]
#7253032
08/12/18 02:15 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478 |
It is actually legal to use Lead shot for Cranes. Just cannot shoot geese if they happen to appear. I have never had the opportunity to shoot Geese the same time while Crane hunting so I wouldn’t be too concerned. If you are shooting decoying Cranes I would think 2-3/4” BB would be fine. Thanks for the lead info. I did not know that but did confirm. Non-toxic has to be used on Federal Wildlife Refuges though.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7253144
08/12/18 04:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
3 inch heavy shot dead coyote will knock em stone cold Steve Austin at 60 yards
On my first shot I used defense rubber bullets loads, just to pizz em off
Last edited by beaversnipe; 08/12/18 04:34 PM.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7253191
08/12/18 05:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 296
duckhunter888
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 296 |
Remington Nitro Mags, 2 3/4", #4
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: duckhunter888]
#7253267
08/12/18 07:24 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,871
brazosboyt
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,871 |
I’ve hunted them several times and have always shot #4 or 6 lead or hevishot turkey loads. If they will kill turkeys at 50+ they will do the same to cranes. Last hunt I shot my .410 with #6 lead. Guide doubted me so he made me shoot solo on the first pair. 2 in 2 down. Aim head/neck and bazinga, dead craniums.  
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7253343
08/12/18 09:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,930
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,930 |
If I were limited to 2 3/4 12GA and had to use non tox , I would use #2 - #4 Tungsten or Hevi Shot. Cost would not be a big deal considering you can only take 3 cranes a day and your shooting decoyed birds. If you use the Turkey loads just know they are usually loaded for a slower fps, so on longer shots or pass shooting might require a little more lead than some of the duck/goose loads.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7253990
08/13/18 02:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 106
Gulfgoose
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 106 |
If I'm crane hunting, especially with smaller shells there's no chance I'm shooting steel. Lead 4's crush cranes. Tight choke and aim for the head/neck.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7254098
08/13/18 04:36 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
I hunted sandhill's for the first time last year & had a great time & I'm ready to go back again this year. The way we hunted was setting up a straw blind in an open field & placed out decoys. When they birds got in range the guide said now & we stood up & started shooting. No sky busting going on, the birds were in good range.
On that hunt, the friend that invited me provided the shotgun & the shells. The gun was chambered 3-1/2" & we were shooting steel BB's that he had bought for geese. This year I need to take my own gun & ammo.
My shotgun is a Rem 1100 12ga with 2-3/4" chamber - my dove buster! I have a full choke tube for it. My buddy says that it is not enough gun for sandhill's. Wouldn't 1-1/4oz HiVel shells be enough? What size shot would be best? Isn't it legal to shoot lead shot at SH's in Texas?
Your comments & recommendations are most appreciated. Your buddy doesn't know what he's talking about or needs to learn to shoot better.
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Re: What ammo for Sandhill Cranes?
[Re: pertnear]
#7254121
08/13/18 04:48 PM
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Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 428
PoppinPiggies
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 428 |
Hunted them a lot in college while going to West Texas A&M. We didn't have any gear or anything so we'd just set up on the tank dams and wait for them to come in to roost for the night and pop em. We mainly used BB, BBB, or #2 and always had pretty good luck knocking em down.
Follow me on instagram @crosstexasoutdoors
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