Texas Hunting Forum

Sand Hill Crane Advice

Posted By: Coach Floyd

Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/18/20 10:24 PM

I’m going crane hunting for the first time this upcoming fall. I am wanting some advice from forum members. I’ll be shooting a Benelli A300 Outlander. I have been told 3” steel #2 is the way to go for ammo. I have some questions posted below. We will be hunting in the Littlefield area.

1. My shotgun is black, do I need to do a rattle can camo on it?
2. What choke should I go with?
3. How many boxes of ammo should I take 3 day hunt?
Posted By: kman2017

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/18/20 11:34 PM

Try getting 3" #4 buck, if you are not hunting waterfowl at the same time. 30 rounds will be plenty. Modified choke is what worked best for me. Don't worry about the paint on the gun. Black is fairly natural and you'll likely be Inna ditch or layout blind.
Posted By: ken starling

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 12:22 AM

Black is fine , like mentioned you will be in some sort of blind more than likely

I shoot a Modified choke

You will get many answers on this. I personally have used 3” -#2 and 3” BB . Had guys hunting with us that shot 3” - #4 buckshot in lead. Any of these are fine in my opinion. Lot of the guides shot #2

Good luck it is a blast
Posted By: KWood_TSU

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 12:49 AM

https://bossshotshells.com/products/12-ga-3-mag-1-1-2-oz-2/
Posted By: BradyBuck

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 01:27 AM

Going with a guide?

If so I bet you’ll hunt out of A-frames

Possibly layouts

No need for camo gun

3in #2 minimum

In my experience you don’t shoot as much due to low limits so might splurge on the Boss shells mentioned above above.

You can use lead but in case you see some geese use non-toxic.

I’d probably take 4 boxes but I highly doubt you’ll shoot that much due to the fact your limit is 3 a day.
Posted By: Coach Floyd

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 01:39 AM

Thanks for the advice gentlemen.
Posted By: dk2429

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 07:47 AM

$33 a box? roflmao roflmao
Posted By: KWood_TSU

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by dk2429
$33 a box? roflmao roflmao



What's so funny? You tell me why you think it's not worth it, and I'll prove you wrong, with science.
But you won't change your mind if you're not a conservationist.
Posted By: dk2429

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by dk2429
$33 a box? roflmao roflmao



What's so funny? You tell me why you think it's not worth it, and I'll prove you wrong, with science.
But you won't change your mind if you're not a conservationist.


What your science then?

Everyone I've hunted with takes birds down with a box of Rios and Winchester Super Xs lol
Posted By: KWood_TSU

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/19/20 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by dk2429
Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by dk2429
$33 a box? roflmao roflmao



What's so funny? You tell me why you think it's not worth it, and I'll prove you wrong, with science.
But you won't change your mind if you're not a conservationist.


What your science then?

Everyone I've hunted with takes birds down with a box of Rios and Winchester Super Xs lol



Y'all never have any cripples ever?


How many times you have to water swat a bird to finish it? As in, how often does that happen, and how many shells does it take to do so?
Posted By: goosebuster

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/20/20 05:45 PM

#4 turkey loads..all you need. no cripples!
Posted By: rickym

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/20/20 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by dk2429
Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by dk2429
$33 a box? roflmao roflmao



What's so funny? You tell me why you think it's not worth it, and I'll prove you wrong, with science.
But you won't change your mind if you're not a conservationist.


What your science then?

Everyone I've hunted with takes birds down with a box of Rios and Winchester Super Xs lol



Y'all never have any cripples ever?


How many times you have to water swat a bird to finish it? As in, how often does that happen, and how many shells does it take to do so?


Are you trying to say if a person shoots boss shells they’ll never have another cripple?
Posted By: KWood_TSU

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/20/20 11:31 PM

Originally Posted by rickym


Are you trying to say if a person shoots boss shells they’ll never have another cripple?


No sir.

All I'm saying is steel loses a significant amount of energy at 25 yards because of it's light weight, especially when compared to bismuth or lead.

Boss has a much higher KE than steel, giving it more umph, and it literally kills birds better. I will say that your cripples number should drastically decrease with a switch to Boss though.

It's just highly interesting that duck hunters will spend thousands upon thousands on gear, then go buy the chepest ammo at the store. The ammo is literally the most important part of the kill, and you're gonna buy something because it's cheap. That's honestly pretty sad.

And people will say I kill with steel just fine. Maybe you're right, but have you ever shot lead or bismuth to see if it's better? I'm betting most duck hunters have only ever shot steel, so it's all they know.
Posted By: jdk1985

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/20/20 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by Coach Floyd
I’m going crane hunting for the first time this upcoming fall. I am wanting some advice from forum members. I’ll be shooting a Benelli A300 Outlander. I have been told 3” steel #2 is the way to go for ammo. I have some questions posted below. We will be hunting in the Littlefield area.

1. My shotgun is black, do I need to do a rattle can camo on it?
2. What choke should I go with?
3. How many boxes of ammo should I take 3 day hunt?


Beretta, right?
Posted By: Pittstate

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/20/20 11:58 PM

I hunt cranes every year in Oklahoma, Texas or Kansas. Killed a couple hundred in my life. I use 2 3/4" number 5 lead that I load for Pheasant. I also use modified choke. We hunt over 2 dozen stuffed birds and lay under burlap that has switch grass tied all over it. We stake down 3 corners of the burlap and no part of hunter or equipment is allowed from under the burlap until the shot is called. We shoot them at 20 yards when they are 2" from the ground. Very easy to hit as they are slow to get going.
Posted By: LarryCopper

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/21/20 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by rickym


Are you trying to say if a person shoots boss shells they’ll never have another cripple?


No sir.

All I'm saying is steel loses a significant amount of energy at 25 yards because of it's light weight, especially when compared to bismuth or lead.

Boss has a much higher KE than steel, giving it more umph, and it literally kills birds better. I will say that your cripples number should drastically decrease with a switch to Boss though.

It's just highly interesting that duck hunters will spend thousands upon thousands on gear, then go buy the chepest ammo at the store. The ammo is literally the most important part of the kill, and you're gonna buy something because it's cheap. That's honestly pretty sad.

And people will say I kill with steel just fine. Maybe you're right, but have you ever shot lead or bismuth to see if it's better? I'm betting most duck hunters have only ever shot steel, so it's all they know.

What you are missing is that a lot of folks don't have the need for more KE to shoot at 50+ yards. It has nothing to do with cost. I don't drive a one-ton truck to haul my light weight camper and duck boat... no need.

I'd argue that for ducks a good dog is more important for recovery than heavier loads, so I wouldn't say it is the most important thing. Cripples taken within range (35-40 yards for #4 or larger steel) aren't due to the steel's inability to penetrate, it's because the shot was off and didn't hit any vitals. Hitting a duck harder in the wing or arse will do nothing to kill it deader.

On the flip side, if you are taking long shots or hunting where recovery is difficult without a dog, I understand the need. My point is that not everybody hunts the same and has the same requirements, which is why there will always be debate over what ammo/shotgun/choke is best. The right answer is... I dunno, what exactly are you trying to do?
Posted By: MO

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/21/20 05:02 PM

I am certainly no expert , but I did live in Brownfield area for a few years and did a fair amount of crane hunting. We always used burlap to lay on the ground and
to cover up with, several hundred gray rags draped over the stubble. No camo needed. The most important thing to understand is how big these birds are. Wait until they are close and any of the loads
will work. I believe I shot mostly #2 with some BB.

If you are going to be sky busting on passing birds , use the biggest shot you can find, and good luck.

It was my experience that big flocks would not decoy , you looking for stragglers.

If you could wait till they flared their wings and dropped their legs , it was and easy kill

This was 30 years ago , smile your mileage may vary


MO
Posted By: KWood_TSU

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/21/20 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by LarryCopper
Originally Posted by KWood_TSU
Originally Posted by rickym


Are you trying to say if a person shoots boss shells they’ll never have another cripple?


No sir.

All I'm saying is steel loses a significant amount of energy at 25 yards because of it's light weight, especially when compared to bismuth or lead.

Boss has a much higher KE than steel, giving it more umph, and it literally kills birds better. I will say that your cripples number should drastically decrease with a switch to Boss though.

It's just highly interesting that duck hunters will spend thousands upon thousands on gear, then go buy the chepest ammo at the store. The ammo is literally the most important part of the kill, and you're gonna buy something because it's cheap. That's honestly pretty sad.

And people will say I kill with steel just fine. Maybe you're right, but have you ever shot lead or bismuth to see if it's better? I'm betting most duck hunters have only ever shot steel, so it's all they know.

What you are missing is that a lot of folks don't have the need for more KE to shoot at 50+ yards. It has nothing to do with cost. I don't drive a one-ton truck to haul my light weight camper and duck boat... no need.

I'd argue that for ducks a good dog is more important for recovery than heavier loads, so I wouldn't say it is the most important thing. Cripples taken within range (35-40 yards for #4 or larger steel) aren't due to the steel's inability to penetrate, it's because the shot was off and didn't hit any vitals. Hitting a duck harder in the wing or arse will do nothing to kill it deader.

On the flip side, if you are taking long shots or hunting where recovery is difficult without a dog, I understand the need. My point is that not everybody hunts the same and has the same requirements, which is why there will always be debate over what ammo/shotgun/choke is best. The right answer is... I dunno, what exactly are you trying to do?

Actually part of it is bc if its inability to penetrate.
I agree that a good shot is important

It's hard to compare steel and bismuth to other things bc shotgun and pellets aren't like anything else.

The best explanation I can put it is like this. Shooting steel is like hunting deer with a full metal jacket target round. Bismuth is more like using a hunting bullet that's meant to hit with power and lethality behind it.
Posted By: garrett

Re: Sand Hill Crane Advice - 07/21/20 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by KWood_TSU


inability to penetrate.
.


thats what she said
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