Thread: Opening 2022

Sure is fine for old guns. I'm using my 1956 Stevens 311a. Of note it is smashing the ducks up a bit..maybe due to the choking of the gun. Shooting reloads atm. Haven't opened the Falcon box yet.

Originally Posted by Quackers

Sure is fine for old guns. I'm using my 1956 Stevens 311a. Of note it is smashing the ducks up a bit..maybe due to the choking of the gun. Shooting reloads atm. Haven't opened the Falcon box yet.

If you head shoot the ducks that solves the smashing up problem.


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Thanks for the replies

My shotgun (actually my father's) is a 50ish year old Zoli. It says nitro proved on the barrel, which apparently means it's okay for steel shot but not the high performance stuff.
It does have a stamp of what looks like a fleur de lis, but different from that Sideshow posted, it is inside a upside-down heart shape.
I'm pretty sure the bottom barrel is full choke, so I think I'll go with bismuth, but at $100/box I would probably be better off to buy a new shotgun!

Nah its not 100 a box. The Falcon stuff I paid 55 a box for

Originally Posted by Quackers

Nah its not 100 a box. The Falcon stuff I paid 55 a box for

The only stuff I could find via Google was Gamebore thru Kilwell at $99.99 a box of 25, due in late May, but I'll definitely be shopping around.

Fish city Hamilton had some for $60 a box when a friend went there not long ago..

14 Mallards tonight here in the Stormy ,Windy , Wet Manawatu !!

use lighter loads of smaller shot and DONT use rem hypersonic .....
gamebore/kent/winchester/falcon all do a 30-32grm loading and they all kill well...#3 is biggest you should use in tight chokes

doing these two things allow the shot to zip through without bridgeing....think bottleneck traffic jam...less traffic= easier to flow.

10 mallards and 1 parry tonight between two of us shooting maize stubble Tepuke.

Originally Posted by Cigar

Thanks for the replies

My shotgun (actually my father's) is a 50ish year old Zoli. It says nitro proved on the barrel, which apparently means it's okay for steel shot but not the high performance stuff.
It does have a stamp of what looks like a fleur de lis, but different from that Sideshow posted, it is inside a upside-down heart shape.
I'm pretty sure the bottom barrel is full choke, so I think I'll go with bismuth, but at $100/box I would probably be better off to buy a new shotgun!

check with a choke gauge and since its not a holland and holland spend 40 buks and get the choke opened up

My first season on F&G administered land. Seems it all happens in the first few hours of opening season then not too much going on. Is that about right?

Originally Posted by MB

My first season on F&G administered land. Seems it all happens in the first few hours of opening season then not too much going on. Is that about right?

Yes, which is why you cannot buy "day licences" until after the first week or month (I can remember which) of the season.
Most duckshooters seem to be "opening morning or opening weekend" only shooters.

Originally Posted by MB

My first season on F&G administered land. Seems it all happens in the first few hours of opening season then not too much going on. Is that about right?

It’s all area dependent, opening weekend just means start of the season, birds are generally less weary to hunters having not been shot at in ages, more chance of other hunters in your area keeping birds moving during the day but nothing is guaranteed.

Originally Posted by mikee

Yes, which is why you cannot buy "day licences" until after the first week or month (I can remember which) of the season.
Most duckshooters seem to be "opening morning or opening weekend" only shooters.

Originally Posted by Love_ducks

It’s all area dependent, opening weekend just means start of the season, birds are generally less weary to hunters having not been shot at in ages, more chance of other hunters in your area keeping birds moving during the day but nothing is guaranteed.

Sure, hunting is hunting. Anything can happen and it did this evening. Quick detour to the maimai on the way to work and got these two at last light. Stoked!

Last night in nz. Got 9 so my brother has to finish the bag job all plucked and singed. So will get on the plane smelling like plucked duck…..shore the other punters won’t mind……it’s only a 48hour round trip