Small game hunting with the 870.

[Okie1297]

Anyone else here rabbit hunt with a 870. I have a 20 gauge express I got for Christmas I mainly use 7/8 oz of either 7.5 shot or 7/8 oz of #6 shot. I also on a couple of duck sloughs use 3/4 oz #7 steel shot. What kinda of shot do you use and what kind of accessories do you have on your 870. I just have a stock shell loop holder. I’m I tersted I’m learning different small game methods I mainly use digs with my neighbor.

[Scorpion8]

Not small game, except for grouse and I have a 28-ga o/u for that. We have very little small game in my area, the squirrels are useless except to save the tails as fishing lure material. However I do carry one of my 870's as bear defense with slugs. But that's not small game. I'd love a 28-ga or 410-ga 870 for general packing, but sadly not small game.

[Edenwildfood]

7 steel is woefully insufficient for waterfowl, as you mentioned ducks. Very close up small ducks you might get away with 6 but I wouldn't use any less then #4 steel. Larger ducks if be using #3 or even #2

[ChillyB]

Did a LOT of pheasant hunting with my first 870, and a lot of rabbits since. That was 12 ga., improved cylinder.

I dont hang anything on shotguns while hunting. More recently I've allowed myself to keep the sling on because I'm just not that serious about filling the game bag anymore.

I'd carry maybe 10-15 shells for rabbits. Small fixed blade knife. 1 quart canteen, another in the truck. Carried bread bags in game pouch to keep vest and critters clean. Also helpful to have an old hand towel to clean hands after cleaning game (with canteen water) so you dont get blood on your gun. I like to take a zip lock bag of Cliff bar, candy, gum, etc, especially well stocked if hunting with kids. Gotta take good care of the dog, too. So small bag of dog food and treats. And that canteen is mostly for the dog who is working harder than me if there isnt water on the land.

[Okie1297]

I got one of those shell carriers on the stock so I carry 8 rounds total and maybe a couple extra in my pocket. I use gloves and carry water when I clean a rabbit like when I gut a deer.

[gWebber]

Squirrel hunting with 0000 buck and Super Mag Slugs .. squirrels here are diesel and ripped

[RGVshooter]

I've been hunting Dove, quail and rabbit with my 20 gauge 870 Wing Master since the late 80's. I'm in deep south Texas and I hunt the public wildlife management areas. It involves a LOT of walking (and sweating) if you're stalking quail or rabbits and I prefer to keep things as light as possible. So I don't have any accessories at all on my shotgun.

But what advice I can give is if you haven't already is go out & pick up a complete set of chokes to take full advantage of your 870's capabilities. I suggest full, Improved modified, modified, improved cylinder & cylinder. When I go after rabbit or quail I use an improved cylinder with 7/8oz # 7.5 loads. For dove I use 7/8oz #6 field loads with a Improved modified or Modified choke. For varmints, full choke. For skeet/trap? cylinder choke. Another must have accessory for anyone that is into bird hunting, mainly dove/quail I suggest getting a "upland bird knife". It's a 3-7/8"-4" folding pocketknife with a pointed sharp blade on one end and the opposite end is a gut hook. You pierce its butt with the pointed blade then insert the hooked end into the cavity to remove the guts. And finally a good set of footwear. I like red wings. Go to a army surplus store & pick up a canteen and belt holder. So basically what I'm saying is if you hunt, keep your shotgun light & simple and pick up some accessories that will make your hunt more successful.

[Scorpion8]

Another must have accessory for anyone that is into bird hunting, mainly dove/quail I suggest getting a "upland bird knife". It's a 3-7/8"-4" folding pocketknife with a pointed sharp blade on one end and the opposite end is a gut hook. You pierce its butt with the pointed blade then insert the hooked end into the cavity to remove the guts.

Like this....



All good advice by the way!

[RGVshooter]

Another must have accessory for anyone that is into bird hunting, mainly dove/quail I suggest getting a "upland bird knife". It's a 3-7/8"-4" folding pocketknife with a pointed sharp blade on one end and the opposite end is a gut hook. You pierce its butt with the pointed blade then insert the hooked end into the cavity to remove the guts.

Like this....



All good advice by the way!

yup

[ASI828277]

7 steel is woefully insufficient for waterfowl, as you mentioned ducks. Very close up small ducks you might get away with 6 but I wouldn't use any less then #4 steel. Larger ducks if be using #3 or even #2

870 the great